Rosemary Oil For Hair Loss: Does It Really Work?

Did you know that 2 percent of the world’s general population will experience hair loss or what is medically known as Alopecia at some point in their lifetime? Hair loss can be really devastating and has the power to undermine one’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

However, know that you are not alone. The treatment is possible in most cases if you figure out why it’s happening and started the treatment early!

While there are many conventional treatments out there, most people today prefer natural remedies and rosemary oil is present in most of them. So is rosemary oil an effective hair loss solution? 

Let’s find out!

1. What is Alopecia? 

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Hair loss may occur due to the normal aging process or it may also happen due to a variety of other reasons such as heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or the use of certain medications. 

There are many types of hair loss and the most common form is Androgenetic Alopecia. 

2. Hair loss (Alopecia) Types

• Androgenetic Alopecia

This is considered the most common form of hair loss in men and women. It’s equally known as male- or female-pattern hair loss. Androgenetic Alopecia is typically permanent. It starts early in life and has the tendency to run in families. Still, this doesn’t change the fact that it can begin anytime after puberty. When you are affected by this hair loss type, you will notice that your hair is thinning and taking longer to grow back after shedding. 

• Involutional alopecia

This hair loss condition is related to the natural aging process. Hence it’s more common in older people. Here, the hair tends to gradually thin as the hair follicles go into the resting phase which results in shorter and fewer hairs. 

• Alopecia areata

Mostly affect children and young adults without any prior warning! Alopecia areata often occurs suddenly, resulting in patchy hair loss and even sometimes complete baldness. Luckily, this condition is not permanent and can be treated. Research shows that 90% of people affected with this hair loss condition were able to have their hair grow back. 

• Alopecia Universalis

This is characterized by the complete loss of the hair in the scalp and body. This includes the eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair. However, it’s possible for people with Alopecia Universalis to have their hair back to its healthy condition after a few months or years as Alopecia Universalis can go on its own with or without treatment. In other rare cases, however, the hair loss may be permanent.  

• Trichotillomania

This hair loss condition takes place as a result of a psychological disorder in which a person has strong urges to pull out their own hair whether it’s in the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or even pubic area. 

• Telogen effluvium

Characterized by subsequent hair thinning over the scalp and shedding due to changes in the growth of the hair cycle caused by some medical treatments such as chemotherapy. This hair loss condition remains temporary and curable. Dermatologists can give some medications to help the hair grow more quickly. 

• Scarring alopecia

This is a rare type of Alopecia. It occurs due to inflammatory skin conditions which destroy hair follicles and result in scars that interfere with the hair’s ability to regenerate and regrow, leading to permanent hair loss

3. Do you Have Alopecia?

It’s normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs every day, but excessive shedding could be a clear sign of alopecia. Here are obvious signs of hair loss:

• Gradual or sudden hair thinning
• Small and round patchy bald spots on the scalp.
• A receding hairline and/or loss of clear edges
• A widening hair part

4. Rosemary oil for hair 

Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary  (Rosmarinus officinalis) has been used for centuries for food and medicine. The rosemary leaf and its essential oil are highly appreciated for their powerful antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. 

In recent studies, rosemary essential oil was claimed to prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth and this may come from the rosemary’s basic health benefits. 

The rosemary plant in essential oil form is said to:

• have anti-inflammatory properties.
• Improve circulation.
• Promote hair growth. 
• Strengthen hair.
• Improve scalp irritation, scalp itching, and overall scalp health.

Now that we are aware of the multiple benefits of rosemary oil for hair, could it be used to treat Alopecia and give you strong, thick, and healthy-looking hair? What does the research say about rosemary oil for hair? Do studies support the claims? 

5. Can Rosemary Oil Treat Hair Loss?

According to some scientific evidence, rosemary essential oil can help protect against hair loss.

A study that was conducted in 2015 revealed that rosemary essential oil is as effective as minoxidil 2% when it comes to treating hair loss. During the process, one group of people with androgenetic alopecia was randomly assigned to rosemary oil and the other group with minoxidil 2%. After 3 months, the two groups returned to the clinic for safety and efficacy evaluation, but no significant change was observed. However, by 6 months, both groups witnessed a significant increase in hair growth. 

Is rosemary oil for hair better than minoxidil?

Spoiler Alert: Yes! 

In the same study, an itchy scalp was more common in the minoxidil group, which makes rosemary oil a safer and better option for those with a history of scalp allergies or irritations.

Other studies on the same topic, including a study published in 2017, found that the presence of rosemary oil in hair, can give you a healthy scalp and that’s due to its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that kill some fungi and bacteria. In this context, rosemary oil might be really effective in preventing hair loss related to an infection or unhealthy scalp. 

6. How to use rosemary oil for hair loss? 

There are many ways you can use rosemary oil for hair growth and thickness. You can try this treatment once to twice a week. For impressive and significant results, you have to commit for at least 6 months. 

So, how to use this magical solution?

Take 6 drops of rosemary essential oil and mix it with 3 drops of lavender essential oil, and 5 teaspoons of carrier oil of your choice, and it’s better, in this case, to go for 2 teaspoons castor oil and 3 teaspoons almond oil to boost your hair growth and thickness. Massage the mixture into your scalp and let it sit for at least 1 hour and then rinse with water and regular shampoo. 

Remember! Never stop using rosemary suddenly. When you achieve the desired results and wish to stop using rosemary essential oil, make sure to do so gradually. For instance, if you use it three times a week, you can reduce the number to twice a week, and then once a week, and so on and so forth. 

So are you ready to give this rosemary oil hair solution a try? Don’t hesitate to comment below!

XOXO ?