[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/rosemary-oil-hair-growth\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/rosemary-oil-hair-growth\/","headline":"Will Rosemary Oil Help My Hair Grow?","name":"Will Rosemary Oil Help My Hair Grow?","description":"Rosemary oil is a popular hair treatment, with good reason. It's an effective and inexpensive way to help your hair grow thicker. Here's what you need to know.","datePublished":"2023-05-02","dateModified":"2024-03-11","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","name":"Dermatology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/dermatology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/dermatology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-1350501259.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/GettyImages-1350501259.jpg","height":867,"width":2000},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/rosemary-oil-hair-growth\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Skin Care"],"wordCount":1145,"articleBody":"You may have seen people online touting the benefits of using rosemary oil on their hair. Many people claim rosemary oil can help hair grow thicker.That\u2019s an exciting prospect for anyone who struggles with\u00a0thinning hair. But is the hype too good to be true?Research indicates rosemary oil may have some positive effects on hair growth. Here\u2019s what you need to know about using rosemary oil on your hair.What Is Rosemary Oil?Rosemary is a Mediterranean shrub with needle-like leaves and a distinctive scent. Rosemary oil is the oil extracted from the twigs and fresh leaves of the rosemary plant.People have used rosemary in various forms for centuries, both in folk remedies and to flavor food.Rosemary has medicinal as well as calming properties. Recent studies show that\u00a0rosemary\u00a0in different forms can curb inflammation, boost memory, and soothe anxiety. It is also inexpensive and nontoxic.Does Rosemary Oil Thicken Hair?The short answer is yes. There is some scientific evidence that rubbing rosemary oil into the scalp can help hair growth.One rosemary for hair growth study\u00a0showed that rosemary oil was as effective as\u00a0minoxidil\u00a0at stimulating hair growth. Minoxidil is a lotion you apply to the scalp to boost hair growth. It is currently the only treatment for female pattern hair loss (FPHL) approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).The other good news? Using rosemary oil doesn\u2019t cause an itchy scalp, which is sometimes a side effect of minoxidil.Doctors aren\u2019t exactly sure how rosemary oil works. It may improve circulation in the scalp. That in turn may lead to faster cellular turnover and hair growth.Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory properties, so it may also be beneficial in calming inflammation. Inflammation can contribute to some hair loss conditions like\u00a0alopecia areata.How Is Rosemary Oil Used for Hair Growth?You can buy rosemary oil over the counter anywhere that sells\u00a0essential oils.It\u2019s concentrated, so you need to mix it with a carrier oil to dilute it. Some carrier oils are argan oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and sweet almond oil.To use on your hair, mix about five drops of rosemary oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. Massage the oil into your scalp and leave it on for a few minutes before showering. Be careful not to get pure rosemary oil in your eyes, as it can be irritating.Another option is to add a few drops of rosemary oil to your favorite shampoo. Or choose hair care products that incorporate rosemary oil in their ingredients. Many shampoos, conditioners, and other products list rosemary oil among their ingredients.Women and Hair LossWhy do you need rosemary oil in the first place? Two words:\u00a0hair loss.It\u2019s normal to shed some hair every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people lose\u00a0between 50 and 100 hairs per day. But a receding hairline, bald spot, or overall thinning is a sign of more serious hair loss.As a society, we\u2019re accustomed to seeing hair loss in men. But many women also experience thinning hair.A 2022 study published in the journal\u00a0Menopause\u00a0revealed that more than 50% of women have FPHL by age 50. FPHL often begins when a woman goes through\u00a0menopause\u00a0in her forties or fifties. That\u2019s when hormonal changes cause hair to thin.With FPHL, you lose hair all over your head. This makes it different than male pattern baldness, which results in a bald spot or receding hairline. If you have FPHL, you may notice that your part is getting wider or your ponytail is thinner.Genetics can play a role in FPLH. So can autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata.You may also shed more hair than normal if you recently:Gave birth.Had surgery.Lost a significant amount of weight (20 pounds or more) in a short time.Recovered from a major illness.Underwent\u00a0chemotherapy for cancer.Used harsh hair care products.Went through a\u00a0stressful situation\u00a0(getting a divorce, losing your job, caring for an elderly loved one).If you notice your hair thinning, you should see a dermatologist. A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in treating skin, nails, and hair. They can help determine why your hair is thinning and how to slow down the process.Your dermatologist may recommend using rosemary oil or other methods to make your hair look and feel thicker.Tips for Healthier HairUsing rosemary oil is one way to help your hair grow thicker. Here are some other hair care dos and don\u2019ts for a full, healthy head of hair.Do:Use a gentle shampoo.Apply conditioner after every shampoo. Conditioner coats the strands of hair to reduce breakage and split ends.Skip the hot blow dryer and let your hair air-dry when possible. When you must blow-dry your hair, use the lowest possible setting.Wrap hair in a microfiber towel to help it dry more quickly. You can eliminate or lower the time you need to use a hair dryer.Be gentle when brushing or combing your hair. Brushing too much can break delicate strands of hair.Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your hair is only as healthy as your body.Don\u2019t:Use harsh at-home hair treatments. Leave perming, chemical straightening, bleaching, lightening, and relaxing to the pros at the salon. Even hot oil treatments can heat your hair to the point of damage.Overdo it with curling irons, flat irons, and hot combs. They heat hair and weaken it.Wear your hair continually pulled back in a tight ponytail, bun, cornrows, or braids. A hairstyle that pulls on your hair can cause permanent hair loss.Twist or pull on your hair. This bad habit can weaken already fragile hair.Smoke. If you do smoke,\u00a0try to cut down or stop. Smoking causes inflammation in your whole body, which can weaken your hair.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 2, 2023, and was last reviewed on March 11, 2024.SourcesNational Library of Medicine, Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Therapeutic effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and its active constituents on nervous system disorders, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Biological activities of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) extract as analyzed in microorganisms, LinkNational Library of Medicine, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.): A Review, LinkMenopause, Prevalence of female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study, LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Hair Loss: Tips for Managing, LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Thinning Hair and Hair Loss: Could It Be Female Pattern Hair Loss? LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Hair Loss: Diagnosis and Treatment, LinkAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association, Tips for Healthy Hair, Link"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2023","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Will Rosemary Oil Help My Hair Grow?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2023\/05\/rosemary-oil-hair-growth\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]