Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a vegetable oil extracted from the sunflower plant. It is one of the most widely consumed oils in the world, second only to soybean and palm oil. Although sunflowers have their origins in Native American culture, they weren’t cultivated in Europe until the late 15th century. In their native region, people used sunflower oil for its medicinal properties, especially its nourishing and nutritious qualities.

You can also find sunflower oil in cosmetic products, but it’s not often emphasized in marketing. Since it’s commonly used in cooking, it doesn’t typically attract the attention of consumers who are more inclined to explore exotic oils. As a result, you won’t come across many shampoos or products that prominently feature this oil.

Is it effective for preventing hair loss?

As of now, we have limited information about the potential impact of sunflower oil on hair loss.

In general, vegetable oils share similar compositions, and sunflower oil is no exception. Since we have a substantial amount of information about each of these components, we can speculate on the potential benefits that sunflower oil might offer to our hair.

Here is the fatty acid composition of sunflower oil:

• Linoleic acid: 52%
• Oleic acid: 34%
• Palmitic acid: 7%
• Stearic acid: 4%
• Other compounds: Rich in Vitamin E

Based on my research, sunflower oil may affect hair loss in four ways:

Antioxidant Properties

One of the contributing factors to hair loss is oxidative stress. This occurs when there is an excess of free radicals in the body compared to the available antioxidants. Excessive formation of these free radicals can be triggered by various factors such as stress, poor diet, or exposure to pollution.

Oxidative stress can lead to significant health problems. For example, it has been shown to cause hair loss, inflammation, premature aging, heart diseases, and certain cancers (source).

According to some studies, the intake of antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, has been found to reduce the development of certain diseases (source).

Sunflower oil boasts powerful antioxidant properties thanks to its rich composition of Vitamin E and oleic acid.

In a study conducted in 2010 by Lim Ai Beoy and colleagues, it was found that the consumption of Vitamin E 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.

Here, you can see that the group receiving Vitamin E saw their hair density increase from 284.8 to 383.1 over the course of 8 months, representing a 34.5% increase. On the other hand, the placebo group showed no change.

In another study, oleic acid, which makes up over 70% of sunflower oil, also exhibited antioxidant properties.

Based on these studies, it could be inferred that the topical application of sunflower oil might be useful in addressing hair loss caused by oxidation.

Anti-androgen properties

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a natural androgen hormone that our bodies synthesize from testosterone in various tissues. This conversion is facilitated by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5aR).

DHT is a key factor in androgenetic alopecia, as it plays a role in the inflammatory process that occurs in the scalps of individuals genetically predisposed to hair loss. This process leads to the gradual thinning of hair, also known as miniaturization. Consequently, reducing DHT formation is believed to be a potential way to mitigate hair loss.

When examining sunflower oil, it’s evident that it consists mainly of oleic acid and linoleic acid. These two fatty acids have the capacity to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, thus reducing DHT production.

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

(source)

Anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the immune system triggered when the body faces various attacks, such as infections, irritations, muscle tension, or wounds.

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

According to some studies, oleic acid, which comprises over 30% of sunflower oil, is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties (source) (source) (source).

Linoleic acid’s potential to boost hair growth

According to a 2021 study led by Hwa Sun Ryu and their colleagues, linoleic acid has been shown to activate the Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway is directly linked to the hair growth cycle. Its activation promotes the anagen phase, stimulating hair growth, and also enhances the proliferation and survival of follicular cells.

Closing thoughts and verdict

While no studies have specifically addressed alopecia in humans, I believe that the topical application of sunflower oil could be a highly effective solution for androgenetic alopecia. This belief stems from its diverse properties, including anti-androgenic (anti-DHT), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Additionally, the presence of linoleic acid could be instrumental in promoting hair growth.

If you’re interested in trying sunflower oil, I can recommend using it as a carrier oil to bolster its effectiveness by combining it with a few essential oils.

Precautions & side effects

• Potential for allergic reactions in some individuals.