How Pumpkin Seeds Promote Healthier and Stronger Locks

Pumpkins are a healthy source of fiber, beta carotene, and vitamin A. They can be used for cooking, Halloween decorations, skincare, and so on. However, people usually throw away pumpkin seeds when cooking, which is a shame because it is beneficial for hair.

In this blog post, we will explore the science behind pumpkin seeds, their benefits to hair, and how to incorporate them into your hair care routine.

What is the Science Behind Pumpkin Seeds?

Pumpkin seeds have loads of vital vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for hair health and maintenance.

They are rich in zinc, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. They are rich in protein, fat, and fiber, and are a good source of manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.

Is Pumpkin Seed Good For Hair?

Pumpkin seeds are your best bet for hair care maintenance because of their rich nutrients when you consume and incorporate them into your hair care routine.

Here are the reasons why:

1. Hair-friendly ingredients – Pumpkin seeds are very beneficial to hair because of their zinc, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acid contents. Zinc is crucial in preventing hair thinning and supporting follicle function. Eating them or incorporating them into your diet can promote stronger and healthier tresses.
2. Promotes Hair Growth – These green seeds are also rich in cucurbitacin, which is an amino acid known to promote hair follicle regeneration. The high protein content in the seeds also promotes keratin production, which is essential for building new hair strands.
3. Reduce hair thinning – Hormonal imbalances can cause hair loss and thinning. The excess dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is known to reduce hair follicles and lead to baldness. And pumpkin seed oil can block DHT properties, making it a natural hair loss remedy. Those who consumed pumpkin seed oil found an improvement in hair count and thickness compared to those who didn’t, according to a study.
4. Strengthens Hair Strands – When people have colored hair and chemically-treated hair, they always have a problem with weak and brittle strands. But with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in pumpkin seeds, these can help recover damaged hair by strengthening hair strands and preventing breakage. 
5. Enhances Scalp Health – Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and important fatty acids, which can soothe dryness, flakiness, and dandruff. These can help in promoting scalp health and hair growth.
6. Natural Protein Source – Pumpkin seeds are a vegan and plant-based protein source. This can also benefit those who seek natural options in hair health. According to a recent PowerYourCurls’ analysis, more UAE consumers prefer to use home care hair remedies from salon visits for their hair needs. 

How to Use Pumpkin Seeds for Hair

Pumpkin is pretty versatile because it can be turned into different hair products that can help in hair growth and promote scalp health.

Pumpkin Seed Oil: The most well-known and versatile hair product to achieve the most needed hair benefits. Apply pumpkin seed oil directly to your scalp as a hair mask. Massage the oil in the scalp for about 5 to 10 minutes, which will allow the oil to integrate into the scalp and hair follicles. Leave the oil for 30 to 60 minutes before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Shampoo: Some shampoos and conditioners integrate pumpkin seed oil, which can be included in a hair care routine to help nourish and boost hair while keeping it hydrated. 

PowerYourCurls has As I Am Born Curly Shampoo & Wash Aloe, which includes pumpkin nutrients to help promote hair health. You can use this for hair growth, and it is also friendly for kids.

Pumpkin Seed Supplements: For an easier method, pumpkin seeds can be taken in supplement form. You can ask a dietician or a trichologist to advise you on the intake of the supplements. This will help support hair growth by providing the essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to your body.

Does Pumpkin Seed Oil Block DHT in Women?

Studies show that pumpkin seed oil can raise hair growth by up to 30% through natural dihydrotestosterone-blocking (DHT) properties, such as high concentrations of phytosterols. The phytosterols can help block the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT.

DHT is a potent androgen that is responsible for hair thinning or loss. Pumpkin seed oil also helps protect hair follicles from shrinking. 

Aside from men, women also experience hair loss problems. Female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is hair loss that affects women. 

But this can be addressed by pumpkin seed oil. In fact, a 2021 study found promising potential in using pumpkin seed oil on women with pattern hair loss.

Pumpkin seed oil works by lowering excess DHT in the system. It’s not likely to cause major hormonal imbalances or create a situation where you’re facing low testosterone. 

It can also be useful for those who have experienced menopause. During this stage, estrogen levels decrease while testosterone levels increase, which can affect hair growth. 

However, pumpkin seed oil is not a fast cure, so don’t expect to get results in just a month or two. It helps hair grow slowly after six months to a year. It can help with reducing shedding, and then later on, it will start to improve hair growth.

What Are The Side Effects Of Pumpkin Seed Oil On Hair?

Skin irritation – One of the most common side effects of pumpkin seed oil is an allergic reaction, which can cause skin irritation. Eating or applying pumpkin content can cause a reaction for some. When this happens, contact your doctor or healthcare provider. 

Stomachache — Eating less fiber can cause stomach issues when you eat pumpkin seeds. Consuming them can upset the stomach because the seeds are a good source of fiber.

High sugar content— When consuming pumpkin seeds through supplements, drinks, or snacks, you may want to check the ingredient list or sugar content. Some manufacturers add too much sugar, which can be bad for your health, especially for those with diabetes.

Conclusion

Before throwing away those pumpkin seeds, why not turn them into something valuable, like a hair care ingredient? 

These are natural alternatives for those suffering from hair thinning or baldness. Pumpkin seeds are also perfect for the male population, who usually suffer from baldness due to DHT.

But it’s also important to highlight that while some research promotes the use of pumpkin seed oil, it’s better to consult your dermatologist on using this ingredient. Other options and ingredients can help with hair growth.