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• Aromatherapy for Stress Related Hair Loss

• HairSite Editorials - 9/24/99

Keywords: Stress-Related Hair Loss, Essential Oils, Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, Cedarwood

Aromatherapy is found to be effective in treating temporary or stress related hair loss, according to Archives of Dermatology, 1998; 134; 1349-1352.

Scottish scientists, led by Dr. Isabelle C. Hay at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, reported the findings of a controlled study of aromatherapy's effect on reversing temporary or stress related hair loss. The clinical study was conducted on 84 patients with alopecia areata. About half of the patients massaged essential oils such as thyme, lavender, rosemary and cedarwood in addition to carrier oils (eg: grapeseed and jojoba oils) into their scalps daily. The other half - the controlled group - massaged only the carrier oils into their scalps daily. During the study, none of the patients or the researchers know who was getting the treatment and who was in the controlled group.

After 7 months of treatment, 44% of the patients using the essential oils showed significant improvement, compared to just 15% of those in the controlled group using the carrier oils only. According to Dr. Hay, these findings suggest that at least one of the essential oils contained a compound or compounds that stimulate hair growth. However, at this point, there is no plan to isolate which of lavender, thyme, rosemary or cedarwood is responsible for the improvement. It is also possible that the four essential oils work synergistically to produce the effects.

Dr. Hay further added that aromatherapy caused no significant side effects. In contrast, conventional steroid and other treatments always come with considerable side effects.

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