Looking to beat back the bald?
According to NYU Langone, more than 80% of men and “nearly half of women experience hair loss during their lifetime.”
“Hair loss can be caused or triggered by many factors including genetics, underlying health conditions, stress, environmental factors and aging,” Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in treating many skin-related issues, told The Post. “Menopause can also lead to hair loss due to the decrease in estrogen levels, which weakens and shrinks the hair follicles.”
Rosemary oil and Rogaine are two popular treatments for hair loss. But how do they measure up, and can they be combined for combover relief?
Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is touted as a natural way to stimulate hair growth, prevent premature graying, and alleviate dry or itchy scalp, with an oft-cited study showing it worked as well as 2% minoxidil.
It has been shown to support circulation, which may prevent hair follicles from being denied critical blood supply, a leading cause of hair loss.
According to research, rosemary oil may also increase nerve growth factor, a protein that helps neurons develop, survive and maintain themselves. NGF promotes the healing and rejuvenating of nerves in the scalp, thereby restoring hair growth.
Instagram influencer and self-proclaimed “beauty concierge” Nicole Vitulli has gone viral for using rosemary oil — showing off the results in a 2022 reel.
“When rosemary oil is the new thing for hair growth and health but you have been using shampoo infused with it for years,” she wrote with a clip of her thick locks.
Beauty gurus across TikTok have also shared the hair hack, with many mixing rosemary oil with other liquids such as argan oil.
The rosemary oil or an oil blend is typically applied directly to the scalp and massaged into it for at least 20 minutes before rinsing.
Vitulli explained that the oil needs to be used regularly before drastic results are achieved: “If you are really looking to change your hair, it will take a little time, patience and consistency.”
Rogaine
Minoxidil, commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine, was first used to treat high blood pressure but is now administered topically or orally to treat hair loss.
“Rogaine is one of the most well-studied and well-proven topical treatments for hair loss,” Green said. “It contains minoxidil, a medication that pushes hair into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle and restores inactive hair follicles.”
With minoxidil, hair growth typically occurs after the medication has been used for several months and lasts only as long as the use is continued.
A 2015 study from Trusted Source compared the efficacy of rosemary oil and minoxidil.
Researchers divided 100 participants with androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness, into two groups. The cohorts used either rosemary essential oil or minoxidil.
The results suggested that rosemary oil was as effective as minoxidil in treating baldness. Further, rosemary oil more successfully alleviated symptoms of itchy scalp than minoxidil.
Now that we’ve established that rosemary oil and minoxidil promote hair growth, the question remains: Could combining the two provide even greater benefits in the battle against baldness?
William Gaunitz, certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology, thinks so.
“In my experience, they actually synergistically assist each other to improve results. I recommend my clients to use 10 drops of rosemary oil to 1 ounce of minoxidil,” he told The Post.
He advises his patients to mix the two products and apply them topically.
“Minoxidil has an anagen growth cycle elongation effect, and rosemary oil has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and increased blood flow effect. Combining the two works perfectly to provide better results in the individual compounds themselves.”
Other experts note that while research is lacking and there’s little solid evidence that the products work better together, doubling down on the follicle fight can’t hurt.
