" Rosemary extract reduces the level of dihydrotestosterone in hair follicles by up to 94.6%."
The Health and Beauty Benefits of Rosemary Extract
Rosemary extract has long been known for its health and beauty benefits. The oil extracted from rosemary leaves is known to be capable of enhancing memory and increasing alertness, potentially can be beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to its medicinal and culinary uses, rosemary oil is often used to revitalise hair follicles and maximise hair growth.
5-alpha-reductase and Dihydrotestosterone
5-alpha-reductase is the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Both in men and women, it is estimated that up to 10% of testosterone in the body get converted to dihydrotestosterone.
In some individuals, dihydrotestosterone gradually reduces the blood flow to hair follicles. This process often takes place over several years until some of the hair follicles could no longer grow hair.
It is not uncommon for men to have suffered from hair loss since in their early twenties. However, women do not usually suffer from hair loss until in their forties. Androgenetic hair loss is the most common hair loss in both men and women. Left untreated, it can cause permanent, irreversible baldness.
Rosemary Extract inhibits 5-alpha-reductase
A study published in the Phytotherapy Research showed that Rosemary extract inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase by up to 94.6%.
By inhibiting the action of enzyme 5-alpha-reductase in hair follicles, rosemary extract reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Lower levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in hair follicles helps prevent androgenetic hair loss.
Rosemary in Androgenetic Hair Loss Formulas
Rosemary is one of my favourite ingredients for hair loss formulas. For best results, I combine rosemary oil with other hair growth stimulating ingredients like caffeine, niacinamide, menthol, cedarwood and thyme essential oil.
A revitalising hair serum to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth with caffeine, niacinamide, menthol and rosemary essential oil. Suitable for men and women learn more >>>
I use rosemary essential oil as one of the active ingredients of Hair Growth Serum and Scalp Stimulator. To help reduce hair loss and stimulate hair growth, follow this recommended daily routine:
- Once a day, gently massage Scalp Stimulator to the affected area of the scalp. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes then shampoo it off. Dry your hair as usual with towel or hair dryer.
- Gently massage 1 to 2 pipettes (20 to 40 drops) of Hair Growth Serum into the scalp. Let it completely absorbed by the scalp then you can style your hair as usual. For best results, apply Hair Growth Serum every 12 hours. Personally, I use it every morning and evening (at night).
I believe that botanical extracts like rosemary oil, caffeine and menthol can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth better than the conventional medicines like minoxidil and finasteride. Botanical extracts often contain phytochemicals that also help improve the overall health condition. It may take longer to see the initial results, but with regular daily use, the long-term results may be better. Nevertheless, like with every ingredients, be it synthetic or natural, results are vary among people.
Author:
Henry Tianus is a multi-award-winning Anti-Ageing Scientist based in London, UK. Henry Tianus has been listed as The Recognised Institute Practitioner at The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy (ITHMA), London (UK) since 2005. Henry Tianus's articles have been read by people in more than 100 countries with US and UK at the top of the list. Join Henry Tianus eNewsletter to receive the latest health and wellbeing tips.
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As an anti-ageing scientist who studied at The Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy (ITHMA), London; I am very fond of essential oils. For the past 15 years, I have been developing and perfecting haircare formulas to slow down my own hereditary hair loss.
Rosemary Oil is as effective as Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia
A comparison study between the hair-growth-boosting properties of Rosemary Oil and Minoxidil showed that rosemary is equally as effective as Minoxidil in promoting hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. Rosemary contains phytochemicals that help prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
Caffeine Helps Prevent Baldness in Men and Women
In hair follicles, testosterone gets converted to dihydrotestosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5-AR). A study published in the International Journal of Trichology suggested that Caffeine may reduce the activity of 5-alpha-reductase. Hence, caffeine seems to help prevent the hair follicles from shrinking.
Peppermint Strengthens and Promotes Hair Growth
A study published in Toxicology Research suggested that peppermint oil is more effective than minoxidil in promoting hair growth. Peppermint oil has been shown to increase the number and the depth of hair follicles. After 4 weeks, Peppermint Oil improved the hair growth by 92% compared to 55% of Minoxidil.
The Potential Side Effects of Finasteride
According to Reuters (29-September-2019), U.S. Food and Drug Administration have received 5,000 complaints about the adverse sexual effects of finasteride from 2009 to 2018. 350 out of 5,000 men who reported these side effects were also suffering with suicidal thoughts. It was said that 50 of them committed suicide.
Hair Loss and Thinning Hair Treatment
During the shedding stage, the hair follicle rests completely for about 100 days. In average, up to 100 telogen hairs are shed everyday. Often, it is not the number of hair fall that causes thinning hair. Most of the times, it is the prolonged resting stage that causes the hair on the scalp to thin.
How Dihydrotestosterone Causes Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia)?
Dihydrotestosterone causes hair follicles to shrink gradually. Over the times, hair appears visibly weaker, shorter and thinner. The term of androgenetic alopecia is used for a hair loss condition caused by androgen hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone. Left untreated, this hair loss condition may cause baldness.
Baldness and The Increased Risk of Heart Disease in Men
Numerous studies with a total participant of 36,990 men showed that men with severe vertex baldness have a 48% higher risk of heart disease. A moderate vertex baldness was associated with a 36% increased risk of heart disease, while men with mild vertex baldness have a 18% higher risk of heart disease.
Diabetes Increases The Risk for Hair Loss
High Blood Sugar Levels trigger inflammation. Chronic inflammation is an autoimmune condition, the same type of condition that triggers alopecia areata. People who suffer from type 1 diabetes are at higher risk of suffering from alopecia areata, a hair loss condition characterised by smooth bald patches on the scalp.
Menopause: How to Reduce The Effects on Your Skin and Hair
There are some visible changes to the skin and hair during menopause. Usually one year after the last period, women find that their skin becomes drier and the signs of ageing look more prominent. With declining estrogen levels, many women experience thinning hair and notice more hair growing on their face.
Niacinamide (Nicotinamide) for Youthful Radiant Skin
Niacinamide boosts the production of collagen in the skin by up to 54%; while it also increases the production of elastin and skin proteins by up to 20% and 100%. A clinical study showed that Niacinamide visibly improved the appearance of ageing skin and helped prevent the appearance of age spots by up to 68%.
N-Acetyl Glucosamine: How To Reduce Age Spots and Hyperpigmentation
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Scientific Sources: Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research, 2013 Feb, 27(2): 212-7; Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial, Skinmed (Dermatology for the Clinician), 2015 Jan-Feb, 13(1):15-21.