Background: Male pattern baldness happens when DHT, a byproduct of testosterone attacks hair follicles, weakening them over time.
Research suggests that oral and topical consumption of pumpkin seed oil can block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, blocking further attacks on hair follicles and even rejuvenating the less damaged follicles.
Research 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/
Article summary:
In this study, men with mild to moderate baldness were categorised in 2 groups: One who received 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily, and other who received fake oil with no therapeutic effect. Neither the participants nor investigators who checked hair growth rates were aware who was given real oil and who was given fake oil.
Furthermore, it was ensured that no statistically significant intergroup differences existed in age at the onset of hair loss and family history.
After 24 weeks, the researchers assessed the effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil (PSO) on hair growth using several methods:
- They analyzed standardized photographs of the patients' scalps, evaluated by an investigator who didn't know which treatment each patient received.
- Patients themselves assessed any changes they noticed in their hair growth.
- They measured the thickness of scalp hair.
- They counted the number of hairs on the scalp.
Self rated results:
At 12 weeks, no significant inter group differences were noticed. However, after 24 weeks, the self-rated improvement score in the real oil group was higher than in the control group.
Investigator results:
In real oil treated group, hair growth improved for 44.1%, remained the same for 51.4% and worsened for 2.7%
In fake oil treated group, hair growth worsened for 28.2%, remained unchanged for 64.1% and improved for 7.7%
Hair thickness and count results:
Hair thickness wasn't much different between groups, but the group of men who received PSO (Pumpkin Seed Oil) had, on average, 30% more hair at 12 weeks and 40% more hair after 24 weeks.
My thoughts: It is a moderately slow treatment and only after 24 weeks do less damaged hair follicles slowly rejuvenate and start making thin, weak hairs (hence no difference in hair thickness after 24 weeks) but definitely worth a try since it has no side effects.
~~~
Research 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6823528/
(keep in mind that this study has been done on mice and not humans)
Rats were applied testosterone, minoxidil and pumpkin seed oil and effects on rat hair were observed.
Findings:
- When testosterone was applied topically, it significantly prevented hair growth compared to the intact control group.
- PSO (Pumpkin Seed oil), at a concentration of 10%, increased the hair growth score after 3 weeks of treatment. Tissue examination findings confirmed these results, showing that PSO had a positive effect on hair growth.
- Both PSO (10%) and minoxidil were able to significantly reverse the effects of testosterone on hair follicles. The p-value of less than 0.001 indicates strong statistical significance, suggesting that both treatments effectively counteracted the negative impact of testosterone on hair growth.
Research suggests that oral and topical consumption of pumpkin seed oil can block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, blocking further attacks on hair follicles and even rejuvenating the less damaged follicles.
Research 1: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/
Article summary:
In this study, men with mild to moderate baldness were categorised in 2 groups: One who received 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily, and other who received fake oil with no therapeutic effect. Neither the participants nor investigators who checked hair growth rates were aware who was given real oil and who was given fake oil.
Furthermore, it was ensured that no statistically significant intergroup differences existed in age at the onset of hair loss and family history.
After 24 weeks, the researchers assessed the effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil (PSO) on hair growth using several methods:
- They analyzed standardized photographs of the patients' scalps, evaluated by an investigator who didn't know which treatment each patient received.
- Patients themselves assessed any changes they noticed in their hair growth.
- They measured the thickness of scalp hair.
- They counted the number of hairs on the scalp.
Self rated results:
At 12 weeks, no significant inter group differences were noticed. However, after 24 weeks, the self-rated improvement score in the real oil group was higher than in the control group.
Investigator results:
In real oil treated group, hair growth improved for 44.1%, remained the same for 51.4% and worsened for 2.7%
In fake oil treated group, hair growth worsened for 28.2%, remained unchanged for 64.1% and improved for 7.7%
Hair thickness and count results:
Hair thickness wasn't much different between groups, but the group of men who received PSO (Pumpkin Seed Oil) had, on average, 30% more hair at 12 weeks and 40% more hair after 24 weeks.
My thoughts: It is a moderately slow treatment and only after 24 weeks do less damaged hair follicles slowly rejuvenate and start making thin, weak hairs (hence no difference in hair thickness after 24 weeks) but definitely worth a try since it has no side effects.
~~~
Research 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6823528/
(keep in mind that this study has been done on mice and not humans)
Rats were applied testosterone, minoxidil and pumpkin seed oil and effects on rat hair were observed.
Findings:
- When testosterone was applied topically, it significantly prevented hair growth compared to the intact control group.
- PSO (Pumpkin Seed oil), at a concentration of 10%, increased the hair growth score after 3 weeks of treatment. Tissue examination findings confirmed these results, showing that PSO had a positive effect on hair growth.
- Both PSO (10%) and minoxidil were able to significantly reverse the effects of testosterone on hair follicles. The p-value of less than 0.001 indicates strong statistical significance, suggesting that both treatments effectively counteracted the negative impact of testosterone on hair growth.
