Aspirin is a very common medication in our daily lives. It can help with pain, fever, and inflammation. But what about aspirin for hair growth? There is a growing scientific interest in aspirin’s potential for hair growth. Let’s examine whether aspirin for hair growth is a viable treatment option and how we can use it to improve our hair health.
What Is Aspirin and its Alternative Use as a Hair Growth and Loss Treatment?
We know that aspirin can reduce inflammation and lower our fever. But how does it work? Aspirin’s generic name is acetylsalicylic acid. It inhibits an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). The COX enzyme reduces our prostaglandin production, reducing inflammation and pain sensation. However, the anti inflammatory properties of daily aspirin may also affect the health of our scalp.
Allergies, fungal or bacterial infections, or autoimmune disorders like psoriasis can cause chronic scalp inflammation. This type of inflammation leads to persistent itching, redness, flaking, small bumps, etc., on our scalp.
These side effects eventually damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. The salicylic acid in aspirin can help treat flaky scalp, irritation, and dandruff. It also removes excess oil, sebum, and dead skin cells.
Aspirin also has the ability to improve blood circulation around hair follicles. The increased blood flow can help with androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern baldness).
However, evidence supporting aspirin for hair growth is still very anecdotal. If you are considering aspirin for improving your hair health, let’s look at some advantages and disadvantages of using aspirin for hair loss.
Advantages of Using Aspirin for Hair Growth and Loss
Anti-inflammatory Properties
As aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce scalp inflammation and promote hair growth.
Scalp Exfoliation
Topical salicylic acid cleanses the scalp by removing buildup. It can exfoliate the scalp and help unclog pores. This exfoliation process may promote a healthier scalp environment conducive to hair growth.
Improved Circulation
Aspirin has blood-thinning properties. Therefore, aspirin may help improve blood circulation to the scalp. Increased blood flow can deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
Antimicrobial Effects
Aspirin can treat fungal and bacterial infections such as seborrheic dermatitis or tinea capitis. Aspirin can indirectly work as a hair loss treatment by treating scalp infections that contribute to hair loss.
Reduction in DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
Excess DHT or Dihydrotestosterone can cause hair loss in men and women. According to newer studies, aspirin may inhibit DHT production and decrease its effects on hair.
Accessible and Cost-Effective
You can find aspirin as an over-the-counter medication at your nearest pharmacy or department store. It is also very inexpensive compared to other hair growth products.
Disadvantages of Using Aspirin for Hair Growth and Loss
Limited Scientific Evidence
There are some theories indirectly associating aspirin with hair care. However, there currently is not enough evidence to support aspirin for hair growth treatment.
Potential for Scalp Irritation
You may experience scalp irritation, redness, or an allergic reaction if you use aspirin directly on your scalp. This is because aspirin is acidic and very drying for our scalp skin. It may cause damage to the scalp.
Aspirin is Not a Cure for Medical Hair Growth and Loss
Androgenic alopecia or hair loss due to medical issues usually requires more intensive forms of treatments like hair transplants. You can check out Cosmedica’s before and after hair transplant results to see the very visible transformations of a hair transplant. The use of aspirin would not be able to have such massive benefits for severe hair loss cases.
Not Suitable for Everyone
Aspirin can interact with several other medications. For example, aspirin can interact with common medications used to treat heart attacks, such as warfarin, beta-blockers, etc.
How Can Aspirin Be Turned into a Hair Care Product for Hair Growth?
If you want to try out aspirin for hair growth, you can use some DIY techniques. Take two or three aspirins, crush them into powder, and mix them with warm water until they become a paste-like consistency.
Now, you can use this mixture as an aspirin hair mask or with your regular shampoo. Either way, apply the mixture to your scalp and leave it on for ten to fifteen minutes before rinsing it. Remember, aspirin can never be a substitute for medically approved hair growth treatments like those offered at Cosmedica Clinic.
Other Effective Hair Loss Treatments at Cosmedica Clinic
Aspiring can be a potential addition to your hair care regimen. However, it can never be a one-stop solution for significant hair loss because it can not compete with the modern technology offered by the Cosmedica Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.
Dr. Levent Acar, Cosmedica Clinic’s founder, specializes in the DHI Sapphire method. It is a cutting-edge hair transplant technique that provides amazing hair transplant before and after results incomparable to any other hair care treatment. You can check out Cosmedica Clinic’s website for more information about hair transplants in Turkey.