What Is Castor Oil
Castor Oil is made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant through a heating process. These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain the toxic enzyme ricin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
However, the heating process that castor oil undergoes deactivates it, allowing the oil to be used safely.
Castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial, and pharmaceutical uses:
- Castor oil can be used as a natural remedy for occasional constipation. However, it can cause side effects like cramping and diarrhea and should not be used to treat chronic constipation.
- Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil that people have used for thousands of years.
- Castor oil can help lock moisture in the skin as a natural moisturizer. Though this natural alternative to store-bought products is considered safe for most, it can cause allergic reactions in some.
- Castor oil helps heal wounds by stimulating the growth of new tissue, reducing dryness and preventing the buildup of dead skin cells.
- It is high in ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that has been shown to help reduce pain and inflammation in test-tube and animal studies. Castor oil helps fight inflammation, reduce bacteria and soothe irritated skin, all of which can be helpful for those looking for a natural acne remedy.
- Several studies have shown that castor oil may help fight fungal infections in the mouth caused by Candida albicans.
- It’s commonly used as an additive in foods, medications and skin care products, as well as an industrial lubricant and biodiesel fuel component.
- In ancient Egypt, castor oil was burned as fuel in lamps, used as a natural remedy to treat ailments like eye irritation, and even given to pregnant
- women to stimulate labor.
Today, castor oil remains a popular natural treatment for common conditions like constipation and skin ailments and is commonly used in natural beauty products.
Read: How To Take Care Of Relaxed Hair And Make It Grow
Can Castor Oil Help Hair Regrowth
Before you consider hair regrowth there must been a situational hair loss.
First, what is hair loss?
Hair loss occurs when new hair doesn’t replace the hair that has fallen out. It can be either inherited or a result of hormonal changes, medical conditions, or a normal part of aging.
Hair loss can be a side effect of certain drugs, such as those used for cancer, depression, and high blood pressure.
Many people experience a general thinning of hair several months after a physical or emotional shock. This type of hair loss is temporary. Hereditary hair loss with age is the most common cause of baldness.
Hair loss can appear in many different ways, depending on what’s causing it. It can come on suddenly or gradually and affect just your scalp or your whole body.
Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
- Sudden loosening of hair caused by physical or emotional shock. Handfuls of hair may come out when combing or washing your hair or even after gentle tugging. This type of hair loss usually causes overall hair thinning but is temporary.
- Full-body hair loss is caused by conditions and medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer. It can result in the loss of hair all over your body. The hair usually grows back.
- Gradual thinning on top of head is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. In men, hair often begins to recede at the hairline on the forehead. Women typically have a broadening of the part in their hair. An increasingly common hair loss pattern in older women is a receding hairline (frontal fibrosing alopecia).
- Some people lose hair in circular or patchy bald spots on the scalp, beard or eyebrows. Your skin may become itchy or painful before the hair falls out.
Read: Is PRP Hair Treatment A Permanent Solution
Treatment
Hair loss makes patients feel self-conscious, so it is not surprising that people regularly search for affordable and effective hair loss treatment to restore a fuller hairline.
An at-home hair loss remedy that seems to be gaining attention recently is castor oil. Many bloggers and YouTubers tout the benefits of castor oil, but can castor oil regrow hair?
Many people claim that, in addition to the above mentioned benefits, castor oil can encourage hair growth. In recent years, more and more beauty enthusiasts have begun praising castor oil as a natural solution for hair growth.
When it comes to using castor oil as a hair treatment, one of the most popular varieties is Jamaican black castor oil. Jamaican black castor oil is said to be especially beneficial to those with thick, dry, and/or coarse hair.
Made with roasted castor beans (and the ash produced by the roasting process)
Proponents of castor oil often recommend opting for organic, cold-pressed products. It’s said that cold-pressed oils are higher-quality and more nutrient-rich than those processed at greater temperatures.
Jamaican black castor oil is one of the more popular variations. It has a thicker consistency because it’s boiled with ash, which gives it a warm, roasted scent.
Castor oil itself is loaded with vitamin E, fatty acids, and minerals, and is naturally emollient, making it an ideal ingredient for ultra-hydrating conditioners and masks.
How Does Castor Oil Help Hair Growth
It’s a super-popular option for treating irritated scalps, excess oil, and dandruff, thanks to the fact that castor oil is not only anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, but it also helps maintain moisture in the skin.
There are claims by a good number of YouTubers, bloggers, and consumers that application of the oil can boost hair growth by up to five times the usual rate.
As castor oil gains popularity in the natural beauty world, even critics have agreed that the use of oil can exponentially increase the rate of hair growth.
There are pointers that have indicated that castor oil also does the job of improving the appearance of hair by increasing its luster.
Strengthens the hair strands,
Promotes hair growth,
Nourishes dry scalp.
The oil itself can’t make the hair grow, but it’s loved for its ability to create a healthier environment on the scalp that makes for way better hair growth.
HOW EXACTLY TO USE IT
If you’re interested in using castor oil for hair growth, here are some important tips for you on how to use it.
- Rub just a few drops of the oil into your scalp.
- You can also massage a few additional drops of castor oil into your hair’s midsection and ends. This may protect against breakage and improve hair texture.
- Although the ideal timing for castor-oil-based hair masks is unknown, letting the oil sit for about two hours may be beneficial.
- To prevent oil drippings from staining your clothing and other items, consider covering your head with a shower cap until it’s time to wash your hair.
- Many hair care experts recommend using castor oil no more than once a week. When used more frequently, castor oil can cause buildup and lead to issues like matting.
Some people find the scent of castor oil unpleasant.
This category of people can still be served.
Castor oil is extremely heavy and often difficult to remove from hair; hair treatment recipes typically call for diluting it with other plant-derived oils (such as coconut or jojoba).
Combining oils can also tone down the scent of castor oil, which many people find unpleasant.
SIDE EFFECTS OF USING CASTOR OIL FOR HAIR REGROWTH
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.
There have been a lot of instances where people have developed dermatitis after using castor oil.
It should also be noted that consuming large amounts of castor oil can be extremely harmful and trigger a number of adverse effects, including:
- Abdominal cramps,
- Diarrhea,
- Dizziness,
- Hallucinations,
- Fainting,
- Nausea,
- Shortness of breath and chest pain,
- Skin rash,
- Throat tightness.
There’s some concern that using castor oil as a hair treatment may lead to acute hair felting—a rare disorder in which the hair becomes entangled into a hard mass.
Since the condition is irreversible, the only solution is to cut off the affected hair.
How Long Does It Take For Castor Oil To Regrow Hair
Castor oil will take at least three months to regrow hair. There is no standard as far as how often you should use castor oil, but one to two times a week for at least three months is recommended, as that’s typically how long before you will see new hair coming in.
PRECAUTIONS
- Castor oil can cause stains, so it’s best to wear any item of clothing you don’t mind staining when using castor oil on your hair.
- Keep in mind that your hair may require two applications of shampoo in order to completely remove the castor oil.
- It’s crucial to talk to your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you’re experiencing unexplained hair loss. Hair Loss can be a sign of an underlying health condition.