Best hair supplements: The essential oil proven to deliver drug treatment results

BEST hair supplements: The options can seem limited when it comes to treating hair loss but natural remedies have shown promise. Essential oils has been shown to rival a hair loss drug in its efficacy. Hair loss can seem like a hopeless situation when it is the result of complex genetic processes. Androgenetic alopecia, more commonly known as male pattern baldness, is a common cause of hair loss that invites such despondency. It is permanent and usually runs in the family - factors that do not provide much cause for hope. However, research suggests there are natural ways to reverse this form of hair loss. Rosemary’s essential oil is extracted from the Rosmarinus officinalis; an evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a woody aroma. According to research, rosemary oil treats androgenetic alopecia by preventing a byproduct of testosterone from attacking your hair follicles, which is the cause of this condition. When men with androgenetic alopecia massaged diluted rosemary oil into their scalp twice daily for six months, they experienced the same increase in hair thickness as those who used minoxidil. READ MORE: Hair loss treatment: The popular cooking oil that could stimulate hair growth Minoxidil is one of the main drug treatments for hair loss, according to the NHS. "Minoxidil can also be used to treat female pattern baldness. Women shouldn't use finasteride," it says. Additionally, those who used the rosemary oil reported less scalp itching compared to minoxidil, which suggests that rosemary may be more tolerable. According to Mayo Clinic, itching or skin rash is a less common side effect of taking minoxidil. DON'T MISS Coronavirus symptoms: The main difference you’d feel if you have COVID-19, cold or flu [INSIGHT] Hair loss treatment: The herbal oil proven to promote hair growth and improve dandruff [TIPS] Best supplements: Pill known to help lower blood sugar and reduce health risks [ADVICE] Other research indicates that rosemary oil may fight patchy hair loss or alopecia areata. In alopecia areata, one or more round bald patches appear suddenly, most often on the scalp. When people with alopecia areata rubbed a rosemary essential oil blend into their scalp each day for seven months, 44 percent showed improvement in their hair loss compared to only 15 percent in the control group, who used the neutral oils jojoba and grapeseed. Some wigs are available on the NHS, but you may have to pay unless you qualify for financial help. There are two types of wigs - synthetic and real-hair - and both come with pros and cons. According to the NHS, synthetic wigs: Real-hair wigs, on the other hand, last three to four years but are harder to look after than synthetic wigs, says the health body. They also look more natural than synthetic wigs but cost more than synthetic wigs, it says. Other hair loss treatments include: Some of the above treatments may not be available on the NHS. While you explore your options, you may benefit from counselling from your GP. As the NHS points out, losing hair can be incredibly distressing because it is an important part of who we are. You may also benefit from joining a support group, or speaking to other people in the same situation on online forums.