Aside from giving you a pleasurable feeling, scalp massage in combination with essential oils can help promote hair growth. See the clinical trials presented below to know more how it helped different individuals with alopecia.
Six months frontoparietal and vertex areas scalp massage for androgenetic alopecia
Androgenetic Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss, where the hair shape on the upper forehead looks like an M-shaped pattern. (1) This is because the alopecia patches usually occur in the temple and crown areas of the head. (1) It is more prevalent among men than women, and its occurrence usually takes place before the age of 50. (1)
A comparative study in Tehran, Iran conducted between April 2010 and June 2011 investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of rosemary essential oil and minoxidil. 100 patients that were diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia were selected for the study. Their age bracket was 18 to 49 years old, and were naturally dark-haired. The patients were divided into two groups. The study group used the rosemary essential oil lotion that has at least 3.7mg 1,8-cineole per mL, while the other group used minoxidil 2%
The patients were instructed to apply the assigned solutions on their frontoparietal and vertex areas scalp, and do a gentle scalp massage while applying it. The solutions were performed twice daily at 12-hour intervals. For each application the participants should put 1ml of the assigned solution on their heads, thus consuming a total dose of 2ml in a day. This intervention duration was six months and the patients had to return to the clinic every three months for efficacy and safety evaluations. The expert advice of two dermatologists who were unaware of the intervention treatment used was sought for scalp and hair growth evaluation.
In the 3rd month evaluation, there was no change in the hair count for both group. The hair count improvement was seen in the 6th-month evaluation. The hair change between the two groups did not show any significant difference in the third and sixth-month evaluations. For factors such as dry hair, greasy hair, and dandruff frequencies, there were no differences observed on the onset, third-month and six-month evaluations. Scalp itching frequency in the third and sixth months was reported to be higher in the minoxidil group. It was also found that the patients in the rosemary group had higher satisfaction with the treatment compared to the respondents in the minoxidil group. Both groups had reduced hair loss at both the third and sixth months, though this improvement was seen more in the rosemary oil group than in minoxidil patients. By comparing the solutions used in this study, it can be concluded that rosemary essential oil is better to be used for androgenetic alopecia than minoxidil.
Nightly two-minute scalp massage for alopecia areata hair growth improvement
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. (2)
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. (2)
Three months daily two-minute scalp massage for 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). (3)
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. (3)
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. (3)
Consistent with the results of the previous study, the findings of this investigation yielded that the blended oil which includes rosemary 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. (3)
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. (3)
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. (3)
In totality, the result of the study showed that the blended oil solution containing rosemary is safe and more effective in treating localized alopecia areata. (3)
Take notice of little growths ❤
References:
- (1) Panahi Y., Taghizadeh M., Marzony E.T. Sahebkar A. Rosemary Oil vs Minoxidil 2% for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Comparative Trial. Skinmed Dermatology for the Clinician. 2015; 13(1):15-21
- (2) Hay I.C., Jamieson M., Ormerod A.D. A Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy: Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata. Arch Dermatology 1998; 134: 1349-1352
- (3) 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
Oil Therapy 