Massaging castor oil on the scalp boosts blood circulation to the follicles that aids hair growth, makes hair h3er and thick, and reduces hair fall. Castor oil also makes hair shiny and lustrous. Using castor oil with essential oils is also very effective.
The tl;dr: no. "Castor oil will not grow hair," says Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist and the author of Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry. "There is no evidence for it and no scientific theory supporting that it would work. So yes, it's a total myth."
To use castor oil for hair growth, apply a few drops to your scalp and massage it in. You can also apply castor oil to dry hair as a hair mask. Rub the oil into your hair, then cover your head with a shower cap for around two hours. Wash well with shampoo and style as usual.
"For people who will benefit, I have seen positive results typically after six to eight weeks of use," he says. Still, it's important to note that results won't last forever. Ongoing use is required to maintain the benefits of castor oil, Gaunitz adds.
Castor oil is great for hair regrowth and thickening
That is also why it is so popular as an eyebrow, eyelash, and beard serum—to promote hair growth in such areas. It's also great for those who have fewer hairs on their head and want to stimulate more growth overall.
Castor oil is full of nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties and provides immense hair and beauty benefits. Most experts recommend applying it to your scalp no more than once a week, while some suggest once a month is enough.
If you have medium-to-thick hair that's prone to poofiness, mix a few drops of castor oil into your conditioner to make it a bit richer once or twice a week for a smoothing and moisturizing treatment.
A common side effect of using castor oil on hair is acute hair felting. This is a serious condition, where the hair twists and entangles and turns into hard mass like a stone that resembles a bird's nest. This condition, if started once, is hard to get rid of.
Cold-pressed castor oil and Jamaican black castor oil are two types of castor oil for thinning hair.
Both of our hair experts recommend cold-pressed castor oil. “Cold-pressed castor oil can be used on the hair shaft. However, black castor oil should be applied only to the scalp,” explains Dr. Hill.
Give castor oil some time to weave its magic Ideally, you should allow castor oil to sit on your scalp and in your hair for at least for half an hour. In fact, you can even leave it on overnight, washing it the next morning. This will give the oil ample time to do its work.
Castor oil isn't right for everyone. It's not recommended for pregnant women and people with certain health conditions. Because castor oil can cause the uterus to contract, it's not recommended during pregnancy. It's also not advised for regular use in children under age 12.
Leave the oil in for a minimum of 15-20 minutes. You could also leave it on overnight. You will need to shampoo multiple times to get rid of the oil. You may also condition your hair with a commercial conditioner 30 minutes before you take a shower.
If your hair tends to be dry and prone to breakage and split ends, castor oil can help. When using castor oil for hair, consistency is key. Apply it regularly and you will keep the hair shaft moisturized, which can increase hair's flexibility and reduce hair breakage.
Castor oil hasn't been found to do anything substantial for hair growth. But there are some effects that may indirectly help your beard hair grow. Its ability to fight off bacteria or fungal growth on the skin may help protect your follicles from damage, which can keep your hair healthy and promote hair growth.
Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both. It'll take at least six months of treatment to prevent further hair loss and to start hair regrowth. It may take a few more months to tell whether the treatment is working for you.
Before using any emollient (i.e. hair oil or butter), you always want to make sure that your hair has been wet first (i.e. your hair that has been moisturized first). Emollients don't “moisturize,” they simply “seal” moisture in. So the best way to use castor oil is on wet hair.
Coconut oil is supposed to restore dry or broken hair. This is why it's often used in a deep conditioner or hair mask. Castor oil is said to help hair grow faster and thicker, and is popular around the world as a hair growth accelerant.
It's recommended to apply castor oil on your hair one to two times a week for at least three months to see the desired results.