Garlic For Hair Growth: Does it Work?

For much of human history, garlic has been used as a herbal remedy for a variety of health issues. You may have even heard of people using garlic for hair loss. But how valid is the logic behind this home remedy? Can you use garlic for hair growth?

Much like the vampires it’s said to ward off, garlic’s hair-growing abilities are (probably) a myth.

Although there are some interesting studies on garlic for hair health, they’re too few and far between. The available research that currently exists certainly doesn’t prove that garlic combats hair loss.

Let’s look at the research on using garlic for hair loss. We’ll also cover a few science-backed hair loss treatments that you could use instead.

Beyond being a delicious addition to food, garlic also has a few reasons to be in the medicine cabinet (though there’s no need to store it there!). Also known by the Latin name Allium sativum, garlic has been used in medicine for centuries.

So far, garlic has been used to:

• Lower cholesterol levels

• Reduce blood pressure

• Improve blood circulation

• Boost sex drive

A 2011 review showed specific benefits of garlic in dermatology, and highlighted the potential for garlic in everything from sunscreen to psoriasis treatment.

Additionally, garlic seems to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties.

But that doesn’t exactly mean it’s Miracle-Gro® for your hair follicles. So let’s look at the alleged benefits of garlic for hair loss and explore what the science says.

So, is garlic good for hair growth?

Limited trials have shown that garlic might help treat hair loss when combined with other treatments, but this part of the science is still in its infancy.

For instance, a trial of 40 alopecia areata patients observed the difference between a gel with betamethasone and garlic extract, and a placebo. Ninety-five percent of the recipients of the garlic gel saw some hair regrowth, as opposed to five percent with the placebo. What’s more, the study noted no side effects.

But the limitations of this study are many. For one, its small size (40 people) isn’t statistically significant. Plus, it isn’t clear whether garlic juice itself was responsible for this hair growth, or whether it was the betamethasone.

What about eating garlic? Or taking garlic supplements for hair loss?

Your body needs nutrients to grow healthy hair, and certain vitamin deficiencies may cause hair loss. To avoid this, it’s important to take in plenty of nutrients through your diet. Garlic is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, proteins, zinc, potassium, iron and calcium, making it great for your hairline (and your overall health).

Importantly, garlic also contains sulfur, which is a critical component of keratin. Keratin is the building block of healthy skin and nails. For that reason, getting enough sulfur through your diet is essential for healthy hair.

As mentioned, garlic seems to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These can be particularly important traits when dealing with a scalp infection or dandruff.

For this reason, garlic is a popular home remedy for dandruff. You can create a garlic oil for hair by infusing raw garlic cloves in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil, and applying it directly to your scalp. You can also add garlic extract to a hair mask, hair oil or another hair care product.

Still, it’s important to note that there’s no research to confirm that garlic can help with dandruff.

Because of its antifungal properties, garlic extract is also used as a home remedy for tinea capitis (scalp ringworm), a fungal scalp infection that can lead to hair fall. Some recent research found that garlic essential oil could be used to treat tinea capitis — and that it’s especially effective when combined with lemon and ginger essential oils.

With that said, scalp ringworm is a serious health condition that can lead to permanent hair loss. If you think you have it, it’s important to get to a healthcare professional for some medical-grade treatments ASAP.

Before you grab some raw garlic and start making a DIY hair mask, you need to know that garlic may have some side effects when used on your hair.

For one, garlic can cause irritation when applied directly to your scalp.

That’s why it’s important to dilute garlic before using it on your skin. Use a carrier oil — olive oil or coconut oil, for example.

There’s another precaution you should take: a skin patch test. This is where you take a small amount of your garlic-infused hair care product and apply it to the inside of your elbow. Wait 24 hours and check if you have a skin reaction. If you do, don’t use the product on your hair.

Another side effect of garlic for hair? The pungent scent. While garlic may smell delicious in a bowl of pasta, it’s not exactly a scent you want to carry all day — and it’s pretty difficult to get the stench of garlic off your hair and skin once initially applied.

While garlic may sound like a cheap home remedy for hair conditions, there’s no evidence it works — and it has some major drawbacks, like its lingering scent.

Sadly, you’re unlikely to reverse your hair loss by treating your scalp with garlic oil.

Instead, you’d be better served with a science-backed treatment for hair loss. Fortunately, there are plenty of effective treatments out there.

You can try:

• Oral finasteride (brand name Propecia®), which is an FDA-approved, prescription treatment for male pattern hair loss

• Topical minoxidil (brand name Rogaine®), which can boost blood flow to the scalp and stimulate hair growth

• A combination of topical finasteride and minoxidil, which can be a potent treatment for male pattern baldness

To promote healthy hair growth, you can also try:

• Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet

• Using hair growth supplements, like biotin gummies

• Using gentle hair styling techniques and avoiding tight hairstyles, which cause breakage

• Washing your hair with hair loss shampoos, like our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto or our volumizing shampoo

• Treating dandruff with a medicated shampoo, like our dandruff detox shampoo with zinc and salicylic acid.

You can learn more about hair loss and how to treat it with our guide to male pattern baldness.

So, is garlic good for hair growth? The answer is, probably not.

• There’s very little evidence that garlic supports hair health. More research is needed before we can confidently say that garlic curbs hair loss, dandruff and other hair health concerns.

• But there are many proven hair loss treatments out there. Research shows that medical treatments like finasteride and minoxidil actually do reduce hair loss, so it’s best to stick with those.

• Your first port-of-call is a healthcare professional. They will be able to determine the cause of your hair loss and suggest appropriate hair loss treatments.

If you’re starting to see more hair in the drain, on your pillowcase or your collar, it may be time to address the problem before it gets out of hand (and scalp).

We can help you book an appointment with a healthcare provider and get the treatment you need. The earlier you get help, the better.

For now, leave the garlic with the steak.