Is rosemary oil really a hair growth miracle drug?

Applying rosemary oil to your hair will do one thing. You’ll smell like a Sunday roast. Which is a nice, pleasant, pure thing for a Sunday afternoon. But there’s probably a reason why Byredo’s yet to release a ‘poulet rôti’ candle. Thousands of guys aren’t rubbing in the unctuous, fragrant back-shelf pantry filler for the smell. They’re doing it because of the supposed benefits to hair growth.

By Murray Clark on February 02, 2023—https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/grooming/article/rosemary-oil-hair-loss-cure

But what’s the deal? Male pattern baldness has affected guys for centuries, and there is no one-size-fits-all cure – a remarkable stagnation for a civilization that invented microwave dinners. That’s because curing something that’s thought to be genetic is very hard, as scientists would have to pinpoint that precise gene and then mess about with it. A lot of work. Feels weird, then, that rosemary oil, all of a sudden, would be the miracle cure we just hadn’t considered – especially when pre-modern medicine largely relied on the herbal and the hokum.

It’s not new. “Rosemary oil as a potential topical treatment for hair loss has been mentioned in clinical studies for a number of years now, so this isn’t particularly novel,” says Zoë Passam, a consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley clinic, pointing to several pieces of research that combine the effects of rosemary oil to those of minoxidil, an FDA-approved treatment that can slow hair loss.

But Passam isn’t buying in. “As a trichologist, my main concern would be that people may follow these trends when they would be better served finding out the reason for their hair loss,” she says over email. “Some types of hair loss are progressive, so seeking appropriate advice early is likely to lead to better outcomes. In relation to male and female pattern hair loss, I would recommend treatments with a stronger evidence base, such as minoxidil, where there is a good body of evidence that it may be beneficial.”

This is why many medical professionals are reluctant to espouse the gospel of rosemary oil. They deal in science, and for Passam, “one should be wary of drawing conclusions from single studies”. What’s more, male pattern baldness is not always the root cause of hair loss. “The condition is well known for its potential to recover spontaneously regardless of treatment, so it’s difficult to be sure whether rosemary is truly beneficial.

What it will do is hydrate: rosemary oil is known for adding shine, strength and a tall glass of water to dryer scalps. And there could be something in the anecdotes. Other experts have said there could be something in rosemary oil as a hair growth stimulant, and the studies are promising. But if you want proven, clinical evidence, Passam encourages minoxidil – that stuff again. “It’s medically approved to treat male and female pattern hair loss, but obtaining a correct diagnosis is a key first step in determining which treatment may be right for you.”