Castor oil has been around for quite some time (try thousands of years) as a solution to a wide variety of ailments. These days, it’s often used to help manage thinning curls.
The oil is thick and sticky, but is loved by many natural curlies because it helps them grow stronger, longer curls. It’s loaded with nutrients like Vitamin E, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as protein that nourish strands. It also has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that combat the germs that can cause scalp infections. If you struggle with chronic dandruff, fungal infections or inflammation, you might notice thinner curls. Castor oil can help manage those issues , which will keep your curls from becoming dry and damaged.
How to use it:
Castor oil is great for your curls and you can get the most out of it by mixing up a curl growth serum. Mixing castor oil with another lighter oil will make it much easier to apply. For example, you can mix castor oil with coconut oil, black seed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or grapeseed oil. You can also add essential oils to your serum to customize it to your curl’s needs. Some great oils to try are rosemary, lavender, thyme, cedar wood or chamomile.
You only need to apply your castor oil solution 1-2 times per week. Apply to damp, pre sectioned curls, working it from scalp to ends. Make sure to massage it into your scalp to get the anti bacterial and scalp stimulating benefits. This mixture works best when applied as an overnight hair treatment, which you can then wash off the next morning with a gently cleansing shampoo. Cover with a plastic cap to prevent it from staining your pillowcase. You can also cover with a cap and sit under heat or steam to allow it to penetrate your curl’s shaft. Don’t over apply castor oil, as it can make your curls weighed down and greasy feeling. Additionally, if you use castor oil too often, you’ll need to shampoo more often, which can be drying and damaging to curls.