There’s a lot of hype in the supplement community around pumpkin seed oil as a potential hair loss remedy. Like saw palmetto and rosemary oil, it appeals to people who are looking for a more natural approach to tackling thinning hair. The excitement is around the idea that pumpkin seed oil can block DHT. This is the hormone responsible for androgenetic (pattern) hair loss. The main claim is that pumpkin seed oil has a similar action to prescription DHT blockers like finasteride but without the side effects. It’s not all hype either! There is actually some research to back this claim. However, as always the devil is in the detail. In this article, we explore the benefits of pumpkin seed oil and how it may work for hair loss. We’ll review what the evidence actually shows and whether it’s worth adding to your routine.
What is Pumpkin Seed Oil & How Does it Benefit Hair?
Pumpkin seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the pumpkin plant (Cucurbita pepo). It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in central Europe and parts of the Americas. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in a number of nutrients and bioactive compounds that benefit hair and scalp health. These include phytosterols (particularly beta-sitosterol and delta-7-sterol), essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9), zinc, vitamin E, carotenoids and various antioxidants.
The phytosterol content is the most relevant to treating hair loss. Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds that have a similar structure to cholesterol. They can interact with hormonal pathways in the body. Beta-sitosterol in particular has been shown in animal studies to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This is the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary hormonal driver behind follicle miniaturisation in both male and female pattern hair loss. It is this potential DHT-blocking activity that has generated interest in pumpkin seed oil as a natural hair loss treatment.
How Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Work for Hair Loss?
The proposed mechanism by which pumpkin seed oil may help with hair loss centres around its ability to act as a mild natural 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. By reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, it could theoretically protect genetically susceptible hair follicles from miniaturisation. This is the process that drives pattern hair loss. This is similar to the way prescription DHT blockers like finasteride and dutasteride work to treat androgenetic hair loss.
Beyond DHT inhibition, pumpkin seed oil may also support hair health through a number of other ways. Its high content of essential fatty acids and zinc can help nourish the scalp. This also supports the normal function of hair follicles. Zinc especially plays an important role in the hair growth cycle and deficiency can cause hair shedding. The antioxidants in pumpkin seed oil including vitamin E and carotenoids may also help protect the scalp and follicles from oxidative stress. This is increasingly being recognised as a contributor to hair loss. Pumpkin seed oils anti-inflammatory benefits may also help support a healthier scalp environment for hair growth.
What Does the Evidence Show?
Although animal studies have shown that pumpkin seed oil can inhibit 5-alpha reductase, these results don’t automatically translate to humans. There aren’t any large high quality clinical studies on using pumpkin seed oil for hair loss in humans. However, there is some early promising data.
The most frequently cited piece of evidence for pumpkin seed oil and hair loss is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2014. In this study, 76 men with mild to moderate androgenetic alopecia got either 400mg of pumpkin seed oil capsules per day or a placebo for 24 weeks. The results showed that men who took the pumpkin seed oil capsules group experienced a 40% increase in hair count. This compares with just 10% in the placebo group. Self-rated improvement and satisfaction scores were also significantly higher in the treatment group. There were no serious adverse events.
There was also a smaller study (30 patients in each group) comparing topical pumpkin seed oil vs 5% topical minoxidil in women with female pattern hair loss. This study found that topical pumpkin seed oil produced improvements in hair density and thickness. However, minoxidil was more effective overall.
Overall, there isn’t enough evidence to reach any firm conclusions about the benefits of pumpkin seed oil for hair. Larger, independent clinical trials are necessary before we can establish how effective pumpkin seed oil is for hair loss and the best way to use it.
How to Use Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Loss
Pumpkin seed oil is available over the counter in several forms. There isn’t enough evidence from research on its effectiveness. Nor is it clear what would be the best way to use it to help with hair growth. As such there’s no widely accepted protocol but the most common ways to use it for hair loss include:
- Oral supplements: The main clinical trial on pumpkin seed oil for hair loss used a dose of 400mg per day taken as a capsule. Oral supplements are widely available in health food shops and online. Look for cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil capsules from reputable brands to ensure quality.
- Topical application: It is also possible to apply pumpkin seed oil directly to the scalp. You can massage a small amount of cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil into the scalp and leave it for 30 minutes to an hour before washing out with a gentle shampoo. You can also find hair serums and scalp treatments that contain pumpkin seed oil.
- Dietary intake: Pumpkin seeds themselves and their oil can also be incorporated into your diet. Whilst this won’t provide the concentrated dose used in clinical studies, it can contribute to overall nutritional support for hair health.
Possible Side Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is generally well tolerated and the clinical trial reported no serious adverse events. However, as with all things in life there i always a small risk of undesirable side effects. These include mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach upset, nausea or diarrhoea when taken orally, particularly on an empty stomach. When applied topically, there is a small risk of skin irritation or allergic reaction, particularly in people with sensitive skin. To minimise this, always perform a patch test before applying it on the scalp.
As pumpkin seed oil may have mild hormonal activity through its 5-alpha reductase inhibitory effects, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid using it. Anyone on blood-thinning medication should also exercise caution as pumpkin seed oil may have mild anticoagulant effects. As with any supplement, it is worth speaking to your doctor before starting especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
How Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Compare with Prescription Hair Loss Treatments?
It’s important to be realistic about where pumpkin seed oil sits in the broader landscape of hair loss treatments. Whilst the early evidence is encouraging, it is not in the same league as established prescription treatments in terms of proven efficacy. Finasteride and dutasteride have been shown to halt hair loss in up to 90% of men and promote regrowth in a significant proportion. Although not a DHT blocker, minoxidil has decades of evidence to support it’s ability to stimulate hair growth in men and women.
That said, pumpkin seed oil does have some practical advantages. It is available without prescription, has a very mild side effect profile and does not carry the serious risks associated with prescription DHT blockers such as sexual dysfunction, mood disturbances or Post-Finasteride Syndrome. For people with very early or mild thinning, those who are not yet ready to commit to prescription medication, or those looking for a natural complement to their existing treatment protocol, pumpkin seed oil may offer modest benefit. It sits alongside other natural options like saw palmetto, rosemary oil and ketoconazole shampoos in the supportive or adjunctive category. It should not be considered a substitute for prescription treatment in anyone with moderate to advanced pattern hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss, it is important to seek medical advice in order to diagnose the cause and find the best treatment for you.
Pumpkin seed oil is one of the more interesting natural ingredients that are getting attention for hair loss. Unlike many supplements that rely entirely on anecdotal claims, it does have clinical data that shows some promise. However, the evidence remains limited. It is best to view pumpkin seed oil as a supportive option rather than a standalone treatment for pattern hair loss. For anyone with mild thinning or those looking for a natural complement to proven treatments, it may be worth trying. If you have significant or progressive hair loss, it’s best to seek medical assessment in order to identify the underlying cause and start an appropriate treatment.
We provide personalised hair loss treatments for women and men through our online skin clinic. Our doctors create custom hair growth serums using actives such as Minoxidil, Finasteride, Dutasteride, Spironolactone, Melatonin, Caffeine and Tretinoin where appropriate. Start your virtual consultation and begin your journey to great hair today.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional with any concerns about your hair or treatment options.
