Castor oil for hair growth. Is it actually going to work? You’ve found an internet trick that purports to help you grow longer because you want longer hair.
Yes, castor oil for hair growth is what we’re referring to. Although there is little science or evidence to support the oil, many people have credited the component as the cause of their longer, thicker hair.
Before delving into these bold statements, let’s start with the basics:
You are not alone if you are going through hair thinning or loss. It is typical, with American women making up about 40% of those who experience hair thinning or loss.
It typically appears in people in their 40s and 50s. Since it can happen for various causes, including hormone modifications, alopecia, and stress, it’s always better to see a doctor to help you discover what’s happening.
Whatever the cause, losing your hair can be painful for some people—actually, most people—since it is an external element that significantly impacts one’s confidence and self-image. (Thanks to cultural pressure for that.)
People are apt to attempt any treatment that offers results because of this. And we understand that seeing the before and after pictures will significantly affect you.
Although it’s important to note that some of these treatments can be costly and unsustainable, technology for hair growth and hair loss treatments has also advanced recently. Many people turn to natural and do-it-yourself remedies because not everyone can spend hundreds of dollars on an in-office procedure.
And castor oil is helpful in this situation. Can it actually aid in hair growth?
We looked to the professionals for a genuine, conclusive response on this well-liked hair-growth technique.
Table of Contents
Meet the Experts
- Marisa Garshick, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
- Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist and authored Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry.
- Adam Friedman, M.D., one of the board-certified dermatologists and the program director of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences of George Washington University.
What Are Castor Oil And Its Benefits?
Castor oil comes from castor beans and has a lot of protein, antioxidants, minerals, and fatty acids, according to Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
Castor oil may therefore be beneficial for skin, scalp, and hair. Dr. Garshick says that some of the benefits are that it acts as a humectant to help pull moisture into the skin and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that may help improve the overall health of the skin, scalp, and hair.
Even though thick oil is frequently marketed as a natural “panacea” (go ahead, Google it; you’ll find many articles about how it may assist with many problems like shedding, breaking, and regeneration), that may not always be the case.
Dr. Garshick says there is no scientific evidence that castor oil is good for skin or hair. This is in contrast to popular oils and vitamins like rosemary oil and vitamin B5, which have all been shown to help hair grow.
Can Castor Oil Help Hair Grow?
No, to sum up. According to cosmetic chemist and Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry author Perry Romanowski, castor oil won’t grow hair.
“There is no proof that it would function, and no scientific theory supports it. So, yeah, it is entirely false.
Dr. Garshick concludes that the only thing known about castor oil for hair development is that it may increase circulation in the scalp, which would encourage healthier and stronger hair. However, this is all just hypothetical at this moment.
She claims that there is “no solid proof” that castor oil can encourage hair regeneration. Anecdotally, people have reported improvement, though.
(Any anecdotal evidence supporting the recommendations of castor oil for hair growth is prevalent on blogs, Reddit, and YouTube.)
According to Adam Friedman, M.D., one of the board-certified dermatologists and program director at the School of Medicine & Health Sciences of George Washington University, “There is no evidence [showing] it is helpful for hair growth, even though it does have antimicrobial attributes that may be useful in fighting off bacterial or fungal overgrowth on the user’s scalp that can lead to damaging and inflammation.”
He continues by pointing out that some people may actually be allergic to castor oil, which would cause irritation and ultimately cause more harm to the scalp than benefit. “It is absurd to suggest that castor oil stimulates hair growth, a closely controlled process (one centimeter per month) that is unaffected by FDA-approved treatments for hair loss,” he asserts.
The good news is that according to Romanowski, castor oil is not harmful to hair and can even condition it to increase its suppleness. It can work to nourish the natural hair, leaving it feeling and appearing stronger and healthier, adds Dr. Garshick, who agrees with this remark. It “may foster a healthy environment for hair renewal” since it “may have various benefits for the hair and scalp.”
Regardless of your hair type, you can still try castor oil for hair development, even though there isn’t any genuinely scientific evidence to support it. Before washing off your shampoo, Dr. Garshick advises massaging a little castor oil onto the scalp and leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
She continues by saying that you can use castor oil as prescribed and that it is present in some of the best hair oils (her favorites are Nioxin Night Density Rescue Treatment and Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil).
What Can You Do To Help Hair Grow?
You may do many other things to speed up the process, even if castor oil has yet to be officially shown to help you grow your hair. Dr. Garshick suggests taking iron and vitamin D supplements to encourage hair growth.
She adds that utilizing anti-fungal shampoos and having in-office platelet-rich plasma procedures, which can encourage hair growth and increase hair density, can be helpful.
However, the most excellent strategy to promote hair growth is to keep it from thinning out in the first place. Additional hair loss can be prevented by minimizing damage to the hair and avoiding tight hairstyles that could put tension on the hair. It is always preferable to consult a board-certified dermatologist about your treatment choices if you have hair loss. That’s all there is to it.
With reliable clinical proof, it is possible to determine whether castor oil is the panacea for hair care that some claim it to be. That being said, there should be no issue with trying it on your own to discover how and if it works for you as long as you consult your doctor beforehand. So, until more scientific research is done, it’s best to put only a little stock in positive testimonials.
Final Words
While more research and studies are being conducted, women’s hair systems and hair toppers can also be excellent choices to cope with hair loss or thin, fine hair. They are different methods to attach them, and easier than you think. Once it has become a regular thing in your life, you can’t go without them. They will mix seamlessly and flawlessly with your natural hair so no one can tell you are a hair topper or extension wearer.
Though most permanent hair extensions need a touch-up once in a while, it’s like you need a haircut or perm once in a while, and hair extensions cause zero to no harm to your natural hair.