Does Castor Oil Help Treat Baldness?
There is more than one way to include this nourishing oil in your haircare routine.
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If you are wondering how to use castor oil for baldness, you probably have a lot of questions! We will respond to all your inquiries.
Hair loss is a difficult experience. It can be heartbreaking to watch your hair become thinner and thinner. When you are terrified to run your fingers through your tresses, it’s time to seek assistance. But how do you know which product will perform when dozens on the market guarantee to stop hair loss?
One simple approach to prevent this problem is to use natural medicines that don’t cause any adverse effects. For example, castor oil has long been used for hair loss treatment. But does it really work? Keep scrolling down to find out!
In This Article
Castor Oil For Baldness – How It Works
There is no scientific research that links castor oil to hair growth. However, proponents claim that it not only aids hair growth but also treats issues like dandruff. Here are a few reasons it may work:
- Castor oil possesses strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties (1), (2). These properties help boost scalp health and minimize hair loss caused by issues like dandruff and other kinds of scalp aggravation.
- Regular application of the oil can help boost blood circulation, which, in turn, may help flush out toxins from your hair follicles. It may also keep your follicles nourished so that they produce healthy hair.
- A lot of the time, unhealthy hair starts to thin out because of breakage. Castor oil also helps condition your hair, eliminating issues like hair-splitting and breakage (3). The added moisture also helps soothe issues like dryness and frizz, giving your hair a healthier look.
- The oil is a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, which nourish your follicles while also strengthening your roots and hair shafts. This curbs hair fall.
- Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid (4). Studies have found that the acid helps inhibit prostaglandin D2 synthase, an enzyme that can decrease hair lengthening and cause balding (5).
Let’s now understand how to use castor oil to reduce balding and aid hair regrowth.
How To Use Castor Oil
1. Castor Oil For Baldness
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which helps stimulate hair growth from dormant follicles. It may help strengthen the roots of your hair while nourishing your hair follicles. Thus, the oil may promote hair regrowth.
You Will Need
2 tablespoons castor oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process
- Heat the castor oil for a couple of seconds until it is slightly warm.
- Apply the oil to your scalp and ensure that you have every spot covered.
- Massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you have been experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil in for an additional 30 minutes. Optionally, you can leave it in overnight.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
3 times a week.
2. Mix Castor Oil And Coconut Oil
As castor oil has an extremely thick consistency, combining it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, helps it saturate your hair better. This helps boost the oil’s efficiency when it comes to improving the health of your hair shaft. Coconut oil is also extremely penetrative and will leave your hair feeling strong and deeply conditioned (6).
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process
- Combine the two oils in a bowl and heat the blend until it is slightly warm.
- Apply the oil blend to your scalp. Once you have covered your scalp, work the oil down to the tips of your hair.
- Massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you are experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil on for an additional 30 minutes. Optionally, you can leave the oil on overnight.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
3 times a week.
3. Castor Oil And Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil can help in treating issues of the scalp and boosting scalp health. It is also a rich source of vitamin C that helps boost collagen levels and promote hair growth (7). The oil also smells wonderful and will leave your hair feeling fresh!
You Will Need
- 2 1/2 tablespoons castor oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon essential oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
20 minutes
Process
- Combine the two oils in a bowl and heat the blend until it is slightly warm.
- Apply the oil blend to your scalp and ensure that you have every spot covered. Work the oil down to the tips of your hair.
- Massage your scalp for about 5 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you have been experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil on for an additional 15 minutes.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
4. Rosemary Oil And Castor Oil
Rosemary essential oil is an excellent hair regrowth stimulant that also helps fight oiliness (8). It unclogs your pores and soothes your scalp with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 2 teaspoons castor oil
- 4-5 drops rosemary essential oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
30 minutes
Process
- Pour the castor oil and coconut oil into a pan and heat over a low flame for about a minute. Ensure that the flame is set very low because you do not want to overheat the oils.
- Pour the oil into a bowl and add 4-5 drops of rosemary essential oil to it.
- Apply the oil blend to your scalp. Cover your scalp and work the oil down to the tips of your hair.
- Massage your scalp for about 5-10 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you have been experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil on for an additional 20 minutes.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
5. Mix Castor Oil With Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil also possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help it boost scalp health by tackling issues like dandruff (9),(10). It is also an effective ingredient when it comes to keeping the scalp clean. When combined with castor oil, it helps thicken your hair by curbing hair fall and boosting hair regrowth.
You Will Need
- 4-5 drops tea tree oil
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
Prep Time
2 minutes
Processing Time
45 minutes
Process
- Combine two oils in a bowl and heat the blend until it is slightly warm.
- Apply the oil blend to your scalp and ensure that you have every spot covered. Work the oil down to the tips of your hair.
- Massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you have been experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil in for an additional 30 minutes or overnight.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
3 times a week.
6. Castor Oil And Hibiscus Petals
Hibiscus helps boost the efficiency of castor oil by soothing your scalp and helping you keep your hair healthy (11). It prevents hair breakage and splitting and is an excellent hair conditioner.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon castor oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
- 2 vitamin E oil capsules
- 10-15 hibiscus petals
Prep Time
Overnight
Processing Time
1 hour
Process
- Combine all the oils in a bowl to get an oil blend. Empty the 2 capsules of vitamin oil in this blend and mix well.
- Crush the hibiscus petals and add it to the oil blend. Let it sit overnight.
- In the morning, start applying the oil blend onto your scalp and ensure that you have every spot covered. Work the oil down to the tips of your hair.
- Massage your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. Concentrate on the problem areas where you have been experiencing a lot of hair loss.
- Leave the oil on for an additional 45 minutes.
- Wash the oil out with water and a mild sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner.
How Often?
3 times a week.
Castor oil has been used to treat several issues. It helps solve hair care troubles too. Using castor oil for hair helps prevent hair loss and boost hair regrowth. Therefore, many use castor oil to treat baldness. It helps get rid of hair thinning, splitting, and breakage. Regular application of the oil can boost blood circulation and nourish hair follicles. You may follow the methods and recipes mentioned above to use castor oil for baldness. Though it is considered harmless, castor oil may cause allergic reactions in some. Therefore, do a patch test before you apply it to the scalp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which oil is best for baldness?
A blend of essential oils (like rosemary and sage oils, paired with carrier oils (like coconut or jojoba oil), stimulates hair growth effectively. Use these oils consistently at least once a week by massaging them into your scalp.
Can castor oil be applied directly to the scalp?
Yes, castor oil is a carrier oil that can be applied directly to the scalp.
How much time will castor oil take to regrow hair?
The hair growth phase indicates that it takes about 3-6 months for new hair growth. If you use castor oil consistently once or twice every week, you will see hair growth in 3-4 months.
Can I sleep with castor oil on my hair?
Yes, you can sleep with castor oil on your hair. Just wrap your hair in saran wrap or use a shower cap to prevent the oil from staining your pillow.
Can I leave castor oil on overnight?
Yes, castor oil can be left on the hair for an hour or overnight.
Sources
- Momoh, Abdul O., M. K. Oladunmoye, and T. T. Adebolu. “Evaluation of the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of oil from castor seeds (Ricinus communis Linn).” (2012).
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291994317_Evaluation_of_the_antimicrobial_and_phytochemical_properties_of_oil_from_castor_seeds_Ricinus_communis_linn - Vieira, C et al. “Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation.” Mediators of inflammation vol. 9,5 (2000): 223-8.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11200362/ - Zaid, Abdel Naser et al. “Ethnopharmacological survey of home remedies used for treatment of hair and scalp and their methods of preparation in the West Bank-Palestine.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine vol. 17,1 355.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5499037/ - Patel, Vinay R et al. “Castor Oil: Properties, Uses, and Optimization of Processing Parameters in Commercial Production.” Lipid insights vol. 9 1-12.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015816/ - Fong, Pedro et al. “In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 175 (2015): 470-80.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26456343/ - Rele, Aarti S, and R B Mohile. “Effect of mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil on prevention of hair damage.” Journal of cosmetic science vol. 54,2 (2003): 175-92.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12715094/ - Pullar, Juliet M et al. “The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health.” Nutrients vol. 9,8 866.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579659/ - Panahi, Yunes et al. “Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial.” Skinmed vol. 13,1 (2015): 15-21.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25842469/ - Carson, C F et al. “Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties.” Clinical microbiology reviews vol. 19,1 (2006): 50-62.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360273/ - Satchell, Andrew C et al. “Treatment of dandruff with 5% tea tree oil shampoo.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology vol. 47,6 (2002): 852-5.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12451368/ - Adhirajan, N et al. “In vivo and in vitro evaluation of hair growth potential of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 88,2-3 (2003): 235-9.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12963149/
