Does Rosemary Improve Circulation, but Does It Really Regenerate Hair?

Rosemary, an aromatic herb commonly used in cooking, has gained attention in the field of hair health. It is attributed with properties that improve blood circulation, but the question arises: can it really regenerate hair? To answer this, it is first necessary to understand what circulation and hair regeneration mean from a scientific perspective.

What Is Blood Circulation and What Circulates in the Body?

Blood circulation is the process by which blood is transported through the cardiovascular system, driven by the heart, along arteries, veins, and capillaries. Its primary function is to deliver oxygen and essential nutrients to all organs and tissues of the body while simultaneously removing metabolic waste products.

Blood flow is essential for maintaining cellular health and tissue function, including the scalp. Without adequate circulation, hair follicles can suffer from nutritional deficiencies that impact their ability to produce strong and healthy hair.

Why Is Circulation Important for Hair Growth?

Each hair follicle is connected to a network of blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and key nutrients, such as iron, zinc, biotin, and essential proteins. Poor blood flow can lead to reduced nutrient supply to the follicles, resulting in weakened hair, thinning, and, in some cases, premature shedding.

Certain compounds and practices are believed to enhance microcirculation in the scalp. Rosemary has been promoted as a natural vasodilator, meaning it can dilate blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to the hair roots. However, improving circulation is only one part of the process: hair growth also depends on hormonal, genetic, and nutritional factors.

What Does Hair Regeneration Mean?

Human hair undergoes a growth cycle composed of three main phases:

• Anagen phase: This is the active growth phase of hair, lasting between two and six years.
• Catagen phase: A transitional phase in which hair growth stops and the follicle begins to shrink.
• Telogen phase: The resting phase, during which old hair sheds to make way for a new growth cycle.

Hair regeneration occurs when a follicle in the telogen or inactive phase re-enters the anagen phase and starts producing new hair. However, in cases of advanced alopecia, follicles can atrophy, preventing natural regeneration. In these scenarios, science seeks effective solutions to stimulate the reactivation of dormant follicles.

Hair Regeneration in Marketing vs. Science

In the cosmetic industry, hair regeneration is a term frequently used in the marketing of shampoos, tonics, and treatments. It is common to find products that promise to "regenerate" damaged hair, stimulate its growth, or reverse hair loss.

However, in the scientific field, regenerating hair involves a complex biological process in which a miniaturized or inactive hair follicle re-enters the anagen phase and begins producing new hair. Regeneration does not simply mean strengthening or thickening existing hair but rather the reactivation of dormant follicles.

Marketing claims often rely on active ingredients that may improve scalp health or strengthen the hair shaft, but this does not equate to hair regeneration in scientific terms. Rosemary is a prime example of this. Many hair products containing rosemary extracts claim to stimulate hair growth based on its ability to enhance blood circulation in the scalp. However, for a compound to be considered an effective solution for hair regeneration, it must have solid clinical studies supporting its efficacy.

What Does Science Say About Rosemary and Hair Regeneration?

Various studies have analyzed the effects of rosemary on hair health, evaluating its potential impact on scalp microcirculation and follicle activity. While some research suggests that rosemary may support hair growth, it is crucial to examine the methodology and findings in detail.

A 2015 clinical trial compared the effectiveness of rosemary oil with 2% minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia. This randomized study involved 100 participants divided into two groups of 50, who applied the assigned treatment to their scalps twice daily for six months.

At the conclusion of the study, both groups exhibited increased hair density with no significant differences between them. However, the minoxidil-treated group experienced more adverse effects, such as itching and redness. This study suggests that rosemary could be a natural alternative with fewer side effects, but it does not confirm that it has a regenerative effect on hair follicles.

Another 2012 study conducted by Murata et al. evaluated the effects of rosemary leaf extract on testosterone-induced hair loss in mice. The findings indicated that the extract promoted hair growth by influencing certain growth factors and enhancing microcirculation in the scalp.

However, results in animal models do not always directly translate to humans, necessitating further research in human populations.

In 2023,  a study was conducted on mice to evaluate an herbal lotion containing rosemary. The results showed that it promoted hair growth even more effectively than 2% minoxidil, suggesting a potential positive effect of rosemary. However, the lack of clinical trials in humans limits its applicability, preventing definitive claims about rosemary's ability to regenerate hair.

Despite these promising findings, hair regeneration remains a complex process that cannot be attributed to a single ingredient. More human-based research is needed to determine whether rosemary can be considered an effective and scientifically validated treatment for hair loss.

User Experiences

Rosemary oil is often promoted for its potential to improve scalp circulation, but community feedback on its effectiveness for hair regrowth is mixed. Many users have experimented with rosemary oil as a natural remedy, with varying results. Some report noticeable improvements in hair thickness and reduced shedding, while others see little to no change.

One user noted that after three months of consistent application, they experienced less shedding and some fine hair regrowth, particularly in thinning areas. They credited rosemary oil’s potential anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting effects but emphasized that their results were subtle compared to proven treatments like minoxidil. Another user echoed this sentiment, stating that while rosemary oil made their scalp feel healthier and less irritated, they did not observe significant new hair growth.

**Some users attempted to compare rosemary oil to minoxidil, referencing a 2015 study that suggested rosemary oil might be similarly effective in promoting hair growth over a six-month period. **However, many community members remained skeptical, highlighting that anecdotal experiences do not always align with clinical outcomes. One comment stressed that rosemary oil alone is unlikely to reverse genetic hair loss (androgenic alopecia) but could be a supportive treatment alongside DHT blockers like finasteride.

Others were more critical, dismissing rosemary oil as ineffective based on their own trials. One frustrated user mentioned using it daily for nearly a year with no visible regrowth, questioning whether the claims surrounding rosemary were exaggerated by social media trends. Several users agreed, emphasizing that while rosemary oil might improve scalp health, it does not match the proven efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments.

Overall, the consensus among users is that rosemary oil may offer some benefits for scalp health and circulation, but its ability to regenerate hair remains questionable. While some individuals see mild improvements, most users agree that it is not a substitute for FDA-approved treatments like minoxidil and finasteride.

Final Considerations

Current evidence suggests that rosemary may play a role in stimulating hair growth by improving scalp circulation, but its ability to regenerate hair in scientific terms remains unproven. While some studies indicate positive effects, the majority have been conducted on animals or small human samples. More high-quality clinical trials are required to determine whether rosemary can be considered an effective treatment for hair loss.

References

Panahi, Y., et al. (2015). "Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial." Skinmed, 13(1), 15-21. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/

Murata, K., et al. (2012). "Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract." Phytotherapy Research, 27(2), 212-217. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4707

Singh, A., et al. (2023). "Evaluation of Herbal Hair Lotion loaded with Rosemary for Possible Hair Growth Activity." Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 35(1), 1-10. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.9734/JPRI/2023/v35i17516

It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before starting any hair loss treatment, even when using natural remedies such as rosemary.