There’s a lot of buzz around how rosemary oil can trigger hair growth and help control hair loss. Hair care products are keen to capitalize on this hype surrounding rosemary oil for hair growth, adding this precious herb to every hair care product, from shampoos to hair oils. Rosemary oil is particularly seen to help with alopecia, where more hair falls out from the scalp and less hair grows in.
On average, we can lose anywhere from 50 to 100 hair strands a day, but when that count increases, it can be a cause for concern. Rosemary oil’s effectiveness in tackling alopecia and hair loss is supported by many experts and several studies, such as this one where rosemary oil (10%) was found to have effects similar to minoxidil 2%, which is widely used to treat alopecia and hair loss. At the end of a 6-week period, rosemary oil boosted hair growth similarly to minoxidil 2%. Therefore, rosemary oil not only prevents hair loss but also promotes hair growth.
5 Main Reasons That Cause Hair Fall in Women:
These are the most common reasons that cause severe hair fall in people, particularly women.
1. Nutritional and Vitamin Deficiencies: Deficiencies in essential vitamins (such as biotin, vitamin D, and B12) and minerals (like iron and zinc) can cause hair loss, as these nutrients are vital for the health of hair follicles, keratin production, and overall scalp condition.
2. Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal imbalance as with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and thyroid dysfunction (either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) can cause hair fall by disrupting the hair growth cycle and weakening hair follicles.
3. Use of Wrong Haircare Products: Use of harsh shampoos and other haircare products can cause scalp irritation and weaken the hair follicles, thereby leading to severe hair fall.
4. Excessive Heat Styling and Chemical Hair Treatments: Excessive heat styling and chemical hair treatments can damage hair by weakening its structure and causing dryness, leading to breakage and loss of shine over time. Proper conditioning and heat protection products can help mitigate these effects and maintain healthier hair.
5. Chronic Stress: Only a few would tell you this – stress can trigger severe hair fall! The hormone “cortisol,” which gets released when you experience stress, can interrupt with the normal hair growth cycle and causing the hair to shed prematurely. Additionally, stress can affect blood circulation to the scalp, further exacerbating hair loss. Therefore, it’s extremely important to manage stress through relaxation techniques, exercise, eating healthy, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night along with using rosemary oil for hair growth.
How Rosemary Oil Helps Boost Hair Growth?
1. DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a hormone that is linked to baldness and rosemary oil acts as a DHT blocker, preventing this hormone from binding on to hair follicles, and thus reducing hair fall.
2. In this study, rosemary oil was found to have a high antioxidant activity compared to blackseed essential oil. These antioxidants (carnosic acid, carnosol and rosmarinic acid) fight free radicals, reduce inflammation, and help to promote hair growth.
3. Rosemary oil improves blood circulation when applied to the scalp, and improved blood circulation would result in new help fromgrowing out of the hair follicles.
4. Rosemary oil has anti-fungal properties and thus helps to reduce dandruff-related hair fall.
Also Read: Top 3 Methods To Use Vitamin E Capsules For Hair Growth
2 Ways To Use Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth:
1. Mix Rosemary Oil in Carrier Oil:
Just like any other essential oil, do not apply rosemary oil directly on the scalp in undiluted form. Doing so might trigger scalp irritation and allergies. Hence, you should always pick a good carrier oil like olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil or mustard oil to dilute rosemary oil. Take 2 tbsp of any carrier oil (coconut for example),1 tbsp of olive oil, and add 5 drops of rosemary essential oil. Mix it well and massage the oil on clean scalp for 10 minutes. Keep the oil on hair for at least 1 hour. You can also keep this oil overnight and rinse it off the next morning with your regular shampoo.
2. Mix Rosemary Oil in Shampoo:
You can introduce rosemary oil into your haircare regimen by adding rosemary oil into your regular shampoo. Do not add too much – remember to just add 5 drops in around 30 ml of shampoo. Lather on the scalp thoroughly and rinse normally.
3 Tips To Keep in Mind While Using Rosemary Oil For Hair Growth:
1. Do not apply directly, always dilute it in a carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil for example).
2. As it is with any skincare and haircare product, do a patch test before application.
3. Do not overuse in order to achieve faster results.
In summary, that’s how rosemary oil for hair growth works! However, this oil alone won’t magically solve your hair loss issues. It’s important to tackle root causes like hormonal imbalances, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, manage stress, and get enough sleep to promote hair growth and reduce hair loss. Taking these steps alongside using rosemary oil can help improve overall hair health in the long run.
