Does Argan Oil Help Hair Grow?
Search for argan oil and hair growth and you will find dramatic before-and-after photos, scalp-oiling routines and promises of thicker hair in weeks. It is an understandable hope, especially if your hair feels thinner than it used to. But the evidence points somewhere quieter and, in its own way, more useful.
The short answer
No good evidence shows that argan oil makes hair grow faster or thicker. A 2022 systematic review found no significant evidence for argan oil and hair growth. What it may do is lubricate and protect the strands you already have, which may help reduce breakage so you keep more of your length. Thinning or shedding deserves a dermatologist's look.
Does argan oil help hair growth? What the research says
Hair growth happens in the follicle, below the skin. The hair you can see and touch is no longer living tissue, which is why products you smooth along your lengths change how hair looks and behaves but not how fast new hair is produced.
When researchers systematically reviewed the evidence on coconut, castor and argan oil for hair, they found that argan oil "does not have any significant evidence" supporting its use to improve hair growth, hair quality or scalp infestation in clinical studies.1 A 2022 review of traditional hair oils in the International Journal of Trichology came to a similar general conclusion: scientific material on hair oils is limited, and exaggerated claims are often made without adequate evidence.2
That does not mean argan oil is useless for people who want longer hair. It means the benefit, where there is one, comes from protecting hair rather than producing more of it.
Why argan oil can still help you keep more length
Healthy scalp hair grows roughly half an inch a month, and most hairs keep growing for years before they shed and are replaced.3 If your hair seems stuck at the same length, the problem is often not slow growth but breakage at the ends cancelling out what grows at the root.
Less protein loss means stronger strands
Lab studies on hair tresses show that some oils reduce the amount of protein hair loses during washing and chemical treatment. Coconut oil is the best-documented example.7 For argan oil specifically, a 2022 study found that hair pretreated with argan oil lost significantly less protein when exposed to oxidative damage, the kind involved in coloring and lightening.8 These are lab results on cut hair, not trials on people, but they describe a plausible mechanism for fewer weak, snapping ends.
Smoother strands snag and tangle less
Tangling and knotting are major sources of mechanical breakage, especially in tightly curled hair, whose shape makes it harder for the scalp's natural oil to travel down the strand.9 A light oil on the lengths reduces friction during detangling and styling, which is where a lot of damage happens.
Gentler habits matter more than any single product
The American Academy of Dermatology lists everyday habits that damage hair, including rubbing hair dry with a towel, brushing too much, tight ponytails and frequent heat styling.10 An oil works best as part of a routine that avoids these, not as a fix for them.
What about "argan oil hair growth before and after" photos?
Before-and-after photos are persuasive, but they rarely control for lighting, styling, a recent haircut, or the natural recovery that often follows a period of stress-related shedding. The AAD notes that excessive shedding after events like childbirth, illness, surgery or major stress usually stops on its own, with hair regaining fullness within six to nine months.4 Someone who started using any oil during that window would likely credit the oil.
The same caution applies to the threads you will find when searching argan oil hair growth on Reddit. A recurring theme in those discussions is that people notice softer, shinier, less broken hair, and some interpret that as growth. That observation lines up with what the lab evidence suggests. For a realistic sense of what changes when, see our guide to argan oil before and after results and timelines.
Argan oil for hair growth and thickness: what is realistic
| Claim | What the evidence supports |
|---|---|
| Grows hair faster | Not supported; no significant clinical evidence1 |
| Makes hair thicker | Not supported for hair count; strands can look fuller when smoother and less frizzy |
| Reduces breakage | Plausible; argan oil reduced protein loss from oxidative damage in lab tests8 |
| Helps you retain length | Plausible, as a result of less breakage, alongside gentle handling10 |
| Stops hair loss | Not supported; hair loss has medical causes that need diagnosis5 |
How to use argan oil to protect length
If your goal is longer, healthier-looking hair, use argan oil where it can help: on the lengths and ends.
- Wash gently. Massage shampoo into the scalp and let the rinse run through the lengths rather than scrubbing the ends.10
- Condition every time. Conditioner after each wash is one of the AAD's core recommendations.10
- Blot, don't rub. Wrap hair in a towel to absorb water instead of rubbing.
- Apply a little oil to damp ends. Rub one or two drops between your palms and smooth them over the bottom half of your hair. Thick or curly hair may need a few more.
- Detangle carefully. Use a wide-tooth comb, working from the ends up.
- Use one drop on dry ends between washes. This keeps the oldest, most fragile part of the strand lubricated.
- Trim split ends. No oil can fuse a split end back together; regular small trims stop splits from traveling up the strand.
For this kind of daily finishing, a pure, single-ingredient oil is all you need. Our organic argan oil is cold-pressed from Moroccan argan kernels with nothing added, and we suggest a single drop on dry ends or a little more in damp hair. More detail is in our guide to argan oil for dry, damaged and frizzy hair.
Should you oil your scalp?
Scalp oiling is a long tradition in many cultures, and a gentle massage can feel good. There is no evidence that argan oil on the scalp stimulates growth, though. If you do it, wash it out within a few hours. If you have flaking or dandruff, be cautious: some fatty acids can irritate scalps that are prone to dandruff, which we explain in argan oil for dandruff and dry scalp.
Thinning or shedding? Causes to talk to a doctor about
If your hair is getting thinner rather than just breaking, an oil is not the answer, and waiting can cost you time. The AAD lists many causes of hair loss, including:5
- Hereditary hair loss, the most common cause worldwide in both men and women
- Thyroid disease
- Too little iron, protein, zinc or biotin
- Childbirth, illness, surgery or major stress
- Medications and cancer treatment
- Alopecia areata and scalp conditions such as psoriasis or infections
- Hairstyles that pull on the scalp, and harsh hair care
It is normal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a day.4 If you are losing noticeably more, see a part widening, or find patches, a board-certified dermatologist can work out the cause. Effective treatments exist, from minoxidil to prescription medicines and procedures, and the AAD notes that results usually take months to appear and that starting early tends to help.6 Our earlier article, can argan oil help with hair loss, covers this in more depth.
The bottom line
Argan oil is not a hair-growth treatment, and anyone who tells you otherwise is getting ahead of the evidence. It is a good, gentle tool for keeping hair smooth, lubricated and less prone to breaking, which over months can mean more length to show for it. For the bigger picture of what argan oil can and cannot do, read is argan oil good for hair.
Frequently asked questions
Can argan oil make hair grow faster?
There is no clinical evidence that argan oil speeds up hair growth. A 2022 systematic review found no significant evidence supporting argan oil for hair growth. What it may do is help reduce breakage, which helps you hold on to length.
Does argan oil make hair thicker?
It does not increase the number of hairs on your head. It can make existing strands look fuller and smoother by reducing frizz and split, broken ends, but that is a cosmetic effect rather than new growth.
Is it good to put argan oil on your scalp for hair growth?
There is no evidence that scalp oiling with argan oil stimulates growth. If you enjoy a scalp massage with a little oil, wash it out afterward, and skip it if you have dandruff or break out along your hairline.
How long does it take to see results from argan oil on hair?
Shine and softness show up right away. Less breakage takes several weeks of consistent use to notice. Because hair grows only about half an inch a month, length retention is something you judge over months, not days.
When should I see a doctor about hair loss?
See a board-certified dermatologist if you notice sudden or heavy shedding, a widening part, bald patches, or scalp pain, redness or scaling. Many causes of hair loss respond better to treatment when it starts early.
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. If you are experiencing hair loss, thinning or scalp symptoms, see your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist before trying something new.
Sources
- Phong C, Lee V, Yale K, Sung C, Mesinkovska N. Coconut, castor, and argan oil for hair in skin of color patients: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):751–757. Link
- Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair oils: indigenous knowledge revisited. Int J Trichology. 2022;14(3):84–90. Link
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Hair problems. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Do you have hair loss or hair shedding? Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: who gets and causes. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hair loss: diagnosis and treatment. Link
- Rele AS, Mohile RB. Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage. J Cosmet Sci. 2003;54(2):175–192. Link
- Sharifi N, Hamedeyazdan S, Shokri J, Monajjemzadeh F. Argan oil as a pretreatment of human hair before exposure to oxidative damage: attenuated total reflectance and protein loss studies. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(10):5010–5017. Link
- Humphrey JG, Harding MJ, Cartwright KM, Thomas LE, Luke J. Afro-textured hair care: a narrative review and recommendations for dermatologists. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2026;12(1):e246. Link
- American Academy of Dermatology. 10 hair care habits that can damage your hair. Link
