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Using castor oil for hair growth, explained
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Castor oil has long been used to remedy a number of common hair troubles. It can reduce frizz, ease tangles, and add a lustrous shine to your ‘do, all thanks to its high amounts of vitamin E and antioxidants. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source We’ll show you how to mix and prepare your castor oil, then massage it into your scalp and hair to give you the mane you deserve!
How do you apply castor oil to your hair?
Dampen your hair with water, then dip your fingertips into your oil mixture. Massage the oil into your scalp for about 5 minutes. Distribute the oil through the rest of your hair with your fingers, then throw on a shower cap and let it sit for 20 minutes. Finally, shampoo it all out.
Steps
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Gather your castor oil, a secondary oil, and your other supplies. Treating your hair with castor oil is simple enough, but there are a few ingredients and tools that make it even more effective and easier to apply, such as a secondary oil to mix with the castor oil for easier application. [2] X Research source . Here’s what you’ll need for this method:- Castor oil
- Other hair oil (We recommend argan , avocado, coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil.)
- Hot water
- Large bowl
- Jar
- Shower cap
- Towel
- Old shirt (recommended)
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Dilute the castor oil with an equal amount of another hair oil. Castor oil is fairly thick, and mixing it with another oil makes it a little easier to apply. In a jar, combine 1 part castor oil and 1 part of another common hair oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. [3] X Trustworthy Source Science Direct Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics Go to source You only need about 2–3 US tbsp (30–44 mL) of each, and you can always mix more.- Use cold-pressed castor oil if you plan to distribute the oil throughout your hair, and black castor oil if you only want a scalp treatment. It’s thought that cold-pressed oil is gentler on hair. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Try the following combination: 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of castor oil, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of jojoba oil, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil.
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Add a few drops of essential oil to mask the smell. Some people find the scent of castor oil unpleasant. If this bothers you, add in 2 to 3 drops of a fresh-smelling essential oil, such as tea tree oil . Or, mix a few drops of rosemary , peppermint, cedar, and thyme oil to create an essential oil mixture that targets hair growth. -
Shake the jar vigorously to mix everything together. Once all your ingredients are inside the jar, close the lid tightly. Then, shake the jar for a few minutes, or until everything is well-incorporated. Ideally, the mixture will be uniform and free of any separation. -
Place the jar in a large bowl of hot water for 2-4 minutes. Heat water on the stove or in a kettle until it just begins to boil. Then, place the jar into a large, heat-resistant bowl, and pour the water into the bowl around the jar, until the lower half of the jar is submerged. Heating the oil this way makes a hot oil treatment . The warm oil more easily saturates your hair and seeps into your scalp. [5] X Expert Source Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.- Do not attempt to warm the oil in the microwave, which can overheat the oil and cause injury when you apply it to your scalp.
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Pour the warmed oil into a small, shallow bowl. This will make it easier for you to dip your fingers into when you go to apply it. Also keep an eyedropper handy, if you have one, which will make for more precise and easy application.- If you don’t have an eye dropper, you use a spray bottle.
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Dampen your hair to help the oil absorb into your scalp. Although castor oil can be applied to dry hair, dampening your hair may help the oil absorb better. Mist your scalp with a spray bottle of water, or wet your hands and run them along the length of your hair, starting at your scalp. Make your hair just a little damp, but not dripping wet. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source -
Cover your shoulders with a towel. This will protect your clothes from oil splashes or drips. In addition, wear an old T-shirt to avoid getting oil stains on your good clothes. -
Massage the oil into your scalp for 3 to 5 minutes. Dip your fingers into the oil, then spread it between your roots and across your scalp. Massage your head with your fingertips using small, circular motions. [7] X Expert Source Mark Rosenfeld
Dating & Relationship Coach Expert Interview. 14 April 2021. Don’t use too much oil, but just enough to coat your scalp. A little bit goes a long way!- Alternatively, use an eye dropper to drip the oil onto various points on your scalp. This may be easier and less messy. Be sure to massage the oil into your scalp for about 5 minutes.
- Alternatively, dip a cotton ball in the oil and use it to apply the oil to your scalp.
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Apply the oil to the rest of your hair. Wet your fingers with a little more oil and rub it between your palms. Then, run your hands across your hair, from the roots to the ends. Use your fingers to comb the oil through your hair; this helps distribute the oil. Again, start with a small amount. You do not need a lot of oil. -
Cover your hair with a shower cap. Loosely pile your hair on top of your head, then put on a shower cap. If you need to, keep it in place with a claw clip. The shower cap will trap the heat inside, and it will keep your hair from drying out. [8] X Expert Source Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author Expert Interview. 11 May 2021. -
Wrap a hot, damp towel over the shower cap. Warm up a towel by soaking it with hot water under a shower head. Twist the towel to get any excess water out, then wrap it around your head . Tuck the end of the towel in under your "turban," or secure it with a large hair clip. The heat from the towel will make the oil more effective. -
Wash the oil out of your hair after 20-30 minutes. After about 20 minutes, step into the shower and shampoo the castor oil out of your hair. [9] X Expert Source Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author Expert Interview. 11 May 2021. Wash your hair until the oily feeling is completely gone. Some people find that washing with just conditioner—skipping the shampoo—is more effective than using shampoo.- If your hair doesn’t feel overly oily or heavy after the treatment, you may choose to leave the oil in instead of washing it out.
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Apply oil to your scalp once a week, or according to your preference. Start by applying the oil once a week, and then shift to more applications if your hair continues to feel dry. Or, use fewer applications if your hair becomes uncomfortably oily. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Keep in mind that you may not see results like thicker or stronger hair the next day; use the castor oil treatment for 2-3 months before expecting any dramatic changes.- If you begin to notice buildup from the castor oil on your hair and scalp, use a clarifying shampoo. This helps remove any buildup in between castor oil treatments.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan you use castor oil on curly hair?Shun Pittman is a Master Cosmetologist, Author, Owner, and Founder of Corps d’Elite Salon and Corps d’Elite Beauty. With over 25 years of international experience, she is dedicated to and specializes in providing luxury salon services to all hair types and textures and every skin tone and shade. Her services include hair conditioning treatments, cutting, coloring, styling, extensions, and makeup application. Shun has experience working with, coaching, training, and mentoring beauty professionals from multiple companies including L'Oréal, Wella, Matrix, Paul Mitchell, Redken, Big Sexy Hair, and Toni & Guy. She is also a host for national and local media outlets and her work has been featured in The Washingtonian, The Cheddar Network, and WJLA Good Morning Washington's Beauty and Fashion Police segments. Shun is the author of “50 Things Your Hairdresser Wants YOU to Know (and a few things we don’t...)".Yes, it works great for really curly hair types. It can help lubricate the hair and weigh down the curl pattern so the curls are longer.
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QuestionCan we use castor oil for hair daily?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.Castor oil is too heavy for most hair types to use on a daily basis. However, if you have very dry hair you may be able to add a few drops to your ends every day.
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QuestionHow does castor oil stimulate hair growth?Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.Castor oil contains many beneficial nutrients and hydrating oils. If your hair is already healthy, using castor oil probably won't increase its rate of growth. But if your hair is damaged, nutrient deficient, or dry, castor oil can help correct these imbalances and increase growth. When combined with scalp massage it also increases blood flow to the follicles, encouraging growth.
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Tips
- Buy cold-pressed, unrefined castor oil. [11] X Research source One-hundred percent castor oil will be more effective and have the most nutrients. Skip on the refined or adulterated castor oil, which have very few nutrients left and will not be as effective.Thanks
- If your hair tends to tangle easily, you may find that it is more sleek and easier to manage after this treatment. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to sourceThanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- I use 2 tbsp of coconut and castor oil and then 1 tbsp of olive and almond oil, which has really helped improve my hair growth.
- Apply a drop of castor oil on your lashes to get shiny, thick and long eyelashes.
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Warnings
- Castor oil may darken light-colored hair. This is not too noticeable, and it is not permanent.Thanks
- Apply a small dab of castor oil to the inside of your wrist as a test for irritation before applying it to your scalp. Wait 24 hours, observing the spot for adverse effects. [13] X Research sourceThanks
- Avoid ingesting castor oil if you are pregnant or suffer from long-term digestive issues. [14] X Research sourceThanks
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Things You'll Need
- Castor oil
- Other oil ( argan , avocado , coconut , jojoba , sweet almond , etc.)
- Hot water
- Large owl
- Jar
- Shower cap
- Towel
- Old shirt (recommended)
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/castor-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5596646/
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/castor-oil
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/castor-oil-benefits
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
- ↑ Mark Rosenfeld. Dating & Relationship Coach. Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.
- ↑ Shun Pittman. Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author. Expert Interview. 11 May 2021.
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/castor-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-to-know-about-castor-oil-health-claims.h00-159622590.html
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWA5l2UyEJQ
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/the-end-is-near-avoid-using-castor-oil-to-induce-labor
- ↑ https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-summary/castor-oil-summary-public_en.pdf
About This Article
Article Summary
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Before you apply castor oil to your hair, mix it with argan or coconut oil to thin it out. Fill a bowl with very hot water and place the jar of castor oil into the water for 2-3 minutes to heat it. Once the oil is warm, pour it into a small bowl, then dip your fingers into the bowl and massage your scalp for 3-5 minutes. Add a little more oil and rub it between your palms, then run your hands across your hair to evenly distribute the oil. Place a shower cap on your head and leave the oil in anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours before shampooing it out. For more information from our Cosmetologist co-author about how often to do this routine, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "This was very much needed because I'm perimenopausal and have lost an incredible amount of hair within the past year and have been ever so depressed and alone with it. Thank you so much if this works for me (I truly hope). Now off to get busy!! :)" ..." more
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"This was very much needed because I'm perimenopausal and have lost an incredible amount of hair within the past year and have been ever so depressed and alone with it. Thank you so much if this works for me (I truly hope). Now off to get busy!! :)"
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"My hair has always been dry. I had cancer for over 2 years, causing thinning hair. I began using this last week. My hair is becoming soft and looks healthy after using the castor oil mix for hair. I'm trying to discontinue over-the-counter products due to harmful additives. This hair mix is cheaper than the store and is healthy. This article also gave me ideas on how to thin out castor oil with avocado and olive oils so I can use it as a body moisturizer. I'm very grateful for your article. "
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"I have been using castor oil mixed with pure coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil. It's been a month. I am finding tiny growth on my scalp, as I have thin hair, and it is really helping me combat hair loss. It has made my hair softer and shinier, too. I have started using on my hubby, as he is bald from front side of head. I know the treatment you have said will definitely show results on it as it is doing on me. Thank you so much."
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"I am African American and my hair is kinky or 3c texture. These steps were outstanding. My hair is fuller, thicker, and smoother. I love it. The castor oil tamed my frizz and smoothed my hair. To keep it untangled, I put it in two French braids every night."
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"This article is very helpful. I am taking chemo pills and experience hair loss/thinning and hair becoming extremely dry. Castor oil as a hair treatment is inexpensive. The process given seems very easy to do myself in the comfort of home. I will try."
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