Editorial Team
... Read More
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : September 19, 2018 6:05 PM IST
Sandalwood oil for baldness © Shutterstock
A recent study has found that rubbing sandalwood oil into the scalp can stimulate hair growth. This brings hope for millions of people who are going bald. The researchers from the Moasterium laboratory, Munster exposed human scalp tissue to artificial sandalwood-like odour Sandalore. According to the Deccan Chronicle report, the German researchers found that it stimulates hair growth just after 6 days.
After the laboratory tests of scalp tissue, they found that hair follicles contain smell receptors which respond to the aromatic odour. Thus, the hair follicles trigger the main protein in hair to multiply. However, animals and humans can only smell through their noses, sperm, hair receptors and even guts can also recognise chemicals in certain aromas.
The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications. It also suggests that the aromatic oil stimulates the release of growth factors. The findings could create a sandalwood-based balding treatment that may benefit millions of people across the world who starts losing their hair by the time they turn 25.
As per as the studies, exposing human skin cells to sandalwood in the lab speeds up the wound healing as it causes the protein keratin to multiply. To give a sandalwood aroma, Sandalore is often added to fragrances and moisturisers. Previously, it has been also used in experiments investigating its effect on keratin. Its keratin levels began to increase 6 days after the tissue got exposed to Sandalore.
This happens when the oils block the genes that cause keratin cells to 'commit suicide' in a process known as apoptosis. These can include vitamins or hormones that are necessary for cells to thrive and multiply.
Sandalore helps to promote hair growth by acting on the smell receptor OR2AT4, which is present in hair follicles. Moreover, when the scalp tissue was exposed to both the rose-like odour Phenirat and Sandalore, hair growth stopped. Phenirat is a known OR2AT4 blocker.
