For many, hair loss is a serious problem that greatly affects their self-esteem. According to estimates, 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States alone struggle with some form of hair loss. While much of this progression is due to age and hormonal changes, those facing baldness are often looking for a cure–and willing to try almost anything to halt the process. (1)

Thankfully, scientists are increasingly looking into new treatments to help those suffering. A 2018 study discovered an unlikely connection between hair follicles, hair growth, and the smell of sandalwood. Because of these promising findings, hair loss sufferers may have renewed hope in treating this common condition.

Treating Hair Loss With A Scent

Analyzing scalp tissue in the lab, scientists wanted to test how olfactory receptors (ORs)–commonly linked with our sense of smell–affected other cells in the body. Certain olfactory receptors activate when exposed to specific scents. In this way, our bodies are able to react to and “communicate” with the environment around us. These ORs aren’t just found in the nose, and often take on significant roles in cell function.

Interestingly, the study identified a key olfactory receptor that caused a marked reaction. This receptor, OR2AT4, was activated by a synthetic sandalwood scent named Sandalore. Since this OR can be found on the outer layer of hair follicles, the study aimed to analyze how its activation could affect hair. The results? Applying Sandalore to the scalp increased hair growth and minimized cell death. (2)

Professor Ralf Pause led the team of researchers. “This is actually a rather amazing finding,” he told The Independent. “This is the first time ever that it has been shown that the remodeling of a normal human mini-organ [a hair] can be regulated by a simple, cosmetically widely-used odorant.” In essence, the hair follicles are able to “smell” the synthetic sandalwood and produce a biological response. (3)

Promising Treatments With Sandalwood

Sandalwood’s appeal reaches back thousands of years, with roots in traditional medicine. Early Hawaiians used the leaves and bark to treat scalp conditions such as dandruff and lice. When distilled into an oil, sandalwood’s astringent and antiseptic properties treat a variety of ailments. (4)

It’s no wonder, then, that scientists are catching on. A topical study on human patients (not just scalp tissue in the lab) further proves the point. In the trial, patients were treated with a hair loss treatment containing 1% Sandalore. Over a 24-week period, the results were promising. The patients showed reduced hair shedding, increased volume, and increased hair growth. By using real human patients and not just tissue, the study demonstrates Sandalore’s potential. (5)

Hope For A Hair Loss Cure

With both men and women suffering from hair loss, sufferers often go to great lengths to find a cure. As a result, massive amounts of funds are spent on treatments. In the United States alone, Americans spend over 3.5 billion dollars a year in attempts to treat their hair loss. (6)

While no single treatment works for every case, scientists are hopeful that Sandalore will have a promising future to slow, stop, or reverse hair loss for those who suffer.