What’s Your Hair (Loss) Type?

While there are many reasons for hair loss, such as illness, infections, and reaction to medications, the most common type of hair loss, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is hereditary and it’s responsible for more than 95 percent of hair loss in men (it affects women, too).² Another form of hair loss called telogen effluvium involves rapid shedding of hair in a short amount of time. It typically happens a few months after your body goes through something physically or emotionally stressful. It can also result from sudden hormonal changes.³ Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that results in hair loss from the head and body. 

What’s the Deal with DHT?

When it comes to AGA, it’s known that there’s a genetic susceptibility to the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a by-product of testosterone—which is present in the oil glands of hair follicles. When DHT levels are too high, it can shrink hair follicles through a process called miniaturization,⁴ essentially causing hair to become smaller and finer, shortening the growth phase of the hair cycle and, over time, resulting in hair loss. With intervention, the miniaturization process can be slowed or stopped if caught early.⁵ There are several prescription treatments on the market that block DHT, but side effects, including sexual dysfunction, can be a deterrent. These natural remedies provide an alternative. 

Saw Palmetto, Here We Grow!

Saw palmetto is often found in hair loss treatments, as its fatty acids and sterols are believed to inhibit the enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.⁶ It’s been shown to improve hair quality, increase hair count, increase hair density, and stabilize the progression in patients with AGA and telogen effluvium.⁷ According to five randomized clinical trials and two additional studies, when participants with AGA took saw palmetto supplements, ranging from 100–320 mg daily, 60 percent reported an improvement in hair quality, 27 percent reported an improvement in hair count, and 83 percent saw an increase in hair density. Fifty-two percent noted that it stabilized the progression of AGA.⁸

Make MSM Your Hair’s Best Friend

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound that is gaining importance as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement, and according to research, supplementation with MSM can heal the scalp, reduce hair loss, and aid in the growth of thicker hair.⁹

In a clinical study of 41 male and female subjects aged 19–60 with telogen effluvium hair loss, results showed that after taking 1,000 mg of OptiMSM® daily for 120 days, there were significant improvements in hair density and hair diameter. The subjects reported that OptiMSM reduced hair loss, promoted growth of new hairs, and led to hair that was more voluminous and less brittle after 45, 90, and 120 days of product use. The study concluded, “MSM supplementation was effective in reducing hair loss and improving hair diameter and thickness.”¹⁰

Bounce Back with Black Seed Oil

The oil from this tiny seed has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, leading researchers to investigate its effect on hair loss. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study including 20 patients with telogen effluvium found that the daily use of a lotion containing 0.5% black seed oil applied on the scalp for three months significantly increased hair density and thickness, as well as reduced scalp inflammation, characterized by severe itching and redness. Seventy percent of the black seed oil group saw significant improvement, leading the researchers to conclude, “…we suggest that topical use of [black seed oil] for TE treatment can be considered as a valid alternative to traditional therapies such as minoxidil.”¹¹

Double Trouble for Stopping Hair Loss

Rosemary and peppermint essential oils have been shown to be highly effective at treating hair thinning and hair loss. Loaded with unique therapeutic properties, it’s no wonder so many haircare products are popping up containing one or both of these oils.

Rosemary oil

In a randomized controlled trial of 100 AGA patients, topical rosemary oil applied to the scalp daily was deemed comparable to the effects of topical minoxidil, an over-the-counter hair growth medicine (Rogaine® is the brand name), without the side effects. Both the rosemary group and minoxidil group demonstrated a significant increase in hair count at six months.¹² In the study, rosemary proved effective in the treatment of AGA, by “improving the vascularity and the circulation of blood, in addition to enhancing the regeneration of the hair follicles.”^{13 14}

Peppermint oil

In an animal study looking at the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth in mice, the animals were randomized into four groups: saline, jojoba oil, minoxidil, and peppermint oil (concentrated at 3%). At the end of four weeks, the peppermint oil (PEO) showed to be the most effective at promoting hair growth—by 92 percent in the PEO group compared to only 55 percent in the minoxidil group—showing significant hair follicle elongation, increasing hair follicle number, and increasing the gene expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a biomarker for enhanced hair growth.¹⁵ Of the four experimental groups, the peppermint oil group provided the most prominent hair growth effects.¹⁶

With so many hair loss products out there, it can make your head spin. Take matters into your own hands and incorporate these natural, safe, and effective remedies for a new haircare cocktail that can revive your luscious locks!

Note: Before incorporating essential oils into your daily haircare routine, conduct a patch test on your skin to rule out an allergic reaction. Dilute essential oils with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond oil, at a standard ratio of two drops of essential oil per 5 mL of carrier oil. Gently massage into the scalp and leave it on during the day and/or overnight for best results.

References

1. Men’s Hair Loss - American Hair Loss Association. (2024, May 10). American Hair Loss Association. https://www.americanhairloss.org/mens-hair-loss/
2. Types of hair loss - American Hair Loss Association. (2024, February 22). American Hair Loss Association. https://www.americanhairloss.org/types-of-hair-loss/
3. Hair loss. (2024, May 1). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21753-hair-loss
4. Bin Rubaian NF, Alzamami HFA, Amir BA. An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia, with Special Emphasis on Rosemary Oil. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024 Nov 5;17:2495-2503. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S470989. PMID: 39524109; PMCID: PMC11549889.
5. Causes - American Hair Loss Association. (2024, March 1). American Hair Loss Association. https://www.americanhairloss.org/mens-hair-loss/causes/
6. Nutraceuticals - American Hair Loss Association. (2024, May 10). American Hair Loss Association. https://www.americanhairloss.org/hair-loss-treatment/nutraceuticals/
7. Evron, E., Juhasz, M., Babadjouni, A., & Mesinkovska, N. A. (2020). Natural hair supplement: friend or foe? Saw Palmetto, a Systematic review in Alopecia. Skin Appendage Disorders, 6(6), 329–337. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509905
8. Evron, E., Juhasz, M., Babadjouni, A., & Mesinkovska, N. A. (2020). Natural Hair Supplement: Friend or Foe? Saw Palmetto, a Systematic Review in Alopecia. Skin appendage disorders, 6(6), 329–337. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509905
9. Methylsulfonylmethane and hair health. (2024, February 16). Natural Medicine Journal. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/beauty-from-within#:~:te….
10. Methylsulfonylmethane and hair health. (2024, February 16). Natural Medicine Journal. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/beauty-from-within#:~:te….
11. Alfredo  Rossi, Lara  Priolo,  Alessandra Iorio,  Enrica Vescarelli, Martina  Gerardi,  Daniele Campo,  Donato  Di Nunno,  Simona Ceccarelli, Stefano Calvieri, Antonio Angeloni, Cinzia Marchese Evaluation of a Therapeutic Alternative forTelogenEffluvium: A Pilot  Study  ,Journal of  Cosmetics, Dermatological  Sciences and Applications, 2013; 3:9-16
12. Panahi, Y., Taghizadeh, M., Marzony, E. T., & Sahebkar, A. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed, 13(1), 15–21.
13. Bin Rubaian NF, Alzamami HFA, Amir BA. An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia, with Special Emphasis on Rosemary Oil. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024 Nov 5;17:2495-2503. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S470989. PMID: 39524109; PMCID: PMC11549889.
14. Hosking AM, Juhasz M, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Complementary and alternative treatments for alopecia: a comprehensive review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2019;5(2):72–89. doi: 10.1159/000492035
15. Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec;30(4):297-304. doi: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297. PMID: 25584150; PMCID: PMC4289931.
16. Bin Rubaian NF, Alzamami HFA, Amir BA. An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia, with Special Emphasis on Rosemary Oil. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2024 Nov 5;17:2495-2503. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S470989. PMID: 39524109; PMCID: PMC11549889.