CBD for Hair Loss: What Does the Research Say?

Christine Bell • February 15, 2019 • About CBD, Conditions

The average person loses about one hundred hairs every day. You heard right–those puppies are falling out pretty much everywhere, at an average rate of four per hour. Aside from the occasional piece that always seems to find its way into the most perfect chocolate cake ever baked, we don’t even notice that we’re shedding because new hairs grow to replace the old. But what happens when when they don’t? Today, we’re going to discuss the potential benefits of using CBD for hair loss.

CBD for hair loss at a glance

What the claims are: CBD can help slow the rate of hair loss and give hair a thicker, fuller appearance.
What the studies show: We weren’t able to locate any direct studies on CBD for hair loss. That said, research indicates it may help with inflammation, as well as with autoimmune problems which may contribute to hair loss (such as thyroid conditions and psoriasis).
What the facts say: Not much research has been done on CBD for hair loss. While anecdotal evidence does seem to support that adopting a CBD regimen can be beneficial for some people experiencing hair loss, we can’t know for certain until research is done.

What causes hair loss and how can we combat it?

There are many potential causes of hair loss. Everything from heredity and hormonal changes to medical conditions and the medications used to treat them can cause our hair to fall out at a rapid rate. While age and sex are major factors–older people and men are affected most–stress and even weight loss can ramp the shedding into overdrive.

Depending on the cause, hair loss can manifest in different ways. It can come on seemingly out of the blue, or it can happen so slowly that you don’t notice until you see an old picture of yourself with a fuller mane. Hair loss can also affect just your scalp or your whole body. Some types of hair loss are temporary, which is often the case with major hormone changes as after the birth of a baby or during menopause. Others, as can happen to some people with diseases that can scar, like lupus or alopecia, can be permanent.

In cases of preventable hair loss, it’s sometimes suggested that you avoid tight hairstyles; compulsively twisting, rubbing or pulling your hair; harsh treatments; and UV light.

How can CBD be used to help with hair loss?

There are many different possible causes for hair loss as opposed to one clear culprit, so it can make it difficult to determine if CBD can help with your particular type of hair loss. That said, studies cited both above and below touch on how CBD can help with possible triggering conditions.

It’s also important to note that salons around the world are creating whole lines of new products featuring CBD due to its high content of fatty acids that they claim can strengthen locks, prevent breakage, and improve the quality and appearance of hair overall.

Anecdotally, there are many people who say they are experiencing new hair growth after using CBD. There are also some who have found that adopting a CBD regimen has made their hair appear thicker and fuller.

It also bears mentioning that CBD might be able to help with some of the emotional side effects that can accompany hair loss. For some people, it might not be that big of a deal. They shave it off, embrace the new look, and keep it moving.

For others, hair loss can be traumatic. And the resulting emotional state can affect everything from self-esteem to sleep patterns. Because CBD offers a bit of a blanket effect, people who use it might find that it can raise their spirits and lend an overall sense of well-being and calm that make dealing with this condition just a little less difficult.

Medical studies related to CBD for hair loss

While the true potential of using CBD for hair loss can’t be fully explored until focused, scientific studies are done, we do have some studies on many of the conditions that can contribute to this condition to draw on.

A recent study done by a team at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus showed that 8 of 21 patients who applied a cannabinoid cream twice a day found that their severe itching was completely eliminated by the end of week three. CBD can also assist with skin dryness. Alleviating those symptoms can help mitigate hair loss due to scarring and irreparable damage to hair follicles.

CBD can also work to eliminate inflammationand help alleviate stress, which are two common causes of hair loss.

What are the risks of using CBD for hair loss?

CBD is known to be well-tolerated by people who take it, and it comes with very few potential side effects. According to a recent study by the World Health Organization, CBD is not associated with abuse potential either. So, in terms of risks, there aren’t many that we know of. That said, there is very little in the way of scientific evidence to support a direct, verifiable link between CBD and preventing hair loss.

In a nutshell? The biggest risk is that of disappointment. If you’re expecting a miracle cure that will result in a luxurious new mane, prepare yourself for a probable letdown.

The risks of using CBD for hair loss are pretty negligible. Just make sure that, if you’re currently taking any prescription medications, you check with your pharmacist to ensure that CBD won’t interact with any of them in a negative way.

Should I give CBD for hair loss a try?

Great question! As we reported above, for some people, CBD can make a huge difference. For others, they see no appreciable difference in the actual rate of hair loss or regrowth.

A couple of factors to consider before deciding if CBD for hair loss is right for you:

Is your hair loss due to scarring of the scalp and irreparably damaged follicles? If so, CBD probably won’t help.

Will your sense of well-being improve if your hair looks better, shinier, and thicker, overall or are you solely focused on growing hair where there is none? If the former, then it could be worth giving it a go. Make sure to find high-quality products from reputable manufacturers and take as directed to give yourself the best chance of success.

Everyone’s healthcare journey is unique, so you should check with your provider to determine if CBD for hair loss is right for you.