The hair loss industry is rife with scams. And the vast majority of treatments sold to combat the condition are ineffective. Does pumpkin seed oil work? Or is it another in a long line of snake oils? In this post, I’ll cover all your burning questions about this potential and promising natural remedy for hair loss, plus much more.
Now, before you run out to your local supplement store or purchase a pumpkin seed oil (PSO) product online, here are 12 things you should know…
1. PSO Inhibits DHT Production to Some Degree
While the exact mechanism is unknown, it’s believed that pumpkin seed oil may help inhibit 5-alpha reductase, which is the enzyme that effectively causes pattern hair loss in men. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) contains phytosterols, a steroid known for its anti-androgenic properties.
2. Only One Major Study Has Been Conducted So Far, and It Showed Favorable Results
In 2014, South Korean researchers set out to determine if pumpkin seed oil was an effective treatment against androgenic alopecia or pattern hair loss. The study involved 74 participants and took place over the course of six months. Using a polarizing technology called thototrichography, the patients had their most severe areas of hair loss evaluated.
At the study’s conclusion, researchers noted slight or moderate improvements in 44% of the patients. 51% saw no appreciable hair regrowth, but no further loss either. Only one patient experienced additional balding (source).
Potential Problems with This Study – There are many. First, the sample size was small. Second, the formula they provided their patients with contained not only pumpkin seed oil, but a variety of other extracts including evening primrose oil, which is also sometimes regarded as a viable hair loss weapon in the naturalist community.
Before and after results from the Pumpkin Seed Oil Study. Impressive, for sure. But perhaps a bit too good to be true? I’ll leave that up to you.
3. The Supplement Industry Is (Almost) Entirely Unregulated
So you need to be careful when selecting a PSO product, should you elect to try the treatment. Stick with a known brand and you probably won’t have an issue. I’d suggest avoiding products that promote themselves as miracle “cures” for hair loss, because based on my research, no natural hair loss treatment is likely to be effective on its own — and it certainly won’t cure hair loss.
4. It’s Not a Natural, Equal Alternative to Finasteride (Propecia)
I’ve heard many naturalists regard certain supplements, mainly saw palmetto, as viable and safe, natural alternatives to finasteride. However, the science simply isn’t there at this point to validate these claims. It may help treat your AGA to a limited degree, but unlike finasteride, there certainly isn’t a 90% chance it will help you avoid further hair loss over the course of the next five years!
5. It’s Affordable
Whether you buy a standard or premium version of the supplement, chances are it won’t break the bank. A quality PSO supplement shouldn’t cost you more than $5 to $10 per month.
6. Not Recommended as a Stand-Alone Treatment
Granted, that can be said of pretty much every hair loss treatment available, with finasteride being the one, notable exception to the rule. This is not a treatment to go “all-in” on, and ideally you’ll want to use it in conjunction with a proven therapy of some kind. More on that in a minute.
7. Long-Term Results Unknown
Pumpkin seed oil is still something of an “experimental” treatment option right now, because it’s long-term effectiveness is still in question. Although it was deemed somewhat effective in the six-month study listed above, that’s not enough evidence to suggest that it’s a viable long-term fix for hair loss.
8. Should (Ideally) be Used with a Topical Such as Minoxidil
Minoxidil has been used for decades to treat hair loss — and it’s probably your best bet as far as topicals go. You could also consider more potent (but not necessarily proven) options such as topical finasteride. Determined to treat your hair loss naturally? Rosemary oil may be worth looking into as well, as early research indicates that it may help slow the progression of androgenic alopecia to some degree.
9. Dosage Recommendations Vary
In the study listed above, participants only took 200 mg twice daily. But that recommendation is quite low, and most of the PSO products available for purchase list 500 to 1,000 mg per day as the suggested daily dosage.
10. Liquid and Capsule Forms Available
It’s up to you whether you want to take PSO as a pill or liquid. Most people seem to prefer the capsules, but the liquid form shouldn’t be any less effective. Prominent naturalist Dr. Josh Axe advises taking 1 tablespoon of the liquid per day to combat hair loss.
11. Alternatives Include Saw Palmetto and Low-Dose Finasteride
Saw palmetto is a natural remedy for hair loss that many hair loss sufferers swear by. It’s been around a bit longer than PSO and has more of a track record, for better or for worse, with more studies, more anecdotal evidence to support its effectiveness, etc. Low-dose finasteride works just about as well as a standard dose of the medication, with a lower risk of side effects, so that could be an option as well.
12. PSO Has Many Other Uses
Naturalists frequently recommend the supplement for a whole host of issues, claiming it’s beneficial for prostate, hart, and liver health. It’s also sometimes used in treatment of menopausal and diabetic symptoms, among a whole host of other ailments (source).
Final Thoughts: Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Work for Hair Loss?
Personally, this is a treatment I’m inclined to avoid, just because there haven’t been enough studies to prove definitively that PSO works. Low-dose finasteride could be an alternative for men, and that’d be a much more effective option most likely. The anecdotal evidence I’ve seen goes both ways.
If you have a personal experience with PSO or opinion to share, I’d love to hear it in the comment section
And here are a few more articles for your consideration:
- Saw Palmetto For Hair Loss – Does it Work?
- Low-Dose Propecia – 5 Things You Should Know
- Foam vs. Liquid Minoxidil – And The Winner Is…
Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.