Pumpkin Seed Oil's Haircare Benefits, Detailed By Our Dermatologist

From silicone scalp massagers to professional scalp massages, scalp care trends have been on the rise and boast a healthier scalp and improved hair growth. And who wouldn't be tempted by that? But beyond a little TLC, there are other avenues to boost your scalp health and hair growth. Enter pumpkin seed oil, which you may have heard some buzz about thanks to its nourishing qualities.

To learn more about the haircare ingredient, we spoke to Dr. Aanand N. Geria, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Geria Dermatology. "​​There are many advantages to using pumpkin seed oil for hair health," Dr. Geria exclusively shared with Glam. For starters, he explained that its fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and K help fortify your hair follicles, including keeping them nourished. Moreover, he shared, "Its hydrating qualities saturate the hair strands and scalp, avoiding dryness and enhancing general hair health. The oil's antifungal qualities help prevent dandruff, and its capacity to increase blood flow to the scalp may encourage the growth of new hair." Ready to learn more about your new favorite haircare ingredient?

If you've tried everything from retinol for hair growth to hair tapping for scalp health but want better results, you may wonder if pumpkin seed oil is your golden ticket. Luckily, there are a few different ways to try it out. Pumpkin seed oil can be found at many health food stores and is widely available online. 

But how do you get started? "You can incorporate pumpkin seed oil into your hair routine in a variety of ways. It may be applied straight to your scalp and hair strands after a shower and left on as a treatment," Dr. Aanand N. Geria exclusively told Glam. "Another alternative is to combine it with other natural ingredients to make a moisturizing hair mask. You may also add a few drops of pumpkin seed oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner to improve the moisturizing characteristics." Of course, if you experience any irritation or signs of an allergic reaction, set the oil aside and try other hair growth methods instead.

Moreover, if you find that topical pumpkin seed oil treatments leave you with oily hair, which definitely isn't the goal here, try an oral supplement instead -– just check in with your healthcare provider first to ensure it's the right move for you. Plus, supplements could be good for anyone, with Dr. Geria telling us, "Alternatively, consuming pumpkin seed oil capsules as a dietary supplement might improve general hair health from within."

Pumpkin seed oil can benefit many hair types and conditions, too. "Pumpkin seed oil can help all hair types, but those with specific issues may benefit most. It moisturizes dry or damaged hair and thickens thin or fine hair for a fuller look," Dr. Aanand N. Geria exclusively told Glam. Additionally, you may want to give this scalp oil a shot for healthier hair if you struggle with unruliness. "Pumpkin seed oil's soothing qualities helps control frizz and unmanageable hair. It also helps dandruff-prone scalps with its antifungal properties," Dr. Geria added. Naturally, those with oily hair should proceed cautiously when applying oil to their scalps, though Dr. Geria informed us that it's not strictly off-limits for them.

What's more, you don't need to forgo all other hair products when using pumpkin seed oil. "Pumpkin seed oil generally works well with most hair products. However, in order to avoid any potential interactions or negative effects, people should use caution while taking it with specific products," Dr. Geria told Glam. "For example, using silicone-based serums or heavy style products with pumpkin seed oil can cause product buildup or weigh down the hair." 

Simply monitor your hair as you go to determine if you need to adjust your routine. Pumpkin seed oil treatments are only needed once a week, so they shouldn't cause serious issues or even suck up too much time. And if your hair feels heavy, you can use less oil or apply it less frequently. With this wisdom, you can venture toward your healthiest hair yet.