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.
"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.
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."
Mix one part of castor oil with two parts of another carrier oil to dilute it. Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. Using it more frequently than that can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting.
It should be thought of as a weekly treatment and is not meant for daily use. He suggests applying a small amount of castor oil to dry hair once per week, leaving it on for 30 minutes or longer, then washing it out with a clarifying shampoo.
A number of essential oils including lavender, rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood are effective in boosting hair growth. Some carrier oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, castor oil, etc. can also be used to improve hair growth.
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.
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.
Fine and medium hair should smooth castor oil through their mid-lengths and ends, leaving it on for up to 30 minutes before shampooing. Coarse, thick, and ultra-dry hair types, on the other hand, can leave castor oil in as an overnight treatment or smooth it over their ends as a leave-in.
Prevents hair loss
Unlike other oils, castor contains several nutrients that consist of a powerful mix of proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants. Hence, it provides the scalp with the nourishment it requires. This doesn't just prevent hair loss but also ensures healthy hair growth.
No, there is no evidence that using castor oil can cause hair thinning or hair loss.
Although you can apply castor oil to dry hair, dampening your hair may help the oil absorb better. A quick way to dampen your hair is to fill a spray bottle with water, and spray just your scalp. Your hair should just be a little damp, not dripping wet.
How often can you use it: Use once per week for 20-30 minutes as a treatment. It is an oil, so a little goes a long way. Works well with: Carrier oils such as coconut (or other ingredients that impart moisture to hair). Don't use with: There are no known ingredients that negatively interfere with castor oil.
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.
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.
On average, hair grows about half an inch per month. So, in two weeks, you can expect your hair to grow about one-quarter of an inch or half a centimetre every two weeks.
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and may help in preventing hair shedding and thinning,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “The best vitamins for hair growth include B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin and iron.
1 Hair Oil - 550 ml with Almond Shampoo - 350 ml Free (2 Items in the set)
How long does it take castor oil to work? Castor oil typically causes a bowel movement to occur in 2 to 3 hours. However, it may take up to 6 hours to work for some people. Due to the delayed effects of castor oil, avoid taking it before bedtime.