Rosemary essential oil is creating a buzz on TikTok lately, and it’s not because of its pleasant aroma. Rather, the oil is gaining attention for its potential hair growth benefits. But is there any substance behind the social media hype? To dig deeper into the topic, we reached out to Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, Dominick Pucciarello, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, and Jonathan Colombini, a celebrity hairstylist, colorist, and Creative Director of Style & Color for L’Oréal Paris.
Benefits of Rosemary Essential Oil
- Research suggests that rosemary essential oil may be as effective as Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, in promoting hair growth.
- Rosemary oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the scalp, according to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King.
- The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of rosemary oil can also aid in preventing dandruff and scalp acne.
- Celebrity hairstylist Dominick Pucciarello notes that rosemary oil can help prevent hair thinning caused by breakage due to aging or hormonal imbalances.
- Rosemary oil is generally safe for use on all hair types, but it’s essential to discontinue use and seek advice from a dermatologist if you experience any allergic reactions.
Does Rosemary Essential Oil Thicken Hair?
It’s highly likely that rosemary essential oil is beneficial for hair growth, according to Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist. King explains that in a 2015 study comparing rosemary oil to Minoxidil, both groups experienced significant hair growth increases after six months. This could be due to the oil’s ability to enhance micro-capillary perfusion. However, Minoxidil is still the most proven over-the-counter option for hair growth, as it widens blood vessels and allows more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to reach hair follicles by opening potassium channels.
While more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of rosemary oil, King notes that any impact on hair growth may take up to six months to manifest due to the hair growth cycle. The 2015 study with rosemary oil also demonstrated results after six months. King emphasizes that bigger and better studies are necessary to evaluate whether oils can aid in hair growth.
How often to apply it?
You can apply it daily, or after every wash. As per Colombini, “You can use rosemary oil on the hair anytime you want to replenish the hair’s natural oils or address a problem area.”
How to apply the Rosemary Essential Oil?
“Rosemary oil can either be applied directly or via products,” says Colombini. “If you’re hoping to address hair growth, apply directly onto the scalp and massage in for a couple minutes. If you’re hoping to address hair breakage or dryness, apply to the hair to act as a conductor to help transfer sebum, hair’s natural oils, onto the hair shaft, which acts as a protector.”
