So can …… rosemary oil really make your hair grow out?

How to use rosemary oil for hair growthAnastasiia Krivenok – Getty Images

Hair oils are considered to have multiple benefits. They can moisturize your scalp and hair follicles, promote hair growth and reduce the chance of hair loss. But that’s not all – some hair oils even have therapeutic properties, helping to soothe irritated scalp skin and reduce flaky dandruff. Basically, they’ll make your hair look healthier and stronger overall.

Meet the Experts: Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City, Dr. Ramya Garlapati, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist in Los Angeles, Co-Founder Expert of Skin Medicinals and Skincare, Dr. Lauren Penzi, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist specializing in Long Island Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology

Want to know how hair oils play such a big role? For starters, they help put sebum (the skin’s natural oil) to work. “Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous glands attached to the hair follicles,” says Dr. Brendan Camp, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. “By coating the hair shaft with oil, sebum helps soften and smooth the hair and strengthen it to prevent breakage.”

If you’re not familiar with using hair oils, rosemary oil is a good place to start because it has many benefits for treating the scalp and hair, and it actually has research to back up its claims compared to other commercially available beauty oils, says Dr. Ramya Garlapati, M.D.

Learn all about using rosemary oil for hair growth ahead of time, including how to use it and its potential side effects.

Benefits of using rosemary oil on hair

“Rosemary has been shown to have significant antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-tumorigenic, analgesic and neuroprotective properties,” says Dr. Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist. As a result, it can promote hair growth and prevent breakage by applying a fortifying oil to the hair.

In a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of 86 patients with baldness in 1998, an essential oil blend of thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedar was found to be more effective than a placebo. Basically, rosemary oil was found to be as effective as topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, but it was safe for all patients with hair loss.

Dr. Garlapati says rosemary oil helps hair growth by “blocking the action of DHT, a testosterone that normally causes hair follicles to shrink, which leads to hair loss.” “It increases blood flow to the hair follicles, which increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients that promote hair growth.”

It also reduces the irritation of the scalp from problems such as dandruff because “it is considered a vasodilator, which means it increases blood flow to the skin of the scalp,” says Dr. Kemp. “This improved circulation is thought to help keep hair in the anagen phase and prevent shedding.”

Who can use rosemary oil?

Anyone can use rosemary oil to treat their scalp, but it is especially helpful for those who have dandruff, hair loss, thinning, breakage or alopecia – “especially those who may want to take a more natural approach to hair loss management or who prefer to lose their hair” by adding rosemary oil as a complementary treatment to their treatment regimen,” says Dr. Garlapati.

Before trying a home remedy like rosemary oil, remember to discuss the cause of hair loss with your dermatologist. “Other people with more sensitive skin may need to use rosemary oil with caution to avoid irritating the skin,” says Dr. Kemp.

Side effects of using rosemary oil on hair

Dr. Garlapati says it is safe for all types of hair, even color-treated hair. “There is virtually no risk of side effects,” Dr. Penzi added.

However, Dr. Penzi notes that essential oils contain biologically active ingredients that can be toxic. “Oils containing high concentrations of aldehydes and phenols may irritate the skin,” she says. “Pregnant women and infants should use caution with essential oils containing high concentrations of ketones.”

Rosemary oil can also cause allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, so take extra care if you notice anything unusual on your scalp or hair. If you feel any irritation, stop using it.

Even if you don’t see any negative effects, be careful how often you use it. “If used in excess, rosemary oil can make thinning hair look greasy and heavy,” notes Dr. Camp.

How to use rosemary oil on your hair

Rosemary oil can be used as a stand-alone treatment, and where you apply it should depend on the problem you’re working on: “When used to treat hair loss, it should be applied directly to the scalp,” says Dr. Camp. “When used to treat damaged hair, it should be applied to the hair.” Take a few drops and massage it into the scalp to stimulate blood flow.

Dr. Garlapati recommends keeping it on for at least ten minutes and using it daily or several times a week, and Dr. Penzi recommends applying it at night and washing it off in the morning.

While it may be more effective to use pure oil, you can also add a few drops of rosemary oil to your shampoo and let it sit on your scalp for a few minutes to see if it also has benefits. “Keep in mind that changes in the hair are usually slow and take at least three to six months to see noticeable results,” adds Dr. Penzi.

It can also be added to “a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, to dilute it,” Dr. Camp adds.

And, by the way: There are no known ingredients that interfere with rosemary oil, so Dr. Penzi says you don’t have to worry about using it with other products that might be in your hair care routine. Happy nourishing!

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