Castor Oil for thicker hair?

[Ujjayi]

I've been looking for solutions to the pathetically thin ends of my hair. They look weak even when just trimmed. I have hypothyroidism which obviously doesn't help. Anyway, I have been reading good things about castor & sweet almond oils : apply & leave in overnight before washing in the morning - this type of treatment.

Any first hand experience here?

I haven't used castor oil but I have used all sots of VO5, Aargan oil etc.

I really don't think you can 'make' hair thicker. All you can do is make it appear healthier. Other than conditioning it, perhaps using a thickening shampoo and conditioner and having it trimmed regularly - I think this is probably the best you can hope to achieve.

I think shorter haircuts are more flattering for thinning/thin hair also as longer thin hair tends to look unkept.

Mine's really thin and fine and I find thickening shampoo helps. However I can't remember the bloody name of it! All much of a muchness, I think, though. Agree with the pp who said about keeping hair short. I can't grow mine because it's too stringy when longer.

Thanks for the replies.

Thing is, even when it is shorter in length my hair still doesn't look fabulous. It tends to be dry and sheds heavily. At least when my hair is longer I can "dress" my hair to hide the worst bits.

I have tried so many thickening shampoos & treatments (currently using Kerastase Bain de Force) & I am meticulous in taking my thyroxine & have a healthy diet. Still makes no difference .

So I have gone ahead & bought some organic castor oil & am currently sporting a lush slick from root to tip (this stuff is very thick & sticky so 3 drops is sufficient even for long hair). Apparently 2-3 treatments a week should make a difference after 3-4 weeks...fingers crossed!

I haven't used castor oil, but last night in desperation I covered my dried-out, home-highlighted barnet in olive oil, and slept in it. This morning it's definitely better. I'll do this until the dried-out bits have grown out. I use Nioxin shampoo, which really seems to make a difference.

Try a sulphate-free shampoo. I have fine full hair and bought some Liz Earle shampoo and conditioner 2 weeks ago and my hair feels thicker.

And report back on the castor oil! Watching with interest.

Fine dull hair, ffs! Sorry.

Did you have any problems washing out the olive oil? Am slightly concerned I'll be walking around with a slicked nut tomorrow even after washing

Have considered Nioxin but does it make a difference to the whole length of the hair or just the roots/new growth?

I have heard mixed views on the sulphate free shampoos (altho to be fair mostly about the L'Oreal EverPure range, I think). But sounds like the Liz Earle might be worth a go.

Will definitely report back on the castor oil. I have also applied to my thinning brows & lacklustre lashes.

Op no, no trouble washing out. I shampoo it out, then condition with conditioner. However it sounds as though your problem is slightly different from mine though. My hair isn't particularly thin, just very fine and endy (ie very prone to damage).

I highlight it, it goes very dry, hence the damage. Then I put stuff on it to "mend" it, plus Nioxin for thickness. It DOES make a difference. Something else that seems to work is face exercise. Being an old gimmer, I do face exercises regularly, which claim to help blood flow to the head, thus nourishing the hair better. Not sure if that's proven, though!

I have really fine thin hair, been searching for miracle products for at least 2 decades.

I bought Moroccan oil on a whim and its made a huge difference. I don't have a thick gleaming mane now but I have 'normal' hair. Which is great.

Also using fibrology shampoo and conditioner which doesn't feel or smell nice but again may have made a slight difference.

Well I washed the castor oil out this morning without any problems - regular shampoo & conditioner. I had plaited it before bed last night to avoid any matting/knotting and I combed it through before washing this morning. I dried it without adding any products as I wanted to see what the oil had actually done.

The hair from root to 2/3 of the way down the length is gorgeously soft but has a lot of body - despite being product free. And swishy! I cannot remember the last time I felt my hair swish! The ends are looking thicker and sitting more together (rather than wispy and endy). Not perfect but much improved.

Definitely worth pursuing this technique for a few weeks. I may also blend 50/50 with sweet almond oil as I read this is also beneficial for the hair but also makes the castor oil less sticky. If anyone is interested, I used organic castor oil by Pukka - bought it on Amazon for £9.99 for 250ml. I literally used only 3 drops on my long hair (sits level with the base of my shoulder blades) so a little goes a long way.

That is brilliant, thank you! I have always been known for my lovely long swishy hair but I've been really ill for years and my hair is thin and lifeless and just minging looking and I can't believe how much that impacts on how I feel every day. I am rushing out to get some castor oil now! If it makes a difference I will be stalking you round MN trying to make you my BFF .

No pressure then!

My hair is dry for exactly the same reasons, LostInWales and despite being physically much better than a year ago, my hair makes me feel sad and down because it becomes quite ageing when it looks straggly & dry.

Also, without any product my hair is usually dry frizz central. So I am very happy indeed with this new discovery - I'm currently worse than my eldest DS (14) in not being able to pass a reflective surface and admiring my hair!

I have recently started using Joico 'K-Pak' shampoo and conditioner and it has really helped my hair, it thickens it somehow without weighing it down or making it greasy. I also like Kerastase Masquintense fine hair version. I use coconut oil as a weekly overnight mask - I prefer it to olive oil, as it's colourless so doesn't stain my blonde hair. Haven't heard of castor oil used like this before. If your hair is similar to mine, the key for me has been using protein heavy treatments.

It's one thing feeling crap all the time but I draw the line at actually looking it . There is so much mixed in with hair and feeling good in yourself isn't there, I bet there's whole libraries of psychological research into women and their feelings about hair! It's made some companies a lot of money that's for sure.

I love Kerastese products, I wonder how much I could raise selling some of my painkillers to afford some? I could make a fortune. STBXH came home from Aldi with some shampoo that was on offer and it was one of the things that made me realise he didn't know me at all

OP I am mixed race, but love natural oils and they have helped me grow my hair with minimal split ends. Also the shedding/breaking has stopped.

I also use castor oil, and yes you can mix it. I mix it with coconut or extra virgin olive oil and saturate hair under a plastic shower cap. I then sleep with it in overnight.
Shampoo off next day and condition. Then a few drops of Argan oil before blow drying. Soft, naturally healthy hair. My hair loves the oils, and my flaky, dry scalp has gone.

Castor oil has long been known for stimulating hair growth, and I also dab it around my hairline for growth.

Will never be without these oils.

Oh and also protein treatments as well. Protein is like building blocks, and plugs the gaps in the hair follicles, strengthening it.

My hair has never been so healthy.

Beautifully mixed: good to know it has worked for you too. I did try the shower cap but I couldn't settle with it on so I just slept with hair plaited & a towel over my pillow.

Lost: Kerastase are good but other MNers have said that it is quite easy to work out the L'Oreal equivalent (they are the same company) & Boots regularly have offers on. Two that made a positive impact on my hair was Full Restore 5 and the Royal Jelly one (can't remember the exact name).

ThisBitch - interesting about protein treatments. I have also been assessing my diet recently & realised my protein intake is insufficient. I'm a firm believer in working from the outside in so hopefully the changes to my diet will also have an impact on my hair & skin and muscle - I've always been slim but lacked tone despite exercise.

I've also started a suppement for women in their 40s which is magnesium rich so this should also have an impact with any luck.

I generally agree about working from outside in (my skin is much better since taking omega 3!) but protein treatments applied directly to hair really make a huge difference. It's why the K-Pak stuff is so good, and the Masquintense and also oils that are full of proteins as well as moisture. M Label also do a Protein Spray which is a heat protection / styling spray I love.

Beautifullymixed that's really interesting, thanks. Do you two put the oil onto dry hair at night?

I didn't know about Kerastase and L'Oreal, that's a great tip. I started with the supplements for over 40's a week or so ago too. It's downhill all the way to the menopause eh?

Yes, put the oils on dry hair. The coconut especially will penetrate into the hair shaft, especially with heat, hence the shower cap.

ThisBitch totally agree about the protein. My leave in conditioner has protein in, as does my serum. Love it.

I also take cod liver oil and b vitamin supplements. I really notice a difference in my skin when I don't.
I also add liquid chlorophyll to water and drink throughout the day. I feel really clean inside, I know that sounds funny, but I just feel revitalised. Not sure about the hair benefits, but your hair generally shows your overall health.

I found I needed this extra help as over 40.

OOooh excellent tips. I'm off to buy castor oil and coconut oil. Have suffered naturally thin hair all my life but as got older has got thinner and more split ends. I use Nioxin and have tried a range of things over the years but not oils.

I tried a sample of an overnight treatment from Phyto which was excellent - gave me soft thicker feeling hair, especially on the second day after using it.

phyto-haircare.co.uk/index.php/secret-de-nuit.html

However have been put off buying because of the price £28 and I have spent so much on products (had just spent £30 on a Kerastase thing which hasn't made much difference).

Please post back if you think it continues to work!!! I am also going to look in to liquid chorlorphyll!!

Sorry if someone's already said it but I swear by coconut oil

On the hair and scalp overnight, wash it out in morning, do it 3 x a week

Amazing

loving you won't regret buying coconut oil or castor oil. There are so many uses for them. I get tescos organic coconut oil delivered with my shopping, or fushi from amazon.

I use the oils for OCM, heat rash under boobs, eczema, body moisturiser, facial moisturiser and tiny bit on ends of hair before bed.
Also love argan oil.

I swear my hair is thicker too since using them, and I have fine, can be lank at times hair.

Argan oil is truly moroccan from amazon, and the liquid chlorophyll is nature's sunshine. Google it and read reviews, I love it.