Argan oil

Argan oil

Potential efficacity for hair loss : ⭐⭐⭐

My recommendation

Argan oil may have potential benefits in addressing androgenetic alopecia, thanks to its anti-androgenic properties. It could also prove valuable for other forms of hair loss linked to oxidative factors. Additionally, its ability to stimulate the Wnt/B-catenin signaling pathways is intriguing.

Nevertheless, I would advise you to explore oils or treatments that are backed by scientific studies conducted directly on alopecia. Furthermore, it's worth noting that authentic argan oil can be quite expensive.

Home 9 Vegetable oils 9 Argan oil

Argan oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the fruits of the argan tree, an ancient and robust tree that has been dated to several million years. Originating from the southern regions of Morocco, it derives its name from a Moroccan village called Argana.

This oil is known for its numerous therapeutic properties, and its remarkable ability to deeply penetrate the skin has made it a prized ingredient in the cosmetics industry. However, it has a relatively short shelf life of just four months. Moreover, it comes with a high price tag, typically around €150 per liter in European and American markets. This high cost is primarily due to the low yield of the argan tree and the labor-intensive extraction process.

As a result, the market is flooded with counterfeit argan oils or blends that include cheaper alternatives.

Is it effective against hair loss?

To date, we have limited information regarding the potential impact of argan oil on hair loss. Therefore, we will primarily rely on deductions based on its composition.

In general, vegetable oils share very similar compositions, and argan oil is no exception, as it contains fatty acids that are commonly found in many other oils.

Here are the major components of argan oil:

Oleic acid: 46%
Linoleic acid: 33%
Palmitic acid: 15%
Stearic acid: 4%
Others: Vitamin E

Based on my research, argan oil may potentially influence hair loss in the following way:

Anti-androgenic properties

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgenic hormone that our body naturally synthesizes from testosterone in various tissues. This conversion is facilitated by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase (5aR).

DHT is one of the primary factors in androgenetic alopecia, as it plays a role in the inflammatory process occurring in the scalp of individuals predisposed to hereditary hair loss. This phenomenon leads to the gradual thinning of hair, also known as miniaturization. Therefore, reducing the formation of DHT is believed to potentially decrease hair loss.

When examining the composition of argan oil, you’ll notice that it consists of 33% linoleic acid and 46% oleic acid. These two fatty acids have the ability to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase and, thus, reduce DHT formation (source).

In a study conducted in 1992 by T. Liang and S. Liao, it was observed that oleic acid, linoleic acid, elaidic acid, linolelaidic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid demonstrated anti-DHT properties by inhibiting 5aR.

(source)

Therefore, it can be concluded that the consumption or topical application of argan oil may also reduce DHT formation.

Antioxidant properties

One of the factors contributing to hair loss is oxidative stress, a condition that occurs when free radicals outnumber the antioxidants in the body. Excessive free radical formation can be attributed to various factors such as stress, poor dietary choices, or exposure to pollution.

Oxidative stress can lead to significant health problems. For instance, it has been linked to hair loss, inflammation, premature aging, heart disease, and certain cancers (source).

According to some studies, the intake of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, has shown the potential to reduce the development of certain diseases (source).

Argan oil possesses potent antioxidant properties due to its rich vitamin E content.

In a study conducted in 2010 by Lim Ai Beoy and colleagues, it was found that vitamin E supplementation could reduce hair loss.

Indeed, it was observed that a daily intake of 100 mg of vitamin E in the form of tocotrienols and alpha-tocopherols significantly increased hair density.

In this study, the group that received vitamin E saw their hair density increase from 284.8 to 383.1 in 8 months, marking a 34.5% increase. On the other hand, the placebo group showed no change.

The researchers concluded that this hair growth stimulation was associated with the antioxidant properties of vitamin E.

Argan oil has also been used by Moroccan women for centuries to protect the skin from the sun’s rays. A 2013 study revealed that the antioxidant activity of argan oil shields the skin from damage caused by sun-induced free radicals.

Linoleic acid and hair growth stimulation

Argan oil comprises approximately 33% linoleic acid.

According to a 2021 study led by Hwa Sun Ryu and their team, linoleic acid is believed to activate the Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway has a direct association with the hair growth cycle. Its activation promotes the anagen phase, thus stimulating hair growth. It also increases the proliferation and viability of follicular cells.

Based on this research, it is reasonable to consider that oils containing linoleic acid could potentially serve as effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

Closing thoughts and verdict

Although no studies have been conducted on alopecia, I believe that using argan oil could potentially be beneficial for addressing hair loss. This is mainly due to its anti-androgenic and antioxidant properties. Additionally, its significant content of linoleic acid could potentially help stimulate hair growth.

If you’re interested in trying argan oil, I could suggest using it as a carrier oil to enhance its effectiveness by combining it with a few essential oils.

That being said, there are oils that have been scientifically studied and proven to be effective. I would recommend considering those options instead. You can find them in the Big Data (link). Moreover, authentic argan oil can be relatively expensive.