Essential Oils for Hair Health: A Critical Mini-Review of the Current Evidence and Future Directions
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This review article examines the role of essential oils in hair health. Essential oils, derived from plants, are noted for their biological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. They have gained popularity in hair care for their potential benefits, as hair is not only crucial for physical appearance but also for personal identity and expression. Traditional hair care products like minoxidil and shampoos may have drawbacks such as limited effectiveness, side effects, or high costs. Consequently, essential oils are being considered as natural alternatives, claimed to stimulate hair growth, prevent hair loss, and improve hair quality. However, scientific research on essential oils for hair health is scarce and inconclusive. The outcomes of essential oil treatments can vary based on factors like oil type, concentration, application method, and individual hair conditions. Risks such as allergic reactions and skin irritation are possible. The review aims to critically assess the current literature on essential oils for hair health. Topics include the molecular mechanisms of essential oils, their efficacy compared to conventional products, and optimal usage methods. The review also explores the psychological effects of essential oils on hair health and identifies areas for future research.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
References
Masyita A, Mustika Sari R, Dwi Astuti A, Yasir B, Rahma Rumata N, Emran TB, Nainu F, Simal-Gandara J. Terpenes and terpenoids as main bioactive compounds of essential oils, their roles in human health and potential application as natural food preservatives. Food Chem X. 2022 Jan 19;13:100217. doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2022.100217. PMID: 35498985; PMCID: PMC9039924.
Masyita A, Mustika Sari R, Dwi Astuti A, Yasir B, Rahma Rumata N, Emran TB, Nainu F, Simal-Gandara J. Terpenes and terpenoids as main bioactive compounds of essential oils, their roles in human health and potential application as natural food preservatives. Food Chem X. 2022 Jan 19;13:100217. doi: 10.1016/j.fochx.2022.100217. PMID: 35498985; PMCID: PMC9039924. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2022.100217
Dhami L. Psychology of Hair Loss Patients and Importance of Counseling. Indian J Plast Surg. 2021 Dec 31;54(4):411-415. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1741037. PMID: 34984078; PMCID: PMC8719979.
Park S, Lee J. Modulation of Hair Growth Promoting Effect by Natural Products. Pharmaceutics. 2021 Dec 15;13(12):2163. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13122163. PMID: 34959442; PMCID: PMC8706577. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13122163
Abelan US, de Oliveira AC, Cacoci ÉSP, Martins TEA, Giacon VM, Velasco MVR, Lima CRRC. Potential use of essential oils in cosmetic and dermatological hair products: A review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Apr;21(4):1407-1418. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14286. Epub 2021 Jun 23. PMID: 34129742. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14286
Soares GABE, Bhattacharya T, Chakrabarti T, Tagde P, Cavalu S. Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Essential Oils on the Central Nervous System. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 22;11(1):21. doi: 10.3390/plants11010021. PMID: 35009027; PMCID: PMC8747111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11010021
Bungau AF, Radu AF, Bungau SG, Vesa CM, Tit DM, Purza AL, Endres LM. Emerging Insights into the Applicability of Essential Oils in the Management of Acne Vulgaris. Molecules. 2023 Sep 1;28(17):6395. doi: 10.3390/molecules28176395. PMID: 37687224; PMCID: PMC10489792. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176395
Natarelli N, Gahoonia N, Sivamani RK. Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 23;12(3):893. doi: 10.3390/jcm12030893. PMID: 36769541; PMCID: PMC9917549. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12030893
Lee BH, Lee JS, Kim YC. Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicol Res. 2016 Apr;32(2):103-8. doi: 10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103. Epub 2016 Apr 30. PMID: 27123160; PMCID: PMC4843973. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103
Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015 Jan-Feb;13(1):15-21. PMID: 25842469.
Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC. Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec;30(4):297-304. doi: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297. PMID: 25584150; PMCID: PMC4289931. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
Sadgrove N, Batra S, Barreto D, Rapaport J. An Updated Etiology of Hair Loss and the New Cosmeceutical Paradigm in Therapy: Clearing ‘the Big Eight Strikes’. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(4):106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10040106
Choi D-I, Choi J-Y, Lee J-B, Yun S-J, Moon B-K, Ahn Y-G, Lee S-Y, Lee S-C. Protective Activity against Oxidative Stress in Dermal Papillae with Extracted Herbal Essential Oils. Applied Sciences. 2023; 13(6):3985. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063985
Wang X, Ramos R, Phan AQ, Yamaga K, Flesher JL, Jiang S, Oh JW, Jin S, Jahid S, Kuan CH, Nguyen TK, Liang HY, Shettigar NU, Hou R, Tran KH, Nguyen A, Vu KN, Phung JL, Ingal JP, Levitt KM, Cao X, Liu Y, Deng Z, Taguchi N, Scarfone VM, Wang G, Paolilli KN, Wang X, Guerrero-Juarez CF, Davis RT, Greenberg EN, Ruiz-Vega R, Vasudeva P, Murad R, Widyastuti LHP, Lee HL, McElwee KJ, Gadeau AP, Lawson DA, Andersen B, Mortazavi A, Yu Z, Nie Q, Kunisada T, Karin M, Tuckermann J, Esko JD, Ganesan AK, Li J, Plikus MV. Signalling by senescent melanocytes hyperactivates hair growth. Nature. 2023 Jun;618(7966):808-817. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06172-8. Epub 2023 Jun 21. PMID: 37344645; PMCID: PMC10284692. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06172-8
Houschyar KS, Borrelli MR, Tapking C, Popp D, Puladi B, Ooms M, Chelliah MP, Rein S, Pförringer D, Thor D, Reumuth G, Wallner C, Branski LK, Siemers F, Grieb G, Lehnhardt M, Yazdi AS, Maan ZN, Duscher D. Molecular Mechanisms of Hair Growth and Regeneration: Current Understanding and Novel Paradigms. Dermatology. 2020;236(4):271-280. doi: 10.1159/000506155. Epub 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32163945. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000506155
Sánchez-Pellicer P, Navarro-Moratalla L, Núñez-Delegido E, Agüera-Santos J, Navarro-López V. How Our Microbiome Influences the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata. Genes (Basel). 2022 Oct 14;13(10):1860. doi: 10.3390/genes13101860. PMID: 36292745; PMCID: PMC9601531. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13101860
Ashique S, Sandhu NK, Haque SN, Koley K. A Systemic Review on Topical Marketed Formulations, Natural Products, and Oral Supplements to Prevent Androgenic Alopecia: A Review. Nat Prod Bioprospect. 2020 Dec;10(6):345-365. doi: 10.1007/s13659-020-00267-9. Epub 2020 Oct 4. PMID: 33011954; PMCID: PMC7648777. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13659-020-00267-9
Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. Int J Trichology. 2022 May-Jun;14(3):84-90. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20. Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35755964; PMCID: PMC9231528. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20
Nestor MS, Ablon G, Gade A, Han H, Fischer DL. Treatment options for androgenetic alopecia: Efficacy, side effects, com-pliance, financial considerations, and ethics. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021 Dec;20(12):3759-3781. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14537. Epub 2021 Nov 6. PMID: 34741573; PMCID: PMC9298335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14537
Pratt CH, King LE Jr, Messenger AG, Christiano AM, Sundberg JP. Alopecia areata. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Mar 16;3:17011. doi: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.11. PMID: 28300084; PMCID: PMC5573125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrdp.2017.11
Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Der-matol. 1998 Nov;134(11):1349-52. doi: 10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349. PMID: 9828867. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349
Ranganathan S, Mukhopadhyay T. Dandruff: the most commercially exploited skin disease. Indian J Dermatol. 2010 Apr-Jun;55(2):130-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.62734. PMID: 20606879; PMCID: PMC2887514. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5154.62734
Jain S, Arora P, Nainwal LM. Essential Oils as Potential Source of Anti-dandruff Agents: A Review. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen. 2022 Jul 27;25(9):1411-1426. doi: 10.2174/1386207324666210712094148. PMID: 34254910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/1386207324666210712094148
Rattanakaemakorn P, Suchonwanit P. Scalp Pruritus: Review of the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. Biomed Res Int. 2019 Jan 15;2019:1268430. doi: 10.1155/2019/1268430. PMID: 30766878; PMCID: PMC6350598. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1268430
Gad HA, Roberts A, Hamzi SH, Gad HA, Touiss I, Altyar AE, Kensara OA, Ashour ML. Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity. Polymers (Basel). 2021 May 24;13(11):1711. doi: 10.3390/polym13111711. PMID: 34073772; PMCID: PMC8197201. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111711
Ramsey JT, Shropshire BC, Nagy TR, Chambers KD, Li Y, Korach KS. Essential Oils and Health. Yale J Biol Med. 2020 Jun 29;93(2):291-305. PMID: 32607090; PMCID: PMC7309671.
Dhami L. Psychology of Hair Loss Patients and Importance of Counseling. Indian J Plast Surg. 2021 Dec 31;54(4):411-415. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1741037. PMID: 34984078; PMCID: PMC8719979. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1741037