Castor oil darkens hair?

[icallitbliss]

I've been considering starting to use castor oil to help with hair growth, but I heard that it darkens the hair. I don't want that at all, as I already feel my natural color is dark enough.

Can anyone confirm this?

[icallitbliss]

Anyone? :(

[rock007junkie]

I don't think it does. It may give you the illusion of being darker when oiled but I don't think it does.

[jacqueline101]

I don't think it would darken your hair.

[Vampyria]

I used it for a couple of months and have also heard from that it darkens hair, so I stopped with the use. But I'm not sure if my hair got any darker. A hairstylist told me that one of her costumers uses coconut oil and it helps her a lot with the hair growth.

[Cleopatra18]

I don't think it does. It may give you the illusion of being darker when oiled but I don't think it does.
^^^^^This.

[Five of Five]

I used castor oil on my roots for a few months for the same reason. I have light blonde hair and it did not darken it at all. Of course, YMMV.

Oil (including sebum) that hasn't been completely washed out can make your hair look darker than it is. When I use a clarifying shampoo, my hair always looks significantly lighter. IMO, since castor oil is difficult to wash out for some people, I think that build-up may be the cause of its darkening effects.

[einna]

I have heard this to, but I don't know if it is true. I have used it 3 or 4 times on dark blonde hair, and haven't noticed any difference. I think it is more the illusion as mentioned above, and the fact that moisturised hair will appear darker.

[HollywoodRouge]

i think it only darkens chemically lightened hair, not natural colours, as is strips the colour or something like that.

[blondecat]

I've used for years, it has never darkened my hair.

[Roscata]

I didn't notice any darkening when I used it, and if it did darken hair you can cancel out that effect by washing your hair, it's not a hair dye.

[skyblue]

I've been using castor oil since I joined more then a year ago I haven't noticed any darkening
all my greys are still grey lol I use it before a wash once a week, sometime over night and other times for a few hrs to a whole day

[Avital88]

it only lightens my hair as it takes out the henna/indigo