Rubbing sandalwood oil on your scalp can stimulate hair growth

Millions of bald men could benefit from the rubbing of sandalwood oil on their scalp.

Laboratory tests on scalp tissues by German researchers have shown that it stimulates hair growth after only six days.

Strangely, it is thought that hair follicles contain "olfactory receptors" that respond to the aromatic odor and trigger the multiplication of the main protein in the hair.

Although humans and animals can only feel through their noses, the receptors in the hair, sperm and even our intestines are able to recognize the chemicals in certain aromas.

The results could lead to a sandalwood-based baldness treatment that could benefit a quarter of men who start losing their hair by the time they reach the age of 25.

Studies have already shown that the exposure of human skin cells to sandalwood in the laboratory causes the multiplication of protein keratin, which speeds healing.

Intrigued as to whether aromatic wood can also stimulate hair growth, researchers at the Monasterium laboratory in Münster exposed human scalp tissues to the artificial odor of sandalore sandalwood.

Sandalore is often added to perfumes and moisturizers to give an aroma of sandalwood, and has already been used in previous experiments to study its effects on keratin.

The scalp tissues came from donors aged 38 to 69, recently operated on a facelift.

Six days after exposure of the tissues to Sandalore, her keratin levels began to increase.

It is thought that this is due to the fact that the oil blocks the genes that cause the "suicide" of keratin cells in a process called apoptosis.

The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, also suggest that the aromatic oil stimulates the release of "growth factors".

These may include vitamins or hormones that are necessary for cells to multiply and thrive.

The sandalore is thought to promote hair growth by acting on the olfactory OR2AT4 receptor present in hair follicles.

When the scalp tissue was exposed to both Sandalore and the smell of pink, Phenirat, hair growth stopped. Phenirat is a known blocker of OR2AT4.

Researchers believe this demonstrates that Sandalore stimulates hair growth by acting on OR2AT4.

They add that this could help them develop a baldness treatment for humans.

While it may seem odd that odor receptors are present in hair follicles, these receptors are actually old chemical signaling systems that evolved before humans developed a sense of l & # 39; smell.

This follows research published earlier this week showed that a wearable device consisting of 900 micro lasers was stimulating hair growth in rats with alopecia.

Wearing the patch of 20 mm thickness for 15 minutes a day for less than three weeks has allowed rodents to grow longer hair faster than those who received a standard injection.