```Benefits of Castor Oil for Hair and Skin
Castor oil is an age old
beauty treatment that has been largely replaced over time by fancier beauty
products with more ingredients and a bigger price tag.
Castor oil has natural
antibacterial and antifungal properties and is high in Vitamin E, minerals,
proteins, and Omega 6 and 9 beneficial fatty acids. Its unusually high ricin
oleic acid ratio makes it beneficial to skin and hair.
In fact, castor oil has traditionally been used
topically for acne and other skin conditions, as well as hair loss, rashes and
more.
````What Does Castor Oil Do for the Hair?
Castor oil can be used on
the scalp to help prevent and remedy hair loss and it is effective at this for
several reasons. It’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties make it
beneficial against folliculitis, dandruff and scalp infections and its ricin
oleic acid content helps increase circulation to the scalp and improve hair
growth.
Ricin oleic acid is also said to help balance
scalp pH which can also help replenish the scalp’s natural oils and undo some
of the damage of harsh chemical hair products (and even damage from no-poo, due
to over alkalinity). The antioxidants in castor oil also support the keratin in
hair and help make hair stronger, smoother and less frizzy.
“Three Times the Growth!”
There are hundreds of
testimonials from people who used castor oil to increase their hair growth 3-5x
the normal rate. A friend of mine was struggling with postpartum hair loss and
even once her hair loss slowed, regrowing her hair was difficult.
She measured her hair growth for a month and it
grew almost half an inch. The next month, after using castor oil hair
treatments twice a week, her hair had grown almost 2 inches. She tested this
again the following month and noticed the same result and that her hair was
dramatically thicker.
What Type of Castor Oil for Hair?
There are several options
for castor oil hair treatments. I prefer to make my own, but there are some
pre-made options (this is a good one that I’ve tried in the past).
To make my own, I mix castor oil with another
hair-healthy oil (options listed below) and herbs to help support scalp health.
Unrefined and cold pressed hexane free castor oil is preferred.
Castor oil is extremely
thick and viscous so I prefer to mix with jojoba or argan oil in a glass
dropper bottle for easy application.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil:
There is a special type
of castor oil called Jamaican Black Castor oil that has extremely good reviews.
I tried it as well and it seemed to work about the same as regular castor oil
on my hair, but it seems that it might provide additional benefit for those
with thick or dry hair (my hair is fine/oily).
How to Use Castor Oil Treatments on Hair
Castor oil can be very
beneficial for hair growth if used correctly. Small amounts of plain oil can be
used for an all-over treatment. Like many things in life, more is not always
better, and only a few drops are needed per treatment. The additional oils are
completely optional.
How Often
I personally use this castor oil 1-2x per week.
It can be used more often, though I didn’t see any increased results with using
it daily.
When to Use
I’ve found that this treatment works better on
damp but not wet hair. I keep a spray bottle of water in the bathroom and just
spritz my roots before applying.
For maximum benefit, I leave the treatment on for
several hours or overnight. After applying, I use a shower cap or towel to
avoid getting the oil on furniture or a pillow.
How to Remove the Oil
Removing the castor oil
can be difficult, especially with natural shampoos. I’ve found that using a
small amount and leaving it on overnight will result in most of the oil
absorbing into the hair and scalp and make cleanup easier. In fact, I’ve been
able to dry shampoo and not wash on a few occasions. When I do shampoo, I use a
natural shampoo or mud shampoo as normal.
An alternate way is to crack an egg and whisk
until smooth and then massage the egg into the scalp. This helps break down the
oil and adds additional nutrients to the hair. It is messy though, so I’d
recommend doing this in the shower.
Another less-messy way is to condition your hair
before getting in the shower, massaging conditioner into the scalp to help
remove the castor oil. Then, shampoo as usual.
Important Notes:
With any new oil, herb or
product, test a tiny amount on your inner arm to make sure you don’t have a
reaction to castor oil. While reactions are rare, some people will notice
irritation from castor oil.
I’ve also used this in combination with my hair
growth serum with great results (I use the serum first to dampen hair, then
apply the castor oil)
It is also important to support the body
nutritionally and hormonally with hair loss, as this can often be a sign of an
internal problem.
BONUS TIP: I rub a tiny amount
of castor oil on my eyelids at night to help eyelash growth as well. It is also
part of my eyelash growth serum recipe.
Castor Oil Hair Serum Recipe
Finding your best combination of oils (or castor
oil alone) will require some experimentation and I’d love to hear what you find
works best for you. My favorite mix is:
• 3
Tablespoons of Castor Oil
• 1
Tablespoon Jojoba Oil or Argon Oil
Castor Oil Instructions
1. Mix ingredients in a dark colored dropper bottle.
2. Shake
to mix.
3. Use
the dropper to apply to the scalp. I part my hair right above the ear on one
side, add a few drops of castor oil, part again about 1/2 inch from that part,
add more castor oil, and so on until I’ve coated my whole scalp.
4. Then,
I massage for 5 minutes to make sure entire scalp is coated and to help
increase circulation.
Note: This will make enough for 5+ uses depending
on the length of your hair.
If you’re not a fan of using castor oil, some
people have found coconut oil for hair to be a better fit.
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