Castor oil is one of those old fashioned remedies that used to be used for everything, but has since fallen from the public eye somewhat. However, it is making a comeback – not so much for internal use, as in its previous existence, but as a tonic for hair.
It’s becoming more and more popular, and is being used in hairdressing salons and private bathrooms up and down the country – and all over the world, in fact! Read on to learn more on how often should I use castor oil for hair growth.
Benefits of castor oil for hair
A good quality castor oil has a good few benefits going for it:
- It is highly moisturising for the scalp
- It can reduce the problem of dandruff
- It makes your hair smooth and shiny
- It can encourage hair growth, and decelerate hair loss
All these exciting properties come from the basic make up of castor oil – it is made from the castor bean, which is very high in ricinoleic acid, which is purported to be able to stimulate the hair follicles, make them healthier, and promote hair growth.
Castor oil is a very heavy oil, so you may wish to dilute it with a carrier oil before you slather it onto your scalp – or just go the whole hog and rub it straight in, especially if you have especially thick or coarse hair.
Simple tips for using Castor Oil
Whichever way you try, follow these simple tips to get the most benefit from your castor oil application:
- Rub a small amount of castor oil between your hands to warm it so that it is runnier and easier to apply.
- Massage it deeply into your scalp, and you can apply it to the mid sections of your hair too (best to avoid the ends, as this can lead to tangling).
- Let it soak in for anywhere between 15 minutes and 3 hours. A great time to put your feet off and have a cuppa!
- Rinse it out well. You can use shampoo, or you can just rinse well with warm water.
You can, as an extra treat, blow dry your hair before you rinse it out, to spread the oil out fully, and warm it better to increase its properties. If you do this, comb it through with a wide toothed comb to get it through the strands.
Another tip is to apply the oil before you go to bed; pop a shower cap on your head then sleep on it, and shampoo and condition the oil out in the morning.
How often to use it?
It is usually recommended that you use a castor oil treatment not more than once a week, despite its many benefits, as castor oil is a rather thick oil, and too much of it can build up in your hair and cause it to look a bit greasy.
Another reason to take a little care with the application of castor oil is that it can lead to “hair felting” – a serious matting together of the hair which can lead to having to cut off the matted areas, as it very hard to reverse hair felting once it starts.
This is why you should limit your castor oil treatment to once a week, or twice at the very most, to avoid causing any problems.
It can be immensely frustrating to not be able to grow long, flowing locks. Or, to be able to grow it long but to have no body. Well, now there is a solution without having to resort to expensive hair extensions, or wearing a hat every time you go out!
Castor oil will offer you the chance to give you hair a boost, add some much needed shine, and remove any possibility of dandruff ruining your big night out.
There is also the chance to grow more, thicker hair (some say hair can grow as much as five times more with the use of castor oil).
Final words
We should say that as yet there is no scientific evidence to prove, once and for all, that castor oil makes your hair grow.
On the other hand, centuries’ worth of anecdotal evidence is something to go on! You really have nothing to lose – even if it doesn’t suddenly transform you into Rapunzel, it will do your hair good and give you some lovely shine.
