But lately, hair growth influencers have tried to keep it simple by focusing on one basic ingredient: rosemary. Jumping on this trend will only require you to make your own rosemary water spray. It’s simple, inexpensive, and there’s potentially a lot of hair to gain. And science backs them up. In a study published in 2015 in the journal Skinmed, researchers compared the hair growth effects of rosemary and minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) over a six-month period. They found remarkably similar results, with both treatments showing a significant increase in hair count over untreated groups. Green explains that rosemary owes its hair-growing benefits to its anti-inflammatory properties: The plant is capable of promoting circulation, allowing hair follicles to receive an adequate amount of blood. “This delivers oxygen and nutrients and prevents damaged hair follicles that lead to hair loss,” she says. As a bonus, she adds, rosemary also has antioxidant properties that help protect the hair and scalp from environmental stressors like pollution and UV radiation. This format can also be especially helpful if you tend to have an oily scalp. Because this infusion is less concentrated than the oil, you can use it multiple times throughout the day, which also means you get to refresh the glorious scent in your hair for an all-day aroma. When you’re done, store your water in the fridge to prolong its shelf life. The mixture should last one to two weeks if stored properly. If you don’t see results right away, don’t fret. You probably shouldn’t. Bring your mix to a boil and let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll probably notice the water will turn yellowy green—this is normal. If you desire a stronger formula, you can let it simmer for one to two hours. If you do, keep an eye on the pot and add more water if too much of it boils off. Like with the simmering, if you want more potency, you can let the rosemary continue to steep until it fully cools down. After you’ve made this recipe a few times, you’ll be able to adjust the steeping and simmering times to whatever feels best for you. Finally, pour the liquid into your spray bottle, screw the nozzle back on, and you’re good to go. You can add a bow around the bottleneck and some additional sprigs of rosemary if you want to turn your fragrant brew into a cute homemade gift for the haircare lover in your life. “Everyone’s rate of hair growth is different,” says Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin and Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “Early responders can see some improvement in three months, but the timeframe I give almost all of my patients is six months.”
