Viral TikTok videos showing rosemary oil being rubbed into the scalp to combat hair loss could have the opposite effect, experts warn.
More than a billion people on the social media platform have now seen clips of the so-called natural remedy, and thousands of influencers have reported how their thinning hair has grown back dramatically in just a few weeks – something no medication can do.
In a video that has been viewed more than four million times, British influencer Regan Ellis told her 250,000 followers that rosemary oil reversed her hair loss caused by the condition alopecia in “a few weeks.”
In another video, mother-of-two Amy-Jo Simpson, who has 2.4 million followers, said she had seen a “big growth” with “new hair” within a few months.
The video, released last month, already has over 800,000 views.
More than a billion people on the social media platform have now seen clips of the so-called natural remedy, and thousands of influencers have reported how their thinning hair has grown back dramatically in just a few weeks – something no medication can do
Chemists say they are now seeing record sales of rosemary oil. Health food store Holland & Barrett reported a 70 percent increase in sales last year, while independent pharmacy Landys Chemist reported a 2,200 percent increase in sales since May.
However, some skin specialists fear that the amount of rosemary oil promoted by influencers could actually cause hair loss.
“There is no good evidence that rosemary oil regrows hair,” says Dr. Mia Jing Gao, a London-based consultant dermatologist. “For most people it will do absolutely nothing.” But for others, it can irritate the scalp and eventually lead to hair loss.”
Contrary to the glowing reviews online, others have complained on social media that the “remedy” caused hair loss.
TikTok user Lesley Edwards responded to Amy-Jo Simpson’s video by saying: “It made my hair fall out.” Ms Edwards added that she used rosemary oil once a week but has now stopped because she has so much hair have lost.
Another replied: “After three months of use I’m still experiencing extreme hair loss every day.”
However, some skin specialists fear that the amount of rosemary oil promoted by influencers could actually cause hair loss
Many of the most popular posts are actually paid advertising. Regan Ellis, Amy-Jo Simpson and at least ten other popular advocates have been sponsored by Nature Spell, which sells a 150ml bottle of rosemary oil online for £8.
“This trend appears to be driven not by science but by opinion leaders,” adds Dr. Gao added.
The popularity of quick fixes is understandable – around 15 million Brits suffer from hair loss. The most common cause is androgenetic alopecia – believed to be hereditary, this is commonly referred to as male/female pattern hair loss. Around half of all men and one in ten women are affected by the age of 50, but the problem can also occur earlier.
Other causes of hair loss include malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, immune system problems, and a side effect of many medications.
There are a number of effective treatments that can slow or even reverse certain types of hair loss.
Minoxidil, which is applied directly to the skin, and finasteride, a daily tablet, are two prescribed treatments that have been shown to be effective against hair loss in clinical trials. However, in rare cases, patients taking finasteride may experience depression, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.
In March, The Mail on Sunday revealed that health authorities had launched an investigation into finasteride after the number of men reporting these serious side effects tripled since 2020.
Experts say natural hair loss treatments, such as rosemary oil, appeal to people who are concerned about the side effects of medications.
Dr. Stefanie Williams, dermatologist and medical director at Eudelo Dermatology & Skin Wellbeing clinic, explains: “Many assume that natural remedies are safer than pharmaceuticals, but these products also carry the risk of side effects.”
So could there be any truth to the rosemary oil claims?
A 2015 study involving 100 people with hair loss found that rosemary oil was as effective at increasing hair growth as minoxidil over a six-month period. This is often cited by influencers as a reason for purchasing rosemary oil.
However, experts point out that this research has flaws.
First, the study compares the effectiveness of rosemary oil with a low-dose form of minoxidil called minoxidil two percent. The standard dosage of over-the-counter minoxidil is five percent.
The research also found that patients only noticed a change in their hair after six months of regular use. However, many influencers claim that they can notice an effect within a few weeks.
“Nine out of ten people who suffer from hair loss experience spontaneous hair regrowth at some point,” says Dr. Gao. “This study does not prove that rosemary oil is responsible.”
Pregnant women are advised to avoid the product as research shows it can induce labor and, in rare cases, lead to miscarriage.
However, experts also fear that using rosemary oil directly on the scalp can lead to inflammation of the affected area and trigger further hair loss – especially at higher doses.
While Nature Spell’s rosemary oil is diluted with almond and sunflower oil, other products contain stronger doses. You can get a bottle of undiluted oil on Amazon for £15.
Other videos on TikTok show recipes for homemade rosemary oil, which can be made by boiling leaves of the plant.
“Rosemary oil, especially in undiluted form, can irritate the skin.” “This can lead to more hair loss,” says Dr. Sharon Wong, a London-based consultant dermatologist.
Experts believe more research should be done on the potential benefits of rosemary oil, but argue that people should avoid it even though there is so little evidence to support its use.
“At the moment I wouldn’t recommend it,” says Dr. Williams. “People need to be careful when applying these untested substances to their skin and hair.”