I lost half my hair… but a secret family recipe for hair oil made it grow back
IT is the so-called miracle product that is flying off the shelves nationwide.
But does rosemary oil really live up to the social media hype and help strengthen our locks?
10
With bold claims that it will help boost hair growth and follicle thickness, women are using the oil, which has gone viral on TikTok, to restore their manes after suffering from hair loss.
In the past year alone, Google searches for rosemary oil have increased by 395 percent, while on boots.com, searches for the product have increased by 579 percent.
Essential oil brand Tisserand Aromatherapy has seen sales of its organic rosemary essential oil double in a year as customers stock up on the super ingredient.
On TikTok, #scalpcare is trending with more than 1.6 billion views and #healthyscalp another 164 million.
But at the top is #rosemaryoil, which has already racked up more than 2.8 billion views thanks to its purported hair growth benefits.
One woman vouching for the oil’s credibility desperately wanted her locks to grow back after losing all her hair during cancer treatment.
Ruth Shoult reluctantly shaved her head after strands came out following her second dose of chemo, and her human hair wigs were no substitute for a real glossy mane.
‘Hair loss can affect self-esteem’
“I had seen people on TikTok talking about rosemary oil and how it can promote hair growth,” says the 42-year-old from Milton Keynes.
“I wondered if it might be a social media fad, but my chemo nurses also recommended it, along with other breast cancer patients in support groups I joined.
“I ordered a bottle from TikTok Shop for £8 and said to myself, ‘What have I got to lose?’.”
Seven months after she started oiling her hair, the mother of three is happy with her thick, soft roots so far, which are coming back in gray curls.
“My hair is in better condition than before my cancer,” says Ruth, operations manager.
“I had damaged my old hair from years of bleaching and now it is in beautiful condition. I am convinced that the oil helped and recommend it to all my friends.
“The fact that it is a natural product was important because I have been wary of chemicals since my diagnosis last March.
“I can’t say for sure if my hair would be different without it, but I enjoyed the ritual of massaging my scalp, applying it and letting it sit for half an hour before showering.”
Converts like Ruth are falling over their locks to show off their hair transformations before and after.
But is rosemary oil simply snake oil, preying on the vulnerability of those desperate to regrow their fallen locks?
According to hair care brand John Frieda, more than 70 percent of women say thinning hair affects their self-confidence, making it understandable that they are looking for solutions.
“Hair loss can have significant emotional consequences, often affecting self-esteem and self-confidence,” says trichologist Hannah Gaboardi.
“The anxiety associated with hair loss can create a cyclical pattern where worrying makes the problem worse.”
She says hormone changes during pregnancy, after birth and around menopause, as well as stress, can be triggers.
Rosemary oil, extracted from the medicinal herb, has been used for centuries for everything from relieving coughs to improving memory.
Suggestion that it can help against dandruff
When it comes to hair, the theory is that it increases circulation to the scalp, helping nutrients reach the follicles and promoting healthier hair.
It is also antibacterial, helps kill germs, and is anti-inflammatory, which can reduce irritation and sensitivity, while the oil itself adds nourishment.
10
Science seems to back up some of these claims.
An Iranian study compared the impact of rosemary oil with two percent minoxidil – a prescription topical ointment – for treating androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male and female pattern baldness.
Men rubbed the treatments into their scalps twice a day for six months – and scientists recorded a similar increase in hair thickness after six months.
Those who used the rosemary oil reported less itching and irritation.
This suggests it was more bearable and could also help dandruff.
There was another study of people with alopecia areata, in which the immune system attacks the follicles.
The study found that 44 percent of those who applied a rosemary essential oil blend to their scalp daily for seven months showed reduced hair loss.
‘I wouldn’t leave the house without a hat’
This compared to 15 percent in a control group that used neutral jojoba and grapeseed.
Nosheen Choudhry, 34, from London, turned to rosemary oil after struggling for years with alopecia and telogen effluvium – hair loss often caused by stress or illness.
10
10
She says: “I was 27 and had huge lumps falling out, which seriously affected my mental health.
“I lost 50 percent of my hair.
“At my lowest point, I would only leave my house wearing a hat, but most of the time I didn’t feel like going out.
“I saw doctors trying to get help, but no one took it seriously.
“I ended up trying a hair oil recipe that had been in my family for generations.
“My mother started oiling my hair twice a week, religiously.
“There was a huge improvement.
“The hair loss slowed and eventually stopped.
“When it grew back, it was so much better than before.”
The transformation led the former hair care worker to launch her own brand in September 2020.
Nosheen Hair Oil is certified by health regulators.
‘Treating hair from within’
But it is important to note that those who purchase rosemary oil in its undiluted form should apply it carefully.
“Make sure you dilute it with another oil-based product and massage it into your scalp,” advises Hannah Gaboardi.
10
“I recommend mixing four or five drops with a teaspoon of oil, such as coconut oil.
“Just massaging the scalp can help increase hair thickness by stretching the cells of the hair follicle, which then stimulates the follicles to produce thicker hair.”
But she adds that you should take a holistic approach to improving hair growth, with a balanced diet and a lifestyle that limits stress and increases sleep.
“Treating hair from within is, in my opinion, the best way to maintain hair health and improve hair condition at home.
“Also seek professional advice to ensure there is no underlying health reason for ongoing loss.”
What the experts recommend…
10
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair Mask, £10.49: Makes the hair soft, shiny and frizz-free.
10
Aveeno Haircare Volumising+ Fresh Greens Blend shampoo with rosemary, £7.99: Gently cleanses and soothes irritated scalp.
10
Boots Rosemary Oil for Scalp and Hair, £6: Pre-mixed so there is no risk of applying too much.
10
Weleda Rosemary Revitalizing Hair Tonic, £13.95: Has a watery consistency that is ideal for people prone to greasy roots.