This is an archive article published on February 16, 2024
Is rosemary the miracle ingredient you need for healthy hair?
According to nutritionist Apurwa Agarwal, this medicinal plant can turn your brittle, coarse hair to those out of your dreams. However, is this claim really valid? We reached out to experts to find out.
Longing for long, healthy hair? Explore the science behind rosemary oil's hair growth claims and get expert insights from dermatologists. (Source: Freepik)
We all desire long, luscious locks straight out of a shampoo commercial, and we go to great lengths to achieve this result. Some of us also turn to natural ingredients to boost our hair health. One such ingredient being deemed as miraculous for healthy hair is rosemary. According to nutritionist Apurwa Agarwal, this medicinal plant can turn your brittle, coarse hair to those out of your dreams.
However, is this claim really valid? We reached out to experts to find out.
Dr Reshma T Vishnani, consultant dermatologist, trichologist and aesthetic dermatologist at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai told indianexpress.com that rosemary improves microcapillary perfusion (blood circulation), which can lead to new hair growth and control hair fall. Additionally, it has antibacterial and antioxidant effects.
Advertisement
But Dr Vishnani cautioned that rosemary can be used as an adjuvant therapy but not as a mainline treatment. “I do not recommend rosemary or any oil in the treatment of hair fall. There is little evidence in peer-reviewed journals about its benefits or side effects. The only place we hear about it is on social media.”
She added that if you still want to use rosemary, it can be applied as an oil 30 minutes or one hour prior to your hair wash for its conditioning benefits.
The other ways rosemary can be used is as a hair rinse, overnight mist mixed with apple cider vinegar, hair mask with aloe vera gel, or hair oil combined with jojoba, almond and coconut oil, Agarwal mentioned in her Instagram post.
Dr Pallavi Singh, consultant – dermatologist and aesthetic physician, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, however, noted that in a 2015 study in the journal Skinmed, long-term usage of rosemary oil was compared with a conventional medication (Minoxidil 2%) used for patterned baldness, where it was shown to have similar effect on hair growth.
She advised mixing rosemary oil with a few drops of a carrier oil to prevent irritation of the scalp. “Regular usage for around 6 months has shown to improve hair density,” Dr Singh asserted.
Longing for long, healthy hair? Explore the science behind rosemary oil's hair growth claims and get expert insights from dermatologists. (Source: Freepik) 
Share
