Both of our hair experts recommend cold-pressed castor oil. “Cold-pressed castor oil can be used on the hair shaft. However, black castor oil should be applied only to the scalp,” explains Dr. Hill.
If your hair tends to be dry and prone to breakage and split ends, castor oil can help. When using castor oil for hair, consistency is key. Apply it regularly and you will keep the hair shaft moisturized, which can increase hair's flexibility and reduce hair breakage.
It should be thought of as a weekly treatment and is not meant for daily use. He suggests applying a small amount of castor oil to dry hair once per week, leaving it on for 30 minutes or longer, then washing it out with a clarifying shampoo.
Massage the oil into your scalp. Apply castor oil to the rest of your hair, using the comb to ensure even coverage. It doesn't need to be soaked through with oil, but all of your hair should be moist. Once applied, put the shower cap on, ensuring all hair is tucked inside.
Although you can apply castor oil to dry hair, dampening your hair may help the oil absorb better. A quick way to dampen your hair is to fill a spray bottle with water, and spray just your scalp. Your hair should just be a little damp, not dripping wet.
Leave the oil in for a minimum of 15-20 minutes. You could also leave it on overnight. You will need to shampoo multiple times to get rid of the oil. You may also condition your hair with a commercial conditioner 30 minutes before you take a shower.
How to use castor oil for edges? Application is simple: Use a small amount of castor oil on your edges daily. If you prefer, you can apply it at night instead. Some women also use this oil to tame their edges when styling, thanks to its ability to smoothen and hold hair down.
If you naturally produce a lot of oil, you may only need to oil your ends about once a week. If you have lower sebum production, you may need to oil your roots and ends every couple of days. It will also depend on what type of oil you are using since some are heavier or more penetrative than others.
With castor oil, your hair is also lesser prone to split-ends. Just applying it at the ends of your hair every night before you sleep is enough to prevent dry and damaged ends. Regular application of castor oil also repairs brittle hair prone to breakage, thereby enhancing the overall health and texture of your hair.
Coconut oil works well for those wishing to repair brittle hair and split ends, and is recommended for people with slow hair growth. Benefits: Coconut oil has many benefits, including protecting against heat damage and repairing damaged and broken hair.
Being very astringent in nature, castor oil can cause irritations to the skin. This could further lead to dryness, sensitivity, and even loss of hair and that's clearly not something you would want.
Castor oil is one of the most effective, in fact, the best oil for split ends having the tendency to grow your hair faster and decrease the chances of hair breakage and thinning. Also, it eliminates dandruff woes, so look for the hair oil that has castor oil in it, and you're sorted!
DON'T Apply to the roots
Like most shine-enhancing products, a hair oil should be applied to the mid-lengths and ends only. Applying too much product at the roots can weigh hair down and, as it's rich in nourishing oils, it may cause unwanted greasiness.
You can use castor oil in a couple of different ways. Apply it directly to the skin, use it through a castor oil pack, or mix it with other oils to use it as a topical remedy. Orally, add it to milk or lukewarm water or taken in the form of a supplement.
While you can technically leave castor oil in your hair overnight, leaving any oil on overnight or for longer than four hours should only be done intermittently, says Gaunitz. "After four to six hours the oil will break down and begin to collect dead skin cells and debris leading to possible inflammation."
Absolutely. Applying the oil while the hair is wet will nourish and protect it from frizz and pollution as it dries into a subtly shiny version of its natural texture. Once the hair is dry, you may pump a touch more oil into your palm, rub it between your hands and smooth it over your lengths and ends.
Don't Overuse The Oil
Applying too much oil to your hair means you'd have to use extra shampoo to wash it off. This will strip away your hair's natural oils along with the excess oil you're attempting to get off.
Overnight oiling is good for your hair. It is recommended so that the oils can thoroughly penetrate deep into your scalp. You get maximum benefits from doing it.
The tl;dr: no. "Castor oil will not grow hair," says Perry Romanowski, a cosmetic chemist and the author of Beginning Cosmetic Chemistry. "There is no evidence for it and no scientific theory supporting that it would work. So yes, it's a total myth."
Prevents hair loss
Unlike other oils, castor contains several nutrients that consist of a powerful mix of proteins, vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants. Hence, it provides the scalp with the nourishment it requires. This doesn't just prevent hair loss but also ensures healthy hair growth.
1. Mix four parts of a carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil both work) with one part castor oil. 2. Blend together, then apply to ends as the last step in your styling process, or before you shampoo.
"Overheating your hair with styling tools causes damaged areas and split ends," he says. "Try to use the low or medium setting when possible, and limit the use of hot tools on the vulnerable parts of your hair." If your hair relies heavily on hot tools, ensure you're protecting it with a heat protectant spray.