Commonly Used Hair Oils in the Black Community: A Narrative Review in Their Use to Treat Androgenetic Alopecia

April 2023 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Jewell Dinkins, Callyn Iwuala, Lisa Akintilo, Nkem Ugonabo, Jerry Shapiro, Kristen Lo Sicco, Prince Adotama

androgenetic alopecia castor oil pumpkin oil lavender oil peppermint oil rosemary oil tea tree oil AGA

TLDR More research is needed to confirm if popular hair oils effectively treat hair loss.

This narrative review explores the use of various hair oils within the Black community for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss. The review highlights the traditional and increasing popularity of hair oils such as castor oil, pumpkin oil, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree oil. Despite their widespread use, the authors emphasize the need for more research to determine their efficacy, as most existing studies have been conducted on mice rather than humans. The review aims to provide a better understanding of these oils' potential benefits in treating AGA.

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