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Question

Can you use castor oil on curly hair?

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist
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...)".

Shun Pittman

Master Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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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Question

Can we use castor oil for hair daily?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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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Question

How does castor oil stimulate hair growth?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

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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Question

How often should you put castor oil on your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Castor oil will provide the greatest benefits when used regularly once or twice a week. Applying more than that could lead to limp or greasy hair.

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Question

Can castor oil regrow hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
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.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Castor oil hydrates and fortifies hair, making it less susceptible to damage. When applied regularly to fragile or damaged hair it can help provide an ideal environment for growth.

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Question

Can I use castor oil directly on my scalp?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, castor oil is safe to apply directly to the scalp, as well as to the hair. On the scalp, castor oil works against dandruff, strengthens the roots, and promotes hair growth.

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Question

Can you use castor oil as a leave in product?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, castor oil can be used as a leave-in product. It's only oil and does not not have to be washed out immediately after applying it.

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Question

I have inflammation of the scalp according to my dermatologist and she wanted me to put this prescription stuff on my head that has lots of bad side effects. Will the castor oil work instead?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

In this case, it's best to defer to your dermatologist, or speak to her about using castor oil as a treatment before you try it.

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Question

Ideally, how often should I do this treatment?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Start by doing the treatment once a week, then increase to twice a week if your hair still feels dry. Or, decrease to about once a month if your hair starts to feel overly oily.

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Question

Best to do castor oil hot treatment on clean hair?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes! Castor oil is best applied to a clean scalp, which will help it to absorb into your follicles. Don't forget to wash it out afterward, too.

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Question

Must I wash away the castor oil?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

You don't strictly have to, but washing it out removes any excess oil from your scalp that may cause discomfort or acne.

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Question

I don't have any oils at home other than castor oil and olive oil. Can I mix them?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Olive oil makes a great castor oil mixture! Mix an equal amount of each together before applying it to your scalp.

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Question

Does castor oil help with hair fall?

Community Answer

Yes. It strengthens your roots, follicles and split ends.

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Question

Will it help my hair grow longer?

Community Answer

Yes. Castor oil strengthens your roots and keeps the scalp from getting dry.

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Question

Which is more effective? More coconut oil in the mixture or more castor oil?

Community Answer

Castor oil should be the major constituent in the mixture, as it has better effects .

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Question

Can castor oil cure hair loss in girls?

Community Answer

Yes! Applying it for a month or two can result in the hairs growing back thicker and faster than ever before.

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Question

Will the castor oil help to permanently thicken my hair?

Community Answer

Yes, as it will make your hair thick, silky, and longer.

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Question

What is the best and easy way to remove castor oil?

Community Answer

Use a regular shampoo but make sure to wash your hair with warm water. Also, it's better to use soft (boiled) water instead of tap water.

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Question

I need to regrow hair I have lost. Most every internet article I read is only for how to thicken hair a person already has. Please help.

Community Answer

Castor oil can be used to help regrow hair you have lost, so you can use the method in this article. If it doesn't help you, you could try buying a product made for regrowing hair, or see a dermatologist, who can best assess your specific situation and recommend the right product/treatment for you.

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Question

Will this help with bald spots?

Community Answer

Yes, it may help with bald spots.

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Question

Can castor oil mixed with olive oil be applied to hair?

Community Answer

Yes, castor oil can be mixed with olive oil, or any other oil, for applying to hair.

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Question

Can castor oil straighten my hair?

Community Answer

Yes, applying castor oil can make your hair straighter over time.

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Question

Can I use it for daily and keep it on overnight?

Asande slayqueen

Community Answer

Using it daily might damage your hair and make it too oily -- it's better to use it twice a week. Ten hours maximum is recommended. You could leave it on for longer, but you risk damaging your hair, which defeats the purpose of using this treatment anyway.

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Question

What if you don't have a shower cap, is it fine to leave it as it is or do you have to have one?

Community Answer

It doesn't matter if you have one or not. But you will want to have a cloth on your head, wrapped so that the oil's warmth can penetrate your hair.

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Question

Will the oiliness go away if I wash my hair?

Community Answer

Applying apple vinegar diluted with water can assist with taking the oils away. (The apple cider vinegar has a horrid smell which can be alleviated with essential oils.) This mixture also helps reduce dandruff or oil build up from unwashed shampoo.

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Question

Can I use caster oil every day?

Community Answer

Using it daily might damage your hair and make it oily, it's better to use it twice a week.

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Question

Which castor oil pomade can I use for my hair?

Community Answer

A pure castor oil from your pharmacy or health food store is the best one to use.

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Question

What about mixing it with olive oil and coconut oil?

Community Answer

While doing this is okay, follow the instructions as above, namely: 3 tablespoons of castor oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil.

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Question

Can I use raw castor oil directly on my scalp? Is there any problem?

Community Answer

There is no problem with doing this.

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Question

I've shaved and have very short hair. Can I apply castor oil as my daily hair care?

Community Answer

Yes, and you'll get good length over a period of time.

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