The lack of substantial hair growth can become a problem for a variety of reasons. It can be because of a stressful daily life, hormonal imbalances, poor diet, or genetics. Regardless of what the reason may be, over time it can have an adverse effect on the individual's self-esteem.

The reason that lack of hair growth is a growing concern among people is that it's irreversible. Unless you undergo treatments like hair transplants, PRP therapy, and corticosteroid injections, there may not be a sustainable solution.

This applies to people who are just starting to experience heavy hair fall, thinning hair, and stunted growth, who are most likely in their early 20s. Unfortunately, most people of that age don't qualify for aggressive treatments like hair grafting.

This is because hair fall that begins in the early 20s is often a result of genetics and a family history of baldness. In that case, the concerned individual will continue to lose hair. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to benefit from transplants because they have apparent bald patches, so the success rate is higher. 

And therefore, a large chunk of the population turns to beauty brands to help with hair growth. But it's not that easy. The right hair products can help you take care of your existing hair and improve your scalp and hair health, but there is no guarantee that they will help with hair loss.

The best you can do is maintain your hair and try to make it healthier. Many people believe that home remedies can be an extremely useful tool in promoting healthy hair. One of the most treasured ingredients you can find at home is oil.

Bhringraj oil, amla oil, olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, rosemary oil, Jamaican black castor oil, and golden castor oil have been used in DIY masks to boost the quality of the hair by making it shinier, smoother, and more defined.

Castor oil, in particular, has been in the limelight for quite some time. It contains several nutrients that can bring life to your hair and improve the health of your hair follicles.

 

But, can it help with hair growth? Let's find out.

 

Castor Oil and its Benefits

All natural oils are believed to be an agent of hair growth, especially castor oil. Many believe castor oil has healing properties that can help with hair health. Some even have strong faith in its effectiveness to treat hair loss. 

However, there has been no scientific evidence to prove that castor oil itself helps with hair growth. While there are anecdotes that swear by castor oil's ability to grow hair, there is no solid proof. 

This does not mean that it doesn't have other benefits that apply to hair health. Let's look at some benefits of castor oil to understand why it's a highly regarded natural oil.

 

Nourishing and Moisturizing

Castor oil is known for having nourishing properties. Unlike most oils that are promoted in the market, castor oil has genuine nutritional properties. It contains proteins, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants, making it one of the most sought-after ingredients used in hair products these days.

There's no doubt that castor oil can do wonders for maintaining scalp and hair health. It nourishes damaged hair follicles to make the scalp a more habitable space to grow hair. While castor oil doesn't help with hair growth, it promotes hair growth.

Furthermore, it can help in certain cases of hair loss caused by stress, hormonal imbalance, lack of vitamins, etc.

 

Antimicrobial Properties

Castor oil is antimicrobial in nature. In cases of fungal overgrowth on the scalp, it can help fight off the bacteria. This is important because the overgrowth of bacteria can damage the scalp and lead to scalp inflammation, and since castor oil is anti-inflammatory, it can help deal with an irritated scalp.

 

Scalp Flaking

A dry scalp can be managed easily and is nothing to be scared of. However, in some cases, it leads to a flaky scalp. This is because the scalp isn't receiving enough moisture. Castor oil can not only moisturize but also help clean any residual dirt on the scalp. This is because castor oil is polarized and is inclined to attract dirt while purifying the surface of the skin.

 

Breakage

Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid that can improve blood circulation to the scalp. This creates a healthy flow of nutrients to the scalp, making the hair follicles healthier, which can lead to thicker and more robust strands and relatively less breakage.

Furthermore, castor oil is a natural humectant, making it an effective conduit for sealing in moisture and shine. Hair that is not prone to split ends, dryness, and damage is likely to grow at a more restorative pace.

 

Helps Other Products Work Well

One of the most impressive qualities of castor oil is that it makes it possible for other products to work effectively. Regular use of castor oil can rid your hair of dirt, product residue, and excess oil. This allows other products in your hair care regime to work efficiently.

If the scalp isn't cleansed thoroughly, then chances are that your hair products won't be effective at all. This is because the hair won't be able to absorb the products properly, which will lead to even more build-up. Therefore, adding castor oil to your hair care routine can be extremely beneficial.

 

Does Castor Oil Help With Hair Growth?

No, castor oil itself doesn't help with hair growth. It's a common misconception because many influencers and hair care brands claim that it aids hair growth, but there's no scientific evidence to prove that. 

However, it can make the scalp healthier by providing it with vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, moisture, etc. This improves scalp and hair health, creating a healthy environment for new hair to grow. Healthy hair tends to grow faster, and if you take proper care of it, you can maintain the integrity of your mane.

That said, let's talk about some simple and underrated tricks that can help with hair growth in combination with castor oil. 

Hair loss is common and natural. We lose at least 50-100 strands a day. The problem arises when you start losing more than 100 strands daily and notice thinning hair. One way to prevent hair loss is to prevent it from getting to the point where it's thinning out.

 

This may be out of our control if it's a result of androgenetic alopecia. However, we can definitely slow down the process and take better care of our hair. For example, one of the leading causes of hair loss is stress. And therefore, it's important to try and eliminate stressful elements from your life.

If that is not a practical solution for you, then you can learn how to manage and deal with stress. Yoga, meditation, practicing mindfulness psychotherapy, and breathing exercises have proven to be effective ways of managing stress.

 

In women, PCOS is seen to be a common culprit behind hair loss. PCOS is a condition that causes irregular periods, hormonal imbalances, mood disturbances, and in some cases, changes in appearance. Hair loss and thinning hair are two of the most prevalent symptoms experienced by people who suffer from PCOS.

 

Some people develop hair loss as a result of poor dietary habits. What you put in your body shows up on your hair. It's important to eat healthy foods that are rich in vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, etc. You can increase your protein intake by eating more beans, fish, nuts, and whole grains.

If you're not getting enough protein through your food, supplements are a good way to go. However, make sure to consult with your doctor before you begin taking any supplements. They will order tests to figure out what your body needs because there's no reason to pump your body full of supplements when you are getting enough of it already.

 

Hair loss often occurs because of damaging hair practices like bleaching and coloring. Bleaching opens up the hair cuticle to remove the melanin from the hair and deposit artificial color into it. This process can damage the cuticle, which hinders hair growth.

 

Heat styling is another reason hair growth can become stagnant. This is because when you expose your hair to heat, it can damage the natural texture of your hair, causing breakage and frizz. If you need to use heat to style your hair, do it by lowering the level of heat and by applying a heat protectant serum or spray to minimize the damage.

 

Don't shampoo too often. Having two wash days a week is enough for your hair. When you give your hair enough time between washes, the natural oils from the scalp can start healing your hair. But, excessive shampooing can strip the much-needed natural oils out of your scalp and hair.

 

Hair breaks a lot when it's tangled up, especially curly hair. Deal with this by combing your hair with a detangling brush before you shampoo. If you go in with your shampoo when your hair is already tangled, there are higher chances of breakage.

This is because the shampoo is supposed to be applied directly to the hair. Since tangled hair is heavier, it may fall off the scalp due to pressure caused by the shampoo.

 

A huge determining factor for your hair growth is your scalp. Taking care of the scalp is extremely important. If your scalp suffers any physical damage from something as serious as infections or something as common as unusually strong water pressure, it can lead to hair loss.

Also, both your hair and the scalp do not require excessively cold or hot water. You must make sure the water pressure is neutral so that the scalp does not undergo any pressure.

Furthermore, try to shampoo less and condition more. As we know, a shampoo's job is to remove dirt and build-up from the scalp. But shampooing too frequently can make the scalp lose its natural proteins and oils.

 

Hydrated hair is happy hair. Deep condition your hair at least once a week. This can help lock the moisture into your hair, preventing frizz and breakage. If your hair has the moisture it needs to be healthy, it won't fall off easily. Give your hair a deeper infusion of moisture with Hairfinity Strengthening Amino Hair Masque, infused with relaxing scents of sea salt, hibiscus and essential oils. This amino hair treatment is proven to reduce breakage up to 90%.

 

Conditioner also helps with detangling the hair properly without losing too much hair. Make sure to apply a good amount of conditioner to your hair and use a wide-toothed comb to take the tangles out. Remember to start with the ends of your hair strands.

If you begin at the root, it will build pressure when you go down the hair shaft, which may cause the tangled hair to break entirely and fall off. Furthermore, if you have extremely dry hair, make it a point to apply a hair masque at least twice a month.

 

Dry hair is more prone to damage, so using a treatment mask can make the hair healthier. Do your research and invest in good hair products. It will require a lot of trial and error but it will help a lot in the long run.

 

Remember to look for hair products that don't contain harmful substances like parabens, sulfates, and silicones. It's always a green flag if a hair product is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and based on nourishing oils like argan, coconut, Moroccan, and macadamia. Make sure to read the list of ingredients to understand exactly what you're putting in your hair.

 

In simple words, castor oil alone can't be used for hair growth. But it promotes healthy hair growth with its healing and cleansing properties. It can make your hair healthier and improve blood circulation to the scalp. Incorporating castor oil into your hair care routine can help preserve the quality of your hair.

So, what are you waiting for? Create a regime that involves castor oil and other healthy hair practices and stick to it religiously for long-term results.