You may be wondering whether rosehip oil is good for hair loss, since its purported hair health benefits have started to receive a lot of attention online. There is no simple answer to that question since few scientific studies have been conducted to examine the properties of rosehip oil when applied to your hair and scalp.
Some researchers have looked at the composition of rosehip oil and deduced from its fatty acid and natural antioxidant content that it could strengthen and protect your hair strands and help treat some common scalp problems through its anti-inflammatory properties [1].
However, studies on human participants are needed in order to determine to what extent your hair can benefit from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of rosehip oil when applied topically and the best way to use it.
Keep reading this article to find out all you need to know about:
Rosehip oil is extracted by cold press from the seeds of a wild rose bush that grows in many parts of the world. Traditionally, rosehip oil has been used for cosmetic purposes, as it is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is thought to help smooth wrinkles, tighten skin and even help treat conditions such as scars, acne, eczema and burns [2].
It is also used as a traditional remedy, as it is believed to have systemic health benefits, such as protecting your heart, reducing cancer risk and promoting brain function [2].
Recently, rosehip oil has started to receive more attention online for its purported hair benefits, such as stimulating hair growth, strengthening, moisturising and protecting the hair fibre, reducing oxidative stress and UV-induced hair damage and reducing scalp inflammation. However, at this time, there is insufficient research to determine whether these properties manifest when applied topically to your scalp and hair, to what extent and under what circumstances.
Generally speaking, rosehip oil has the following composition (although the proportions of its elements can vary significantly depending on the type and origin of the rosehip seeds, as well as the extraction method [2][3):
Fatty acids:
At present, no scientific studies on people have been conducted to examine whether applying rosehip oil to your hair and scalp can prevent, stop or reverse hair shedding or hair loss.
There is only one reference to research performed to study the hair growth effect of rosehip oil in mice. A small study was able to observe that rosehip oil made mouse hair move faster from the shedding phase to the growing phase of the hair growth cycle [4].
However, even if their findings were confirmed (one study is insufficient to document this effect), there is no guarantee that the oil would have a similar effect when applied to the human scalp.
Robust research on human participants would be necessary to prove the effectiveness of rosehip oil for hair growth and the conditions under which this growth can be achieved.
However, rosehip oil may indirectly contribute to curbing some of your hair shedding by moisturising your scalp and strands and thus avoiding a dry scalp that can cause hair loss and hair breakage due to friction.
Here are some of the purported hair health benefits of rosehip oil and the science behind them. In most cases, significantly more research is needed in order to confirm the claimed benefits and to determine the rosehip quantity, quality and method of application needed to obtain good results.
There is no scientific research to attest that rosehip oil can make your hair grow faster. However, getting a well-balanced diet, rich in omega 3 and 6, vitamin A for hair and vitamin C for hair can indeed help your hair move to the growth phase quicker and remain in it for a longer time. And since rosehip oil contains these elements, it may be that using it on your hair and scalp can make your locks grow faster.
However, vitamins and nutrients do not have the same effect when ingested as they do when applied topically and it is unlikely that the quantity of vitamins and omega acid absorbed through your hair and scalp would be sufficient to create a strong effect. Moreover, supplementing vitamins only helps when you have a vitamin deficiency which causes hair loss. If you already have a healthy diet, it is unlikely that adding more nutrients will make your hair grow faster.
One study performed on samples of natural, dyed, damaged and shampooed human hair revealed that rosehip oil had some effects in making hair strands more elastic and more resilient to breakage (as did other essential oils, such as grapeseed oil). It also found that the fatty acids in its composition could make up for the natural oils stripped by shampooing [5].
While further research to this effect is needed, it is an indication that using rosehip oil on your hair might help reduce breakage, especially if you have dry, brittle hair which breaks off easily.
Most researchers agree that the unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants in rosehip oil can protect your hair strands from damage due to oxidative stress and exposure to UV rays.
Excessive exposure to sunlight is not good for your hair, as UV radiation can degrade your hair fibres, making them dry and fragile. Moreover, it can alter the colour of your hair, causing unsightly yellowing in light-coloured strands.
However, antioxidants such as those found in rosehip oil are likely to provide some natural protection against this kind of hair damage [6].
However, since the composition of rosehip oil varies greatly between formulas, it is difficult to determine the quantity of oil that you would need to use to reap the most benefits.
The fatty acids contained in rosehip oil have softening and moisturising properties which have been documented by science especially in the field of skin care [7]. These properties may translate to hair care, making rosehip oil a good conditioner.
Furthermore, coating the hair shafts in protective oil can reduce friction between strands and with your clothes and thus, prevent some hair breakage and the development of split ends.
Some of the components of rosehip oil, such as phenolic acids [8] have demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties [1][9] and there is some evidence they may be beneficial in the treatment of systemic diseases which cause inflammation [1]. That is why some researchers believe that rosehip oil can help treat inflammatory scalp problems.
Some studies have been conducted to this extent, revealing that rosehip oil may play a role in treating atopic dermatitis (eczema), by lowering inflammation, softening dry skin and helping the skin barrier repair [10]. This suggests that this remedy may also be effective against eczema of the scalp. However, more research is needed to attest that topical rosehip oil is a good treatment for this and other inflammatory scalp conditions, such as scalp psoriasis.
It is generally considered safe to use rosehip oil on your hair and scalp and many people choose to do so. If you would like to try this remedy for yourself, there are several ways you can do so:
This can be done by simply pouring a few drops of rosehip oil on your hands and gently massaging your scalp with it. You can then use a comb to spread it on the length of your hair. You may prefer to wash it off after 30 minutes or leave it on overnight.
After washing your hair, pour a few drops of rosehip oil in your hands or on a comb and apply it to the ends of your hair, to protect them from splitting. You can leave it in as an extra layer of lubrication.
You can add a few drops of rosehip oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner and then use them the way you normally would.
You can combine a few drops of rosehip oil with a few drops of some of the best essential oils for hair growth, such as rosemary oil for hair, peppermint oil for hair or black seed oil for hair. Then use them as a hair mask for 30 minutes or overnight.
Rosehip oil is usually well-tolerated by the scalp and not many side effects have been documented [11]. However, as is the case with most substances, it can indeed cause contact dermatitis (allergic reaction) if you are allergic to it [12].
So it is a good idea to test the oil on a small patch of skin before using it on your scalp. If you experience any of the following at the test site, clean it well and do not use the rosehip oil again:
If you are looking for the best ways to stop or reverse your hair shedding or hair loss, there are many scientifically tested treatments and therapies that you could look into:
However, keep in mind that each of these treatments works for specific conditions and that some of them can have unwanted side effects or interfere with other medications you may be taking. So be sure to get the recommendation of a trichologist before taking them.
If you suspect you may be experiencing hair loss, it is a good idea to book a consultation with one of our top trichologists for the first signs of hair thinning and balding. That is because if you are experiencing a condition that causes hair loss, it may progress if left untreated.
The trichologist will examine your scalp thoroughly and provide you with an accurate diagnosis. They may let you know that your hair shedding is caused by one of the most common types of alopecia, such as:
Once the cause of your hair thinning is determined, they will recommend the best evidence-based, personalised treatment to stop or reverse your hair loss.
Should you learn that your hair loss is too advanced to respond to medication alone, there is no need to worry. You may be a good candidate to get a natural-looking hair transplant.
Recent technological advancements in the field of surgical hair restoration have allowed the best hair transplant clinics in the UK to get a 97-100% success rate, regardless of whether you opt for a FUE or FUT type of procedure. And our before and after hair transplant gallery reflects these results.
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