Evening Primrose Oil for Hair Loss: What You Need to Know

Quick summary: Evening Primrose Oil for Hair Loss: What You Need to Know

What is Evening Primrose Oil? Evening primrose oil is a natural supplement extracted from the seed of the evening primrose plant.
Benefits of evening primrose oil: Evening primrose oil has shown to potentially promote hair growth, reduce inflammation, and provide antioxidant benefits.
How to use evening primrose oil: Evening primrose oil can be taken orally or applied topically.
Safety and side effects: Evening primrose oil is generally safe for short-term use, but please do consult a doctor before use.
When to seek professional help: If you’re experiencing significant hair loss, speaking with a dermatologist or hair loss specialist can help you seek a proper diagnosis and available treatment.

Have you noticed more hair in the shower drain lately? Or perhaps more hair on the comb after brushing? Hair loss is a common concern, affecting millions of people worldwide. Solutions like evening primrose oil can appeal to those looking for gentler and more natural treatments. Let’s discuss the science behind it to understand how it works and when you should use it.

What is Evening Primrose Oil?

Evening primrose, scientifically known as Oenothera biennis, is a flowering plant indigenous to North America, Central America, and Europe. Renowned for its ephemeral blooms, the evening primrose opens its yellow petals only for a single evening before wilting. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant is known to hold medicinal significance, with its seed oil traditionally used by Native Americans to address a variety of health concerns, including minor wounds, digestive disorders, and haemorrhoids¹.

Evening primrose oil is primarily composed of essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, and glutamine². Linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid that the human body cannot naturally produce, and is essential for overall health.

Evening Primrose Vs. Common Primrose

Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (Oenothera biennis), which is distinct from the common primrose plant (Primula vulgaris). The evening primrose is primarily valued for its oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to potentially promote hair health. On the other hand, the common primrose is a European plant known for its ornamental flowers but is not widely used for medicinal purposes like evening primrose.

Research on the Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

Promoting hair growth

Linoleic acid, present in Evening primrose oil, is a precursor to arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that has been shown to stimulate hair growth. Your body can convert linoleic acid into arachidonic acid using enzymes found in the liver³.

Arachidonic acid has been shown to promote hair growth by improving the health of hair follicle cells, increasing the production of growth factors, activating signaling pathways, and prolonging the growth phase of hair⁴. This can lead to thicker, longer, and healthier hair. While further research is necessary to fully determine the underlying mechanisms, the available evidence suggests that arachidonic acid may be a promising agent for individuals seeking to improve hair health and stimulate hair growth.

Reducing inflammation

Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid with known anti-inflammatory properties. While specific studies on GLA’s effects on scalp inflammation are limited, its effectiveness in managing inflammatory conditions like atopic dermatitis has been explored⁵. Additionally, the sterols present in Evening primrose oil are believed to contribute to its anti-inflammatory potential⁶. These anti-inflammatory properties of Evening primrose oil may help to reduce scalp inflammation, which can be a contributing factor to hair loss. By creating a healthier scalp environment, Evening primrose oil could potentially promote hair growth and reduce follicle damage.

Antioxidant properties

Evening primrose oil is a natural source of vitamin E, offering a potential benefit for hair health. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, helping to combat free radical damage⁷. Free radicals can break down important hair follicle components, potentially hindering hair growth. By providing antioxidant support, vitamin E can contribute to a healthy scalp environment and hair growth. However, it’s important to remember that the research on Evening primrose oil and hair growth is still developing and individual results may vary.

How to Use Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil can be incorporated into your hair care routine in two primary ways:

Oral Supplementation: Evening primrose oil is often available in capsule or soft gel form. Please do consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate dosage based on your individual needs and medical history.
Topical Application: Directly applying evening primrose oil to the scalp can offer targeted benefits. To enhance penetration and nourish hair follicles, consider leaving the oil on overnight and washing it out in the morning.

If you’re interested in learning more about other beneficial oils for hair care, feel free to explore our following comprehensive blogs: The Best Oils for Hair Growth, Can Black Seed Oil Help Hair Growth?, Does Rosemary Oil Work for Hair Loss?

Safety and Side Effects of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is generally safe¹ for short-term use. However, long-term safety is less established. Before using Evening primrose oil or any alternative remedy, consult with your doctor or hair loss specialist. If you are pregnant, taking blood thinners, have neurological disorders, a hormone-sensitive cancer, or a scheduled surgery, avoid Evening primrose oil without medical approval.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re experiencing significant hair loss, it’s crucial to seek professional medical advice. Early intervention can be essential in managing hair loss effectively. Signs of excessive hair loss include sudden shedding, patchy areas, thinning, and changes in scalp appearance.

A healthcare professional can accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your hair loss, which may be due to medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, stress, or other factors. They can then recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include medications, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, hair restoration procedures.

Hair transplants as a solution for hair loss

In cases where hair loss is permanent, patients may consider hair transplant surgery as a solution. Hair transplants involve relocating healthy hair follicles from one part of the scalp (the donor area) to the recipient area⁸. This procedure can restore hair growth and improve a patient’s appearance and self-confidence in areas that have lost hair such as the hairline, temples or crown.

It’s essential to consult with a specialist to determine your suitability for a hair transplant, as factors like your age, gender, hair colour, hair type and hair loss area need to be considered to provide a personalised solution. Our hair transplant specialist surgeons are available to help determine the best option for your situation, and can offer a comprehensive plan to restore your hair and confidence. Please feel free to reach out to our friendly team at The Treatment Rooms, as we’re happy to help you explore options and address any concerns you may have.

Conclusion

While evening primrose oil offers potential benefits for hair health, it’s important to understand that the oil not a guaranteed cure for hair loss, particularly when dealing with advanced hairline recession or balding. The key to effective hair loss treatment lies in addressing the underlying cause, and this can vary significantly from person to person. Consulting with a professional is essential to accurately diagnosing the root cause and exploring appropriate treatment options.

References

Evening primrose oil: Usefulness and safety (no date) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Available at: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/eveningprimrose.
Timoszuk, M., Bielawska, K. and Skrzydlewska, E. (2018) ‘Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) biological activity dependent on chemical composition’, Antioxidants, 7(8), p. 108. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116039/
Salem, N. et al. (1999) ‘In vivo conversion of linoleic acid to arachidonic acid in human adults’, Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 60(5–6), pp. 407–410. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10471130/#:~:text=Abstract,n%2D6)%20in%20vivo.
Munkhbayar, S. et al. (2016) ‘Role of arachidonic acid in promoting hair growth’, Annals of Dermatology, 28(1), p. 55-64. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4737836/
Banerjee, S., Gangopadhyay, D. and Senapati, S. (2008) ‘Evening primrose oil is effective in atopic dermatitis: A randomized placebo-controlled trial’, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 74(5), pp. 447–452. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19052401/
Montserrat-de la Paz, S. et al. (2012) ‘The sterols isolated from evening primrose oil modulate the release of Proinflammatory Mediators’, Phytomedicine, 19(12), pp. 1072–1076. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22819447/
Beoy, L.A., Woei, W.J. and Hay, Y.K. (2010) ‘Effects of Tocotrienol Supplementation on Hair Growth in Human Volunteers’, Trop Life Sci Res, 21(2), pp. 91–99. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819075/
Rassman, W.R. et al. (2002) ‘Follicular unit extraction: Minimally invasive surgery for hair transplantation’, Dermatologic Surgery, 28(8), pp. 720–728. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12174065/