Everyone has experienced hair loss at some point in their lives, and while for most people it’s only a temporary phase, for others it can be more permanent and drastic, especially if you don’t do something about it.
Today there are many herbs and different types of ingredients that can help prevent hair loss and also stimulate hair growth. An example of such herbs is evening primrose oil, which is found mainly in Europe and North America.
Evening primrose oil is commonly used as a health supplement, ingredient in beauty products, as well as a topical treatment. Evening primrose oil is also recommended for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). But does evening primrose oil hair loss treatment really work?
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Evening Primrose Oil Hair Loss Treatment: Does It Work?
What is evening primrose? Also known as the night willow herb, evening primrose is a flowering plant that has yellow flowers and grows primarily in Europe and North America. Evening primrose gets its name because, unlike most flowering plants, this plant blooms and opens its petals only at night.
The oil is extracted from the seeds and is commonly used by many people these days as a health supplement, ingredient in many cosmetic products, and also as a topical treatment.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) is also known for its anti-inflammatory, hormone-balancing, and antioxidant properties, which is why it is often recommended for women experiencing symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome PMS.
In recent years, the evening primrose oil has been hailed as an herb that promotes Hair growth and minimizes hair loss, although much more research is still needed to confirm this.
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Benefits of using evening primrose oil for hair
Evening primrose oil is known to be rich in omega chain fatty acids such as antioxidants and gamma-linoleic acid. These properties of the oil make it beneficial for the hair, as it helps to improve the health of the scalp by nourishing it and building its defense.
Evening Primrose Oil also helps to stimulate hair regrowth, providing your scalp with all the essential nutrients it needs to boost hair regrowth, while also protecting your hair from damage.
In addition to this, the omega chain fatty acids present in evening primrose oil are also believed to have the following benefits:
less inflammation
Boost the growth of healthy cells.
Fight oxidative stress
Due to all these reasons, it is believed that evening primrose oil can help you deal with hair loss caused by:
Scalp inflammation
nutritional deficiency
Environmental damage such as overexposure to UV rays
Evening primrose oil is also known to contain phytoestrogens. Many researchers believe that the presence of phytoestrogens helps improve symptoms of many hormone-related conditions, including menopause.
Interestingly, hair loss is also a major symptom of menopause. Because of this, evening primrose oil is considered to have a dual purpose: to help with menopausal symptoms and even with hair loss.
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What is the science behind the use of evening primrose oil and hair loss?
There is limited research available on the role that evening primrose oil plays in treating hair loss and the effect it has on overall hair health. However, there is some research available on how the specific ingredients and chemical components present in the oil affect the health of your hair.
While this limited research has provided some insight into how evening primrose oil might help with hair loss, more in-depth research is still needed to positively confirm how evening primrose oil works to help with hair loss. Some of the research that has been done so far is described below.
Research from the Seoul National University School of Medicine in South Korea has shown that evening primrose oil could help promote new hair growth. Like other oils of plant origin, evening primrose oil is rich in arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid has been found to stimulate new hair growth and also help existing shafts grow longer and be healthier.
Evening primrose oil is also known to decrease scalp inflammation and reduce damage to hair follicles. Gamma-linoleic acid is the omega chain fatty acid found in this oil, and this ingredient is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties.
While there are no specific studies on gamma linoleic acid and its role in reducing scalp inflammation, the ingredient has been studied as a potential treatment for inflammatory conditions such as eczema or atopic dermatitis. Some research has also found that the sterols present in Evening Primrose Oil also help reduce inflammation.
Evening primrose oil might also decrease oxidative stress. There is a lot of stress on hair every day. From the use of various products to heat styling, curling irons and many other cosmetic procedures performed on the hair only make alopecia related hair loss worse.
Evening primrose oil is a powerful antioxidant as it contains high levels of vitamin E. It is known that Vitamin E relieves oxidative stress. In 2010, researchers at the Malaysian College of Pharmaceutical Sciences found that taking oral vitamin E supplements helped improve symptoms of alopecia.
Study participants who received vitamin E supplements were found to have higher hair counts per inch on the scalp compared to participants who received the placebo. The results of this study indicate that evening primrose oil helps stimulate hair follicles and also protects the follicles, keeping your hair healthy.
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How to use evening primrose oil to treat hair loss?
The easiest way to use evening primrose oil is to apply it topically. However, you can also take it orally or both ways. However, it is essential that you do not confuse evening primrose essential oil with evening primrose oil or evening primrose oil. Evening primrose essential oil is much stronger, and it also gives off a volatile aroma that is often used in aromatherapy.
If you have hair loss due to inflammation, anecdotal evidence shows that topical application of the oil is more favorable.
If you have hair loss due to a hormonal condition, evening primrose oil supplements are likely to be more beneficial than topical application of the oil.
If you choose to take supplements, please note that herbal supplements are not regulated or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that you should only buy supplements from trusted manufacturers and stores.
Before starting any type of supplements, you should always discuss with your doctor if you have any individual risks of side effects or if you face any risks of drug interactions with your other medications/supplements.
Known home and natural remedies for hair loss
According to research, evening primrose oil supplements work best when taken with a meal. The average dose of evening primrose oil is 500 milligrams per day. If you find that your supplement dosage is higher than this, you should confirm the correct dosage with your doctor once before you start using the supplements.
Whenever you are trying any new supplement, it is best to start with a lower dose and then slowly work your way up to higher doses. you can experiment nausea or upset stomach after taking evening primrose oil supplements for the first time. If this happens, you should reduce your dose or stop using it.
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Are there risks and side effects of using evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil is generally considered safe to use for a short period of time. It is not clear if evening primrose oil can be used safely for a longer period of time.
However, it is always recommended that you consult your doctor before you start using evening primrose oil. While it is generally safe for the average user who is in general good health, there is still a small risk of side effects or drug interactions.
Do not take evening primrose oil without consulting your doctor if you:
have epilepsy
Has schizophrenia
they are pregnant
They are breastfeeding
Take blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (brand name: Coumadin)
Have hormone-sensitive cancer such as ovarian or breast cancer
Have surgery scheduled within the next 10 to 15 days.
Learn more about the contraindications and side effects of evening primrose oil
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Conclusion
If you are experiencing moderate hair loss, then it is a good idea to try evening primrose oil to see if it helps stop hair loss. However, if you notice that you have unexpected or severe hair loss, then it is time to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist will be able to better assess your symptoms, check your scalp for any fungal infections or other issues, and then discuss your treatment options.
Evening primrose oil might be an option for treating hair loss, but your doctor may also recommend a more reliable alternative treatment.
If you experience any unusual side effects while using evening primrose oil, you should stop using the product and talk to your doctor. Some of the common side effects to be aware of include breakouts at or around the hairline, accelerated hair loss, and discoloration of the scalp or hair.
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