There are numerous hair growth oils and hair growth serums available in the UAE and wider GCC. However, it is not always easy to determine what hair growth products are actual worth the hype!

Have you fallen victim to market gimmicks such as “This is your secret potion to magical hair growth” or “Grow your hair in 3 weeks with this magical hair growth serum” or “Apply this hair growth oil twice a day and watch your hair growth double in 30 days”? Does any of this sound familiar? Trust us, we have all fallen for these marketing tag lines!

Hair Loss Market Stats

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Hair Loss Treatment Market is said to reach $2.05bn in 2024 and grow by approximately 8.08% to reach $3.03bn by the end of 2029. This is clear evidence that the market for hair loss/hair growth treatments is HUGE!

Before we dig into this subject let’s start by understanding what hair growth actually is. Whist most people understand that new hair growth emerges from the scalp, there is not enough attention paid to firstly the quality of the hair strand, and secondly how that new growth translates into an overall increase in the length of the hair strand.

To put simply, visible hair growth is two fold - first - emergence from the scalp and second -  retention of the length of the hair. It’s impossible to see growth results without the two.

The baseline for hair growth

Research tells us that our hair grows by approximately half an inch every month, which translates to 6 inches a year. What we as consumers often fail to recognise is that this statistic is underpinned by a number of assumptions including, nutrient and vitamin intake, stable iron, zinc and magnesium levels, a varied diet, minimal stress levels, the list could go on.  Whilst it’s a good starting point, it’s not guaranteed, particularly if you do not adopt healthy hair practices - a requirement for the second aspect of visible hair growth - length retention.

If this is our base case for standard hair growth 1/2 inch a month, how do we minimise hair loss such that we can achieve our hair growth potential.

Let’s look at some of the root causes of hair loss. Primary drivers of hair loss include and are not limited to:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Stress
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Dietary changes
• Poor sleeping patterns
• Tension or friction caused by repeated rubbing of the hair against harsh, non silk or satin materials. 

Hair loss can be extremely frustrating and can put a dent in one’s self esteem, particularly when it’s prolonged.

When looking for hair loss solutions it’s important to recognise that any of the above could be a root cause, observing any changes in these key areas will enable you to ensure your internal function is at its optimal to complement external solutions.

They should not be viewed in isolation both internal and external factors work holistically together to maximise your hair growth potential. 

If you’re ready to take your hair growth to the next level and experience real results, follow our recommendation of a holistic approach as we will prescribe below:

Internal factors that support hair growth

Ensure you get your vitamin and nutrient levels checked. Why is this important? 95% of the hair structure is made up of a protein called keratin. Keratin is derived from a combination of amino acids. Keratin development can be supported through consumption of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, Folate and Biotin.

The best way to check your vitamin and nutrient levels is through blood work. Request this at your local clinic or hospital. 

Complementary to this is a need for a balanced and varied diet. It is essential to include protein such as lean meat and fish, eggs , leafy greens and a powerhouse of complex carbohydrates in your diet which offers your body a wide range of nutrients to support strong and healthy hair growth.

Stress, this is always a tough one to tackle, when we think about its impact on hair growth and the associated loss. Stress can be triggered by many different things which sometimes are out of our control. What can be controlled is our response to which such triggers, this is where fitness activities can be beneficial by supporting the release of endorphins to counteract stress. Massage therapy has been used for centuries as a way to reduce the effects of stress on the body.

External factors that support hair growth 

Hair growth oils and hair growth serums have dominated the hair loss industry for years, however what many brands fail to emphasise is that these products should be used as part of a wider haircare regimen focused on hair growth. If you do not make use of the right cleansers which cleanse and provide stimulation at a follicular level or conditioners with ingredients to support strong hair strands to enable length retention. How will visible hair growth be possible? 

Using the right cleansers is crucial if you want to reap the benefits of the stimulation provided by hair growth oils. The right cleanser will strip away build up and not add to existing build up which further clogs the hair follicles. Cleansers loaded with sulfates and silicones may give you a temporary feel of healthy hair, however this is done by masking the hair shaft with an artificial layer to smoothen and align the hair cuticles.

If your cleanser isn’t doing the job, how can your follicles absorb the nutrients provided by the oils? You will simply be adding more product to existing build up. Regardless of the frequency of application of hair growth oils, you will not see results until you’ve got this step right.

We recommend use of both a gentle cleanser such as Innersense Hydrating Hair Bath and a clarifying cleanser (once a month) such as Inahsi Soothing Mint Clarifying Shampoo, to provide your hair and scalp with a clean slate, free from build up and ready to receive the nutritional goodness provided by hair growth oils.

Secondly, indulge in regular conditioning treatments such as Treluxe Soothe and Restore Ultra Moisturising Deep Conditioner. This step is non negotiable if you want to see length retention. Regular conditioning treatments will infuse moisture and protein into your hair shaft to support stronger and more manageable hair.

Let’s assume you get these first two steps right, do you then proceed to applying your hair growth oil as you deem necessary? No, we advise you to pause and review the quality of the ingredients in your hair growth oil.

The first 5 ingredients are key, as we have mentioned in previous blog posts, however in the case of growth oils, it still applies but in a slightly different manner. A carrier oil will make up the bulk of the products to deliver the more potent ingredients in a way the hair and scalp can absorb without irritation or inflammation. Examples of carrier oils include Jojoba, Almond, Avocado, Grapeseed, Argan, Castor, Black Seed, Olive just to name a few.

Now let’s move on to the more potent stuff that will enable you to increase growth at a follicular level. We often talk about the benefits of the Ayurvedic herbs to our clients, all of whom have trusted us on their hair growth journey and have seen significant growth results in as little as 6 weeks! 

Here are some of our favourite hair growth ingredients:

• Rosemary - known to prevent hair loss, thus aid length retention.

• Horsetail - Improves blood circulation and restores strength and elasticity in the hair shaft

• Fenugreek - Rebuilds and repairs the hair follicle and naturally thickens the hair.

• Amla -  Nourishes and regulates the root of the hair to promote thicker hair.

• Evening Primrose Oil - A underrated gem for stimulating hair growth.

• MSM - promotes growth by strengthening the hair bonds at a follicular level.

• Sulfur - Keratin what the hair is largely made up of has a high concentration of Sulfur, a natural strengthening agent to reduce hair loss caused by weak and brittle strands.

• Nettle - Also rich in Sulfur, prevents hair loss and nourishes and regenerates the hair follicle.

• Burdock Root - A natural thickening agent that combats hair loss and rejuvenates a stronger follicle environment for better quality strands to emerge.

At Emerson, we’ve spent extensive time, researching and testing products to curate a range of hair growth systems available here in the UAE. Our hair growth systems include many of the ingredients noted above in order to provide you with the right nourishment your hair and scalp needs to see REAL hair growth results. Shop our range of hair growth systems today, here!

To summarise, we come back to our initial question, are hair growth oils and hair growth serums magic potions? The answer to this is they are not when used in isolation of a holistic hair growth regimen. To see real and long lasting hair growth results you need more than just a hair growth oil.