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. Dorah J. Sawe Avatar
    Dorah J. Sawe

    I am experiencing a serious thinning of my hair which is very stressful. Greatful for the information on use of Castor oil. Will definitely try this

  2. Kib Avatar

    I am experimenting with castor oil myself, it’s too soon to tell how well things are working but I’m hopeful. One thing that’s occurred to me with the stories of growth: castor oil is really thick and it makes hair heavier, I would think over time it might build up a little. So it makes sense that wavy/curly hair would be weighed down and appear longer (appear to have grown inches). Like I say I don’t have enough experience with it to say for sure, but I’d be curious to see if the people who perceive the most growth have the curliest hair. The fact that Mama noticed “more growth” on her curly ringlet seems to support the theory. ???

  3. Antonia Avatar
    Antonia

    Hi my name is Antonia and it is my first time visiting this website. I have tried eyelash extension and it wasn’t really my thing so when i saw this I was very interested in trying the nature way. I wanted to know if there is a difference between using a regular castor oil from a cold pressed castor oil ? And also would it still work if i only use castor oil and coconut oil?

  4. Arnell Avatar
    Arnell

    I was wondering if rubbing the caster oil into your scalp will help your (my) paper thin fingernails get thicker also. Hair and fingernails are a lot the same.
    Also do I have to remove ALL of my mascara before applying the oil at night.

  5. Ana Avatar

    How soon do you see results with castor oil? I just tried and although I know it won’t happen quickly, when do you see improvements in hair thickness and all that?

  6. Krista Avatar

    What would your thoughts be on adding rosemary and cedar wood? I have been using those mixed with jojoba oil as an eyelash serum.

  7. julia roberts Avatar
    julia roberts

    Hibiscus Leaves And Acacia Concinna is one of the best home remedies for longer hair growth.

  8. Mon-T Avatar

    Just a 3-5 drops for your whole head? Also- where is castor oil in the store?

    1. Jocelyn A Avatar
      Jocelyn A

      It’s usually where you can find the laxatives if you go to the pharmacy health stores like CVS, Walgreens, etc. It’s also sold in the supermarkets, the tiny section with first aid, and magnesium citrates, etc.. If you have an ethnic beauty supply store near you, or a sally’s, get the Jamaican Black Castor oil, but make sure it is only “castor oil” as the ingredients. These days there are marketing ploys where the bottles states one thing and the ingredient list things like cheap soybean or grapeseed oil, so beware.

  9. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I have been using castor oil for my hair for only a few weeks now and have experienced a dramatic difference in the health of my hair. I use 1tsp castor to 3 tsp jojoba/argan/olive with just a few drops of rosemary, ylang-ylang, cedarwood, and vetiver essential oils (about 5 drops each) and apply more to the scalp (one full dropper per parted area) so that the strands are coated to the ends. I have noticed that my hair is smoother, thicker feeling, and shinier between washes. It also stays detangled longer and is easier to brush through. I could not attest to hair growth, because I haven’t been measuring my hair, but I certainly love the way it feels and even smells.

    1. Jocelyn A Avatar
      Jocelyn A

      My scalp has turned around too with the use of oils. To be honest, I didn’t care much about hair growth, although the bald spots are closing in. I was more concerned with the itchiness and the inflammation on my scalp. I used everything you mentioned and more, except for the ylang ylang. I get a premade oil blend from amazon- Conscious Essence, every two months- so I don’t have to mix it myself. My spots are growing in like I said, but that isn’t really a concern of mine.

  10. Dianna Avatar

    Do you apply on wet or dry hair? Can I apply on wet hair, leave it in and the blow dry?

  11. Nathalie 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?

  12. Meenakshi Malhotra Avatar
    Meenakshi Malhotra

    I’m a Indian housewife I don’t know what result to use the castor oil for hair but my hair is so rough and short I want long,healthy nd silky hair please tell me how to use castor oil for my hair please tell me… Thank you very much….

  13. Natalie Avatar

    Hi I’m new to this thread. I’d like to check whether I should be applying the oil mixture on the scalp before or after washing my hair?? Many thanks in advance.

  14. Jack Avatar

    If I massage my scalp with a mix of castor oil and argon oil will it help me regrow hair? My hairs falling out at the temples and crown. Could that mix regrow my hair?

  15. chloe allen Avatar
    chloe allen

    Thank you for such an awesome article dear and from my experience with sheamoisture I want to share that i am using conditioner for detangling hair for my hair Because this leave-in conditioner is a reparative hair care solution enriched with Jamaican Black Castor Oil rich in essential fatty acids which nourish hair scalp and promote hair growth.

  16. sana Avatar

    hi… I’ve read that castor oil promotes hair growth.. so if I use it on my skin as a moisturizer will it make the hair on my arms and legs grow thicker and faster… this is a worry…

  17. Erin Rood Avatar
    Erin Rood

    Hey! I’ve had 4 babies in 7 years and process my hair every few months so it’s definitely time to do some repair work! I noticed it seems thin in my temple area. I have read SO many good reviews about castor oil so I placed an order and plan to start later this week. I am curious if it’s ok to just put straight castor oil (small amount) on my scalp, leave it over night and then wash it out the next morning? Will this cause my pores to clog? I don’t want to make my thinning problem worse by using it the wrong way!
    Thanks!

  18. Maggie Avatar

    I am so excited to try this! Postpartum hair loss is no joke! And my thyroid is a little low so that is probably contributing. I will be updating once I get the ingredients and hopefully some progress. -Maggie

3.75 from 90 votes (75 ratings without comment)

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