Is Pumpkin Seed Oil A Natural Remedy for Hair Loss?

Is Pumpkin Seed Oil A Natural Remedy for Hair Loss?
Photo by Chelsea shapouri / Unsplash

Hair loss is a problem faced by many people, and there are several medical treatments that can be used. However, some people use natural remedies as they think that these can be more effective. Pumpkin seed oil is one of them. Pumpkins, which are round, orange fruits about one foot in diameter and generally heavier than apples of the same size, are popular. They contain a lot of minerals that are essential for human and animal health, including potassium, calcium, and zinc. Furthermore, some studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can prevent rats from losing their hair, but to what extent this benefit is reproducible on a larger scale still has to be examined.

Why Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Loss?

Pumpkin seed oil has a high nutritional value which could potentially contribute positively to hair growth and prevent hair loss. Below is an outline of its purported benefits. 1. Essential fatty acids found in pumpkin seed oil are believed to help promote growth and maintain a healthy scalp. 2. The high vitamin E content in pumpkin seed oil has been shown to stimulate hair growth when ingested and can also serve as a natural conditioner for hair. 3. Minerals like zinc which is present in pumpkin seeds aid in optimizing testosterone levels and therefore assist in hair strengthening. 4. Several other trace minerals found in pumpkin seeds are believed to eliminate toxins that may hinder hair growth. 5. Vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids have also been associated with increased circulation to the scalp which is considered a significant element to hair growth. 6. Moreover, the vitamins and minerals present in pumpkin seed oil are likely to improve one's overall health and well-being, which might allow you to look and feel better, consequently encouraging hair growth.

DHT Inhibition: DHT, a hormone produced by testosterone, is a common cause of hair loss since it can shrink a person’s hair follicles. In previous research, specific fatty acids found in pumpkin seed oil (mostly phytosterols) have been shown to block some of DHT’s actions.

Phytosterols: These are plant sterols or steroid-like compounds. They are said to be able to block this 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which converts testosterone to DHT, thus keeping the DHT count in check, and preventing the follicles from shrinking.

Antioxidant back-up: pumpkin seed oil is a great source of antioxidants such as vitamin E. These can help shield your hair follicles from oxidative stress's damaging effects, helping you regrow better hair.

Essential Fatty Acids: The EFAs in pumpkin seed oil include linoleic acid, which nourishes the scalp and hair. Because linoleic acid is essential – meaning it won’t be produced in the body – healthy fatty acids have to be obtained through food sources and/or supplements, according to Medical News Today. While there is no known optimal dose for this the scalp remains moist and hair stays full.

Advantages of Natural Solutions

Fewer side effects: Natural remedies such as pumpkin seed oil often have fewer side effects than medical treatments.

This holistic approach can endorse using natural products but believes that the root cause of hair loss or alopecia areata needs to be treated first, not exclusively with the use of natural products.

When to Consider Medical Treatment

Pumpkin seed oil might be a helpful adjunct but, if you are suffering from large-scale hair loss, seek medical advice. For certain types of sufferers (in advanced stages of hair loss or with underlying medical problems), pharmaceutical treatments such as finasteride and/or minoxidil will be significantly more effective than alternative treatments.

The Role of Antioxidants

Pumpkin seed oil’s antioxidants contain beta-carotene, vitamin E, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. All of which have rejuvenating and protective effects on the hair follicles. Essentially, this means that free radicals are responsible for damaging not just our skin but our hair – and pumpkin seed oil is chock-full of antioxidants that destroy free radicals and stop them from doing damage.

Essential Fatty Acids and Scalp Health

Since pumpkin seed oil has essential fatty acids, those acids nourish and make the scalp healthy, and this in turn makes hair grow properly and not fall out, because the scalp is healthy. Pumpkin seed oil helps moisturize the scalp improve scalp circulation and cut back on dryness and either slow down or stop hair loss.

The Significance of PubMed

To use PubMed as a reference is a giveaway that the author read up on the relevant literature before sitting down at the keyboard. Sure enough, a quick search of the terms ‘pumpkin seed oil’ and ‘hair loss’ yields multiple studies showing why PSO can induce hair growth.

Incorporating Pumpkin Seed Oil into Your Hair Care Routine

Below the topical applications, there are other ways to introduce the pumpkin seed oil into your hair care ritual: Washing: Avoid the mitts at one stage of your hair washing, and apply the oil directly, concentrating on your roots and scalp. You can also add a few drops of the PSA (pumpkin seed extract) to your everyday conditioner and shampoo, or try a special treatment for hair with nettles. Care: Magazine beauty editors suggest that you can use the oil not only to straighten and hydrate your hair but also as a styling tool for shiny and-driers are great to use with pumpkin seed oil, as they help in removing the gunk and other medium-sized impurities from pores. The treatments rich in pumpkin seed oil nourish and refresh the scalp. Start using the oil immediately. For the best results, start using pumpkin seed oil treatments as soon as possible and keep it up regularly. It is important to note that if your hair is dry, think twice before opting for a clarifying and oil-removal shampoo. Try not to use it too often – once a week at most.

Scalp Massage: Massage a few drops of pumpkin seed oil into your scalp before shampooing.

Hair Mask: First mix some pumpkin seed oil with other hair-loving oils like coconut oil or avocado and then apply as a mask.

Dietary Supplement: Consider taking pumpkin seed oil supplements as directed by a healthcare professional.

Further Research Needed

While pumpkin seed oil is likely one of the healthiest natural options for combating hair loss, more must be done before we can confirm these initial exciting results. We need to see a scale-up of the sample sizes in the studies for a better association of PSO use with reduced hair loss.