Castor oil
benefits the hair in a number of ways. The oil is a natural emollient which
moisturizes both the hair and the scalp. One of the main benefits of castor oil
for hair treatments comes from the oil’s properties. Humectants seals in
moisture to prevent the hair from becoming dry and brittle. Castor oil is filled with some excellent vital
nutrients such as vitamin E, minerals and proteins, which are required for
healthy hair. It also has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. It even supplies omega-6 essential fatty acids
that are needed to grow healthy hair.
Natural omega-9 acids
present in this oil helps to lock the moisture in your hair and scalp. The most abundant of the three, ricinoleic acid, is an
unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, known for its strong pain-relieving and
anti-inflammatory properties. This makes up approximately 90% of the fatty acid
content of castor oil. So, it is a great conditioner for your hair. Castor oil can help to increase the shine in
your hair. It has the ability to coat your hair shaft, and seal the moisture
in. This leaves your hair with shinier and silkier surface. Castor oil can also be used to give your hair a richer and
darker hue. Castor
oil not only prevents hair damage, but also helps in providing thickness to the
hair.
Difference
between clear and black castor oil?
Jamaican castor oil differs from other
castor oils due to the manufacturing process. The clear castor oil which we are
most familiar with comes from the cold pressing of castor beans. Jamaican
castor oil is dark brown because the castor beans are first roasted and then
boiled before they are pressed to release the oil. The oil contains ash from
the roasting process which is not an impurity. It actually improves the
function of the oil for hair treatments.
The primary reason of
extracting castor oil in this particular way and adding ash into it is to
enhance its power and effectiveness. Jamaican black castor oil is supposed to
be a special purpose castor oil that has several benefits and characteristics
that are not present in the pure castor oil. So to make castor oil more
effective, manufactures have to add this small impurity in it.
CASTER OIL APPLICATION:
1. You can
apply castor oil in your hair at least 15 minutes before using a shampoo. This
will help to make your hair smooth and soft.
2. You can also add castor oil to your favorite
hair conditioner to soak in its benefits.
3. Apply very little amount (one or two drops)
of castor oil in your hair each night as a part of your daily hair conditioning
routine.
4. Use unrefined castor oil as a hot oil treatment or scalp massage
in order to stimulate hair growth. Leave in your hair overnight and cover it
with a plastic shower cap for maximum penetration. Wash thoroughly the next
morning.
5. To prevent split ends, carefully mix castor oil with any light
oil, such as jojoba, coconut or olive oil, then smooth onto your hair, and
distribute it evenly.
6. Moisturize and Sealing: Apply castor oil after moisturizing used a
water-based product to create a long-lasting seal.
7. Direct application: using a hair application bottle apply
directly to scalp, then massage to evenly distribute and stimulate hair follicles.
Summary of Castor
Oil Benefits for Hair
- · Encourages the growth of thick luxurious hair
- · Prevents thinning of the hair
- · Treats premature balding (alopecia)
- · Moisturizes the hair and scalp
- · Improves blood circulation
- · Nourishes the hair and hair follicles
- · Prevents and treats split ends
- · Prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi
- · Treats dandruff
- · Prevents drying out of the skin in the scalp
- · Darkens the hair
- · Improves the uptake of nutrients
- · Minimizes hair damage
- · Softens the hair
- · Makes the hair shiny
KEY POINTS TO NOTE:
The average rate
or speed of hair growth is about 1.25 centimetres or 0.5 inches per
month, or about 15 centimetres or 6 inches per year. – From Wikipedia
This means that
everyone has hair growth, the problem is retention. Based on viewing several videos and reading hair
blogs, long hair is achieved by maintaining hair growth and retaining current
length. To accomplish this research
points to three key points: (a) condition (b) moisturize and (c) treat. I will address retention after my 90 hair
challenge.
