Whether you have suffered from alopecia, hair thinning or hair loss, you may have heard about using rosemary oil for hair growth. In recent years, the popularity of this essential oil has skyrocketed, with scientists and hopefuls alike discussing the potential benefits of rosemary oil for hair loss treatment.
But does rosemary oil really help hair growth? In this article, we will explore the research that continues to be done into rosemary oil, identifying its health benefits as well as potential side effects, so that you can be completely informed before you decide to use rosemary oil for hair growth yourself.
What Is Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth?
Derived from the evergreen rosemary plant, rosemary oil is an essential oil that has been used for hair growth and other medicinal benefits for millennia. Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, rosemary oil was extracted from the leaves of the shrub and used for treating digestive disorders, as well as embalming fluid, preserving the skin of mummified pharaohs. Thousands of years later, rosemary oil was used to produce one of the first alcohol-based perfumes for 14th-century Hungarian aristocrats, fittingly named ‘Royal Hungarian Water’.
While its use in embalming has gone out of fashion, rosemary oil continues to be used in perfumes and cosmetics to this day, and its application in aromatherapy has been linked to improvements in our circulatory and nervous systems. In recent decades, multiple scientific studies have been conducted into the potential benefits of rosemary oil, for hair growth as well as reducing stress, improving memory and supporting cognitive function.
Does Rosemary Oil Really Help Hair Growth?
There is a growing amount of evidence to support the claim that rosemary oil does help with hair growth. In 2015, a study published in the medical journal Skinmed found that rosemary oil performed as well as 2% minoxidil, a medication used in the treatment of pattern hair loss. Not only was rosemary oil able to match the enhanced hair counts of those suffering from androgenetic alopecia, but it also assisted with the side effect of getting an itchy scalp better than minoxidil, further showing its promise.
A more recent study, published in the Scientific African in 2022, discovered that combining 10% rosemary oil with cedar wood oil produced similar hair growth rates as 2% minoxidil, consolidating the earlier findings. The scientists conducting this study theorised that the combination of rosemary and cedar wood increased circulation to the scalp, providing antioxidants to the hair follicles to protect them from inflammation and stimulate hair growth.
While these studies offer hope that rosemary oil does help with hair growth, it is important to remember that research in this area is still limited. From the nature of your hair loss to the conditions in which the rosemary plant was grown, there are currently too many variables to say with absolute certainty that rosemary oil is the ultimate solution for hair growth. That being said, we encourage you to conduct your own research into the type and origin of rosemary oil you are interested in trying, then share your findings with the Simply Wigs community!
For more insights on the use of rosemary for hair growth, we recommend that you read the clinical review of alopecia areata management published in the British Medical Journal.
Benefits of Rosemary Oil for Hair
From protecting your hair follicles from bacterial infection to slowing the spread of grey hairs, rosemary oil has been shown to have numerous benefits for hair and scalp health. These include:
Improving circulation
As recently as 2024, a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology observed the effectiveness of rosemary oil as a vasodilator, which dilates blood vessels to increase blood circulation. Applying and massaging rosemary oil into your scalp is believed to draw more oxygenated blood to your hair follicles to stimulate growth.
Strengthening hair
Multiple studies have noted the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of rosemary oil, which allow the essential oil to aid hair growth by protecting its follicles from external environmental aggressors, such as air pollution. This can improve the strength of your hair, minimising the risk of breakages and maintaining its thickness.
Supporting scalp health
In addition to benefiting hair growth, the antioxidant properties of rosemary oil can act as an anti-inflammatory for itchy, flaky or sensitive scalps. By fighting the fungus responsible for dandruff, rosemary oil can soothe scalp irritation while balancing the natural oils in your hair.
Slowing down greying
While many members of our community have embraced their grey hair, premature greying can be understandably frustrating. Research into the greying process has found that external aggressors, such as pollution and UV radiation, can cause oxidative stress on the hair and accelerate the spread of grey. As rosemary oil has been shown to offer some protection against these aggressors, you may find it useful to slow down your transition to grey hair.
Potential Side Effects from Using Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth
Whether you want to relieve your irritated scalp or protect your hair follicles, before you decide to use rosemary oil for your hair and scalp, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of products containing this essential oil. While some studies have shown its effectiveness at treating scalp irritation, without first diluting your rosemary oil to make it safe for topical use, you could inadvertently worsen the condition of your skin or hair follicles.
In addition to avoiding using an undiluted product, we strongly advise that you do not use rosemary oil for hair growth in the following instances:
How to Use Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth
Once you have done your research and found a type of rosemary oil that you think will benefit your hair loss condition, you need to take the necessary steps to ensure you apply it correctly and safely. The three main ways of using rosemary oil for hair growth are:
What If Rosemary Oil Doesn’t Help My Hair Growth?
Despite the mounting scientific evidence in support of its effectiveness, it is important to remember that rosemary oil is by no means a miracle product, and there is no guarantee that it will be able to reverse your hair loss or thinning. Coming to terms with this fact can be disheartening, especially when you are at the start of your hair loss journey, but we encourage the members of our community to embrace this change with confidence and grace!
If you have been unable to use rosemary oil or other products for hair growth and are looking for a way to conceal your hair loss, our collection of human hair and synthetic wigs comes in a spectrum of colours and styles to suit every individual. Whether you want a realistic look or to indulge in several styles for different occasions, our wig specialists are on hand to guide you through the fabulous world of wig wearing! And the great news is that wearing a wig does not prevent hair growth, so you can wear yours even if you still want to experiment with rosemary oil.
Whether you will be wearing a wig for the first time, or you want to refresh your style while you are waiting to see the benefits of using rosemary oil, please get in touch with our customer care team, who will be more than happy to have a chat!
I have been wearing Simply Wigs for around 3yrs now after being diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia. Don’t know what l would have done without you. Your wigs are beautiful & so natural. You have given me back my confidence as l was starting to shy away from the world & hiding myself away. Thank you so much & for your brilliant customer service