Does lavender promote hair growth or just soothe an irritated scalp?

Lavender has long been associated with relaxation, sleep, and stress relief. Its unmistakable scent appears in essential oils, creams, teas, and a wide range of wellness products. But recently it has gained popularity in the world of hair care, especially for a question that intrigues both those suffering from hair loss and those seeking to strengthen it: does lavender truly promote hair growth, or does it simply calm an irritated scalp?

Beyond the scent: what does lavender contain?

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) produces an essential oil that contains compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate. These substances have been widely studied for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties. One study in mice has suggested that lavender oil may also affect hair follicles, the structures responsible for hair growth; this has not been tested in people.

Lavender for hair growth? What the science says

One of the most cited studies on the relationship between lavender essential oil and hair growth was published in 2016 in the journal Toxicological Research. Conducted in South Korea by Lee and colleagues, the study applied diluted lavender essential oil, with jojoba oil as the carrier, to the shaved backs of C57BL/6 mice. Over four weeks, the researchers monitored changes using microscopic imaging, histological skin sections, and follicle measurements. The treated mice showed significantly greater hair growth and improvements in follicle count and depth. However, while these results are encouraging, it is important to note that the study was conducted exclusively in animals, whose biological responses may differ significantly from humans, particularly in terms of skin absorption and how they metabolize essential oils.

Sensitive skin, grateful scalp: lavender as a natural soother

Lavender is often described as soothing for irritated skin. We could not find a controlled human study of lavender oil for scalp irritation, and lavender oil can itself irritate the skin or cause allergy (see the precautions below).

What about humans? Clinical trials still scarce

Although studies in animals and in the lab are encouraging, there are still few clinical trials directly involving humans that evaluate the use of lavender for hair growth. One of the few relevant studies was published in 1998 in the journal Archives of Dermatology. In this research, the effect of a blend of essential oils—including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and Atlas cedar—was analyzed in individuals diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.

The study included 86 patients who applied the mixture with daily scalp massages over a period of seven months. Through clinical photographs and dermatological evaluations, it was observed that 44% of the group using essential oils showed noticeable improvement, compared to 15% of the control group.

However, since the treatment involved a combination of oils, it is impossible to attribute the effect solely to lavender.

This single trial in alopecia areata has not been repeated with lavender alone.

Possible mechanisms: how might lavender work?

There are several hypotheses about how lavender could benefit hair growth. First, its antimicrobial properties may help keep the scalp free of infections and microorganisms that interfere with the follicle's life cycle. Second, it has been suggested that lavender, especially when applied with massage, might improve blood flow in the scalp and so the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the follicles; no study of lavender has measured this.

It has also been suggested that lavender could indirectly influence hair growth by reducing stress, a well-known contributor to hair loss, particularly in conditions such as telogen effluvium. An oral lavender-oil capsule (Silexan) reduced anxiety scores in a randomised trial (Kasper et al., Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014, PMID 24456909). That is a standardised medicine taken by mouth, not oil applied to the scalp, and no study has tested whether lavender reduces stress-related hair shedding.

Beyond essential oil: common lavender-based hair care products

Lavender can be found in a wide range of hair care products that go well beyond pure essential oil. One of the most accessible options is shampoos formulated with lavender extract or essential oil in mild concentrations. These products are usually marketed for sensitive scalps.

There are also conditioners, hair masks, and serums that combine lavender with other active ingredients such as biotin, panthenol, or keratin. While lavender is mainly included in these products for its calming scent and soothing properties, some manufacturers claim additional benefits such as hair growth stimulation. However, these effects largely depend on the ingredient concentration and the formulation type.

Another popular form of use is scalp aromatherapy: some people apply a few drops of diluted lavender essential oil in carrier oils—such as coconut or almond—and use it as an overnight treatment or a pre-wash mask. Some people find this relaxing; no study has shown that it improves hair.

Finally, there are scalp sprays and tonics that contain lavender in aqueous solutions, often combined with aloe vera or other botanical extracts. These products are lightweight and easy to apply daily; no study has shown that they improve hair.

What precautions should be taken?

Lavender oil can cause allergic contact dermatitis (Bingham et al., Contact Dermatitis 2019, PMID 30779160). Case reports describe breast growth in children who were regularly exposed to lavender-containing products; it went away after the products were stopped (Henley et al., NEJM 2007, PMID 17267908; Ramsey et al., JCEM 2019, PMID 31393563). Whether lavender caused these cases is disputed (Braunstein & Braunstein 2023, PMID 38187077), but keep lavender products away from children and stop use if breast tissue develops. Do not swallow essential oils. It's also important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils as medications, which means there is no strict control over their concentration or purity.

For this reason, it is recommended to always perform a patch test before use and choose oils from reputable suppliers. The undiluted use of lavender oil should never be applied directly to the scalp or to broken skin.

Conclusion: promise or placebo?

The hair-growth evidence for lavender comes from one 4-week mouse study and one mixed-oil trial in alopecia areata. Its soothing effect on the scalp has not been tested in controlled human studies. It is not a treatment for hair loss. People who use it in a hair care routine should dilute it, patch-test first and keep it away from children.

References

Lee, B. H., Lee, J. S., & Kim, Y. C. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicological Research, 32(2), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103 (PMID 27123160)

Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy: Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1349–1352. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349

Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W. E., Volz, H. P., Möller, H. J., Schläfke, S., & Dienel, A. (2014). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder—a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17(6), 859–869. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145714000017 (PMID 24456909)

Bingham, L. J., Tam, M. M., Palmer, A. M., Cahill, J. L., & Nixon, R. L. (2019). Contact allergy and allergic contact dermatitis caused by lavender: A retrospective study from an Australian clinic. Contact Dermatitis, 81(1), 37–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.13247 (PMID 30779160)

Henley, D. V., Lipson, N., Korach, K. S., & Bloch, C. A. (2007). Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(5), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa064725 (PMID 17267908)

Ramsey, J. T., Li, Y., Arao, Y., Naidu, A., Coons, L. A., Diaz, A., & Korach, K. S. (2019). Lavender products associated with premature thelarche and prepubertal gynecomastia: Case reports and endocrine-disrupting chemical activities. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104(11), 5393–5405. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2018-01880 (PMID 31393563)

Braunstein, E. W., & Braunstein, G. D. (2023). Are prepubertal gynaecomastia and premature thelarche linked to topical lavender and tea tree oil use? touchREVIEWS in Endocrinology, 19(2), 60–68. https://doi.org/10.17925/EE.2023.19.2.9 (PMID 38187077)