Marula Oil For Hair

If you’re experiencing hair loss, then you have probably heard of Marula oil. This popular hair loss treatment used by many people across the UK who are experiencing hair loss. This natural oil is packed with vitamins, micronutrients, and fatty acids. But how good is it at stopping hair loss, improving scalp health, and encouraging new hair growth?

Overview

• Marula oil is a nutrient-rich, fast-absorbing oil extracted from the kernels of the marula fruit, native to Southern and West Africa. Packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins C and E, it deeply hydrates, protects, and nourishes the skin, hair, and scalp.
• Although it is not strictly classed as a “medical” hair loss treatment, marula oil creates an optimal environment for hair growth but cannot regrow lost hair or treat genetic conditions like androgenic alopecia. It helps to hydrate and protect the scalp against dryness, itchiness, and dandruff.
• You can apply marula oil using several methods. The most common is by scalp massage. You can also add a few drops of marula oil to your daily shampoo or conditioner. Then you can reap all the hair benfits from marula oil!

What is Marula Oil?

If you suffer from a dry scalp or brittle hair, you have probably tried a hair loss treatment to combat this. Whether you have changed your shampoo/conditioner, added essential oils into your hair care routine, or used a keratin hair mask, there are dozens of treatments you can try. But have you heard of marula oil for hair loss?

Marula oil is a highly nourishing oil extracted from the kernels of the marula fruit, which comes from the Marula fruit tree (Sclerocarya birrea) native to Southern and Western Africa, as well Madagascar! For centuries, marula oil has been used by Africans for a multitude of jobs, from hair loss to treating leather.

This handy hair treatment is packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins C and E, making it a popular ingredient in skincare and haircare products. It is renowned across the world for its anti aging properties.

Marula oil is a great hair loss treatment because it promotes a healthier scalp and stronger hair. While it doesn’t directly regrow hair like medical treatments (minoxidil, azelaic acid, etc.), its rich nutrient profile supports overall hair health, which can reduce hair breakage and thinning.

This topical treatment can be administered in several ways. The most common way to apply it is through a scalp massage, but it can also be mixed with shampoo and conditioner as part of a pre-existing hair care routine. So, if you’re already using a caffeine shampoo or hair loss foam, marula oil can be a simple addition to your pre-existing hair care routine!

What Vitamins and Minerals Are Found in Marula Oil?

Marula oil is packed with all the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to help maintain healthy hair and skin. This natural oil is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to hydrate, protect, and strengthen their hair. So, what does marula oil contain?

• Vitamin A – Also called “retinol”, vitamin A is responsible for skin cell regeneration and your overall scalp health. If your scalp is dry and flaky, this is bad news for your hair follicles! Trying some marula oil might do wonders for your scalp.
• Vitamin C – Found commonly in citrus fruits, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen production, protects against environmental damage, and supports scalp health. Vitamin C is one of the most important minerals our body (and hair) needs.
• Vitamin E – This handy vitamin helps moisturise, repair damaged hair and skin, and protect against oxidative stress. Vitamin E is easily absorbed by the scalp and an be found in several shampoos and conditioners.
• Minerals – Marula oil contains many minerals, like zinc, magnesium, iron, and copper (to name a few). These minerals can help reduce inflammation, prevent dandruff, and support circulation around the scalp.
• Fatty Acids – Marula oil is rich in several essential fatty acids. These include oleic acid (omega-9), linoleic acid (omega-6), palmitic acid, and stearic acid. These fatty acids help to hydrate and strengthen hair follicles and cleanse the scalp and lock in moisture.

How Does Marula Oil Work?

We’ve just outlined what Marula oil is and what it contains. But how does this treatment give us healthier scalp and hair follicles? Well, we’ll explain…

If you’re experiencing hair loss, then marula oil isn’t going to stop this magically. Hereditary hair loss conditions like androgenic alopecia require medications and treatments, such as DHT-blockers and hair transplants.

What marula oil will help with is your overall scalp and hair care. By ensuring your scalp remains hydrated and protected, your hair follicles are in the perfect environment for healthy hair growth. So, how does it work?

Marula oil is classed as a “biologically active” oil. Put simply, this means that when applied to the skin, it has a positive effect on your body’s cells. It is packed with all the essentials needed for strong and healthy hair. It absorbs easily and transfers its goodness directly to your skin and hair cells. Its unique chemical composition makes it highly effective for hydration, protection, and anti-aging.

As marula oil also absorbs quickly into the scalp, it won’t leave greasy residue after application. This means you can use this treatment as a leave-in conditioner or in combination with other essential oils and hair products.

If you want to apply marula oil as a standard topical treatment, we recommend applying it at night, before you go to sleep. Be sure to rest your head on a pillow with an old pillow case (so your new pillow doesn’t get dirty). When you have a shower in the morning, you can wash any remaining oil from your scalp.

When applied to the scalp as a topical solution (or part of a shampoo or conditioner), the oil directly penetrates the top layer of skin, moisturising and cleaning it. In turn, this helps to prevent dryness, itchiness, and flakiness.

How To Apply Marula Oil For Hair Growth

Marula oil can be applied in several ways. We’ve outlined the “leave-in conditioner” method below. To apply marula oil to your hair:

1. Rub into your hands – Start by warming a few drops between your palms. by warming up the oil, you will make it less viscous. The runnier the oil, the easier it is going to absorb into your scalp later.
2. Application/Massaging – Gently massage the marula oil into your scalp using circular motions to promote circulation and nourish the roots. Begin massaging with your palms. If you have long hair, then massaging with your fingers will help the oil penetrate the roots/skin.
3. Covering the hair – Smooth a small amount through the mid-lengths and ends of damp or dry hair to add shine and reduce frizz. If you have ever applied a “leave in conditioner”, then the process is exactly the same for marula oil!
4. The “sit in” method – For a deeper treatment, apply a generous amount to your scalp and hair before washing, letting it sit for at least 30 minutes before rinsing. Alternatively, you can leave marula oil in your hair all night, providin you wash any excess off in the morning.

If you are mixing your marula oil with shampoo or conditioner, add a few drops to enhance hydration. Adjust the amount based on your hair type to avoid buildup or greasiness.

Does Marula Oil Stop Hair Loss?

Marula oil does not directly stop hair loss in the way minoxidil or finasteride do. However, it can help reduce breakage, strengthen hair, and create a healthier scalp environment, which may minimise hair shedding and support overall hair health.

Medical treatments and topical foams are the only “real” way to help help slow and reverse hair loss caused by genetic conditions (like male pattern baldness and female pattern baldness). These treatments work by altering our hormone levels or increasing blood flow around the hair follicles to elongate the hair growth cycle.

Comparatively, marula oil does not directly affect the hair growth cycle. This means it cannot be considered a hair loss treatment. Taking marula oil will not prevent hair thinning, nor will it help restore hair in an area where shedding/thinning has taken place.

However, many people often feel uneasy about taking prescription medication for hair loss due to potential side effects. As such, marula oil is sometimes seen as a viable natural, or homeopathic, alternative to other hair loss medications.

If you are experiencing hair loss, book a free consultation with a hair transplant surgeon. They will advise you on the best treatment plan moving forward. Whether that be DHT blockers, minoxidil foam, or a hair transplant.

What Other Oils Aid Hair Growth?

While marula oil has become a popular hair treatment in recent years, it may be the case that other oils are more effective at preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. If you use marula oil for hair loss, you might want to consider other natural options.

Several essential oils are known to aid hair growth by stimulating the scalp, improving circulation, and strengthening hair follicles. Some of the most effective ones include:

• Rosemary Oil – This natural hair loss remedy increases blood circulation to the scalp and is as effective as minoxidil for hair growth. Although seen as a traditional medicine, rosemary oil is often recommended in conjunction with DHT-blockers like finasteride.
• Castor Oil – Though not an essential oil, castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid, which promotes scalp hydration and may support hair growth. You may want to consider castor oil alongside argan oil or marula oil for hair loss.
• Pumpkin Seed Oil – Pumpkin seed oil is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and phytosterols, which help block DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss, making it beneficial for those with androgenic alopecia. Its nourishing properties also hydrate the scalp, strengthen hair follicles, and promote thicker, healthier hair growth.

At Harley Street Hair Transplant Clinics, we’re always interested in keeping up to date with the best hair loss medications and treatments. Whether you’re considering topical foams or homeopathic alternatives (like marula oil), make sure you base your decision on sound scientific-backed evidence.

Conclusion

Marula oil is a fast-absorbing oil that supports overall hair and scalp health by nourishing your skin. While it does not directly stop hair loss or regrow hair like medical treatments, its rich blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamins helps to strengthen hair, reduce breakage, and create the ideal environment for healthy growth.

By hydrating the scalp, reducing dandruff, and protecting against environmental stressors, marula oil can be a valuable addition to any hair care routine. For those experiencing significant hair loss, combining marula oil with other treatments, such as rosemary oil or medical options like minoxidil, may offer the best results.