How to Use Castor Oil for Hair (Grow Beautiful Hair Fast)

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Castor Oil for Thicker and Longer Hair
Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » How to Use Castor Oil for Hair (Grow Beautiful Hair Fast)

I’ve been experimenting a lot with castor oil lately as a natural beauty remedy. I already use it in my oil cleansing blend each day, and I’m enjoying the results from using castor oil packs on my skin.

Years ago, a friend mentioned that she loved castor oil for hair and eyelashes. I was really skeptical because castor oil has a very thick and sticky consistency that I couldn’t imagine using in hair. I did some research and found out that I had been seriously missing out on a simple and really effective traditional beauty remedy…

Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair and Skin

Castor oil is an age-old beauty treatment that has been largely replaced over time by fancier beauty products with more ingredients and a bigger price tag.

Castor oil has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties and is high in vitamin E, minerals, proteins, and omega-6 and -9 beneficial fatty acids. Its unusually high ricinoleic acid ratio makes it beneficial to skin and hair.

In fact, castor oil has traditionally been used topically for acne and other skin conditions, as well as hair loss, rashes, and more. If you want to try it for skincare, I recommend this handcrafted castor oil.

What Does Castor Oil Do for the Hair?

Castor oil can be used on the scalp to help prevent and remedy hair loss and it is effective at this for several reasons. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties make it beneficial against follliculitus, dandruff, and scalp infections and its ricinoleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair growth.

Ricinoleic acid is also said to help balance scalp pH which can also help replenish the scalp’s natural oils and undo some of the damage of harsh chemical hair products (and even damage from no-poo, due to over alkalinity). The antioxidants in castor oil also support the keratin in hair and help make hair stronger, smoother, and less frizzy.

“Three Times the Growth!”

How to do a castor oil treatment for natural hair and eyelash growth- simple natural remedy

There are hundreds of testimonials from people who used castor oil to increase their hair growth 3-5 times the normal rate. A friend of mine was struggling with postpartum hair loss and even once her hair loss slowed, regrowing her hair was difficult.

She measured her hair growth for a month and it grew almost half an inch. The next month, after using castor oil hair treatments twice a week, her hair had grown almost 2 inches. She tested this again the following month and noticed the same result and that her hair was dramatically thicker.

What Type of Castor Oil for Hair?

There are several options for castor oil hair treatments. I prefer to make my own.

To make my own, I mix castor oil with another hair-healthy oil (options listed below) and herbs to help support scalp health. Unrefined and cold-pressed hexane-free castor oil is preferred.

Castor oil is extremely thick and viscous so I prefer to mix with jojoba or argan oil in a glass dropper bottle for easy application.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

There is a special type of castor oil called Jamaican black castor oil that has extremely good reviews. I tried it as well and it seemed to work about the same as regular castor oil on my hair, but it seems that it might provide additional benefit for those with thick or dry hair (my hair is fine/oily).

How to Use Castor Oil Treatments on Hair

Castor oil can be very beneficial for hair growth if used correctly. Small amounts of plain oil can be used for an all-over treatment. Like many things in life, more is not always better, and only a few drops are needed per treatment. The additional oils are completely optional.

How Often

I personally use this castor oil 1-2 times per week. It can be used more often, though I didn’t see any increased results with using it daily.

When to Use

I’ve found that this treatment works better on damp but not wet hair. I keep a spray bottle of water in the bathroom and just spritz my roots before applying.

How to use castor oil for thicker and longer hair naturally

For maximum benefit, I leave the treatment on for several hours or overnight. After applying, I use a shower cap or towel to avoid getting the oil on furniture or a pillow.

How to Remove the Oil

Removing the castor oil can be difficult, especially with natural shampoos. I’ve found that using a small amount and leaving it on overnight will result in most of the oil absorbing into the hair and scalp and make cleanup easier. In fact, I’ve been able to use dry shampoo and not wash on a few occasions. When I do shampoo, I use a natural shampoo or mud shampoo as normal.

An alternate way is to crack an egg and whisk until smooth and then massage the egg into the scalp. This helps break down the oil and adds additional nutrients to the hair. It is messy though, so I’d recommend doing this in the shower.

Another less-messy way is to condition your hair before getting in the shower, massaging conditioner into the scalp to help remove the castor oil. Then, shampoo as usual.

Important Notes:

With any new oil, herb, or product, test a tiny amount on your inner arm to make sure you don’t have a reaction. While reactions are rare, some people will notice irritation from castor oil.

I’ve also used this in combination with my hair growth serum with great results. (I use the serum first to dampen hair, then apply the castor oil.)

It is also important to support the body nutritionally and hormonally with hair loss, as this can often be a sign of an internal problem.

BONUS TIP: I rub a tiny amount of castor oil on my eyelids at night to help eyelash growth as well. It is also part of my eyelash growth serum recipe.

Castor Oil for Thicker and Longer Hair
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3.75 from 90 votes

Castor Oil Hair Serum Recipe

A mix of castor oil and jojoba will make a hair serum to help your hair grow faster, stronger, and smoother.
Prep Time1 minute
Yield: 0
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • Combine the ingredients in a dark-colored dropper bottle.
  • Shake to mix.
  • Use the dropper to apply to the scalp. I part my hair right above the ear on one side, add a few drops of castor oil, part again about ½ inch from that part, add more castor oil, and so on until I’ve coated my whole scalp.
  • Then, I massage for 5 minutes to make sure entire scalp is coated and to help increase circulation.

Notes

This will make enough for 5+ uses depending on the length of your hair.
If you’re not a fan of using castor oil, some people have found coconut oil for hair to be a better fit.
For best hair health, I recommed using the above with Wellnesse Shampoo and Conditioner (from yours truly!), which I formulated to meet all of my criteria for safe, non-toxic, and naturally nourishing hair care.

My Own Results with Castor Oil…

Last year, when I was under extreme stress for a short period of time (finishing my book *ahem*), I noticed increased hair loss. My Hashimoto’s makes me more susceptible to hair loss when I’m under stress, and I was stressed about my hair loss (vicious cycle).

To combat this, I experimented with natural castor oil treatments both alone and mixed with other oils. I too noticed that my hair seemed stronger and that there was definitely less hair in my brush each day after a few weeks of castor oil treatments. Additionally, I started seeing tiny new hairs all around my hair line.

Random observation:

I split my head open when I was younger, requiring 8 staples in my scalp. Where the scar is, I have a patch of super-curly hair that falls in a perfect ringlet, even though the rest of my hair is wavy/straight. The castor oil seemed to help make this hair patch smoother, though it grew at a faster rate than the rest of my hair.

Now, I’ve made these castor oil hair treatments a regular part of my weekly routine and often do them at night, while wearing my blue blocker glasses and reading or watching a movie with my hubby.

This article was medically reviewed by Madiha Saeed, MD, a board certified family physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Ever used castor oil? What was your best oil blend?

My favorite simple and effective beauty remedy- castor oil for hair. Learn how to reverse hair loss and grow amazing hair that is thicker, longer and stronger.

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

628 responses to “How to Use Castor Oil for Hair (Grow Beautiful Hair Fast)”

  1. Elle Avatar

    I have read the raves about Castor Oil for eyelashes and eyebrows for years – I’m jealous of those who have results! Unfortunately, every time I have used castor oil on my eyelashes, I get a stye. And I used it religiously on my eyebrows for about 5 months and had no results on my eyebrows. So just a heads up to be careful with the eyelashes, if you’re sensitive.

  2. Cindy Avatar

    Just found the answer to my question of whether Castor OIl will actually penetrate the hair or just sit on top of it. http://journal.scconline.org/pdf/cc2005/cc056n05/p00283-p00295.pdf This study says castor oil only sits on top, so it’s not really good to moisturize the hair. Now…it still has properties for the scalp which might help grow hair, but if you have dry hair and want to moisturize it from the inside out, the only oils I have read that have small enough cell structure to cross INTO the hair shaft, and not just coat the strand, are coconut, olive and avocado.

  3. Cindy Avatar

    Has anyone researched to see if Castor Oil has small enough cellular structure to actually cross into the hair shaft and not just sit on top? Most oils are too large, cell wise, to cross into the hair shaft. Years ago, I read an article from a scientist, stating that the only 3 oils small enough to cross into the hair shaft were olive, coconut and avocado oil. So I don’t really know if Castor Oil can truly go INTO the hair and not just sit on top of it. I will try to do a search and see if I can find out

    1. Rosina Lock Avatar
      Rosina Lock

      i would be extremely cautious about purchasing PURA DOR OIL!!! As per the above praising this oil up?? I saw 8,878 reviews to which just the first page alone 8 OUT OF TEN REVIEWS SAID THEIR HAIR IS FALLING LIKE CRAZY, DRY ITCHY SCALPS, OIL HAIR, DANDRUFF, SEVERE HAIR LOSS? THE LIST IS ENDLESS. Whilst it might be “amazing” by the above lady, many are receiving this product as FREE! Hence many praising it up, IT IS EXPENSIVE IF YOU BUY IT! That is how they get their customers! Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com PLEASE – IF YOU SEE THOUSANDS ALL SAYING A PRODUCT IS BRILLIANT? YOU CAN VOUCH THAT IT ISN’T! These are just products that are being HYPED UP TO SELL THEM. – PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!
      I have also gone through 197 reviews regarding Castor Oil? And the reason I came online was because I was sorting out some drawers and found 100 Per cent certified organic Castor Oil? And wondered why I had put it away? It must have been there a couple of years? And although the date isn’t up until 2017, not sure what I paid for it, but it is now selling at around £18.50 – AH! Now I realise why I never touched it? There are far too many people on here desperately unhappy with severe hair loss, I wouldn’t even attempt to try this Castor Oil treatment! Whilst it may work for some, for many it isn’t and I wouldn’t want to take that chance. I am a 70 year old lady (looking 40 thank goodness) lol – I have long blonde hair (colour treated) and have been using L’Oréal Nice N Easy for many years, and coloured it not because I am going grey or have white hair? I don’t have a single grey hair! Last Christmas after years of using Nice N Easy, a few weeks later my hair began to itch like mad, my hair was knotty tangly you name it I had it, and started for the very first time to get hair loss! I could see it had got a lot thinner. Thank goodness, no bald patches, nothing like that, but it was so knotty I couldn’t get a comb in it and the itching of my scalp made me feel so unhappy. So what did I do? I decided not to colour my hair whilst it was like this? I then realised L’oreal had changed their formula!! And others were experiencing hair loss, and hair damage? It is now December 2016, and I have not coloured my hair since Christmas 2015! The results? My hair loss has stopped, my hair growth is about 5 inches and my roots and hair 5 inches is ALL DARK BROWN! I don’t have wiry hair like 70 year olds have, it is soft and very silky looking, yet I have used nothing, but recently it started to get a bit tangly again? But there is no way I am going to try this Castor Oil, I believe the guy who came online and said nothing will make your hair grow at an alarming rate, and if you believe it does? Then it has to be in your mind, because like the guy said, it made sense. I also realised after a lot of research and that is what I am, a researcher mostly medical, but yes I have researched hair problems and every single hair product that everyone stated grows their hair? CASTOR OIL; COCONUT OIL; HORSETAIL; BIOTIN; ET.ETC. Whilst they are all supposed to be brilliant for hair loss? Many are experiencing chronic hair loss! I won’t even go there because I do realise how desperate many people are on this forum but please – if you are suffering severe hair loss and at your wits end – do you really want to try something that so many are finding has made their hair loss even worse? If you do decide to try Castor Oil and I don’t doubt that it might do good for a lot of people, what about the other 20 percent? If you really are desperate and want to give it a go? Give it a try, but if you find your hair loss gets worse STOP IT IMMEDIATELY! Because it will only make you more unhappy. I felt awfully upset and choked after reading about a young woman on here who doesn’t want to live anymore or face the future due to her hair loss? Please if you are still online? IT ISN’T WORTH TAKING YOUR LIFE! Please, there are lots of pretty wigs which look natural until you can find a solution – I know you are desperate but you will find a solution! Just keep researching! Me? I have decided to let my blonde hair grow out, I have about 5 inches of very dark brown hair growing through (which was my natural colour) I cut an inch off every couple of months, and I am being asked to let it all grow out, I just hope I don’t start going grey or white lol – otherwise I shall have grey/white hair, dark brown hair and blonde! lol. I wish everyone the best of luck in their search, just be very careful but I don’t think I want to try any of these “miracle cures” I am happy to try egg yolks, will research black seed oil and a couple of other things, but as soon as I read someone losing their hair! I disregard my idea of trying it, and I hope you will too. For the people that are very happy with what they have tried, be it Castor Oil or anything else, congratulations, I hope the products continue to work? But I am happy to stick with a bit of Rosemary oil, egg yolks etc. I want to keep my hair – not lose it lol. I am writing this at Christmas time which is just a couple of weeks ago SO MAY I WISH ONE AND ALL A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS! Rosina Lock via facebook.

      1. Anna Avatar

        I would like to respectfully say, having polite friends will make you feel 30 years younger, but I doubt you look it. Its interesting that would believe a *man* who says he is a scientist and firmly states nothing will grow your hair faster. That is not my experience, and I can’t be the only person who knows how to grow hair…fast. As for using castor oil, I use it. More people comment on disasters then on what works, hence the word *secret*. I have long, blond hair that I massage castor oil into the scalp lightly with my finger tips, I cut it with different oils, maybe not. I’ll sit in the sauna, or sleep with it then wash it out with an organic shampoo. I’ve never experienced hair shed, quite the opposite. When I am stressed and I do notice a problem, castor oil is my go-to oil. Now as to making my hair grow faster, yes to that also, so does inverting. When one has had long hair their entire life (I’m 58) you know the way it behaves, you know how it grows and when its not right. Like quite a few women, I’ve had a time with changing hormones and menopause, castor oil helped me through this. My hair continues to grow just shy of 1/2 inch per month, I know this because I have bangs and trim the hair monthly or it gets into my eyes. Just saying, I know plenty of 70 year old women who don’t dye their hair, and its not wiry either.

  4. Kimberly Avatar

    I have never had trouble until sometime after our sons were born, but I have developed two very deep hair parts on the back of my scalp that I never had before (one on both sides in the back of my head). The hair just parts drastically to opposite directions and is impossible to comb out or deter. Does anyone have any remedies for this?

  5. Emily Avatar

    Please help. My hair has always been my pride and joy. I figured since it is pretty damn healthy, it could deal with some bleach damage. And I figured the master stylist who did all the color-corrections would know how much would be too much. I was wrong, and now I want to burst into tears every time I look at my hair or touch it. I just don’t know what to do. my hair has also NEVER been shorter than this and it breaks and falls out. What should i do to regrow hair?

  6. Kirby Avatar

    Wellness Mama! Can you use the Jamaican black castor oil by itself? Or does it need to be diluted with another oil like jojoba/argan? (I only have olive oil right now). Thanks!
    Does it hurt to use it more than 2 times a week?

  7. bart Avatar

    I am 41years old male. I lost part of my hair on my calves. Mostly in the back below the knees down.
    Is it possible to use castor oil to restore the hair there?

  8. Relindis Avatar
    Relindis

    Can i use any kind of castor oil. That is the castor oil that is not written on it for hair grow and thinkness and can i mix castor oil and sneck oil before applying on my hair. Pls reply

  9. Jennie Avatar

    I have struggled with my hair for a long time now. I am quickly approaching my 40s and I have bad hair quality. Recently, I have also noticed that my hair has stopped growing as it used to. A few years ago I went to the salon on a monthly basis. Now, it takes me almost two months before I even need to cut my hair! I am desperate and I really need help right now. Hair is one of the most important parts of a woman and I don’t want to give up on this one. I went to the doctors but they didn’t found anything wrong with me. The exams I took showed that I am healthy and there’s no reason for this to even happen to me. Please, I really need hair advice urgently!!!!!!!!!!!!

  10. Sarah Avatar

    I am wanting to try castor oil for my thinning hair but my husband and I are thinking about trying for a baby. I know castor oil can be used to induce contractions…any chance it would be harmful to my baby when applied on my hair? Better safe than sorry!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      Always check with your Dr. to be sure, but castor oil causes contractions when ingested because it causes raging diarrhea… So it shouldn’t be a problem on your head 😉

  11. Rachel Avatar

    Can I use castor oil on my scalp and eyelids while breastfeeding or pregnant?

  12. Adam Avatar

    Alright so as a guy with short to medium length hair I’m going to assume it’s fairly easy to apply and remove once done (and please correct me if I’m wrong) but anyways here is my million dollar question. Can I make a much bigger batch or will the oils start to separate or will there be any negative consequences from making a much larger batch of mixed oils? I ask because the only jars I have are the big dark amber jars I used at one point to store my weed in.

  13. Nancy Avatar

    My hair has always been my pride and joy. I figured since it is pretty damn healthy, it could deal with some bleach damage. And I figured the master stylist who did all the color-corrections would know how much would be too much. I was wrong, and now I want to burst into tears every time I look at my hair or touch it. I just don’t know what to do. my hair has also NEVER been shorter than this and it breaks and falls out. What should i do to regrow hair?

  14. Tia Avatar

    Is there a non-toxic, plastic-free shower cap that you recommend?

  15. Krykino Looi Avatar
    Krykino Looi

    Hi wellness mama, in your article you just mentioned you will mix castor oil and jojoba oil or argan oil. Can I mix those 3 oils together to treat hair loss?

  16. Mary Avatar

    Hi I would like to know the brand name and dosage and how long you let it sit in your hair before shampooing out 🙂

  17. Raquel Avatar
    Raquel

    Hi! Can you tell me the dosage if i mix Castor oil and Argan oil? i read both have good benefits for hair regrowth. thanks!

3.75 from 90 votes (75 ratings without comment)

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