There is no science to prove that castor oil is good for hair. However, some people apply the ancient traditional medicine to the scalp to moisturize the skin, eliminate dandruff and improve the smoothness, strength and shine of the hair. Some people say that castor oil helps in growing eyebrows and eyelashes.
Castor oil comes from castor beans, which are rich in ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid that fights inflammation.1
This article will discuss how to use castor oil for hair and its benefits. It also covers what to look for when choosing castor oil products and possible side effects.
Benefits of castor oil for hair
Many claims have been made about the benefits of using castor oil on hair. However, there is little evidence to support the anecdotal claims that it improves hair health and growth.
Here are few facts about castor oil and hair growth.
It increases blood flow to the scalp and promotes healthy hair.
Applying castor oil once a month can increase hair growth by five times the normal rate.
It can moisturize dry and irritated scalp.
Castor oil is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so it can get rid of dandruff.
It helps in hair growth on other parts of the body like eyebrows and eyelashes.
Some believe that castor oil’s hair benefits are due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants protect free radicals from damaging healthy cells in the body. This damaging process is called oxidative stress, and it is linked to many negative health effects, including hair loss.2
Castor oil also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that promote hair growth and reduce inflammation in the hair follicles.3
Understanding how hair grows
How to use it
If you are interested in using castor oil for hair growth, try applying a few drops of the oil to your scalp first. You can also add a few drops to the middle and ends of your hair to prevent breakage and improve hair texture.
Castor oil is heavy and very sticky, making it difficult to remove from your hair. Castor oil is best diluted with other natural oils such as coconut or jojoba.
Diluting castor oil can help reduce unpleasant odors for many people. Mix one part castor oil with two parts of another carrier oil and dilute.
There are no exact instructions on how long to leave castor oil on your hair. Be aware that leaving it on too long can dry out your hair and scalp. To prevent drying, wash your hair with castor oil after two hours.
Apply castor oil on eyebrows and eyelashes
If you want to apply castor oil to your eyebrows and eyelashes, be careful not to apply it to your eyes.
You should do a patch test before applying any new product, including castor oil, to your skin. Apply a small drop of oil to your hands or face and wait a few hours to see if it causes irritation or allergic reactions.
There are several cosmetic tools that facilitate the application process: a clean eyelash brush or eyelash wand, an eyebrow brush.
To apply castor oil on your eyebrows:
Make sure the eyebrow brush is clean. If you don’t have a brush, you can use a clean Q-tip.
Wash your face with a mild cleanser and pat dry.
Pour a small amount of castor oil into a cup or small bowl.
Dip the brush into the oil and let the excess drip off.
Run the brush over each brow and cover the hair. Make sure you don’t get any oil in your eyes. The amount of oil needed to create a thin layer depends on how thick your brows are. (If your brows are thin, you may not need as much.)
You can decide how long you want castor oil on your lashes. If you do it as part of your morning routine, you can leave it for several hours. If you do this before going to bed, you can leave it on overnight.
When it’s time to remove the oil, wash your face as you normally would (for example, shower or use warm water and a mild cleanser).