I’m a hairstylist – how to revive thinning hair with a cheap formula & why it works

BEAUTY influencers and ordinary women all over TikTok have been singing the praises of a “potion” that reportedly strengthens hair, encourages new growth, and prevents breakage.

Better yet, scientists and stylists agree that there’s truth to the ritual that could help hair reach never-before-seen lengths.

TikTok/@aminaoui

One TikTok user had dry, tangled hair before she began applying a rosemary tincture[/caption]

TikTok/@aminaoui

The woman claims rosemary restored and rejuvenated her hair[/caption]

At the center of the solution is rosemary, delivered as a “tea” made with boiled sprigs or through essential oils mixed with a carrier.

The formula is simple, and different devotees have their own variations on the blend: after bringing water to a boil and adding sprigs of fresh or dried rosemary, boil the mixture for five minutes while stirring frequently.

Then, turn off the heat and allow the mixture to rest for 45 minutes with a lid on it.

After straining the water and adding it to a spray bottle, it can be kept in the fridge for up to a week.

Spray the solution on the scalp and massage it in before bed.

Or, before shampooing, add three to five drops of rosemary essential oil to a carrier oil, like almond, coconut, or jojoba oil.

Massage it into the scalp and allow it to “soak” for around an hour, then wash hair as normal.

Dramatic before-and-after videos seem to show results – but why does the formula work?

Vickie Vidov, a celebrity hairstylist, told Well and Good that she recommends rosemary as a means of exfoliating the scalp to promote growth.

“It aids in cleaning the scalp of any build-up or blockage to the follicle,” Vidov explained.

Product build-up is an aesthetic concern, but it’s also a huge impediment to new growth.

Build-up “contributes to hair thinning and eventually the loss of hair,” Vidov said.

In addition, a clinical review published in BMJ indicates the essential oil might help stimulate cells when massaged into the scalp.

Cleaning the scalp banishes buildup, and stimulating it encourages new growth.

The combined effect is quick, noticeable growth, which explains why people of all ages are eager to sing the herb’s praises online.

TikTok/@aminaoui

A TikTok user shows new growth she noticed after using rosemary on her scalp[/caption]

Getty

The herb can be made into a tea or applied as an essential oil[/caption]