Can Castor Oil Limit/impede Hair Growth?

[champpy]

I've been using castor oil and i sometimes mix in Pig lard, olive oil and coconut oil since January or February. I truly believe that on the days I use it I have less shedding the following day. I've seen a huge difference in shedding on the days that I don't use it compared to the days that I do. So thats a benefit, but....

That being said even though I've noticed less shedding my hair seems to be getting considerably thinner by the month. This has me stumped because I would think less shedding would equal more hair on the head.

I used indomethacin years ago and noticed the same thing occurring; less shedding but thinner hair.

So my question to any of you guys is is there any reason that castor oil would limit hair growth while also slowing down shedding? Is the oil possibly clogging the follicles or does it contain any substances that would slow down hair growth?

My hairline has receded some but what I noticed the most is my hair seems finer all over the top of my scalp. Not like it's necessarily falling out but it as if it's all miniaturizing rather quickly.

I've attached the photo with the top two pictures being from September 2nd (today)and the bottom 2 from July 10th 2016. Again the hairline may not look that much different but I promise the thickness of the hair is much worse.

The only thing I've added to my regimen as I started RU 2 weeks ago but I've noticed this thinning since the beginning of Summer. Please if anyone knows is castor oil is to blame for the thinning please chime in

 

[buckthorn]

1) follicles don't get clogged.

2) you are probably releasing all the hair that would've been released the next day when rubbing oil through it. So, the next day, you don't notice much, but it still has fallen out. either that way or on your pillow or something.

3) when you just leave your hair dry, the hair stays put until you force it out the next day. Leading to the illusion of increased shedding. Some days I will find 70 hairs after a strong brushing. other days 10-20. You can't really judge a regimen on how much hair you lose on a given day. you judge it based on your density after a certain period of time.

4) imo - I am 100% certain that topical castor oil is not doing anything to prevent your hair loss, and even if it's having an effect, it's very very minimal. Castor oil may be a good addition in a more aggressive topical regimen, like swiss temple's, but by itself it's virtually useless.

-these are the reasons your hair is still thinning. it's not actually working.

 

[champpy]

1) follicles don't get clogged.

2) you are probably releasing all the hair that would've been released the next day when rubbing oil through it. So, the next day, you don't notice much, but it still has fallen out. either that way or on your pillow or something.

3) when you just leave your hair dry, the hair stays put until you force it out the next day. Leading to the illusion of increased shedding. Some days I will find 70 hairs after a strong brushing. other days 10-20. You can't really judge a regimen on how much hair you lose on a given day. you judge it based on your density after a certain period of time.

4) imo - I am 100% certain that topical castor oil is not doing anything to prevent your hair loss, and even if it's having an effect, it's very very minimal. Castor oil may be a good addition in a more aggressive topical regimen, like swiss temple's, but by itself it's virtually useless.

-these are the reasons your hair is still thinning. it's not actually working.

Youre conclusions are very possible and ive considered those myself. Maybe it is doing nothing and the reduction in shedding is just an illusion. If thats true it really had me fooled though.
Damn disappointing.

I was just hoping to see if anybody else has noticed this effect too

 

[buckthorn]

Youre conclusions are very possible and ive considered those myself. Maybe it is doing nothing and the reduction in shedding is just an illusion. If thats true it really had me fooled though.
Damn disappointing.

I was just hoping to see if anybody else has noticed this effect too

keep going with it brother! I give you props for thinking outside the box and trying this. Hell, nothing works for me, at all. The theory behind it is solid at least.

 

[Capone]

I thought that too about Castor Oil, made me shed, then I thought it was from the Retin A cream which has been proven to cause hair loss so I don't know!

 

[cuprous]

Where do you get that Retin A causes hair loss? Everything I've read is to the opposite.. that it enhances minoxidil absorption. Even Lipogaine includes retinol which is a weaker cousin of Retin A. http://www.lipogaine.com/ingredients/

 

[Rick Grimes]

@champpy i am far from an expert, but i think i've read many posters talk about the fact that castor oil needs a absorption enhancer to penetrate, and without one, little to none is absorbed... could it be that what @buckthorn said is happening: the rubbing in of the oil sheds hair that was ready to go, and then the lack of absorption is robbing you of the benefits of the ricinoleic acid in castor oil... i am using some DMSO as an absorption enhance right now, but i am looking into ethenol... still learning