If you’re looking for a well-needed boost or refresh to your hair routine, look no further. The internet’s new favourite hair product, rosemary oil, has been flying off the shelves for those looking for a quick hair fix.

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The trendy hair oil has been a staple for various communities seeking long and healthy hair. It has recently grabbed the attention of the masses on TikTok, as many users have been praising its astonishing hair-growth properties.

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If you’re not one to get wrapped up in the hype or are unsure if this latest fad is for you, here’s everything you need to know about the popular rosemary oil.

WHAT IS ROSEMARY OIL?

Rosemary oil is derived from the culinary and healing herb, rosemary. The herb is native to the Mediterranean region and for centuries it has been used as food and medicine

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ROSEMARY OIL?

The oil is loaded with many benefits but is positioned to be both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Many reasons why users believe rosemary oil encourages hair growth are due to basic health benefits in its essential oil form of promoting nerve growth, improving circulation and reducing inflammation.

“These features would be beneficial in various forms of hair loss when hair follicles undergo damage or assault from a variety of sources like hair care practices, an auto-immune attack, fibrosis or scarring that can ultimately trigger hair loss,” says Dr. Renée A. Beach, dermatologist and founder of  DermAtelier on Avenue in Toronto.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT USING ROSEMARY OIL?

Although evidence has shown that prolonged use of rosemary oil on the scalp can help with signs of male pattern baldness and those suffering from alopecia, medical aesthetics specialist and founder of SKIN6, Jeremy Tebbutt stresses that rosemary oil will not magically make your hair grow overnight.

“I don’t think people should look at it from that perspective because unfortunately there is no evidence to support that,” says Tebbutt. “It’s not going to make your hair grow faster or better but it can reverse some of the conditions that make your hair fall out.”

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WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO INCORPORATE THE INGREDIENT INTO OUR HAIR-CARE ROUTINE TO GET THE BEST RESULTS?

“Consistency is key,” says Dr.Beach. “Studies in which [rosemary oil] was found to be beneficial, patients used it twice daily for six months – a total of 360 applications.”

Beach suggests using rosemary oil at night for an extended application to the scalp and then washing it out in the daytime to avoid scalp itch and seborrheic dermatitis.

“Unfortunately, curly and kinky hair textures, like afro-textured hair, will not be able to adhere to this routine because daily scalp washing and rinsing is impractical.” In this case, she suggests using the oil two to three times per week will potentially still provide benefits.

DOES ROSEMARY OIL WORK FOR ALL HAIR TYPES AND CONDITIONS? 

Other than the fact that using an oil in your hair is relatively healthy, Tebbutt says something like rosemary oil is good for the scalp. However, he recommends speaking with a physician and doing proper research before use.

For more severe hair loss conditions, Tebbutt says there are medications on the market that help reverse symptoms of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) related hair loss and treatments like Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have shown huge efficacy rates.

However, both Beach and Tebbutt agree that rosemary oil is a less pricey and more convenient option for less severe cases – just be wary if your scalp is already oily and/or greasy.

“A lot of people are using different forms of information highways such as TikTok and online [forums], which is great and can be very informative, but nothing beats speaking with an actual medical professional about your body,” says Tebbutt.

Read more:
How Alopecia and Hair Loss Affects the Black Community
7 Secret Weapons for Styling Your Hair to Perfection
These Are 5 Hairstylists to Check Out in Toronto