Why does castor oil make hair grow

In my quest to achieve mermaid-length hair minus yards of split-ends, I have looked into probably every product that claims to help hair growth. Done it. Scalp massages?

Why not. Avoid heat? Haha, sure. A quick search on YouTube yields dozens of positive testimonials that show brows restored to Cara Delevingne status and edges even Alicia Keys would envy. To find out, we talked to two hair experts: board-certified dermatologist and hair restoration expert Dr. Nikki Hill and certified trichologist that's a hair doctor, if you didn't know and colorist Bridgette Hill. Castor oil, also known as Ricinus communis, is nutrient-rich vegetable oil from castor beans.

Although it originates in tropical east Africa, it is widely used in India and the West Indies for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Castor oil is usually clear or pale yellow unless derived through roasting or boiling, known as black castor oil. Down to a molecular level, castor oil is a long-chained fatty acid.

Aside from being anti-inflammatory, castor oil has a few other noteworthy properties. When applied to the scalp, increased blood vessel dilation increases the flow of oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich blood to the powerhouse of your follicle, the dermal papilla, or the root of the hair.

Bridgette Hill agrees that castor oil indirectly promotes hair growth. The short answer: yes to the eyebrows, but be cautious with the eyelashes. Although castor oil is widely used, it is not meant for everyone. Therefore, the importance of a patch test comes into play again before applying it to your scalp. Once you determine that castor oil is compatible with your scalp, Bridgette Hill has a few suggestions for each hair type:.

Fine to medium straight hair: Castor oil can be used as a deep treatment to protect the very ends of your hair fiber, the last inches of hair. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment to help keep the tangles away. Be sure not to overuse—shampoo out and style as desired. Add heat or steam for deeper penetration into the hair cuticle. Wavy to loose curls: I suggest mixing drops of castor oil into conditioners during these hot and humid summer months.

Curly to tightly coiled: I suggest using castor oil as needed throughout your regimen, [as a] pre-shampoo, added treatment, or as a weekly moisturizer. Learn more about natural laxatives. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Longer locks How to use Does it work? Share on Pinterest. Castor oil for longer locks. Step by step. Does this really work? Well Tested: Moringa and Castor Oils.

Read this next. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Castor oil is often praised as a natural solution for hair growth. An age-old remedy long used in traditional medicine, castor oil is said to moisturize the scalp, ease dandruff , and leave your hair smooth, strong, and shiny. Sourced from the castor bean, castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid known to fight inflammation.

When applied to the scalp, it is thought to promote healthy hair growth and prevent hair loss. This article discusses the benefits of castor oil for your hair along with how to use it. It also covers what to look for when choosing a castor oil product and the possible side effects you may encounter. Some of the claims you may have heard about castor oil's benefits for hair include:. There is very little evidence to back up the claims that castor oil specifically can improve hair health and growth.

There is, however, evidence that individual nutrients in castor oil, including vitamin E tocopheryl acetate , increase blood flow to the scalp and promote hair growth. This explains why vitamin E is so commonly used in hair loss products. Castor oil is also a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging the body's healthy cells—a process known as oxidative stress that leads to hair loss.

Additionally, castor oil contains omega-6 fatty acids—a type of essential fatty acid that promotes hair growth and reduces inflammation in the hair follicle.

There is no scientific evidence that applying castor oil to your hair can boost hair health and growth. More research is needed, though, since specific nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are well known to have these effects.

This may protect against breakage and improve your hair's texture. Castor oil is heavy and very sticky, making it difficult to remove from your hair. It's best to dilute it with other natural oils like coconut or jojoba. This can also tone down the scent of castor oil, which many people find unpleasant. Simply mix one part castor oil with two parts of another "carrier oil. There are no exact guidelines for how long you should leave castor oil on your hair.

Leaving it in too long can actually dry out your hair and scalp, though, so it's best to wash it from your hair after two hours or so. 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. When shopping for castor oil, you might see some products that say "cold-pressed" on their labels. This means the castor seeds are pressed into oil without the use of heat or harsh chemicals.

Many people say that cold-pressed oils are the best quality and more nutrient-rich than those processed with heat. One of the most popular castor oil products for hair care is Jamaican black castor oil. This variety is made with roasted castor beans and the ash produced by the roasting process. Like any oil, castor oil has a shelf life. Once opened, it can start to go rancid after about one year, so keep that in mind when choosing a product and storing it at home.