The Science Behind Hair Growth Oil

The Science Behind Hair Growth Oil

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May 1, 2025

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Are you looking for a natural way to grow your hair and reduce thinning? Hair growth oils promise to promote hair growth and improve scalp health – but are these claims true?

There are various types available, like natural rosemary oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil and castor oil. They’ve been used for centuries to enhance healthy hair growth and recently, scientific evidence has emerged to support their effectiveness.

In this article, we’ll dive into the science behind hair growth oils. We’ll discuss the key ingredients, benefits, and how they work. Learn how you can incorporate these oils into your hair care routine to encourage the growth of thicker hair, boost shine and achieve all-round healthier locks.

How Does Hair Growth Work?

Hair growth occurs in natural cycles that come in three different phases:

  1. The Growth Phase (Anagen) – This is the active phase of hair growth. The hair follicles receive a plentiful supply of blood, which allows them to grow. The hair stays in this phase for around 2-6 years – the longer it remains in the anagen phase, the longer it will grow.
  2. The Transition Phase (Catagen) – This phase only lasts around 2-3 weeks and is when the hair follicles are removed from their blood supply, causing them to shrink.
  3. The Resting Phase (Telogen) – The telogen phase lasts 2-4 months. The hair follicles remain dormant, eventually shedding old hair in preparation to re-enter the anagen phase and repeat the process.

Why Does Hair Loss Occur?

Hair loss occurs when the natural cycles of hair growth are interrupted – this causes hair follicles to enter the resting (telogen) or transition (catagen) phases early, or stop hair from re-entering the growth (anagen) phase.

The most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, which shortens the anagen phase and shrinks hair follicles due to a sensitivity to the hormone DHT. Other factors like stress, hormonal changes and nutritional deficiencies can lead to a prolonged telogen phase, causing excessive shedding of hair.

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What Are Hair Growth Oils?

Hair growth oils are hair care products that are made from natural ingredients. They contain natural oils that are applied to the scalp and hair, such as rosemary essential oil, coconut oil, argan oil, tea tree oil and more. These oils are designed to promote healthy growth and help with thinning and hair loss.

How Do Hair Growth Oils Promote Hair Growth?

Hair oils target specific phases of the hair growth cycle – for example, rosemary and peppermint oil boost blood flow to the scalp which can lengthen the anagen phase and allow hair to grow for longer. Products like castor oil and coconut oil have anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties which reduce the effects of the telogen phase to combat excessive shedding and hair loss.

Oils also improve overall scalp health which means the environment for hair growth is at its best. The natural cycle is supported by the antimicrobial properties of tea tree oil and cedarwood essential oil – which allow hair follicles to smoothly transition between stages of the hair growth cycle.

Best Hair Growth Oils

Whether hair oils increase hair growth and lead to healthier hair is highly dependent on the ingredients. Here are some of the most effective hair growth oils on the market:

  • Rosemary Oil – Rosemary oil stimulates blood circulation to the scalp. Some studies show it to be as effective as minoxidil, a clinically-proven hair growth medication.
  • Castor Oil – This oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which has potent anti-inflammatory properties that increases circulation and moistures the scalp to prevent hair breakage.
  • Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil improves blood flow and scalp health. It promotes transitions between the telogen and anagen phase to enhance new hair growth.
  • Tea Tree Oil – Tea tree oil has natural antimicrobial properties. Regular use leads to a healthy, dandruff-free scalp – the perfect environment for healthy hair growth.
  • Argan Oil – Argan oil is high in vitamin E and fatty acids – both essential for protecting the hair from environmental damage and restoring scalp health.
  • Coconut Oil – Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties and contains lauric acid, which reduces protein loss and strengthens the hair shaft for thicker, fuller strands.

Scientific Evidence For Hair Growth Oil

Recent scientific evidence supports the use of hair oils for growth. For instance, a SkinMed study compared the effectiveness of rosemary oil with minoxidil – which is a medication that has been repeatedly proven to successfully treat male pattern baldness.

The study found that participants using rosemary oil showed comparable hair regrowth to those using minoxidil over 6 months, with both groups experiencing a significant increase in hair count.

Research continues to support the effectiveness of various products including peppermint, castor, lavender and coconut oil. In addition to hair growth, hair oils also have a range of other health benefits.

More Benefits of Using Oils For Hair

Hair growth oils don’t just enhance hair growth, they have numerous other benefits, such as:

  • Better Scalp Health – The antimicrobial properties ward off scalp infections, prevent blocked hair follicles and reduce inflammation or the chance of scalp infections. Increased blood flow allows more essential nutrients and oxygen to reach the scalp, promoting better hair growth.
  • Stronger Hair and Less Breakage – Moisturising and hydrating effects prevent dry or brittle hair that is less prone to breakage, frizz and split ends. Less protein loss strengthens the hair shaft and reduces damage caused by heat styling or environmental factors like UV rays from the sun.
  • Boost Shine and Smoothness – Lightweight oils that are rich in vitamins and fatty acids smooth the hair and add a natural shine. Say goodbye to frizzy hair, many of these oils create a protective layer that makes it appear healthier and polished.
  • Reduce Stress and Anxiety – As well as your hair, oils can improve your wellbeing. Rosemary, peppermint and lavender are known for their calming, stress-relieving effects. A few drops massaged into your scalp can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Improve Sleep Quality – Oils for hair can also improve sleep, especially lavender oil. Sleep plays a vital role in hair growth too. Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential for the body’s ability to repair and regenerate – this includes hair follicles.
  • Support Physical Health – Essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus are believed to alleviate pain with their anti-inflammatory properties. Oils like tea tree are thought to support immune function, while argan oil and olive oil contain protective antioxidants.

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Making Hair Growth Oils Part of Your Haircare Routine

Get started on the road to thicker, fuller and healthier hair by making hair growth oils part of your routine. The best results come from consistent use – most experts agree that you should apply hair growth oil once or twice a week. Make sure your scalp is clean before applying, then massage it into the scalp using a circular motion.

You should leave the oil in for around 30 minutes to an hour, then rinse it thoroughly. While you should commit to an ongoing routine, don’t use too much too often – as this can lead to a build up of oil on the scalp and clog hair follicles – which is not good news for healthy hair growth.

When Will You See Results?

While results vary between different people, most start to see noticeable improvements within 6 months of consistent use. You should see improvements to the overall health of your hair and scalp, with thicker, shinier hair and less thinning. If you don’t see any improvements and are experiencing ongoing hair loss, it might be time to try a different method.

Lots of men with male pattern baldness, for example, turn to medicated treatments to combat their hair loss as it is a progressive condition. The Hairy Hair treatment plan is an excellent alternative if oils don’t work for you – it’s a convenient, discreet and clinically-proven way of managing hair loss from the comfort of your own home.

Final Thoughts

Hair growth oils are growing in popularity – and there’s a good reason. Scientific research is in favour of these products as a natural and effective method of promoting hair growth. They work by enhancing blood flow to the scalp and supporting growth cycles.

These oils have a host of other benefits too – from reducing stress to improving physical health. It’s important to remember that commitment to a consistent hair care routine is key to achieving noticeable results. After 6 months of continuous use, you should start to notice thicker, shinier and healthier hair. Head over to our website for details!

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