How to Apply Castor Oil for Hair

Castor oil has long been used as a remedy for hair loss and thinning hair. It has many other uses as well, including moisturizing dry hair, taming frizz, and managing tangles. It can also make your hair grow stronger and thicker. There is much more to just slapping the castor oil on, however; how you prepare the oil will determine how easy it is to put on. This article will show you how to prepare the oil and how to apply it to your hair.

Steps

Preparing the Oil

1. Gather your supplies. Applying castor oil to hair seems like it might be simple, but there are a few things you could do to make it more effective and easier to apply. Here is a list of what you will need:^[1]
   
   • Castor oil
   • Other oil (argan, avocado, coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, etc)
   • Hot water
   • Bowl
   • Jar
   • Shower cap
   • Towel
   • Old shirt (recommended)
2. Dilute the castor oil with another oil. Castor oil is very thick, which can make it hard to apply. Try using one part castor oil, and one part of another oil, such as: argan, avocado, coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond.^[2] All of these oils are great for hair. You can also try the following combination:^[3]
   
   • 3 tablespoons castor oil
   • 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
   • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
3. Consider adding a few drops of essential oil to mask the smell. Castor oil can smell bad. If this bothers you, try adding in two to three drops of a fresh-smelling essential oil, such as: rosemary, peppermint, or tea tree.^[4]
   
4. Pour all of the oils into a small jar and shake the jar to mix everything together. Close the lid tightly, and shake the jar for a few minutes. When you are done, take the lid off.
   
5. Fill a bowl with very hot water. Make sure that the bowl is large enough to fit the jar. You will be warming the oil. This will make it more effective and easier to work with. Do not attempt to warm the oil in the microwave.
   
6. Put the jar into the water, and leave it there for two to four minutes. Make sure that the water level is at the same level as the oil. Also, make sure that the no water gets inside the jar, or the oil will get wet.
   
7. Once the oil is warm, pour it into a small bowl. This will make it easier for you to dip your fingers into when you go to apply it.
   
   • Consider pouring the oil into a small bottle with an eye dropper. This way, you can use the eye dropper to just drip the oil to your scalp.

Using the Castor Oil

1. Start with damp, but not wet hair. This will help the oil absorb better into your hair. A quick way to dampen your hair is to fill a spray bottle with water, and spraying just your scalp.^[5]
   
2. Cover your shoulders with a towel. This will protect your clothes from getting covered in oil. It may also be a good idea to wear something you do not care about anymore, in case the oil drips past the towel.
   
3. Dip your fingers into the oil, and massage your scalp for three to five minutes.^[6] Do not use too much oil; a little bit goes a long way. Use your fingers to spread the oil between your hair roots and across your scalp. Massage your head with your fingertips using small, circular motions.
   
   • You can also use an eye dropper to drip the oil onto various points on your scalp. This may be easier for you, and less messy. Be sure to massage the oil into your scalp for about five minutes.
4. Apply the oil to the rest of your hair. Scoop a little bit more oil onto your fingers, and rub it between your palms. Then, run your hands across your hair. Use your fingers to comb your hair; this helps distribute the oil. Again, start with a small amount. You do not need a lot of oil.
   
5. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Loosely pile your hair on top of your hair. If you need to, you can keep it in place with a claw clip. Slip a shower cap over your hair. The shower cap will trap the heat inside, and it will keep your hair from drying out.
   
6. Wrap a hot towel around your head and the shower cap. Warm up a towel by soaking it with very hot water. Twist the towel to get any excess water out, then wrap it around your head. You can tuck the end of the towel in under your "turban," or you can secure it with a large hair clip. The heat from the towel will make the oil more effective.
   
7. Wait 30 minutes to 3 hours before washing the oil out. You can also leave it on overnight, although there is little evidence that shows this is more effective. When you go to wash your hair, know that it may take a while before you get all the oil out. Some people find that washing with just conditioner, and skipping the shampoo, is more effective than using shampoo.
   
8. Use this treatment once to twice a week for best results. Keep in mind, however, that you may not see any results the next day. Try using the castor oil treatment for four weeks before moving onto something else.^[7]
   

Tips

• Castor oil can also be purchased from a beauty shop. It usually contains other ingredients, and can be used as is, without any additional warming.^[8]
• Try to buy cold-pressed, unrefined castor oil. It will be more effective and have the most nutrients. Skip on the refined or adulterated castor oil. Those have very few nutrients left and will not be as effective.^[9]
• Castor oil is moisturizing, making it great for dry hair. It can also help tame frizz.
• If your hair tends to tangle easily, you may find that it is more sleek and easier to manage after this treatment.^[10]
• Castor oil can also help soothe an itchy scalp and help reduce dandruff.
• Castor oil may help hair grow stronger and thicker. It can also be used as a remedy for hair loss.

Warnings

• Do not use castor oil if you are pregnant or suffer from long-term digestive issues.^[11]
• If you have never used castor oil before and have sensitive skin, consider doing a patch test first. Dab a little bit of castor oil on your inner arm and wait a few hours. If no irritations or allergic reactions form, you can use the castor oil.^[12]
• Because castor oil is so thick, it may darken light-colored hair. This is not too noticeable, and it is not permanent.^[13]
• Castor oil may improve conditions, such as hair loss and itchiness, but it may also make them worse.^[14]

Things You'll Need

• Castor oil
• Other oil (argan, avocado, coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, etc)
• Hot water
• Bowl
• Jar
• Shower cap
• Towel
• Old shirt (recommended)

Related wikiHows

• How to Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair and Skin
• How to Oil Your Hair
• How to Get Olive Oil out of Your Hair
• How to Make a Hot Oil Treatment for Hair
• How to Repair Hair With Olive Oil
• How to Remove and Prevent Split Ends
• How to Treat Split Ends
• How to Detect Split Ends

Sources and Citations

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