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Posted on December 18, 2024
Have you noticed that as the seasons change, your bathroom drain seems to get clogged more often with fallen hair? Or maybe you find yourself seeing so much hair around you that it starts to freak you out, making you wonder if you’re losing your hair. The good news is, if this is something you notice every season, it’s actually pretty normal. It’s just the natural process of seasonal shedding, something we all go through to some extent.
While it can feel concerning, this shedding is nothing to panic about—it's just part of the cycle. And no matter how many anti-hair loss shampoos, multivitamins, or expensive treatments we try, it’s something we can’t fully avoid. However, there are natural ways we can support our scalp to keep it healthy, moisturized, and balanced, which will help ensure that the new hair grows in strong, shiny, and just the way we want it.
One ingredient that can become a go-to in your natural hair care routine during these times (or even more frequently) is organic pumpkin seed oil. Let’s dive into all the benefits it offers and how it can help with hair loss.
Pumpkin seed oil is made from the seeds of pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo), and it’s packed with nutrients that are great for your hair and scalp when applied topically. These are just some of the benefits it’s known for:
And here’s what makes pumpkin seed oil so good for you:
Pumpkin seed oil is packed with nutrients that help reduce seasonal shedding. It moisturizes the scalp and its fatty acids and antioxidants create a healthy environment for hair regrowth. It is great not only for improving the look of your hair but also for creating a healthy scalp, which is why it can be a perfect addition to your hair care routine.
The term "alopecia" might sound a little scary, but it simply means "hair loss." There are different types of alopecia—some are permanent, some are temporary, and some can even be reversed, depending on what's causing it. In some of these cases, pumpkin seed oil has shown to be pretty beneficial. While it is not a cure, its properties may help either maintain scalp health, slow down hair loss and even boost regrowth.
One of the most common types of hair loss is seasonal shedding, also known as telogen effluvium, TE—a type of temporary hair loss that occurs when a large number of hair follicles enter the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle prematurely. This results in excessive shedding of hair, often triggered by seasonal changes, stress, illness, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, or physical trauma. The good news is that in most cases, once the trigger is dealt with, the hair will grow back. However, if left unchecked, it could develop into chronic telogen effluvium.
In case of a TE episode, pumpkin seed oil might be a helpful addition to your hair care routine in a few ways:
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly targets hair follicles, leading to hair loss that often appears as round or oval bald patches on the scalp, face, or other areas of the body. The condition can vary greatly from person to person—some may experience only a few small patches that regrow naturally over time, while others might have more extensive hair loss. Although the exact cause isn’t fully understood, it is thought to result from a combination of genetic factors and triggers like stress, illness, or environmental changes.
While pumpkin seed oil isn’t a cure for alopecia areata, it contains nutrients that may be beneficial for overall scalp health:
Androgenetic alopecia is one of the most common forms of hair loss, affecting millions of men and women worldwide. In men, it’s often referred to as male-pattern baldness, with hair loss typically starting at the temples or crown and progressing into more defined patterns. In women, it’s commonly called female-pattern hair loss and usually appears as diffuse thinning across the scalp rather than distinct bald spots. While androgenetic alopecia is largely genetic, hormonal changes—specifically those involving dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone—play a significant role.
Although this condition is progressive, maintaining a healthy scalp environment can help support hair and scalp health.
Here’s how pumpkin seed oil may help:
One of the most intriguing aspects of pumpkin seed oil is its potential to act as a natural DHT blocker. DHT is a hormone that comes from testosterone, and when it attaches to hair follicles, it can make them shrink. This often leads to thinner hair and, in some cases, baldness.
A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked into how pumpkin seed oil could help with hair loss. In 2014, researchers ran a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (basically, a really solid study) on men with androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern baldness. The men who took 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil every day for 24 weeks saw a 40% increase in hair count. In comparison, the placebo group only saw a 10% improvement.
Scientists aren’t entirely sure how it works, but they believe it has to do with phytosterols, which are natural compounds found in pumpkin seed oil. These phytosterols may block an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is responsible for turning testosterone into DHT. By lowering DHT levels, pumpkin seed oil might help keep hair follicles from shrinking and encourage thicker, healthier hair growth.
Incorporating pumpkin seed oil into your hair care routine is simple. Here are some effective ways to use it:
Massaging pumpkin seed oil into your scalp increases blood circulation, which can stimulate hair follicles. Warm a small amount of oil and apply it directly to your scalp. Gently massage for 5–10 minutes, then leave it on for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) before washing with a mild shampoo.
Combine pumpkin seed oil with other nourishing oils like coconut or castor oil to create a hydrating hair mask. Add a few drops of essential oils like rosemary or peppermint for added scalp stimulation.
Seasonal shedding might not be the most fun, but it’s totally normal—and having a healthy, well-maintained scalp is the best way to stay prepared. We hope today’s blog showed you that there’s a natural remedy that can nourish your scalp and hair during temporary hair loss and even help with more serious types of alopecia. Say goodbye to stress, prioritize your health, and let pumpkin seed oil work its magic for strong, healthy, long hair.