Hair loss, like many health conditions, becomes an expansive area of interest once you are affected by it. It doesn’t take long to realise hair loss is deceptively complex, underpinned by both environmental and genetic factors. Seeking out solutions to hair loss therefore involves first establishing the type of hair loss you have.
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Hair loss treatment – best vegetable to lower your risk of alopecia
Essential oils have shown promise in promoting hair loss caused by alopecia areata, for example.
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss characterised by one or more round bald patches that appear suddenly, most often on the scalp.
“It usually causes small, coin-sized, round patches of baldness on the scalp, although hair elsewhere such as the beard, eyebrows, eyelashes, body and limbs can be affected,” explains the British Skin Foundation.
Certain essential oils have been shown to restore hair loss caused by alopecia areata, such as thyme essential oil.
Evidence suggests the essential oil can help promote hair growth by both stimulating the scalp and actively preventing hair loss.
One study found massaging the oil into the scalp daily, in combination with lavender, rosemary and cedarwood extract, provided some treatment for people with alopecia areata.
It is important to note that the benefits may have been enhanced by the application of rosemary oil.
A promising body of research points out the hair-growing benefits of rosemary oil.
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One study pitted the essential oil against minoxidil, an over-the-counter treatment for hair loss.
Both were used on human subjects with androgenetic alopecia, a condition whereby hair is lost in a well-defined pattern, beginning above both temples.
Results showed that rosemary essential oil was just as effective a minoxidil.
During the process, it helped the side effect of itchy scalp more successfully than minoxidil.
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Research attributes the benefits to carnosic acid, an active ingredient in the plant.
This active ingredient was shown to heal tissue and nerve damage in one study.
Why is this relevant?
It is believed the ability to heal nerve endings may rejuvenate nerves in the scalp too, in turn possibly restoring hair growth.
Other ways to treat hair loss
If you are interested in cosmetic options, there are a wide range to choose from.
Although, some of these treatments may not be available on the NHS so may be costly.
Treatments include:
- Steroid injection – injections given into bald patches
- Steroid creams – cream applied to bald patches
- Immunotherapy – chemical applied to bald patches
- Light treatment – shining ultraviolet light on bald patches
- Tattooing – tattoo used to look like short hair and eyebrows
- Hair transplant – hair cells are moved to thinning patches
- Scalp reduction surgery – sections of scalp with hair are stretched and stitched together
- Artificial hair transplant – surgery to implant artificial hairs
- Additional support
Hair loss can be distressing so you may also benefit from joining a support group, or speaking to other people in the same situation on online forums.
Try these online support groups:
- Alopecia UK
- Alopecia Awareness
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