Rosemary oil is an essential oil that can be used to promote hair growth. Multiple studies have shown it has strong potential as a treatment for male pattern baldness [1-3].
Like all hair loss treatments, using rosemary oil for hair growth takes time to work. For each application, you can apply the rosemary oil to the balding areas of your scalp for up to 12 hours before washing it off. The longer you can leave it, the greater the chance that it will have a positive impact on your hair follicles.
Here, we’ll explore how long you should leave rosemary oil in your hair, how to use it, and how often you should apply rosemary oil for best results.
Rosemary essential oil is a natural DHT blocker. That means it can stop dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from binding to receptors in your hair follicles [3].
DHT is a key hormone that contributes to male pattern baldness. By preventing DHT from binding to your follicles, you can slow hair loss and possibly stimulate hair growth.
Just like other essential oils, rosemary oil can cause skin irritation if it’s applied directly. If you find rosemary essential oil irritates your scalp, consider using a diluted rosemary oil for hair. Find out more about how to dilute rosemary oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) before application on the scalp or hair.
Studies have shown that applying up to 2ml of rosemary oil to your scalp per day is safe and effective [2]. By comparison with 2% Minoxidil, rosemary oil causes less itchiness, and similar levels of scalp dryness, dandruff, and greasiness.
If you haven’t used rosemary oil before, perform a patch test with just a few drops of the hair oil before applying it in larger volumes to your hair and scalp. Wait 24 hours to see if you have a reaction to the essential oil.
If you don’t want to dilute rosemary oil yourself and would rather use rosemary oil hair products instead, check out our expert review on the best rosemary oil blends for hair.
Yes — as long as it doesn’t irritate your skin, there’s no reason why you can’t leave rosemary oil in your hair all day.
In one study, patients were advised to apply 1ml of rosemary oil to their scalp every 12 hours and massage it into their thinning areas [2]. This led to some hair regrowth after six months of twice-daily application:
If you have any irritation or sensitivity, reduce application time. Leaving rosemary oil on your scalp for just an hour may help with hair growth (though you might need to use it for several months before you see visible improvements).
Not washing out rosemary oil can leave your hair prone to greasiness and scalp buildup. So while it’s OK to leave rosemary oil in your hair for as long as you’re comfortable, it’s still a good idea to wash your hair regularly.
Studies have shown that rosemary oil can improve hair count with just three months of daily application [2]. It doesn’t work overnight so you’ll need to apply rosemary oil to your scalp consistently to see results.
There’s currently no evidence that rosemary oil can damage your hair. While long-term use without washing it out can lead to cosmetic problems like greasiness, this is easily resolved by washing your hair regularly.
More studies are needed to conclusively prove that rosemary oil doesn’t harm your hair or scalp.
However, rosemary oil for beard growth may have a detrimental effect. Rosemary oil blocks DHT, which is needed for facial hair growth. So avoid applying rosemary oil to your face if you’re concerned about this.
Rosemary oil hasn’t been officially licensed as a hair loss solution, but evidence suggests it can be a safe, effective treatment for those with androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). As long as you’re not allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients, you can safely try using rosemary oil for hair loss.
Other DHT blockers may be more effective at stopping or slowing your hair loss, such as Finasteride and Dutasteride. To find the right hair loss treatment for you, book a free consultation at the Wimpole Clinic.
Teams at our nationwide clinic locations can help you establish the best hair loss treatment for women or the right male hair loss treatment.
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