Avocado Oil for Hair Loss: Benefits and Research

What does the research say about avocado oil for hair? Can it help promote hair growth?

While some people swear by hair oils as a treatment for scalp and hair health issues, there’s no concrete evidence that this plant-based oil can stimulate hair growth. Still, the fatty acids in avocado oil may offer some hair-related benefits — but more so when consumed rather than applied topically.

Below, we cover whether there are any ways avocado oil may help with hair and scalp health and what the research says about avocado oil for hair growth. We also go over some proven hair loss treatments that are backed by years of research.

There’s no evidence that avocado oil is an effective treatment for any form of hair loss, including male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia.

Some initial animal studies suggest the fatty acids in avocado oil may play a role in otic hair cell regeneration — the tiny hairs inside your ears that play a role in hearing — but research still needs to be done in humans.

One 2018 review notes that animal studies have shown that avocado oil, which is rich in antioxidants like vitamin E, may have anti-inflammatory properties and wound repair abilities.

Overall, however, research into the effects of topically applied avocado oil is limited.

Another review from 2022 points out that while natural hair oils like avocado oil, olive oil, and coconut oil are inexpensive and do help moisturize hair, there’s no evidence they have proven hair loss benefits.

Even though avocado oil isn’t a proven hair growth treatment, it may help keep your hair healthy. Here’s a look at potential benefits of avocado oil for scalp and hair health.

1. Minimizing Dandruff

Scalp health and hair health go hand in hand. If the skin on your head is dry, it can lead to flaking and build-up known as dandruff.

Using avocado oil to moisturize the scalp may help limit dandruff and prevent build-up that can impact hair growth.

2. Preventing Hair Damage

Dry, brittle hair is more likely to break when pulled or brushed. Avocado oil can’t reverse severe hair damage, but adding moisture to hair shafts may help prevent dryness that leads to frizz and breakage.

3. Protecting Hair

Environmental factors can play a role in drying out and damaging your hair, including:

• UV rays from the sun

• Pool water

• Pollution

Coating hair with avocado oil before heading outside on a sunny day or a swim at your local pool may help protect it from environmental damage.

Don’t forget sun protection either — wearing a hat and applying sunscreen to the scalp is the best way to protect your hair (and head) from sun damage.

4. Getting Rid of Tangles

You can use avocado oil as a leave-in conditioner to help detangle hair that’s knotted. This may work better for some hair types than others, such as thick, curly hair.

Use a small amount to help separate hair strands and gently brush it through with a wide-toothed comb to get rid of knots.

Avocado oil can’t treat hair loss, but it can help to moisturize and protect your strands.

Here are a few ways to incorporate avocado oil into your healthy hair care routine:

• Use it to massage your scalp. Rubbing avocado oil into your scalp can help moisturize the skin on your head and prevent dryness that can lead to dandruff. After your scalp massage, shampoo as usual.

• Apply it as a deep-conditioning hair mask. Use mashed avocados as a DIY hair mask to moisturize and lubricate hair strands and prevent split ends.

• Use it as a conditioner. If you have very dry hair, it may help to condition it with avocado oil instead of your usual conditioning product every so often.

Looking for an effective hair loss treatment to help with a receding hairline? Here are two FDA-approved options to consider that are more likely than avocado oil to help:

• Finasteride. Finasteride works to block your body’s production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the sex hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss.

• Minoxidil (Rogaine®). This medication works by boosting the blood supply to your hair follicles and encouraging hair to enter the growth (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle. It’s available as minoxidil foam or liquid minoxidil solution.

Both of these research-backed treatments have been proven to help with hair loss. And they may even work better together. Our finasteride & minoxidil spray combines the two potent ingredients into one easy-to-apply formula.

Keep in mind that both of these medications can take time to produce noticeable effects. For optimal results, it’s important to be patient and consistent with your applications.

The following haircare habits also can play a role in maintaining hair health and preventing excess shedding:

• Opt for gentle styling. Avoiding heat or using heat protectants can help prevent heat damage that can lead to breakage.

• Wear loose hairstyles. Tight hairstyles like tight ponytails, buns, or braids can encourage hair fall.

• Use the right hair products. Not every hair product will work for you, and that’s okay. For people with naturally oily hair, avocado oil may not be an option. Those with thick natural hair may find products containing essential fatty acids helpful for locking in moisture.

Avocado oil isn’t going to cure your hair loss, but it may help boost hair health while you wait for FDA-approved hair loss treatments to work. Let’s recap what we know about this fatty acid-rich hair oil:

• It can help moisturize your hair and scalp. Avocado oil’s moisturizing effects can help hydrate hair and prevent skin dryness that leads to dandruff. Consider using it as a hair treatment or for a scalp massage.

• It can help protect your head (and hair). Applying avocado oil to your hair can help minimize the effects of pollution, UV rays, and chlorinated water. That said, it’s not a substitute for sun protection, so don’t forget to wear a hat or apply sunscreen to your scalp before exposure to UV rays.

• It’s not a proven treatment for hair loss. While avocado oil has several hair health benefits, it can’t prevent or treat hair loss.

Thankfully, effective, FDA-approved hair loss treatments exist. Finasteride and minoxidil are backed by years of research and are proven to help with excess hair shedding.

We offer a range of hair loss treatment options and other products to keep your hair looking its best. Learn more about your options by starting a consultation with one of our hair loss providers today.