Should Ginkgo Biloba Be Taken Orally or Applied Topically for Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a global concern that drives many toward alternative remedies like Ginkgo biloba. This ancient plant, rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, has been studied for its ability to improve circulation and reduce oxidative stress. These mechanisms are relevant because hair follicles depend on an adequate blood supply to receive nutrients and oxygen, and oxidative damage can contribute to hair follicle miniaturization.

Flavonoids are plant compounds with antioxidant properties, meaning they neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage cells, including those in the scalp. Terpenoids, another group of compounds in Ginkgo biloba, can influence blood vessel dilation, potentially enhancing microcirculation. Improved scalp circulation theoretically supports the hair growth cycle, particularly the anagen phase, in which hair actively grows.

Oral Supplementation: Systemic Impact and Limitations

Oral Ginkgo biloba delivers compounds into the bloodstream after digestion and metabolism in the liver. This systemic delivery could improve general microcirculation, which might indirectly benefit hair follicles. A 2011 randomized controlled trial by Ilieva et al., involving 50 patients with peripheral vascular disease, used 240 mg of standardized Ginkgo extract daily for 12 weeks. Microcirculation improvements were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry, a technique that quantifies blood flow in superficial tissues. The study confirmed enhanced peripheral circulation, but hair parameters were not measured, so the link to hair growth remains speculative (Ilieva, Pavlova, & Petrova, 2011). The drawback of oral use is that the concentration reaching the scalp is uncertain. Additionally, systemic intake poses interaction risks, particularly with anticoagulants, due to Ginkgo's mild blood-thinning properties.

Topical Application: Targeted but Understudied

Topical delivery aims to deposit active compounds directly where needed. A 2013 in vitro study by Kim et al. exposed human dermal papilla cells to Ginkgo extract for 14 days. Dermal papilla cells regulate hair follicle development, and the study found increased cell proliferation and reduced oxidative stress markers, assessed via MTT assay and reactive oxygen species analysis. However, being a cell-based study, its direct applicability to living humans is limited (Kim, Choi, & Park, 2013). In a 2019 double-blind clinical trial, Cho et al. tested a topical solution containing 0.5% Ginkgo biloba extract, alongside other botanicals, on 60 participants with mild hair thinning over 16 weeks. Hair density was measured objectively using phototrichogram analysis. The active group saw a statistically significant improvement over placebo, but the multi-ingredient formula means Ginkgo’s role cannot be isolated (Cho, Lee, Choi, & Kim, 2019).

Comparative Perspective

From the current evidence, oral Ginkgo biloba can influence systemic circulation, which might benefit scalp health indirectly, while topical use offers a targeted approach with potentially higher local bioavailability. However, neither method has been independently and conclusively proven for hair regrowth in large-scale, long-term trials. Most available studies either focus on circulation without measuring hair outcomes, test Ginkgo in vitro, or combine it with other ingredients. Given these limitations, any claims about Ginkgo as a standalone hair loss treatment remain preliminary. For a meaningful conclusion, head-to-head trials directly comparing oral and topical administration, measuring standardized hair parameters over several months, are needed.

User Experiences with Ginkgo Biloba for Hair Loss

Ginkgo biloba appears in various hair loss discussions as both an oral supplement and a topical ingredient, with users exploring it for its potential to improve scalp circulation and support hair health. Reports from the Tressless community reveal that most people use it in combination with other treatments rather than as a standalone therapy. Some members have considered Ginkgo biloba after suspecting that medications like Ritalin or Vyvanse may contribute to hair shedding through vasoconstriction. They view it as a possible way to counteract reduced blood flow to hair follicles, usually alongside multivitamins or other hair supplements. Others have added it into broad hair care regimens, where it is one of many active compounds in complex topical formulas that also include finasteride, minoxidil, azelaic acid, and herbal oils.

A recurring theme is that users rarely rely solely on Ginkgo biloba. Instead, they see it as a supportive measure, potentially enhancing circulation or providing antioxidant benefits while the “big 3” or “big 4” treatments target the root hormonal and follicular causes of androgenetic alopecia. One user who incorporated it into a supplement stack with omega-3, biotin, and NAC noted no specific side effects but could not isolate its impact from other variables like diet and cholesterol changes.

Topical use typically comes through multi-ingredient lotions or oils rather than pure Ginkgo biloba extract, with users citing anecdotal improvements in hair thickness and scalp health. Oral supplementation is more often chosen for convenience, but results are harder to measure. No clear consensus emerges in community feedback on whether topical or oral use is superior — most simply treat it as an optional booster rather than a main therapy. Overall, Tressless community members see Ginkgo biloba as a low-risk adjunct that might help hair loss management, especially in regimens aimed at improving scalp microcirculation. However, they acknowledge that its effects are subtle and secondary compared to established treatments.

References

Cho, S., Lee, H., Choi, M., & Kim, M. (2019). Effects of a botanical hair tonic containing Ginkgo biloba extract on hair density: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 18(5), 1404–1410. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.12984

Ilieva, E., Pavlova, S., & Petrova, J. (2011). Effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on microcirculation in patients with peripheral vascular disease. International Angiology, 30(2), 122–128. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21430690/

Kim, Y. J., Choi, C. M., & Park, J. H. (2013). Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human dermal papilla cells. Journal of Dermatological Science, 72(3), 263–271. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0923181113001560

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