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.
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."
Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair
It increases blood flow to the scalp, which promotes healthier hair. Applying castor oil just once a month can boost hair growth up to five times the usual rate. It can moisturize a dry, irritated scalp. Castor oil's antibacterial and antifungal properties can reduce dandruff.
Scalp massages can be beneficial for stimulating the vessels beneath the skin's surface and increasing otherwise paltry blood flow. They can also help nutrients including the proteins that serve as your hair's building blocks get to your follicles more efficiently, enabling them to create healthier hair again.
Blocked hair follicles start out like pimples. If they get worse, they can grow deep into the skin and look more like cysts or boils. They may also burst and leak pus or blood.
Tea tree oil
It also prevents dryness and dandruff. Because it helps the scalp absorb nutrients efficiently and stimulates dormant hair follicles, tea tree is the best oil for hair growth and thickness.
Oils like castor, peppermint, onion, coconut, jojoba, argan, amla, olive, grapeseed, rosemary, and tea tree are often recommended for hair growth. They help boost blood circulation and strengthen hair. Remember that essential oils must be mixed in with carrier oils before application.
Here's the hard truth: Little can be done to permanently change the diameter of individual hair strands. Thickening products can do wonders to temporarily plump hair strands, but when it comes down to it, fine hair is genetic and can't be changed.
Sensitive skin: Castor oil has a low comedogenic score. This means it is unlikely to clog pores in the skin and reduces the risk of developing blackheads, making it appropriate for use on sensitive skin. Inexpensive: Skincare products, and in particular facial creams and oils, can be very expensive.
"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.
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.
While castor oil doesn't necessarily block DHT, there are hair products available that combine castor oil with natural DHT blockers like olive oil.
Treatment with castor oil does not cure the condition, but it can promote hair growth in people with alopecia areata. Castor oil is a potent anti-inflammatory that stimulates hair follicle activity by promoting angiogenesis (blood vessel formation).
Adding iron, B vitamins (particularly B6), omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc into your diet can help to repair damaged hair strands. Scalp massages with essential oils like peppermint or rosemary can keep hair follicles healthy.
Avoid leaving oil in overnight
The longer, the better — that may be true for some hair treatments but not for hair oiling as the oil can block your hair follicles.
Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical treatment that works by moving your hair follicles into the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. It also stimulates blood flow to your scalp, which may increase the supply of nutrients to your hair follicles and stimulate growth.
"ACV unblocks follicles in the scalp so that strands have freedom to thrive," Ruggeri says. (Note: If you do use dry shampoo, Ruggeri advises spraying it on the mid-lengths of hair, rather than the roots, to prevent clogging the follicle).
Ingrown hair cysts occur when a hair follicle gets blocked and the hair grows into your skin instead of outward. You should never pop an ingrown hair cyst because it can cause infection and scarring. They may go away on their own, but if they hurt, become red, or ooze pus, see a healthcare provider.
When the hair roots encounter warm water, the pores of your hair follicles expand and open up naturally. On the other hand, cold water causes contraction of pores and keeps them tightly locked up. This reduces hair fall by increasing the grip of your hair follicles on your hair shaft.