Lavender Oil: Mice Hair Growth Remedy

The purpose of this study was to determine whether lavender oil (LO) with minoxidil (MXD) promotes hair growth in C57BL/6 female mice. The researchers hypothesized that LO would enhance hair growth by increasing the depth and number of hair follicles as well as the dermal thickness, while the number of mast cells decreases. Prior studies show that LO has promoted cell regeneration, reduced stress and aided in hair regrowth, while minoxidil stimulates hair follicles and increases density. The significance of the study is to use C57BL/6 mice to uncover alternative treatment options to promote natural hair growth using essential oil.

Scientists aimed to find in this experiment if lavender oil promotes hair growth. After shaving the backs of mice, they split them into five groups: a normal group (saline), a control group (jojoba oil), a positive group (minoxidil), two test groups employing 3% and 5% lavender oil. The kind of oil utilized constituted the independent variable. Hair development became the dependent variable. Included among the constants were lab settings, type of mice, and oil quantity. Groups of saline and jojoba oil were the control group (less than 1%), the mice administered lavender oil showed higher hair growth (90% and 95%) after four weeks. The lavender oil also showed it encouraged hair growth by making skin stronger and hair follicles deeper.

Figure 2 provides details of images relating to the follicle depth, number, and dermal thickness among the treatment groups. Saline, jojoba oil, minoxidil, 3% LO, and 5% LO (independent variable) were used to measure hair follicle count, depth, and thickness (dependent variable) using staining methods and measurement. The findings was that the PC, E1, and E2 groups had increased follicle counts; stronger hair growth; and thicker dermal layer. The HF number, HF depth, and dermal thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the PC, E1, and E2 groups than in the N group at the 3rd or 4th week of the experiment providing evidence that LO does promote thicker dermis comparable to that of minoxidil.

After four weeks of therapy, figure 4 displays mouse spleen and thymus weight. The type of oil was the independent variable; organ weight served as the dependent variable. The mice, the oil's quantity, and the lab environment were the constants. The usual group—saline—was the control group. About 14% heavier than in the normal group was the spleen in the minoxidil group. The spleen weights in the lavender oil groups (3% and 5%) were not notably different from the normal group, though. In all groups, the thymus weight remained essentially constant. Lavender oil is therefore probably safe and has no effect on important organs like minoxidil did.

This experiment showed that lavender oil helped mice grow more hair without causing harm to their organs. Figure 1 showed that mice treated with lavender oil had up to 95% hair growth by week 4. Figure 2 supported this by showing those mice had more hair follicles, deeper follicles, and thicker skin, which are signs of strong hair growth. Figure 4 showed that, unlike minoxidil, lavender oil did not cause an increase in spleen or thymus weight, showing it is likely safer. Together, these figures suggest that lavender oil is both effective and safe for natural hair growth. Future research could test lavender oil on humans to see if it works the same way, helping scientists develop gentler, natural treatments for people with hair loss.

Lee, B., Lee, J., & Kim, Y. (2015). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6

mice. Toxicological Research. 32(2): 103-108. 10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103