This DIY Rosemary Hairspray for Thinning Hair Is Going Viral on TikTok—And Stylists Say It’s Legit

There are a vast number of reasons your hair may be thinning—including hormones, diet, medication, age, and stress. While understanding the culprit behind your hair loss is an individual journey, there are certain growth-stimulating treatments that may be able to help across the board. One such solution going viral on TikTok? DIY rosemary tea hairspray.

In a recent video that’s garnered more than 3.8 million views, TikTok user @kaligirly shared the recipe for an at-home hair loss treatment she swears by. The method is simple: Steep some rosemary tea, let it sit in the fridge for an hour, then spritz it all over your hair. But because you can’t believe every beauty hack you read on the Internet, we did a little digging to find out if this particular hair-loss potion is actually legit. And it turns out, it just might be.

According to a clinical review published in BMJ, rosemary may help with hair growth when massaged into the scalp daily. In addition, a 2015 study published in SKINmed Journal found rosemary may help protect against hair loss. “Rosemary is a great choice for hair growth and hair thickness because the essential oil can repair, stimulate, and regulate cells. That means it can help to reduce or balance oily discharge at the hair follicles,” adds certified aromatherapist Caroline Schroeder.

Celebrity hairstylist Vickie Vidov also recommends using rosemary tea to clean and exfoliate the scalp. “It aids in cleaning the scalp of any build-up or blockage to the follicle, which contributes to hair thinning and eventually the loss of hair,” she says. Because of its exfoliating qualities, it helps stimulate blood flow to hair follicles and, in turn, can potentially stimulate hair growth.

If you’re ready for a little science experiment of your own, here’s how to make the formula (it’s really easy):

1. Get a spray bottle

This formulation works best when sprayed all over the hair. So before you start brewing, make sure that you have a spray bottle handy so that you can properly distribute the rosemary tea to your scalp and strands.

2. Boil water

This part is super simple. Put about 2-3 cups (depending on the size of your spray bottle) into a pot and turn up the heat. Wait until the water is bubbling before moving on to the next step.

3. Add the rosemary

Once the water has reached a boil, pop in a few sprigs of fresh rosemary (which you can pick up at your local grocery store). Then, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid.

4. Steep

Let your concoction brew for about an hour. You’ll know it’s done when you see the water starts to turn red.

5. Cool and transfer

Once you’ve let the formula sit for long enough (at this point, it should be cool), carefully transfer it into your spray bottle. To make this process easier, use a funnel to ensure that you get all the liquid inside the bottle and avoid a mess.

6. Store in the fridge

Keep your spray bottle in your fridge. This will keep the spray from expiring for about a week.

When it comes time to use the formula, simply spritz it onto your scalp and strands and let your hair airdry. If you want a more potent treatment, pros suggest mixing a few drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil (like jojoba or coconut oil) and massaging it onto your scalp before bed. While results won’t happen overnight, after a few weeks of using the spray, you should start to see a difference in the thickness of your strands. At the very least, it’s worth a try!

For more intel on dealing with hair loss, check out the video below.

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