Curcuma Aeruginosa Roxb. Essential Oil Slows Hair Growth and Lightens Skin in Axillae: A Randomized, Double-Blinded Trial

In a study conducted six years ago, Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. essential oil (CA-oil) was found to effectively slow hair growth and lighten skin in the axillae of 60 female participants aged 18-23 years. Over a 10-week treatment period and a 2-week washout phase, the participants applied either a 1% or 5% w/w CA-oil lotion to one axilla and a placebo to the other. The study concluded that both concentrations of CA-oil significantly reduced hair growth, with the 5% CA-oil showing a 16 ± 0.9% reduction, and also lightened the skin, effects that persisted for at least two weeks post-treatment. No adverse reactions were reported, and participants were generally satisfied with the results, despite some negative comments about the product's odor.