Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair

Can we use castor oil on hair?

The beauty industry has shown the benefits of each and every oil possible. May it be coconut, jojoba oil or any other, castor oil is nonetheless. One of the most popular ingredients nowadays is castor oil. Castor oil is one of the old traditional medicinal remedies which has been used widely through many years.

It has proven to show results in order to moisturize the skin, and hair scalps, smooth strengthening the hair.

What is castor oil?

Castor oil is a nutrient-dense oil extracted from castor beans. It holds a lot of advantages in the sectors of medicine, households and pharmaceuticals further extending its uses in skincare, haircare and cosmetics. It further holds healing potential.

How is castor oil useful?

Castor oil for hair has claimed its benefits in strengthening strands, promoting hair growth and even nourishing dry scalps. It is believed that castor oil doesn’t cause hair growth but it creates an environment that promotes hair growth more efficiently.

Effects of Castor oil on hair:

1. Anti-inflammatory

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is an anti-inflammation drug, which lessens the irritation on the scalp, which tends to inhibit hair growth.

2. Nourishing and strengthening the scalp

It is known that castor oil for hair acts as a nourishing agent as it is composed of fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants and vitamins. These flourish the scalp with all the nutrients and nurture the hair follicles. This encourages healthier and faster growth of hair.

3. Growth of hair

One of the most important benefits of castor oil is it promotes hair growth. Since castor oil is loaded with vitamin E and fatty acids, it tends to strengthen the roots of hair follicles. This also increases the blood circulation needed for hair growth and also regulates the hair growth cycle. It acts as a barrier to pollutants.

4. Helps get rid of Dandruff

Castor oil possesses antifungal and antibacterial properties. Due to this reason, it kills the microorganisms that cause dandruff and other scalp infections. This also reduces flakes, irritation and itching of the scalp. Castor oil also maintains the ph of the scalp, so you won’t get dandruff in the first place itself.

5. Prevent hair loss

Since castor oil has strengthening properties, it prevents further hair loss.

6. Provides thicker hair

Castor oil has the potential to increase hair growth by four to five times the normal rates. This encourages the hair to grow thicker than before. For this reason, castor oil is also being used for growing thicker hair lashes, one of the old home remedies.

7. Shiny hair

Castor oil because of its nourishing and moisture-locking properties adds a dash of shine to your natural hair. Conditions dry and frizzy hair make it look smoother. Castor oil is loaded with a lot of antioxidants, these antioxidants increase the production of keratin in hair making it stronger.

8. Prevents hair breakage

The major constituent of castor oil is ricinoleic acid, which improves blood circulation to the scalp. This increases the nutrition of hair, stronger strands, and less breakage. It’s a great humectant, making the hair shiner. Moisturized hair has a higher healthier rate.

9. Slows greying of hair

Castor oil prevents premature greying of hair. The application of castor oil for a longer duration helps retain the colour of hair.

10. Beneficial for eyelashes and eyebrows

Castor oil has the same benefits on eyelashes and eyebrows as well.

What are the types of castor oil?

a) Organic castor oil

It is predominately used for hair but has shown good results for the skin. A natural moisturizer, it cleanses hair and skin. It is processed without heating and extracted directly from castor seeds.

b) Jamaican black castor oil

It is most commonly used for scalp-related issues. Jamaican black castor oil has shown great results in treating acne and especially dandruff. It is formed by roasting castor seeds and is absorbed by hair easily.

c) Hydrogenated castor oil

This castor oil is used in lotions and creams due to its thick consistency. It is diluted but thickened due to hydrogenation in the presence of nickel.

How do I use castor oil?

Castor oil itself is a very thick and sticky oil. The direct application makes it difficult to remove oil from hair.

It’s best to dilute it before application, either with coconut oil or with any other oils like jojoba oil, or olive oil. Castor oil has a characteristic scent, which is unpleasant to some people. Diluting the oil with other oils also solves this problem.

Castor oil with coconut oil

Coconut oil similar to castor oil is highly rich in fatty acids. This also helps strengthen and enhance hair growth. It helps the mix to go deeper into the hair cortex and cuticles.

• Mix two tablespoons of castor oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl.
• Massage the mixture on your scalp for five minutes.
• Apply it from your roots to your ends.
• Cover the head with a shower cap or towel and keep it for at least two hours or overnight.
• Wash off with lukewarm water and shampoo
• Repeat it twice a week and for two months and then STOP it.

It is believed that leaving castor oil for a long time should be avoided. Longer use of castor oil can make hair and scalp dry out.

What are the side effects of castor oil?

Castor oil side effects are usually very rare. But since excessive use of it can cause serious complications, it should be used with precautions.

Castor oil can lead to acute hair felting, which is a rare disorder in which hair becomes tangled into a hard mass. Since it is irreversible, it can be cured only by cutting your hair.

Accidental ingestion of castor is however harmful

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Skin rash

What are the precautions while using castor oil?

• Castor oil can stain clothes and towels.
• At times hair may require twice shampoo applications since it is a thicker oil
• If using it for the treatment of hair loss, remember hair loss may be a sign of underlying diseases. Do get yourself tested before home remedies.

How can Truemeds be helpful?

Truemeds is an online platform, which allows us to order online medicines at the ease of our homes. It provides us with real-quality medicines with proper standardization.

• castor oil
• coconut oil
• aloe vera

All these are available at discounted prices on Truemeds.

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