Why castor oil for hair

Erin Jahns. Erin Jahns has worked in the beauty industry since Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Reviewed by Shab Reslan. Shab Reslan is a certified trichologist and hair stylist with over 15 years of experience.

Currently, Reslan is the host of the Hair Like Hers podcast, as well as the founder of a soon-to-launch hair health platform, Leona. Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.

How to Use Castor Oil for Hair. She is experienced in a range of dermatologic practices including cosmetic treatments, skin cancer, general dermatology, and dermatologic surgery. Philip B. Ginger King is a cosmetic chemist, owner of product development firm Grace Kingdom Beauty , and founder of lip care brand Fan Love Beauty.

Castor Oil Type of Ingredient : Hydrator, strengthener. Main benefits : Nourishes the scalp and protects strands. Who should use it : Those who are not pregnant anecdotal evidence suggests that castor oil can induce pregnancy and those looking for a treatment to nourish dry strands.

How often can you use it : Use once per week for minutes as a treatment. It is an oil, so a little goes a long way. Works well with : Carrier oils such as coconut or other ingredients that impart moisture to hair. Don't use with : There are no known ingredients that negatively interfere with castor oil. What Is Castor Oil? Briogeo B. Is there anyone who should not use castor oil for hair? Is castor oil greasy on the hair?

Can castor oil help with hair loss? Featured Video. Article Sources. Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Related Stories. 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. Since the condition is irreversible, the only solution is to cut off the affected hair.

It should also be noted that consuming large amounts of castor oil can be extremely harmful and trigger a number of adverse effects, including:.

Applying castor oil to your hair shouldn't cause these problems, but make sure that you or others don't accidentally swallow it. Castor oil can stain your clothes and towels. Take care to cover your head with a shower cap, an old t-shirt or towel until it's time to wash your hair. This will prevent the oil from dripping onto your clothes or other items.

Keep in mind that your hair may require two applications of shampoo in order to completely remove the castor oil. Castor oil is popular among natural beauty enthusiasts, who claim that applying it to your hair can boost your hair's health, shine, and growth.

There is no scientific evidence to support these claims, although some nutrients in castor oil, like antioxidants and vitamin E, are known to be beneficial for hair health. Hair loss is not just a symptom of getting older.

There are many medical conditions that can lead to hair loss, including thyroid disease and alopecia areata. You can also lose noticeable amounts of hair during periods of severe mental or emotional stress.

If you find yourself losing large clumps of hair or you're suddenly developing bald spots, get in contact with your doctor. When an underlying health condition is to blame, applying castor oil won't help. There is no scientific evidence showing that castor oil can promote hair growth.

Still, many people claim it works. To use castor oil for hair growth, apply a few drops to your scalp and massage it in. You can also apply castor oil to dry hair as a hair mask. Rub the oil into your hair, then cover your head with a shower cap for around two hours. Wash well with shampoo and style as usual. Castor oil should not be used more than once a week. Castor oil is a heavier oil and, if used often, the oil can build up on your hair and make it appear greasy.

Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Phospholipase A2-mediated preparation of phosphatidylcholine containing ricinoleic acid and its anti-inflammatory effect on murine macrophage-like RAW Biocat Agr Biotech. Alyoussef A. Comparative study of the online over-the-counter hair loss products.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Longer locks How to use Does it work? Share on Pinterest. Castor oil for longer locks. Step by step.