There are many ways to use castor oil to encourage hair growth. Others leave the oil on overnight, while some massage it into their scalps and let it sit for two to three hours before washing it off. You can select the approach that feels most comfortable to you.
“Castor oil contains fatty acids, oleic acid, and linoleic acid, as well as vitamin E, minerals, and protein,” explains Shahnaz Husain, founder, chairperson, and managing director, The Shahnaz Husain Group, India.
“Hence, it can nourish the hair follicles and promote hair growth. In fact, it can even improve the texture of your hair as well as its colour if your hair’s damaged by the sun,” she adds.
To add to that, castor oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, which can benefit dry, itchy, and flaky scalp conditions too according to Husain.
It is a long-used, non-volatile, pale yellow oil that is viscous. It is also a common beauty essential for hair growth and scalp treatment that is effective without robbing the hair of its natural moisture. Castor oil has a special fatty acid composition that gives it a special structure and makes it the ideal humectant for sealing in moisture, nourishing the hair shaft, and accelerating hair growth. Because it contains fatty acids and vitamin E, castor oil promotes hair growth when combined with other carrier oils. It strengthens the hair roots and increases blood circulation. One of the main components of castor oil, ricinoleic acid, has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it might aid in lowering scalp inflammation. Castor oil’s antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties may be able to treat hair loss. Using the oil could shield your scalp from infections. Compared to other carrier oils, castor oil has the highest concentration of fatty acids (99% of which are long-chain carbonic acids, such as omega-6 fatty acids). According to a study, omega-6 fatty acids (arachidonic acid) increase the growth factors in human dermal papilla cells, which in turn promotes the growth of hair.
