The marketplace for hair loss treatments is awash with sham products so should you approach it with a healthy dose of scepticism. That is not to say solutions do not exist, but you should discount those that are not supported by evidence. Evidence is not extensive in this area but the most substantiated claims can be found in essential oils.
The essential oil blend consisted of the following:
- Atlas cedarwood essential oil – 2 drops
- Thyme essential oil – 3 drops
- Rosemary essential oil – 3 drops
- Lavender essential oil – 3 drops
- Jojoba carrier oil – ½ teaspoon
- Grapeseed carrier oil – 4 teaspoons
A limitation of the study is that it does not identify which essential oils contributed most to the hair growing effect but separate research has shown some to have particular promise.
Rosemary essential oil, for example, has been shown to be as effective as minoxidil – one of the main treatments for hair loss.
What’s more, it helped the side effect of itchy scalp more successfully than minoxidil.
Each comes with pros and cons so it is important to weigh these up before buying.
According to the NHS, synthetic wigs:
- Last six to nine months
- Are easier to look after than real-hair wigs
- Can be itchy and hot
- Cost less than real-hair wigs
Real-hair wigs, on the other hand, last three to four years and look more natural than synthetic wigs.
They are harder to look after than synthetic wigs and are more costly, notes the NHS.