Hair fall and slow growth are concerning, particularly in Pakistan, where intense heat, monsoon humidity, and city pollution ravage your hair day and night.
Such problems make exploring remedies like hair growth oils a good idea. There are no miracles promised, but the advantage of oiling makes it a worthwhile practice.
Do Hair Growth Oils Really Work?
First, let's get this straight. Hair growth is a slow biological process. Hair typically grows about 1 centimetre a month on average. Also, no oil will bypass your genetics or underlying health factors.
Nevertheless, there is solid proof that some oils stimulate hair regrowth. For example, rosemary oil has been shown to be just as effective as 2% minoxidil solution (a typical medical treatment for baldness) in stimulating hair regrowth within 6 months.
Participants in that study saw a significant increase in their hair growth, with rosemary oil users faring just as well as those on minoxidil. They did not even experience the scalp itching that minoxidil users reported.
Furthermore, some hair growth oils have an indirect effect by creating a favourable environment for hair growth. They hydrate and nourish the scalp. They also battle inflammation or microbes and strengthen the hair shaft to reduce the amount of hair breaking or falling out too soon. In a nutshell, a healthy scalp + stronger hair = improved hair growth.
A hair growth oil may not appear to be causing new hair to grow per se, but it prevents the blockage or inflammation of hair follicles.
Some oils are also known to protect the hair follicle against environmental damage and oxidative stress due to their vitamin and antioxidant contents. Studies have revealed that a particular oil penetrates the hair shaft to help decrease the loss of hair protein. This means hair growth oils may help your hair retain its strength and length over time.
It is important to note that oiling does not give the same effects for everyone. What works magic on one person may not work as such on a different individual. Results also take time—think in terms of months of consistent use, not days. You also need to use the oils properly. For example, essential oils must be diluted (we will discuss that soon).
Essential or Carrier Oils: Which Is Which?
You have probably noticed that hair growth oils come in different types. Some are labelled as “essential oils”, whereas others are basic oils often found in your kitchen or dressing table.
Essential oils are highly concentrated liquids that are distilled out of the aromatic parts of a plant, i.e., leaves, flowers, or bark. They contain the characteristic fragrance or essence of the plant as well as strong chemical compounds. Examples of essential oils include rosemary, peppermint, and cedarwood.
These oils are powerful – too powerful – to be applied on the scalp directly. They can be irritating or caustic to the skin. Since they are used to address specific scalp or follicle concerns, you only need a small amount diluted into another substance to get their benefits.
Contrastingly, carrier oils are "base" oils that are derived from the fatty components of plants, i.e., seeds, nuts, or kernels. Coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil, among others, are good examples.
Carrier oils are richer, heavier, and full of fatty acids and vitamins. They have been discovered to be helpful in diluting essential oils into a safe concentration. This dilution provides a blend that can be massaged onto the scalp without irritating it.
The two oils complement one another. Carrier oils nourish the scalp and the hair; the essential oils address particular scalp/hair concerns.
Top 5 Hair Growth Oils Available in Pakistan
Rosemary Oil
This essential oil is distilled from the herb Rosmarinus officinalis. It has demonstrated remarkable benefits for stimulating hair growth. Massaging diluted rosemary oil into your scalp increases blood flow to the hair follicles.
Increased blood flow provides more oxygen and nutrition to follicles. It puts them out of the shedding phase into an active growing phase. In addition, rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that may be beneficial in having a healthy scalp.
Application: Mix 3-5 drops of the oil with a tablespoon of some carrier oil. Apply this oil mixture to your scalp. Lightly rub with your fingers in a circular direction, especially in the areas where the hair is thinning.
If you need help volumising thinning hair, check out How to Use Texture Spray for Instant Volume.
Coconut Oil
In Pakistan (and South Asia in general), coconut oil has long been used to take care of the hair. It is extracted from the flesh of coconuts and possesses a special attribute in that it can reach deep inside the hair strand, unlike many other oils.
It means that coconut oil can condition the hair internally, as opposed to just coating its surface. This is done by preventing protein loss and absorbing moisture into the hair shaft. Coconut oil is 100% halal and is easier to wash out, unlike heavier oils.
A great strategy is to wash out using a moisturising, yet sulfate-free, shampoo like GK Hair’s Moisturising Shampoo because a harsh shampoo can undo the hair growth oil’s work by stripping your scalp.
Application: Warm a small amount of coconut oil until it’s fully liquid. Part your hair and apply the oil to your scalp and hair, massaging gently with your fingertips.
Castor Oil
Extracted from the seeds of the castor bean plant, this oil has a unique composition where a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid is dominant. This acid is known to have anti-inflammatory and circulation-boosting effects when applied to the skin.
Castor oil helps to create a scalp environment more conducive to hair growth. Additionally, castor oil is a great emollient—it moisturises the scalp and forms a protective layer, preventing moisture loss.
If you apply castor oil regularly, you will notice that fewer strands of hair pull away when you're combing your hair, and over time, this can make a substantial difference in the thickness of your hair.
Application: You can put your castor oil bottle in a warm bowl of water so that it can become easier to spread. Part your hair and apply a little product on your scalp with your fingertips or an applicator bottle.
Argan Oil
Argan oil has been found to contain a lot of vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids (mostly oleic and linoleic acid). It has a less viscous texture than castor and coconut oil and thus is quickly absorbable, so the hair does not feel greasy after some time.
Individuals with itchy, irritable scalps or seborrhoeic dermatitis may find relief with argan oil since it has been reported to soothe redness and irritation. There is one thing to remember: argan is made out of tree nuts, and thus, you should use this oil with caution if you have a severe nut allergy.
An excellent idea to apply argan oil would be to use argan-infused hair care products. For instance, GK Hair’s Argan Oil Serum is a ready-made serum that contains argan oil. It is designed to deliver smoothing and strengthening benefits in one pump.
Just apply a drop or two of the serum to your hair after a shower. It will help with styling, add shine, and reduce frizz, all while nourishing your hair with argan oil’s goodness. You can also get our Gold Shampoo and Conditioner formulated with argan oil. So, each time you wash, you’re depositing a bit of argan oil into your strands.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is commonly advised to be used on hair due to its close similarity with the natural scalp sebum. This matters because one of the most popular causes of hair problems is an excess or a deficiency of sebum. Excess sebum causes dandruff and plugged follicles, whereas insufficient sebum causes a dry and itchy scalp.
Jojoba can help with both issues. It can dissolve excess sebum, and it can moisturise and replace missing sebum on a dry scalp. This dissolution cleans the scalp and unclogs blocked pores. This gives your follicles a clear runway to sprout new hairs.
Application: You can use it as a scalp moisturiser and squeeze out a dropper into different scalp zones with a dry patch or flakiness. Then rub it.
Likewise, you can use gentle, hair-strengthening products from GK Hair alongside your oil treatments for an optimised effect. Happy oiling.
