Castor oil or castor oil has long been used to treat hair loss and thinning. Apart from that, castor oil also has other uses, such as moisturizing hair, softening frizzy hair, and making frizzy hair easier to manage. Castor oil is also useful for making hair stronger and thicker. However, to use castor oil, you can't just apply it to your hair. How you prepare castor oil for your hair will determine how easily you can apply it to your hair. This article will explain how to prepare castor oil and how to use it on your hair.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing Castor Oil
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
Applying castor oil to your hair seems pretty easy to do, but there are a few things you need to do to make applying castor oil more effective and easy. Below are the materials you will need:
- Castor oil
- Other oils (argan oil, avocado, coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, etc.)
- Hot water
- Bowl
- Jars
- shower cap
- Towel
- Unworn T-shirt (recommended)
Step 2. Dissolve castor oil in any other oil of your choice
Castor oil is very thick, so it will be difficult to apply to hair. Therefore, try using castor oil and another oil of your choice (eg argan oil, avocado, coconut, jojoba, or almond) in a 1:1 ratio. The added oils are beneficial for your hair. Apart from that, you can also try oil combinations such as the following:
- 3 tablespoons castor oil
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Step 3. Try adding a few drops of essential oil to reduce unpleasant odors
Castor oil can produce an unpleasant odor. If you're bothered by the smell, try adding two to three drops of an essential oil with a fresh scent, such as rosemary oil, mint oil, or tea tree oil.
Step 4. Pour all the oil into a small jar and shake the jar until all the ingredients are mixed
Close the jar tightly and shake the jar for a few minutes. When finished, open the lid.
Step 5. Fill the bowl with hot water
Make sure the bowl you use is big enough to fit the jar inside. The bowl will later be used to heat the oil. Heating oil by placing it in a bowl of hot water is more effective and easier to do. Do not try to heat the oil in the microwave.
Step 6. Place the jar in a bowl of hot water, and let it sit for two to four minutes
Make sure the water level reaches the same level as the oil level in the jar. Also, make sure no water gets into the jar, or your oil will mix with the water.
Step 7. Once the oil is hot, pour the oil into a small bowl
This way, it will be easier for you to dip your fingers in the oil when you are applying the oil to your hair.
Alternatively, try pouring the oil into a small dropper bottle. This way, you can use a dropper to directly apply the oil to your scalp
Part 2 of 2: Using Castor Oil on Hair
Step 1. Moisturize your hair, but don't let it get too wet
Moist hair makes it easier for the oil to absorb into your hair. An easy way to moisturize your hair is to fill a spray bottle with water and then spray the water onto your scalp.
Step 2. Cover your shoulders with a towel
Towels can protect your clothes from drops or oil spills. As an alternative, you can wear a t-shirt that is no longer used, if at any time the oil used is spilled and the drops exceed the towel.
Step 3. Dip your fingers in castor oil, then apply and massage it on your scalp for three to five minutes
You don't need to apply too much oil as a small amount is enough to apply to a fairly large area. Use your fingers to rub the oil between your hair roots and scalp. With your fingertips, massage your head in a circular motion.
You can also use an eyedropper to drop the oil into several points on your scalp. Besides being easier, this process will also not make much of a mess. Make sure you massage the oil on your scalp for about five minutes
Step 4. Apply the remaining oil on your hair
Take a small amount of castor oil with your fingers, then apply it on your palms and rub your palms together. After that, pinch your hair with your palms and rub the oil on the hair. Use your fingers to run through your hair and help distribute the oil into your hair. Again, you only need to use a small amount of oil. You don't need to use a lot of oil to apply on your hair
Step 5. Protect your hair with a shower cap
Bundle your hair on top of your head. If necessary, you can secure the bundle with bobby pins. Then, put on a shower cap to protect your hair. Wearing a shower cap can keep the heat inside, and prevent your hair from drying out due to the air in the room.
Step 6. Wrap a hot towel around your head and shower cap
Soak a towel in hot water, then wring it out to remove excess water. Wrap the towel around your head. You can tuck the end of the towel under your turban, or secure it with a large hair clip. The heat generated from the towel will make the oil work more effectively.
Step 7. Wait for 30 minutes to 3 hours before you wash your hair
You can also leave it on overnight, although there isn't much evidence to suggest that it is any more effective. When you clean your hair, keep in mind that the cleaning process may take a while for the oil to completely release from the hair. Some people find that cleaning with conditioner alone, without shampoo, is more effective than using shampoo.
Step 8. Perform this treatment once to twice a week for best results
However, keep in mind that you may not see results the day after the treatment. Therefore, try doing a hair treatment using castor oil for four weeks, before you decide to use another treatment.
Tips
- Castor oil can also be purchased at beauty product stores. Usually castor oil products sold in these stores contain other ingredients, and can be used right away, without needing to be reheated.
- Try using castor oil that is produced through a squeezing machine and still hasn't gone through the filtering process. Besides being able to work more effectively on the hair, the oil also has almost all the necessary nutrients. Try not to buy castor oil that has been filtered or mixed with other ingredients. These oils have very few nutrients for hair and may not work as effectively as unfiltered castor oil.
- Castor oil can moisturize hair, making it suitable for use on dry hair. In addition, this oil can also help soften frizzy curls.
- If your hair tends to tangle easily, you may notice a change after a castor oil treatment. Your hair will be smoother and more manageable.
- Castor oil can also reduce itching on the scalp and reduce dandruff.
- Castor oil can help make hair stronger and thicker, as well as fight hair loss.
Warning
- Do not use castor oil if you are pregnant or have long-term digestive problems.
- If you've never used castor oil before and have sensitive skin, try an allergy test first. Apply a small amount of castor oil on the inner arm and wait for a few hours. If there are no signs or reactions of irritation or allergies, you can use castor oil for your hair care.
- Since castor oil is highly concentrated and viscous, it can darken your hair color. However, the discoloration is subtle and not permanent.
- Castor oil can improve hair conditions, such as fighting hair loss and itching. However, in some cases, the use of castor oil can actually worsen the condition of the hair.
