Rosemary Oil For Postpartum Hair Growth? Here's The Low Down

If you've been on TikTok recently, you may have noticed a trend for using rosemary hair oil. In fact, the #RosemaryOilForHairGrowth has over 145 million views!

This natural hair care product has been gaining popularity on the social media platform, with people sharing their experiences and results of using rosemary oil on their hair. If you’re experiencing postpartum hair loss or hair changes right now, then we can see why you might be intrigued by this trend. Today, we're taking a closer look at the rosemary hair oil TikTok trend and exploring the benefits and potential drawbacks of using this product on your hair and how that might impact postpartum hair growth. 

Firstly a quick recap: why do women experience postpartum hair loss and changes?

During pregnancy, high estrogen levels keep hairs in their growth phase for longer and delay them from moving into their shedding phase–which means fuller, thicker, and glossier locks for you. After you give birth or stop breastfeeding, your high estrogen levels from pregnancy revert back to normal, and the hairs that were being kept in their growth phase now move into their shedding phase. They rest for several weeks, and then after about 3 months, they fall out. This is why you might shed a large number of strands within a short period of time. This is a very normal occurrence so rest assured, it is just your body's natural way of adjusting to the changing hormone levels. 

Hair shedding can occur from around 3 months postpartum and should slow down around 6 months postpartum. If you find that it doesn't subside, there may be another underlying issue, and we suggest you speak with your doctor. Do remember that pregnancy, having a newborn, and breastfeeding all take their toll on your body and you must be patient while it resets itself.

Find out more about Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens And What You Can Do. 

So, what is rosemary oil?

Rosemary oil is derived from the rosemary plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region. It has been used for centuries for a variety of purposes, including cooking, aromatherapy, and medicinal purposes. When it comes to hair care, rosemary oil is believed to have several benefits. It is said to promote hair growth, strengthen hair, prevent hair loss, and improve overall hair health.

The rosemary hair oil TikTok trend involves using rosemary oil as a hair treatment. The oil is typically applied to the scalp and hair, either on its own or mixed with other ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, or castor oil. Users then leave the oil on their hair for a set period of time, usually anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, before washing it out with shampoo and conditioner.

So, what are the benefits of using rosemary oil for postpartum hair growth? 

As mentioned earlier, rosemary oil is believed to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. This is because it contains compounds that stimulate hair follicles and improve blood circulation to the scalp. Additionally, rosemary oil is said to help strengthen hair, prevent split ends, and improve overall hair health by nourishing and moisturizing the hair and scalp.

Although research around the uses of rosemary oil to treat postpartum hair loss is limited, studies show that rosemary oil may fight patchy hair loss, or alopecia areata. When people with alopecia areata rubbed a rosemary essential oil blend into their scalp each day for seven months, 44% showed improvement in their hair loss compared to only 15% in the control group.

Are there drawbacks to using rosemary oil on your hair?

The effectiveness of rosemary oil as a hair treatment may vary depending on individual hair type, texture, and overall health. Some people may also be allergic to rosemary oil, so it's important to do a patch test before using the product on your hair – it’s particularly important to be cautious of this during postpartum as you are more prone to experiencing reactions and irritation when your body is undergoing so many hormonal changes. 

If you’re not comfortable trying rosemary hair oil during postpartum, find out the nutrients you can incorporate into your diet to promote hair regrowth: 7 Nutrients That Support Postpartum Hair Regrowth.

Another potential drawback of using rosemary hair oil is that it can be difficult to wash out. Some users have reported that the oil can leave their hair feeling greasy or oily even after washing it out with shampoo and conditioner. This is because rosemary oil is a thick, viscous oil that can be difficult to rinse out completely.

The rosemary hair oil TikTok trend has been gaining popularity for a reason. Rosemary oil is a natural, affordable, and potentially effective hair treatment that can improve hair growth and overall hair health. However, it's important to keep in mind that not everyone may experience these benefits, and the effectiveness of using rosemary hair oil to treat postpartum hair loss and encourage regrowth is unknown. If you're interested in trying out rosemary hair oil, it's a good idea to do a patch test first and experiment with different application methods to find what works best for your hair.

What products have helped your postpartum regrowth postpartum? Let us know in the comments!

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