Castor oil should not be used more than once a week. Castor oil is a heavy oil and, if used often, the oil can build up on your hair and make it appear greasy. Can I leave castor oil in my hair overnight? You should wash the castor oil out of your hair after about two hours to prevent your scalp from getting too dry.
"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.
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.
"There is no standard for how often to use it, but I recommend one to two times a week. As with anything, consistency is key to get the benefits, but make sure to not overuse," says Korab. Leave the castor oil on your hair for 20 to 30 minutes before washing it off.
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."
No, there is no evidence that using castor oil can cause hair thinning or hair loss.
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.
Being very astringent in nature, castor oil can cause irritations to the skin. This could further lead to dryness, sensitivity, and even loss of hair and that's clearly not something you would want.
There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair. That said, know that leaving it in too long can actually dry out your hair and scalp. To prevent drying, wash the castor oil from your hair after about two hours.
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.
It can also foster a healthier environment on your scalp. But if you plan on using castor oil on your hair, apply small amounts of oil and learn to wash it regularly and properly. This way, you can avoid blocking your hair follicles as this may lead to hair and scalp issues.
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.
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.
3. 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.
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.
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.
1 Hair Oil - 550 ml with Almond Shampoo - 350 ml Free (2 Items in the set)
Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a complex B vitamin that is often touted for having hair growth benefits. And some of that hype may actually be worth it. Biotin has functions in “creating red blood cells, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles,” says Dr. Green.
While castor oil is considered safe in small doses, larger amounts can cause abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea ( 2 , 5 ). Although it can be used to relieve occasional constipation, castor oil is not recommended as a treatment for long-term health concerns.
Castor oil is said to help hair grow faster and thicker, and is popular around the world as a hair growth accelerant. Coconut oil supposedly has this property, too, but castor oil is more popular in the beauty community for hair growth.
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.