Does Italian Helichrysum essential oil have benefits for the hair?

As confirmed by various studies, the healing action of Italian helichrysum essential oil enables it to accelerate the skin regeneration of minor wounds. Indeed, it could stimulate the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and stem cells during healing, processes that are essential for the formation of granulation tissue. Moreover, the essential oil of immortelle could induce an increase in the expression of genes coding for epidermal stem cells, such as SOX2, Oct-4, and NANOG. It has been suggested that the healing ability of the Italian helichrysum essential oil comes from its richness in neryl acetate, although this has not yet been definitively established.

Added Bonus : Unlike a healing cream, the essential oil of immortelle has a light texture, making its application on the scalp easier.

The essential oil of Italian helichrysum is also credited with antibacterial properties, useful for keeping the populations of microorganisms living on the scalp under control. These properties are believed to stem from its biochemical composition and extend to several species. Notably, we can mention Staphylococcus aureus and Cutibacterium acnes, two bacteria that inhabit the skin. The mechanisms of action of the essential oil of Italian helichrysum are varied and are currently still the subject of ongoing studies.

Regarding S. aureus, it appears that the various compounds of the essential oil of immortelle are capable of working in synergy to disrupt the membranes of bacterial cells, leading to an increase in their permeability and, ultimately, the death of the cells. As for C. acnes, this essential oil could prevent it from forming biofilms and growing, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 7.81 µg/mL.

Known for accelerating skin sagging, oxidative stress also has detrimental effects on hair. Indeed, free radicals, particularly those generated following exposure to the sun's UV rays, can weaken hair follicles, the structures anchoring hair fibers, thus promoting hair loss. Free radicals can also target and damage melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, thereby hastening the onset of gray hair. To protect the fibers, it is beneficial to include antioxidants in your hair care routine.

According to some scientific studies, the essential oil of immortelle could fulfill this role. Indeed, its antioxidant activity was recently evaluated during a DPPH test, a colorimetric analysis often performed in biology. This test showed that 17.61 ± 0.16 mg/mL of Italian helichrysum essential oil was necessary to reduce the DPPH° chemical radical by half after 30 minutes. This antioxidant activity of the oil is notably due to its richness in curcumenes, compounds belonging to the sesquiterpene family.

Finally, the essential oil of immortelle is credited with the ability to accelerate hair growth. However, caution is advised regarding this potential property: to date, it has not been the subject of any scientific study. The hypothesis that Italian helichrysum essential oil could promote the achievement of a full mane comes from its beneficial effect on microcirculation. Indeed, it seems that this oil inhibits the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), a compound involved in vasodilation phenomena. By inhibiting the production of NO, the essential oil of immortelle improves blood flow, which would facilitate the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. Benefiting from more resources, hair would then grow faster.

As of now, the idea that essential oil of immortelle could promote hair growth remains a hypothesis that requires scientific studies for validation.