Don’t be so quick to grab just any oil, though. You might as well use an oil with properties that support hair growth. These ingredients, which include both carrier and essential oils, mainly work in one of two ways: Some promote hair growth by directly stimulating the hair follicles, while others create an ideal scalp environment for said growth. Many oils also keep the hair you do have healthy, ultimately paving the way for luscious locks. Coconut oil also protects your follicles by filling the space between the strand of hair and follicle wall, stopping surfactants (the active ingredients in shampoos that are cleansing but drying) from entering the actual follicle. This prevents the hair from becoming loose, which would otherwise result in hair loss. In fact, in one study, participants applied either rosemary oil or minoxidil (a popular over-the-counter hair loss medication) twice a day for six months. The rosemary oil worked just as well as minoxidil, which the researchers credited to the oil’s antioxidant properties. They also noted that rosemary oil may relax the vessels in the scalp, ultimately improving blood flow to the follicles.
