Castor oil is a type of natural oil that is produced from the pressed seeds of castor plant. The use of this oil for various medical and beauty applications date back to the ancient times. However, it was not until recently that it has gained renewed attention when it comes to using the oil for natural hair care. Castor oil is not as popular as olive, jojoba or coconut oil as a natural alternative for hair care because it can be more difficult to remove. But it is a good source of vitamin E and provides several benefits to the hair, which makes it worth the extra effort. In addition to containing vitamin E, castor oil is also rich in various minerals, proteins, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Combat Hair Loss
The benefit of castor oil in dealing with hair loss is two-pronged: 1) it fights causes of hair loss, and 2) it promotes hair growth. To use castor oil to fight hair loss, apply and massage a small amount of castor oil to scalp. Leave it on your scalp and roots for 1 to 2 hours then rinse off.
Meanwhile, ricinoleic acid found in castor oil stimulates blood circulation to the scalp so that more nutrients can travel to that part of the body. These nutrients, in turn, aid in the process of new hair growth. In addition, the omega-6 essential fatty acids found in castor oil facilitates in new hair growth as well.
Fight Scalp Infection
Taking care of your scalp is vital because it can lead to a wide range of conditions such as dandruff, dry scalp and bald patches. Unhealthy scalp can also be the culprit behind inability to re-grow hair. The natural antifungal and antibacterial properties found in castor oil fight the causes of scalp infection before they spread.
Natural Moisturiser and Conditioner
Castor oil is a good source of omega-9 fatty acids that are responsible for drawing in moisture to your hair and sealing them in. Hence, it acts as a natural conditioner when used on your hair. You need to use castor oil on hair at least 15 minutes before washing it with shampoo. If you do this regularly, you should notice your hair feeling softer and smoother.
But if you want to amp up your regular conditioner, simply add a few drops of castor oil into the bottle and use it as you normally would.
Gives Shine
Maintaining shine in hair is a difficult undertaking due to the various factors that strip off the natural sheen of hair. However, you can incorporate castor oil into your regular hair care routine to increase shine and gloss. Simply combine a small quantity of castor oil with your styling product such as mousse or serum. Then, work it into your hair as you normally would. You can also try using castor oil for your hot oil treatment. The oil coats the hair shaft and seals in the moisture into the strands to make them shinier over time.
Have you tried using castor oil for your hair?