Castor oil has acquired something of a mythical reputation in the past few years. It’s used for everything from treating sunburn and acne to helping with cramps that are associated with detox. But it’s finding some of its most exciting results in the world of hair care. Castor oil is quickly gaining traction as a way to promote hair growth. But as is often the case with organic ingredients, there’s a lot of myth mixed in with the truth. Here’s what we know about the potential for hair growth with castor oil.
The Scientific Verdict Is Still Questionable
So what do scientists have to say about whether or not castor oil can promote hair growth? Mum’s the word, at least for the most part. More and more studies are looking at the medical impact of natural ingredients, but castor oil hasn’t seen as much research as many other ingredients.
That’s not to say that there isn’t scientific validity to castor oil as a hair growth formula – merely that it’s too early to say anything definitive. That said, there are a lot of signs that demonstrate the promise of castor oil. Even if there are no scientific studies to definitively prove that castor oil promotes hair growth directly, it can have a generous effect on the overall health of your hair and your scalp.
But It’s Demonstrated Impressive Anecdotal Results
The most enthusiastic proponents of castor oil for hair growth speak of its capacity for growing your eyebrow and eyelash hair. Countless beauty journalists and experts have spoken at length about how effective castor oil has been for creating richer and fuller brows and eyelashes, and the presumption is that those same advantages can be applied to the hair at the top of your head.
Anecdotal results for more serious hair growth is harder to find, but that only makes sense. Bulking up the thickness of your eyebrows is one thing, but proving that castor oil helps grow lost hair is a lot harder to demonstrate unless it’s a miracle drug. That doesn’t mean that you should count out castor oil just yet. Because even if it can’t grow your hair directly, it could create an environment that better facilitates hair growth.
The Known Side Effects Of Castor Oil Are Promising
Even if castor oil won’t grow a luscious head of hair overnight, it can still be one of the most promising tools for someone who’s dealing with hair loss. One of the biggest advantages here is that castor oil is one of the most diverse natural oils around. Where most oils are dominated by fats, castor oil finds a more delicate balance. It combines proteins and vitamins with their fatty acids and even includes antioxidants. The result is a rich and balanced formula that fulfills multiple important roles in your hair’s health. In other words, it’s a rich fertilizer that transforms your scalp into a more tenable environment for hair growth.
The truth is that there are few if any real panaceas in the world, but castor oil works hard to make the environment your hair grows in as tenable as possible. It keeps your pH balance in check while also seeding your scalp with valuable minerals and nutrients that can promote stronger hair growth. Moreover, the presence of antioxidants lends castor oil microbial properties and helps combat common issues like dandruff.
The bottom line is that hair loss is a result of the environment your hair grows in. Even if castor oil can’t promote that growth directly, it can create a healthier environment, and the result will be richer and more luxurious hair.