Is your hair not growing and looking dry and damaged? Are you wondering how you can make it grow faster and look and feel healthier?
Perhaps these issues and questions have led you to castor oil and wonder, can I leave castor oil in my hair overnight? Read on to learn if leaving castor oil in your hair all night is a good idea.
What Is Caster Oil?
Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil created by pressing castor beans to extract the oil from the bean. The castor bean grows on evergreen shrubs or small trees, which can grow to 40 feet tall. While castor beans are called beans, they’re actually seeds.
Castor oil is typically colorless, but it can have a pale yellow hue, and humans have used it as a multi-purpose oil for thousands of years.
Can You Leave Castor Oil in Your Hair Overnight?
Yes, you definitely can leave castor oil in your hair all night. This way, the natural ingredients get enough time to sit, enhance hair growth, and make your hair healthier.
Besides making fine or low porosity hair look greasy and maybe causing those with sensitive skin to break out, there are no risks for leaving castor oil in your hair overnight. It won’t damage your hair in any way.
However, since some people tend to toss and turn in their sleep, tying the hair up or wrapping it can prevent the oil from smearing on your pillows and bedding.
What Are the Benefits of Castor Oil on Hair?
Next, let’s discuss the benefits of using castor oil on hair. Since you’re thinking about leaving it on your hair overnight, you should know what castor oil can do for your precious strands. Below are a few benefits your hair can reap by using castor oil.
Moisturizes Dry Hair
Castor oil is an excellent source of Vitamin E and fatty acids, and thanks to these, it makes an excellent emollient and will leave your hair feeling and looking softer and smoother.
Soothes Irritated Scalp
Because castor oil is 90% ricinoleic acid, it’s known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. So, thanks to ricinoleic acid, castor oil can help soothe irritated skin like your scalp and even lessen the itch from pesky dandruff.
Adds Shine
Since castor oil possesses humectant properties, it can add lustrous shine and a glossy sheen to your hair strands. The best way to achieve this is by smoothing through from the midway of your hair to the ends.
Things To Consider Before Using Castor Oil on Your Hair
As with anything, there are always things to consider before purchasing or using anything. Below are a couple of helpful facts to keep in mind about using castor oil.
Can Clog Hair Follicles
Castor oil’s thickness can even clog your hair follicles which will cause your roots to look greasy. So, if you have very fine, thin hair or hair with low porosity, then you must use this oil sparingly. You can still reap the great benefits of castor oil but try only to use it weekly.
First, apply a dime-sized amount to your hand and then smooth from midway to your ends. Afterward, you can gently apply the remaining oil to your roots if desired.
Then, gently towel dry hair to remove excess oil. Your hair should look shiny and smooth but not weighted down or greasy after brushing it.
May Clog Pores and Cause Breakouts
While castor oil has anti-microbial properties and a low comedogenic score, there have been reports that it can irritate skin and cause acne breakouts or even worsen them.
So, while it’s considered relatively safe for sensitive skin, if your skin is overly sensitive or prone to acne breakouts.
Now, you know that you can leave castor oil in your hair overnight as well as what precisely castor oil is and how it can benefit the health of your hair. If you keep in mind the things to consider before using castor oil, your experience with the multi-purpose oil should be a beneficial one with your hair looking and feeling healthier.