Case Study: How Rosehip Oil helped Harry’s sun-damaged scalp
Posted March 11, 2023
Harry is 61 and a very enthusiastic fisherman.
He spends many hours under the hot Australian sun and does everything he can to protect his skin with sun block, hats and all-weather gear. However, years of exposure to ultraviolet rays have taken their toll, and the sun damage on his face, head and forearms is evident.
To make matters a little worse, Harry shaves his head so there is no protection for his scalp from the sun. His head gets the most sun exposure compared to other parts of his body. As a result, Harry’s scalp has obvious sun damage, with sun spots, skin lesions, rough scaly patches and sensitivity.
Treatments lacking any results
Over the years Harry has tried all sorts of creams and balms to treat and nourish the skin and reduce the itchy and scaly spots, but with little success.
Every year he visits his dermatologist for a skin check and treatment. These treatments have ranged from cryotherapy – freezing off scaly spots – through to cytotoxic chemicals which he applied to his scalp over a period of four weeks. This was a harsh treatment with bleeding and itching until the lesions healed.
Nothing to lose
Lucky for Harry, his girlfriend has been using Rosehip Oil for years and suggested he try it. After initially resisting it, not believing that an oil without any chemicals would make a difference, he decided he had nothing to lose. He promised her he would try it for at least two weeks. She was happy.
“I had a big scaly patches which were burnt off several times but kept returning. I also used a toxic chemical and even that didn’t make them go away.”
– Harry
What he noticed at 2 weeks
He started using Rosehip Oil just once a day. In the mornings, after his shower, he applied 3-4 drops and massaged the oil into his scalp.
After two weeks he immediately noticed that the scaly spots on his scalp had reduced. They were still there, but not as rough. He continued using Rosehip Oil every morning.
What he noticed at 6 weeks
After six weeks, there weren’t many scaly patches left on his head at all. One of the more stubborn scaly spots had become a little worse during the first six weeks as the skin regenerated and healed itself. This particular patch eventually diminished and healed with some additional exfoliation in the shower.
“Before this my scalp was dry and crackling, and I used all sorts of moisturisers to help it. Now Rosehip Oil had made it softer and not so itchy.”
– Harry
What he noticed at 3 months
The itchiness, dryness and scaly spots on Harry’s head have gone. There are still sun damaged spots that come to the surface as the skin layers continue to generate new skin cells, pushing the old ones off and out. However, the skin on his scalp is now smooth and hydrated, it doesn’t feel itchy or dry and Harry the sceptic has made Rosehip Oil part of his daily skincare routine.
“All the scaly bits from the sun damage have gone – they are usually burnt off with nitrous oxide every year when I visit the dermatologist. This year it wasn’t necessary.”
Before and after photos
Harry’s annual visit to the dermatologist
After four months of using Rosehip Oil, Harry was due for his annual skin care check with his dermatologist.
The doctor found only one small lesion that was frozen off and no other treatment was required. His dermatologist basically told him to continue doing whatever he was doing as the lesions on his head were far less than previous years.
How did Rosehip Oil help Harry’s sun-damaged scalp?
Rosehip Oil is packed with nutritional botanicals that have been used by ancient cultures to nourish, heal and soothe many skin conditions as well as hair. The benefits of Rosehip Oil however have always been known in Kosmea’s community of loyal customers who have used as an anti-ageing remedy for fine lines and wrinkles, and to treat oily skin, eczema and psoriasis.
Rosehip Oil contains:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Oleic acid
- Palmitic acid
- Linoleic acid
- Gamma linolenic acid
How Vitamin A (tretinoin) helps skin regeneration
When skin is exposed to the sun, it increases the levels of enzymes that lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Rosehip Oil is rich in vitamin A (trans-retinoic acid or tretinoin) and the latest research shows that tretinoin helps to prevent premature ageing caused by sun exposure. Vitamin A reduces the activity of these enzymes and stimulates collagen production. This boosts skin cell regeneration, removing old skin cells which are replaced by new ones.
The role of essential fatty acids in skin rejuvenation
Essential fatty acids are grouped into Omega 3 and 6 and called oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and gamma linolenic acid. The body cannot produce these essential fatty acids itself and they are powerful remedies for skin rejuvenation. Their anti-inflammatory properties help skin conditions such as lesions, inflammation, eczema, and psoriasis.
Kosmea’s Certified Organic Rosehip Oil is rich in essential fatty acids is guaranteed to contain a minimum of 80% in each bottle.
Full of antioxidants to restore skin health
Rosehip Oil contains antioxidants which are micronutrients that protect tissues in the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals are caused by the sun, environmental pollution and by dehydration. Antioxidants including beta-carotene and lycopene protect the skin from the effects of these free radicals.
Natural anti-inflammatory properties for scaly patches or skin lesions
Rosehip Oil plays an important role in soothing and calming the skin, and helping all sorts of wounds to heal without scarring. For bald heads with scalps that have sun damage and lesions, the essential fatty acids in Rosehip Oil will reduces the formation and appearance of scars and if used when a wound is healing, it will prevent infection which causes further scarring, and will soften the skin so that it doesn’t tear as it heals.
Try Rosehip Oil for sun damage, you will see and feel the difference within 2 weeks
If you are concerned about sun damage on your scalp, give Rosehip Oil a go. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you will start to see and feel the difference. And you can purchase a bottle in one of three sizes!
