Craving longer, healthier locks? Hair growth is a surprisingly common problem, and there are a variety of products—from vitamins to serums to oils—that promise to deliver those Rapunzel-like hair.
One of the most touted ones today is castor oil. The inexpensive and widely available oil is a vegetable oil derived from castor beans, says board-certified dermatologist Audrey Kunin. “It’s rich in ricinoleic acid, a nourishing, moisturizing fatty acid.”
William Gaunitz, a FWTS-certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology, says that despite its growing popularity, especially in applications such as hair growth, it is an oil used in a variety of topical and cosmetic applications that has There are thousands of years of history. Say.
But is it worth picking up a bottle and using it regularly? Does it really help stimulate hair follicles to provide the real, tangible results you’re looking for?
Does Castor Oil Promote Hair Growth?
The short – admittedly, rather unsatisfactory – answer? Maybe.
There’s no evidence that castor oil applied to the scalp or hair will directly help promote hair growth, Kunin said. Instead, castor oil can indirectly help hair growth, Gunitz says.
“It has many anti-inflammatory properties, including high levels of omega 6 and 9 and vitamin E,” he explains. Because of this, regular use—especially in conjunction with other proven products from a dermatologist or trichologist—can produce positive hair growth results, says Gaunitz.
But it should not be relied upon in all cases. He explained that while castor oil is very helpful in helping hair regrowth in people with inflammatory alopecia, it has little effect on severe male or female pattern baldness and nutritional baldness.
How often should you apply castor oil?
If you fall into the former category, or just want to use the oil to reap the benefits of improved scalp health and smoother, healthier hair, apply the oil 2 to 3 times a week, says Gaunitz. In some severe cases, you can use castor oil daily, but it should be mixed with 50 percent coconut oil because the product can create a sticky buildup, he adds.
It’s a simple process: just put a few drops of oil on your hands and massage your scalp gently. Let the oil sit for 45 minutes to an hour. Then, wash your hair and scalp with your favorite shampoo and conditioner.
Can you leave castor oil in your hair overnight?
The biggest benefit, please! While you can technically leave castor oil on your hair overnight, leaving oil on your hair overnight or for more than four hours should only be done intermittently, says Gunitz. “After four to six hours, the oil breaks down and begins to collect dead skin cells and debris, leading to possible inflammation.”
How long does it take for castor oil to work?
Within 15 to 30 minutes of application, castor oil begins to reduce inflammation and imbalanced microbes, including fungi and bacteria, and provide moisturizing omega fats, Gunitz says.
However, when it comes to hair growth, you have to dig deeper for more patience. “For those who will benefit, I usually see positive results after six to eight weeks of use,” he said.
Still, it’s important to note that the results don’t last forever. Gunitz adds that continued use is required to maintain the benefits of castor oil.
