Can rosemary oil cause hair loss?

20th December 2024

Rosemary oil is becoming increasingly popular in the world of natural hair care. From social media tutorials to beauty blogs, this essential oil is often touted as a miracle worker for promoting hair growth and improving scalp health. However, with its rising popularity comes some uncertainty: can rosemary oil truly help with hair loss, or could it inadvertently cause more harm than good? While many claim the product naturally promotes hair growth, some are concerned rosemary oil could actually cause hair loss.

This blog will explore the evidence surrounding rosemary oil’s impact on hair health, shedding light on whether it can help—or hinder—your journey to healthier hair.

What is rosemary oil?

Rosemary oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of a rosemary plant. Historically, it has had several health, medicinal and beauty applications, traditionally being used to:

• reduce inflammation
• stimulate circulation
• promote skin health

While scientific evidence for the benefits of rosemary oil is very limited, it continues to be explored in today’s society. Rosemary oil has found its way into a wide range of hair care products, from shampoos to scalp treatments. For those seeking natural treatments for hair loss or hair-enhancing products, rosemary oil often seems like an attractive option.

Can rosemary oil help hair growth?

There is some evidence that rosemary oil can benefit hair health, but research is limited. One of the most influential studies comes from 2015, looking at 100 men with androgenetic alopecia (‘male pattern baldness’), the most common form of hair loss. For six months, half the men applied rosemary oil twice daily, while the other half applied a 2% minoxidil solution – a proven hair loss treatment.

At the end of the six months, both groups experienced mild improvements in hair density, with there being no major differences between the two groups. This suggests that rosemary oil could help improve hair growth, but improvements are likely to be very minor.

A more recent study on mice found similar results when comparing hair growth between minoxidil and rosemary oil, with both groups showing small improvements in hair growth compared to a control group. However, the results of this cannot directly be applied to humans.

So, there are some studies showing rosemary oil may improve hair growth and density to some degree. However, it’s important to note:

• Good quality studies are very limited, especially studies on rosemary oil in women. Much more research is needed before we can draw a real conclusion about rosemary oil and hair growth.
• Any improvements seen from rosemary oil in studies generally tend to be very minor.
• Lots of research on rosemary oil is anecdotal, meaning it is based on personal experiences and we can’t draw reliable conclusions from it.

Alternatively, we do know that there are several hair loss treatments which have a strong evidence base, including various medications and non-surgical therapies. It’s likely that these are much more effective than rosemary oil for improving symptoms of hair loss.

Learn more about our different types of hair restoration treatments.

Can rosemary oil cause hair loss?

With more and more people using rosemary oil as a natural hair remedy, some people have raised concerns about how safe the product is, namely, whether rosemary oil could cause hair loss.

Potential risks from misuse:

Using rosemary oil incorrectly can cause scalp irritation or adverse reactions. For example:

• Undiluted application: Rosemary oil can be highly concentrated and usually needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before applying to the scalp. Applying rosemary oil undiluted could lead to skin irritation and dryness.
• Allergic reactions: Some individuals may have a sensitivity to rosemary oil, leading to irritation, redness, itching, or flaking.

In severe cases, scalp irritation could potentially lead to temporary hair shedding. However, this will likely subside once the improper use of rosemary oil is addressed. It’s reassuring to note that there isn’t much evidence suggesting that rosemary oil causes hair loss, especially that of the long-term or permanent kind.

If you are considering incorporating rosemary oil into your hair care routine, make sure to:

• dilute the oil with a carrier oil, as per your product’s instructions
• avoid overuse
• see a medical professional if you experience any problems.

Final thoughts

Rosemary oil could potentially improve hair growth, but truthfully, we don’t know enough about its effectiveness yet. And it’s very unlikely to be more effective than proven, well-studied hair loss treatments.

But the good news is that if you are curious about rosemary oil and use it correctly, it’s unlikely to cause hair loss or make existing hair loss worse.

Ultimately, if you’re experiencing hair loss or scalp concerns, it’s best to reach out to a trusted hair loss expert to find genuine, evidence-based treatments that work. At The Maitland Clinic, our specialists can help guide you, offering tailored advice and treatments to help you achieve your hair health goals. To explore our range of treatment options and how we can help you, get in touch today to arrange a consultation.