Negative side effects of Castor Oil?

**Sweet_Decadence** · January 25th, 2011, 01:21 PM

Hey ho!

So I started using a castor oil & avacodo oil 50/50 mix in my hair a week or so ago. I've used it 3 times, I'd massage it into my scalp, leave it on for an hour then CWC it away but every time I did I found I was shedding alot more hair than I usually do. I was pulling out good 20 strand clumps while finger combing in my conditioner. I normally shed very, very little, I really do feel pushed to say I even usually shed 20 hairs a day.

Is this the castor oil causing this? Has anyone else had any rather unfortunate side effects with it?

**Dragon** · January 25th, 2011, 01:28 PM

Maybe you are using to much or leaving it on to long or doing it to often. I have this problem with all oils but what I find works best is to not use much and not use it hot. And only use it every few weeks.

**spidermom** · January 25th, 2011, 01:28 PM

I would think the increased shedding would be more due to the manipulation of the scalp than the oil mixture itself. It's probably not more than is normal for you; when you do something new, you tend to pay more attention than when things are routine.

**jojo** · January 25th, 2011, 01:43 PM

I cannot see how any oil would make hair shed, its more likely the oil is just helping hair shed, which was due to shed anyway.

**BrightEyes7** · January 25th, 2011, 01:54 PM

I tried using avacado oil a couple times as a pre-wash treatment. Every time I shed a lot more than normal. Is using avacado oil a new thing for you? If so it may be that, and you can try a different oil to combine, perhaps either olive or coconut.

It could also possibly be due to what spidermom said, the manipulation of the scalp.

**Sweet_Decadence** · January 25th, 2011, 05:06 PM

Well, thanks all

I'm not terribly convinced that it could be the scalp manipulation. I frequently do scalp massages with rosemary oil (gently, of course) and haven't found any ill effect with that.

Avacado Oil is also very new to me, yes. I may try switching it out in place of something else.

**ravenreed** · January 25th, 2011, 05:11 PM

I alway have a heavier shed when I do scalp oilings and massage, regardless of the oil used.

**longlockenvy** · January 25th, 2011, 05:22 PM

I use castor oil with EVOO or coconut oil. I also add EO's to it. I haven't noticed any additional shedding. I've actually noticed less shedding, but i dont know what's helping me.

I started taking Biotin, MSM, multi vitamin, evening primrose oil, and using castor oil, and Monistat, all at the same time. I have noticed hair growth, less shed, and shiny hair that has less frizz. Woot!

**pixistixx** · January 25th, 2011, 05:41 PM

do you have any issues with latex? avocado can cause reactions in people with latex allergy

**Kathie** · January 25th, 2011, 06:08 PM

I keep oil away from my scalp, strangly it becomes irritated by oils.
I’m of the mind that it was probably going to shed anyway but you’ve helped it along i.e., the oil within the hair follicle lubricates the hair so it slides out easily. If you were losing hair with the growth bulb still attached I would be really concerned.