Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. Using it more frequently than that can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting. There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair.
"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.
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.
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."
FAQs on castor oil benefits for hair
Oil, in general, should be used at least once or twice a week for optimum results. If you use castor oil in combination with your regular hair oil, you can use it once or twice a week.
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.
How long does it take castor oil to work? Castor oil typically causes a bowel movement to occur in 2 to 3 hours. However, it may take up to 6 hours to work for some people. Due to the delayed effects of castor oil, avoid taking it before bedtime.
Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. Using it more frequently than that can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting. There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair.
Do not wash immediately after applying castor oil to your hair. Let castor oil completely absorb into scalp and hair before you wash it away. Finally it is time to wash your hair. Shampoo your hair and ensure that you wash them completely to get rid of all the oil.
Unlike other oils, castor contains several nutrients that consist of a powerful mix of proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants. Hence, it provides the scalp with the nourishment it requires. This doesn't just prevent hair loss but also ensures healthy hair growth.
There is no evidence that castor oil applied to the scalp or hair will directly help increase hair growth, says Kunin. Rather, castor oil can indirectly assist in hair growth, says Gaunitz. "It has many anti-inflammatory properties including high levels of omega 6 and 9s and vitamin E," he explains.
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.
Argan oil is no less than a wonder to your hair. It is also known as Morocco Hair Oil. This oil is known as the world's best hair oil. It is extracted from the nuts of the Argan Tree in Morocco city.
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.
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. Remember that essential oils must be mixed in with carrier oils before application.
Castor oil is great for hair regrowth and thickening
That is also why it is so popular as an eyebrow, eyelash, and beard serum—to promote hair growth in such areas. It's also great for those who have fewer hairs on their head and want to stimulate more growth overall.