Does Black Castor Oil Grow Hair? Whether as a solution to thinning hair or to get healthy tresses, here’s the answer!
The internet hack that castor oil can be the holy grail for gorgeous, thick hair has been going on for quite a long. It is thus not surprising to think that it probably works. But before you jump into the trend and add black castor oil to your hair routine, take a step back. Is it just confirmation bias or does black castor oil grow hair? Let’s find out below!
What Is Black Castor Oil?
Did you know that castor oil and “black castor oil” are actually different? Well, black castor oil is made, first by roasting castor beans and then using heat to extract the oil.
In yellow or the original castor oil, this heat is not used and there lies the difference. Since, the process of making the black castor oil first started in Jamaica, it is often also referred to as the Jamaican black castor oil.
Regardless of the make, castor oil is rich in nutrients, fatty acids, antioxidants, and proteins. One of the most active compounds in castor oil is ricin or ricinoleic acid, which lends the oil many nourishing properties, making it great for hair.
Benefits of Black Castor Oil For Hair Growth
1. As a Moisturizer
As a natural humectant, castor oil preserves moisture in the scalp, thus boosting scalp and hair health. Castor oil is often used in cleansers, makeup, and lotion. When used with carrier oils like coconut, almond, or olive oil, it can yield great results for your hair growth.
2. To Nourish and Hydrate Your Hair
Quite related to the previous point, castor oil also is a natural emollient. As it is rich in ricinoleic acid, it seals in the natural oils in your hair that ultimately hydrate and nourishes it. You can thus expect to see stronger and healthier hair after using castor oil. Here are different recipes for using black castor oil on your hair.
3. Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Properties
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, castor oil can soothe an irritated, dry, flashing scalp. Though this is not directly related to hair growth, one can only have good hair growth if their scalp is healthy. Plus, inflammation can also sometimes cause hair loss, in case castor oil can be helpful.
Its antifungal and antimicrobial properties also help reduce dryness and help boost scalp health.
Can Black Castor Oil Help Grow Hair?
The short answer is no; castor oil cannot directly make your hair grow. Also, there isn’t enough scientific evidence supporting using black castor oil for hair growth.
However, as listed above, black castor oil’s properties can provide the conditions in your scalp for hair growth, and many people swear by the home remedy. Why not give it a try?
Black castor oil may not be the number of treatment for hair growth but you can incorporate it in your routine for its proven benefits.
Risks and Limitations of Using Castor Oil
Castor oil can be potent and/or irritating if you have underlying medical conditions or allergies. Here are the risks and limitations you must know when using black castor oil.
- Castor oil may cause allergic reactions, so you should do a patch test by diluting it with a carrier oil (2-3 drops in a tablespoon of the carrier), especially when using it for the first time.
- Avoid castor oil if you have underlying scalp conditions, such as dermatitis. In such cases, you should consult a medical professional before using black castor oil for hair.
- Castor oil can be pretty dense, and washing it out can be quite a chore. It may even stay in your hair longer than you intend, eventually leading to excessive hair washing that damages it.
Now that you know if black castor oil can actually grow hair or not, it’s time to test it out for yourself. However, always be careful of the risks involved. Let us know in the comments below if you see hair growth!