Most of us do not have problems with our hair, however, some people are experiencing a condition called alopecia. This condition can affect the confidence of those who have it as their hair looked different than what is considered normal. There are different kinds of alopecia areata and one of them is localized alopecia. It is defined as hair loss that is confined to the scalp and is patchy in distribution. (1) One of the carrier oils that’s typically used when making oil blends to treat this condition is grapeseed oil.
Read the researches presented below to discover how this essential oil was used in different studies in treating alopecia areata.
Hair growth improvement for alopecia areata
A 1998 randomized controlled trial in Aberdeen Scotland studied the effect of lavender along with other essential oils for treating alopecia areata. 86 patients diagnosed with alopecia areata were chosen to participate in the study and were divided into two groups. The participants in the active group were instructed to nightly massage their scalps for a minimum of two minutes with blended oil. The blended oil formulation was 2 drops (88 mg) of thyme, 3 drops (108 mg) lavender, 3 drops (114 mg) rosemary, 2 drops (94mg) cedarwood and was mixed with 3ml jojoba oil, and 20ml grapeseed oil. To help the absorption of oils, a warm towel must be wrapped around their head. Meanwhile, the control group was also instructed to do the same routine nightly but with the use of carrier oils only. Hence the oils used by the two groups did not have an identical scent. (1)
The study took 7 months to complete and the follow-ups were conducted in the 3rd and 7th months. The findings of the study showed that 44% of the patients in the active group had an improvement. While only 6% in the control group had positive results on hair growth. Moreover, there were no adverse events reported in using the treatment. (1)
Hair regrowth rate and localized alopecia
The essential oils used in the 1998 randomized controlled trial were the same oils used in the 2015 randomized controlled study in Turkey. In this study though, they used a commercial product called Revigen® Areata solution. The oil blend contains the essential oils thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedrus, also known as cedarwood, and with the addition of evening primrose oil. The blended oils were diluted in a carrier oil mixture of jojoba and grapeseed oil. The study period was from June 2007 to June 2008 but the intervention implementation ran for three months (12 weeks) at the dermatology department of Gülhane Military Medical Academy in Ankara, Turkey. 40 patients that are at least five years of age and have visible localized alopecia areata patches were selected for the study. They were Turkish males and females residing in the Anatolia center. The patients were designated into two groups, the aromatherapy (active) group who received the blended oils, and the placebo group who was treated with carrier oils only. The intervention was performed daily for three months (12 weeks). (2)
The procedure and manner of evaluation employed in this Turkish study were the same as in the Scottish investigation. The researchers instructed the patients to do a two-minute scalp massage while applying the respective oils, and wrap it with a warm towel to support the absorption of the blended oils. This routine was carried out nightly. (2)
Hair regrowth and affected area size were evaluated to determine the efficacy of the blended oils. Examination periods during the intervention period were scheduled before the treatment (0 weeks) and on 4th week, 8th week, and 12th week of the treatment. To identify the continuous improvement as well as any adverse effects after the treatment program, a follow-up evaluation was conducted two months after the last treatment.The expert opinion of a dermatologist who was unaware of the oil treatment that the participants had received was sought. (2)
Consistent with the results of the previous study, the findings of this investigation yielded that the blended oil that’s diluted in grapeseed oil is effective in treating localized alopecia areata. Results demonstrated that the affected area size decreased in both the aromatherapy group and the placebo group. As for the hair regrowth rate after the intervention period, it was observed that both the aromatherapy (treatment) and the placebo groups elicited hair regrowth. However, the hair regrowth was higher in the aromatherapy group than in the placebo group. (2)
After twelve weeks of scalp treatment using the blended essential oil, 75% of patients in the aromatherapy group had a moderate to dense hair growth. While only 30% of patients in the placebo group showed improvement in hair growth and there were no patients who had dense growth. Meanwhile, the rate of minimal hair growth and no effect was higher in the placebo group compared to the aromatherapy group. (2)
Regarding adverse events such as burning sensation, pruritus, irritation, and erythema, only one case in the aromatherapy group was reported but did not withdraw from the treatment program. Meanwhile, there was no reported side effect in the placebo group.
In totality, the result of the study showed that the blended oil diluted in grapeseed oil is safe and more effective in treating localized alopecia areata. (2)
There are several drugstore-bought remedies for treating alopecia. Some of them might be effective and some of them may not. However, if you want to have natural remedies that are supported by research, then you can opt for essential oils.
Remain confident ❤
References:
- (1) Hay I.C., Jamieson M., Ormerod A.D. A Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy: Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata. Arch Dermatology 1998; 134: 1349-1352
- (2) Özmen I., Çalişkan E., Arca E., Açikgöz G., Koç E. Efficacy of aromatherapy in the treatment of localized alopecia areata: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. Gülhane Tıp Derg 2015;57: 233 – 236. doi: 10.5455/gulhane.38258
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