Can Olive Oil Promote Hair Growth? Is Hair Regrowth in 20 Days True: Understanding the Latest Research on Fatty Acids from Adipocytes Activating Hair Follicle Stem Cells

Research conducted by National Taiwan University and others has demonstrated in mice that mild skin stimulation can trigger "lipolysis" of subcutaneous fat, where released monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) activate hair follicle stem cells to promote hair growth. The key is the local metabolic signaling involving macrophages, fat cells, and hair follicle stem cells, leading to metabolic reprogramming characterized by CD36 uptake, PGC-1α activation, fatty acid oxidation, and increased mitochondria. Topical application of MUFAs also resulted in hair growth, but human trials have not yet been completed. On social media, there has been widespread overinterpretation with claims like "hair growth in 20 days" and "olive oil is sufficient," but it is important to note that this research is currently limited to mice.