Do you know the benefits of castor oil on eyebrows? The beauty of one’s face is defined by many of its characteristics. One such vital feature is the eyebrows. Some wish to have thicker eyebrows while others prefer slender ones. Thick and well-defined eyebrows can make your eyes look more prominent and attractive. There are mostly hundreds of ways to grow hair and get thicker brows.
But if you are looking for a natural home remedy to flaunt thick eyebrows, then castor oil might be the miracle cure. Despite the lack of solid scientific backing for its benefits in promoting hair growth and the mixed reviews it has got, many still use castor oil as it is the most trusted age-old remedy for the same. In this article, let us explore the benefits of the use of castor oil for eyebrows, and know how to get the best results.
1. Beauty Trends Related To Eyebrows
We have seen that beauty trends change every now and then and it is hard to keep up with these trends while also maintaining a healthy body most of the time. Nowadays we see a lot of people experimenting with the shape and style of their eyebrows. Microblading is one such beauty trend. Tinting is another beauty trend that can be added to the list. Bold, bushy brows are the mass favorite these days along with feathered eyebrows, Ombre eyebrows, and soap brows.
It is essential to maintain the health of eyebrows while following these trends. For this one can use herbal constituents which not only help grow thicker eyebrows but also maintain them. The use of castor oil for eyebrows comes into light in this aspect.
2. Castor Oil And Its Types
Castor oil is a vegetable oil procured from the beans of the Ricinus communis or commonly known as the castor plant. Cold-pressed castor oil, Jamaican black castor oil, Hydrogenated castor oil, and Pale-pressed castor oil are the types of castor oil. Each type has its own unique benefits.
The cold-pressed castor oil is obtained by pressing the castor beans at a low temperature. This method of extraction helps the oil retain its nutrients. This type of castor oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that nourish both hair and skin. Hence, it is very commonly used for hair and skincare regimens.
The castor beans are roasted and then pressed at lower temperatures to get the Jamaican black castor oil. This is a traditional Jamaican way of processing castor oil that uses roasted castor seeds to impart dark color and a distinct smell to the oil. The oil thus obtained contains large percentages of ricinoleic acids. These are a type of fatty acids known for their anti-inflammatory properties and abilities to support thick hair growth and treat hair loss.
Heating the castor oil with hydrogen gas turns it into a wax-like substance. This type of oil is called Hydrogenated castor oil. It is most often used in the skin care industry in products like lip balms, lipsticks, and lotions.
If the castor beans are pressed at higher temperatures then we obtain pale-pressed castor oil. This type of castor oil is lighter in color and also has a mild odor. It is used in the food industry for flavoring and additives.
3. Chemical Composition Of Castor Oil And Its Benefit For Thick Brow Hairs
Castor oil is a highly concentrated fatty acid. Nearly 90% of its composition is composed of ricinoleic acid. Vitamin E, minerals, and proteins constitute the rest of 10% of its composition.
Ricinoleic acid is widely known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. It helps reduce the inflammation of hair follicles promoting healthy hair growth again. They also help reduce scalp infections and dandruff.
Vitamin E and the minerals present in the castor oil nourish the hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth too. They also increase blood circulation and thus promote thick hair growth.
Thus the higher concentration of ricinoleic acid and the presence of Vitamin E and other minerals, help castor oil nourish and promote hair growth and eyebrow growth. It is a low-risk remedy to treat hair loss.
Castor oil helps thicken, nourish, moisturize, and strengthen the eyebrows and thus enhance their appearance. It also acts as a mild cleanser. Retention of moisture in the eyebrow is very important for its healthy growth. Hair follicles of hydrated and moisturized eyebrows absorb nutrients better than those of dehydrated eyebrows.
It also prevents the hair of the eyebrow from becoming brittle and falling off, which in turn makes the eyebrows look thin and sparse. On the other hand, moisturization gives thicker and bushy brows.
4. Applying Castor Oil On Eyebrows
4.1. Choosing The Right Oil
Before applying castor oil to eyebrows, it is very important to choose the right type of castor oil for you. As mentioned before, Cold-pressed castor oil and Jamaican black castor oil are the most commonly used castor oil for eyebrows. Jamaican black castor oil is preferred due to more concentration of ricinoleic acid.
We recommend that readers test castor oil with a patch test before using them on their eyebrows. This enables identify whether they have any allergic reactions to the castor oil.
4.2. Preparation
There are many ways in which castor oil can be applied to the eyebrows. The most simple method is to heat the pure castor oil by placing it in hot water. This method is known to increase the effectiveness of oils.
One can also mix castor oil with aloe vera gel, vaseline, and glycerin before applying them to the eyebrows. The proportion in which the two components should be mixed is very important. In the case of aloe vera gel and glycerin, they should be mixed in 1:1 proportion with the castor oil. On the other hand, vaseline should be mixed with castor oil in a 2:1 ratio.
While pure castor oil works wonders on thick eyebrows to support healthy hair growth, mixing castor oil with aloe vera gel, vaseline or glycerin increases its effectiveness. Aloe vera gel contains enzymes like proteolytic enzymes, superoxide dismutase, and lipase that helps it promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Vaseline prevents the loss of moisture from the eyebrows by providing a protective layer. Glycerin acts as a humectant and thus prevents dryness of the eyebrows and helps retain moisture.
4.3. Application On Eyebrows
After heating the pure castor oil or mixing the castor oil with other ingredients, one can apply it on the eyebrow with the help of a cotton swab or eyebrow brush. The oil must be applied evenly on the eyebrow. Gently massage the castor oil into the eyebrows for a few minutes. This helps them penetrate the hair follicles sooner. It is recommended to leave castor oil on the eyebrows overnight for the best results. If that is not possible, one can also leave the oil for at least 30 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
5. Steps You Can Follow While Applying
Step 1: Choose the right type of castor oil for you
Step 2: Prepare the oil as mentioned before according to your choice of oil and combination.
Step 3: Clean the area in and around your eyebrows.
Step 4: Take a clean cotton swab, an eyebrow brush, or a clean mascara wand and dip it in the oil.
Step 5: Evenly apply castor oil on the eyebrows. Do not overdo it. Only use a few drops.
Step 6: Gently massage after applying castor oil.
Step 7: Leave it for at least 30 minutes. For best results, apply castor oil and leave it overnight.
Step 8: Wash the area of the application with warm water.
6. Tips For Best Results
Do a patch test before application.
Apply castor oil to eyebrows daily preferably during bedtime for at least one month to see the results.
Avoid using too much castor oil as it makes the eyebrows look greasy and can attract dirt and dust.
Make sure eyebrows are clean, and free of any kind of dirt, before applying the castor oil.
Avoid using harsh chemicals or products on eyebrows that can damage the hair follicles and cause hair loss.
7. Possible Side Effects
Even though castor oil is largely a safe option for eyebrow and hair growth, some people may experience allergic reactions to it. Some common side effects are discussed below:
7.1. Skin Irritation
If one has sensitive skin and is allergic to castor oil, they may experience skin irritation, redness, or itching after the application of castor oil.
7.2. Acne Or Breakouts
Castor oil is a thick oil. It can potentially clog pores on the skin. If one’s skin type is oily, one must take special care not to over-apply castor oil, as it might lead to acne or breakouts.
7.3. Eye Irritation
If the castor oil reaches the eyes, it causes redness, irritation, and itching. Do not apply castor oil close to the eyes or rub your eyebrows with your fingers and then touch your eyes.
7.4. Stomach Upset
Castor oil should only be used on the outside. If you ingest castor oil, you will experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
7.5. Allergic Reactions
It is essential to know how your body reacts to the application of castor oil. Some people might experience an allergic reaction to castor oil. The symptoms include hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
It’s always a good idea to check for any sensitivity or other allergic reaction or reactions beforehand by doing a patch test on a small area of your skin before using castor oil on your eyebrows. If you experience any of the mentioned allergic reaction or side effects, stop the use of castor oil and consult a healthcare professional.
8. Special Attention Before Using Castor Oil
Though castor oil is generally safe for external use, here are some situations where you must take extra care to use castor oil:
If you have microblading or other eyebrow tattoos, take care to not bring castor oil on your tattoos. It is always better to consult the artist who did the microblading or eyebrow tattoo.
Castor oil is used medically to induce labor by some people. It is better to consult your doctor before the use of castor oil during pregnancy. Pregnant or lactating women need to take special care with the application of castor oil as it can get absorbed into the body and induce labor.
If you suffer from eye conditions like blepharitis or conjunctivitis, it is better to avoid the application of castor oil around your eyes.
If you have any kind of medical condition or are taking any medicines, it is safer to consult your physician before the use of castor oil. Some medical conditions or medicines might interact with castor oil and cause problems. Make sure that there are no such occurring in your case before using castor oil.
9. Other Oils In Comparison To Castor Oil For Eyebrows
There are many natural oils excluding castor oil that can be used as a natural home remedy to promote eyebrow growth. Some of them are discussed below.
Coconut oil is hydrating, has anti-bacterial properties, and has a light texture owing to its composition’s abundance of lauric and capric acids. The use of cold-pressed unrefined coconut oil is recommended to get thick eyebrows and support healthy hair growth. It is also a low-risk remedy for hair loss.
Olive oil is extremely rich in antioxidants and oleic acid. It has a lightweight texture and is known to be an excellent moisturizer. For eyebrow growth, the use of extra virgin olive oil is best suitable.
Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E and linoleic acid. It acts as an excellent moisturizer, has anti-inflammatory properties, and has a lightweight texture. The use of cold-pressed, organic argan oil for thick eyebrows is recommended.
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. It has a similar composition to the natural oils produced by the skin. It is an excellent moisturizer and has a lightweight texture. The use of cold-pressed unrefined jojoba oil is recommended for thick eyebrow growth.
Almond oil has a high content of fatty acids like oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. It is also abundant in Vitamin E. It has a lightweight texture. The use of cold-pressed almond oil is recommended. It is also a low-risk remedy for hair loss.
All these oils can be applied to the eyebrows to promote brow growth with the help of a cotton swab, brow brush, or a clean mascara wand. It is essential to do a patch test for all these oils before following the regime of their application.
10. Scientific Studies Related To Castor Oil
Currently, there are no studies that prove the positive effect of castor oil on eyebrow growth treat hair loss. But there are a few studies done on ricinoleic acid, a major component of castor oil, which discuss the effects of this acid on hair growth.
One such study was done to understand the influence of testosterone on male pattern baldness. This study revealed that prostaglandin D2 (a product of PTGDS) acts as a hair growth inhibitor for male pattern baldness. Another study that followed this discovery attempted to find PTGDS inhibitors in traditional Chinese medicine. Ricinoleic acid was one of such inhibitors found in this study.
So far this is the only scientific explanation we have to explain why castor oil might work effectively as a hair loss solution. It is because of the presence of high amounts of ricinoleic acid.
11. General Benefits Of Castor Oil
Though the benefits of castor oil for hair growth might not have solid reasoning, there are some benefits of this thick oil that are even backed by experts.
Some of them are:
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Increase blood circulation
- Anti-bacterial properties
- Promote wound healing
- It is a natural laxative
- Mild cleanser
12. Which Product To Use?
It is highly recommended to use natural castor oil free of any chemical compound. You can buy it directly from local vendors who process the oils. If you do not have such options, there are a variety of products available in the market for you to choose from. Live Fraiche Organic Castor oil for Eyelashes and Eyebrows Mascara Tube, and Briogeo B. Well, Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil are the most trusted products among experts.
Conclusion
Overall from the article, we can conclude that castor oil is a safe, natural, and affordable option to grow thicker brows. There are many alternatives that share the same properties with it, but the presence of ricinoleic acid elevates the effectiveness of it to get fluffy brows. Even though there are no direct scientific studies backing it, it is known to make the brows grow and there are a lot of people who endorse and use castor oil to grow eyebrows. With consistent application, one can achieve thicker and fuller eyebrows. But it is also important to make a note that individual results vary and it is advised to give time and have patience when using such natural remedies.
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