Avocado Oil

Avocado Oil

Potential efficacity for hair loss : ⭐⭐⭐

My recommendation

Avocado oil may have potential benefits in reducing androgenetic alopecia, especially because of its anti-androgenic properties. It can also be useful for other types of hair loss linked to oxidation or inflammation. Additionally, its capacity to stimulate the Wnt/B-catenin signaling pathways is noteworthy.

However, I would recommend exploring oils or treatments that have strong scientific evidence directly related to alopecia for more reliable results.

Home 9 Vegetable oils 9 Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the avocado fruit. Originally hailing from Central America, its name is rooted in the Aztec term “ahua quatl,” which amusingly refers to testicles. Today, avocados are extensively cultivated in the USA, Mexico, Indonesia, and several African countries.

The popularity of avocados and, by extension, avocado oil, has surged dramatically in recent decades. Not only is it recognized as a highly health-beneficial fruit, but its oil is also prized for its remarkable skin-absorption qualities. This has made it a key ingredient in moisturizing creams and various cosmetic products.

Is it effective against hair loss?

Currently, we have limited information regarding the potential impact of avocado oil on hair loss. Let’s try to understand its potential effects by examining its composition.

In general, vegetable oils share similar compositions, and avocado oil is no exception. Here is the fatty acid composition of avocado oil:

Oleic acid: 51%
Palmitic acid: 28%
Linoleic acid: 14%
Palmitoleic acid: 6%
Additionally, it contains vitamins E and B.

Based on my research, avocado oil may have the following effects on hair loss:

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).

Avocado oil boasts powerful antioxidant properties due to its rich composition of vitamin E and oleic acid.

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

Indeed, it was observed that taking 100 mg of vitamin E daily 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.

Avocado oil is also rich in vitamin E. It is plausible that its topical application could be beneficial in combating hair loss caused by oxidative stress.

In another study, oleic acid, which makes up 51% of avocado oil, also demonstrated antioxidant properties.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the immune system that gets activated when the body faces various challenges, such as infections, irritations, muscle tension, or injuries.

Interestingly, nearly all forms of alopecia are characterized by chronic inflammation in the scalp, and alleviating this inflammation has proven effective in reducing hair loss (source).

According to certain studies, oleic acid, which constitutes half of avocado oil, is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties(source) (source) (source).

While these studies may not specifically address alopecia, it’s reasonable to assume that the topical application of avocado oil could potentially help reduce the chronic inflammation associated with androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Linoleic acid’s potential for hair growth

Avocado oil contains 14% 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.

This study suggests that oils containing linoleic acid could potentially be effective treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

Closing thoughts and verdict

While no human studies have been conducted on alopecia, I believe that the topical application of avocado oil could be an effective solution for androgenetic alopecia. This is due to its anti-DHT and antioxidant properties.

Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties could potentially help reduce the chronic inflammation associated with various forms of alopecia. It’s worth noting that reducing oxidation (thanks to its antioxidant properties) may also lead to a reduction in inflammation. Additionally, the moderate presence of linoleic acid could play a role in stimulating hair growth.

If you’re interested in trying avocado oil, I would recommend using it as a carrier oil to enhance its effectiveness with the properties of some essential oils.

However, it’s important to mention that most of its promising properties are primarily attributed to oleic acid (51%). In this regard, olive oil contains even more oleic acid (73%) than avocado oil. Furthermore, olive oil contains oleuropein, which has been identified as a hair growth stimulator. As a result, olive oil may be a more effective and accessible alternative.