You’ve got questions; William Gaunitz has answers. As a certified trichologist with the World Trichology Society, William addresses some common questions about hair care, treatment options, and overall scalp health. Here, we dive into some insightful queries and provide evidence-based answers.
Can I Replace Minoxidil with Rosemary Oil?
Subscriber Question
A YouTube subscriber asked, “Can I replace minoxidil with rosemary oil? I read that rosemary oil performs as well as minoxidil.”
The Truth About Minoxidil and Rosemary Oil
If you’re already using minoxidil, don’t stop abruptly. William Gaunitz has multiple videos on both minoxidil and rosemary oil. Stopping minoxidil cold turkey can lead to significant hair shedding. If you’ve been on minoxidil for more than 90 days or up to 6 months, you are essentially committed to it long-term unless you wean off gradually. For guidance, refer to his detailed video on how to wean off minoxidil.
Comparing Minoxidil and Rosemary Oil
A study published in 2015 compared the efficacy of 2% minoxidil against undiluted rosemary oil, both applied twice daily. Interestingly, the study found that rosemary oil outperformed 2% minoxidil in promoting hair growth. However, this doesn’t mean you should switch directly from minoxidil to rosemary oil. Doing so may cause significant hair shedding.
Reference: Panahi, Y., Taghizadeh, M., Marzony, E.T., Sahebkar, A. (2015). Rosemary Oil vs Minoxidil 2% for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized Comparative Trial. NCBI
How to Use Rosemary Oil with Minoxidil
To get the benefits of both treatments, you can add rosemary oil to your minoxidil regimen. For a typical 60 ml bottle of minoxidil, add about 1.5 ml of rosemary oil. This allows you to use rosemary oil alongside minoxidil without the risk of hair shedding.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Oral Minoxidil?
Subscriber Question
Another YouTube subscriber asked, “I’ve been on oral minoxidil for 2 months, taking 1.25 milligrams in the morning and in the afternoon, with not much result. How long does it take to see results?”
Understanding Oral Minoxidil
Oral minoxidil works by prolonging the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle and improving blood flow to the scalp. However, results can vary, and it may take time to see significant changes. Two months is typically too early to see noticeable results.
Timeline for Results
Generally, it takes around 90 days to start seeing results from any hair loss treatment. With oral minoxidil, give it at least 6 months to observe tangible results. It’s important to remember that oral minoxidil is meant to support other treatments, not just regrow hair magically. It can be used alongside treatments like finasteride, nutritional supplements, or natural topical formulas.
Monitoring Progress
To closely monitor the progress, consider using a microscope to view your scalp. You can see microscopic changes within 3 or 4 days of starting a new product, which can provide early indications of its effectiveness.
Reference: Olsen, E.A., Dunlap, F.E., Funicella, T., Koperski, J.A., Swinehart, J.M., Tschen, E.H., Trancik, R.J. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. NCBI
What Is the “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” Diet?
Subscriber Question
An Instagram follower asked, “What is up with the ‘Eat Right for Your Blood Type’ diet?”
Introduction to the Diet
The “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” diet is based on the idea that an individual’s blood type dictates how they should eat to improve health and reduce inflammation. Initially, this concept might seem unconventional, but there are personal and anecdotal success stories supporting its effectiveness.
William Gaunitz’s Experience
Back in 2008, Gaunitz had a group of clients in Arizona who weren’t responding to traditional treatments. About 80% of this group had O blood type and exhibited high levels of inflammation that nothing seemed to reduce. Coincidentally, a naturopathic college recommended the “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” diet as an anti-inflammatory approach.
Results
Gaunitz applied this diet along with gut support protocols to his clients. Remarkably, about 90% of the test group showed improvement. Since then, he has recommended this diet to clients dealing with high levels of inflammation, and many have seen significant improvements in hair growth.
Understanding the Diet
The diet suggests that each blood type (A, B, AB, O) has specific dietary needs:
- Type O: High-protein diet, heavy on lean meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables, and light on grains, beans, and dairy.
- Type A: Vegetarian diet high in fruits, vegetables, tofu, seafood, turkey, and whole grains.
- Type B: Balanced diet including meat (excluding chicken), dairy, grains, beans, and vegetables.
- Type AB: Mixed diet in moderation, including seafood, tofu, dairy, beans, grains, and vegetables.
Reference: D’Adamo, P.J., Whitney, C. (1996). Eat Right 4 Your Type: The Individualized Diet Solution. NCBI
Key Takeaways and FAQs
FAQs
Q: Can I switch from minoxidil to rosemary oil? A: It is not advisable to switch directly from minoxidil to rosemary oil due to the risk of significant hair shedding. Instead, consider adding rosemary oil to your minoxidil regimen.
Q: How long does it take to see results from oral minoxidil? A: Typically, it takes around 90 days to start seeing results, with more noticeable changes occurring after 6 months.
Q: What is the “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” diet? A: This diet is based on the idea that your blood type dictates optimal dietary habits to improve health and reduce inflammation.
Key Takeaways
- Combining Treatments: Combining treatments like minoxidil and rosemary oil can provide synergistic benefits for hair growth.
- Patience is Key: Hair loss treatments take time to show results. Patience and consistency are essential.
- Diet Matters: Diet can significantly impact inflammation and hair health. The “Eat Right for Your Blood Type” diet has shown promising results for some individuals.
- Personalization: Individual responses to treatments and diets can vary. Personalized approaches are often the most effective.
Reference for Diet and Hair Health: Rossi, A., Mari, E., Scarno, M., Garelli, V., Maxia, C., Scali, E., Iorio, A., Carlesimo, M. (2012). Comparative effectiveness of dietary supplements vs finasteride in treating male androgenetic alopecia: A three-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. NCBI
Conclusion
Hair care and treatment require a nuanced approach, considering factors like individual responses, dietary habits, and the combination of treatments. As William Gaunitz emphasizes, understanding the science behind hair growth and adopting evidence-based practices can lead to healthier, fuller hair. If you have more questions, feel free to leave them in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to his channel for more insights.
For more detailed information, check out the references provided and stay informed on the latest research and developments in hair care.