What's the deal with Castor oil and Jamaican Black Castor Oil?

Castor oil and Jamaican Black Castor oil are two products that are frequently mentioned on natural hair blogs and forums. To date I have only tried the Home Health brand of Castor oil and my hair loves it so much that I believe I am on my third bottle already (in less than 2 years).

Initially I started doing a Castor oil challenge which consisted of applying Castor oil mixed with a lighter oil to my scalp 2-3 times a week. Prior to the challenge I had some scalp issues that included flaking and itching, especially in the crown area. After the challenge was over I noticed that even now I don't have any problems with flaking and even though my scalp still itches at times, there has been a great improvement to the amount of itching that I was experiencing. Castor oil acts as a humectant so it's possible that the Castor oil helped to draw in some much needed moisture to my scalp and roots. I know that many individuals are adamantly against oiling the scalp but it worked for me and when it comes to my hair I do what works. You should always do the say for your hair.

While researching information regarding the difference between Castor oil and Jamaican Black Castor oil I came upon the Tropic Isle Living site and there is actually has short statement on their site explaining the difference. According to the site the major difference is that the Castor beans for the JBCO are roasted until the brown color is reached and the oil is extracted. I wasn't able to find a lot of information about JBCO from reliable sources so we will just have to educate each other (leave comments below). Castor oil is typically extracted from the seed of Ricinus communis Linn. When the slow roasting is omitted, it makes sense that the color would remain light and not turn the brown color of the JBCO. (This is coming from a girl that just browned some white chocolate by accident the other day - on low heat btw)

There are numerous articles available that further explain the medicinal and health & beauty benefits that can result from the use of Castor oil. In your free time you may want to Google Castor oil and read some of that information for your self.

In your opinion is a huge difference between JBCO and CO? Which do you prefer?

I haven't tried JBCO (yet) but my sister has so I am turning to her for a first-hand review. Coming up...my sister reviews Jamaican Black Castor Oil


References
Tropical Isle Living Castor Oil Comparison

Welch, Holme, & Clark Co - Castor Oil
Castor Oil Facts
The Beauty Brains

How Does Castor Oil Help Hair Loss?

I mentioned a few days ago that wanted to incorporate the use of more oils throughout my hair regimen. My hair seems to respond well to oils so curiosity led me to research more about the various oils I plan to use. I found this information on Castor oil very interesting:

Stimulates Hair Growth

Massaging castor oil into the scalp helps hair loss in two different ways. First, the massaging action stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging new and faster growth. Second, the castor oil soaks in to the root of the hair, where it interacts with the follicles and encourages them to grow additional hair.

Conditions Scalp

Castor oil also conditions the scalp and existing hair, making it healthier and improving its appearance. Even though initially a person may have the same amount of hair, that hair will appear thicker because it is healthier. Healthy hair strands appear thicker than unhealthy hair strands.

Strengthens Hair

The application of castor oil also helps strengthen each hair strand, preventing breakage and hair loss. The hair stays in the follicle longer, and the hair itself doesn't break as easily. Broken hair strands can make hair appear thinner.

Read more: How Does Castor Oil Help Hair Loss? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4741189_castor-oil-help-hair-loss.html#ixzz10SRhMvsg

Castor Oil Challenge: OVER!!!

Did you stick to it? How did it go for you?

My scalp looks and feels awesome!!! My roots are so soft and moisturized. This challenge has taught me that my scalp needs love too and that Castor oil is a great moisturizer. As a result, I am not retiring this to the shelf. I will continue to use Castor oil when needed but especially after shampooing/co-washing.

Comparison pics are coming (My laptop is feeling a little under the weather) ...I will update this post. In the meantime - I am curious about challenge feedback from others. Please share.

**updated 04/10/10**

I really wish I had and knew how to use one of those super cameras - the ones that can capture your skin cells, LOL.

I am so impressed with the outcome of using Castor Oil. I will probably not use it 2-3 times a week anymore but I will definitely continue to use it and incorporate using it on my ends. If I get the same outcome on my ends that I did on my roots, I will be a happy camper.

Typically after washing my hair, when I part it for a style, I would encounter some flaking. I am no longer seeing that. Also, when styling my roots are now the easiest portion of my hair to separate. I am also noticing some shorter hair all over but I know it is not breakage because I have been watching my breakage and shortage. These pieces are about 1 -2 inches all over. I believe they are those itty bitty length hairs that would never grow - because I don't see those anymore. I feel like growth was encouraged. However, it could have been th regular massaging that result from applying the Castor Oil. I usually do not pay any attention to my scalp (neglect) much less apply product to it on a regular basis.

The more I think about it, I just may make this a consistent part of my cold weather regimen and use occasionally in the warmer weather.

Oh, and I have a TON of Castor oil left...I thought my hubby would help me use it up. Oh well....it will last.

Castor Oil Challenge Weeks 6-8

Been slacking with posting on this topic...mainly because things have been pretty consistent for a few weeks

My scalp looks and feels great and my root are so soft. I can't believe the difference that I am feeling.

Only few more days in March and this challenge is over. I am already proud of myself for sticking with it this long. I tend to lose interest, get bored, and stop things.

On April 1 I am going to have spa day with my hair and that includes:
Pre-poo

Shampooing the scalp and length

a long DC

and a roller-set

I am also contemplating a henna treatment

Castor Oil Challenge Weeks 1-3

I wanted to do weekly summaries but, I have been so distracted by and busy with school....can't wait until it's all over and done with.

End of Week 1:

I noticed that my scalp did not feel as dry as it usually does and that was great. I started the first week with oiling my scalp using my fingers twice a week.

End of Week 2:

I decided to up my oiling to 3 times a week just because it feels so great and the oil absorbs so fast and so well. As long as I am not feeling like an oil slick I am okay with more than twice a week. My scalp was still feeling great. After washing I didn't not have any flaky dryness after my hair dried. Yes!

End of Week 3:

This week has been weird. My scalp has been sore and itchy in only one spot (the crown). The itchiness is normal for me - one day I hope to figure out the cause. So I added a few drops of tea tree oil to help with the itching. This may also be due to stress because this week has been sorta hectic. When I was in undergrad and I would get really stressed my hair would start graying at a fast rate and my shedding would increase. I thought I would losing my hair but it stayed thick and I didn't have bald spots. I try to relax when I feel myself getting stressed but that is not always easy. I am hoping to get a break sometime this weekend, hopefully after I am done with my papers for school.

How is the challenge going for you?

Hair Growth Aids

The fantasy world of hair growth aids and what they will do for you has fooled many of us.  Growth aids do have their place.  Some hair products do stimulate the scalp and hair follicles to produce growth.  Products that contain minoxidil like Rogaine have been proven by the FDA to grow hair where hair follicles have been dormant.  Recent university studies of Emu Oil has shown to produce hair growth.  Also, studies for apple polyphenols have been shown to grow hair.  Now for your more underground growth aids that hair forum people claim to have received astounding resuts such as: miconazole nitrate, Mega Tek, castor oil and a few others.  Even though miconazole nitrate, Megat Tek and castor oil have not been fully researched; I believe the women are getting the results they are claiming.  But a simple regular scalp massage with your finger tips can achieve growth for some women.  Hair growth aids do stimulate the scalp and follicles by getting the blood to circulate more in the scalp to receive optimal hair growth.  That's Great!

Here where we have been fooled.  Dependency on hair growth aids without any knowledge on how to maintain length as it grows.  You can put all the oils and chemical on your scalp to stimulate your follicles  to produce growth but it won't mean anything if you have the same unhealthy hair maintenace habits that keep your hair constantly damaged and breaking.  I'm just speaking from experience.  I use to constantly get hair breakage during shampooing.  I would bunch my hair when washing, then I would have a tangled mess on top of my head, then breakage and hair on the floor while I attempted to detangle.  You can't prevent all hair breakage and shedding, but you can prevent most. 

I know what your thinking, I must buy this and that.  I can give you sites of women who have booty length hair and they do not use anything special.  They use mostly regular sometimes cheap products that do contain mineral oil and they showed progress with growth on a continuous basis. 

What are we doing to maintain hair:

1. Shampoo properly so that your scalp is clean but your hair isn't tangled.  Try putting your hair in 4-6 loose braids and wash in sections.  Don't bunch your hair.  Use a moisturizing shampoo.
2. Condition your hair after washing.  I condition my hair at least once a week with a plastic cap and under a hooded dryer for at least 15-30 minutes.  Alternating between a protein conditioner and moisturizing conditioner.
3. Moisturizing hair everyday (if you have dry hair). Focus on ends.
4. Low maintainance hair styles.  Anything that will protect the ends of your hair and to keep you from combing and styling everyday.  Style like buns, french rolls, roller sets, braids, cornrows, even wigs. 
5. Less heat.  Try to air dry.  Use flat iron on low setting.

In conclusion, by all means use hair growth aids if that's what you want to do.  But you are going to have to change some of your habits that have been losing the growth you have gained.  Hair growth aids wont do all of the work for you.

Castor Oil Challenge: Day 1

As I saw styling my hair for the week I made a part in the front and the appearance of my scalp made me sad. It was kinda "ashen" and it flaked really bad where I parted. This is not usually noticeable but this time after washing, I let my hair air dry completely without applying shea butter from root to tip. This challenge is right on time. I oiled my scalp very lightly with the Castor oil mix and and today my scalp looks a lot better already. I am ready to see the affect this will have on my scalp in the long run.

Castor Oil Challenge: Castor and Avocado Oil Mix

This is very very simple. I put 1/4 cup of Castor Oil and 1/4 of Avocado Oil in a container, mix, and it is ready to be used. If you put your mixture into a container with a tight lid you can shake the to mix.

Castor Oil Challenge: My Planned Routine

Castor oil is really thick and some even say that it smells (I don't smell it *Kanye shrug*). You may find it beneficial to mix the Castor oil with a carrier oil. Carrier oils include:

Sweet Almond Oil	Kukui Nut Oil
Apricot Kernel Oil	Macadamia Nut Oil
Avocado Oil	Watermelon Seed Oil
Meadowfoam Oil	Jojoba Oil
Borage Seed Oil	Sunflower Oil
Seabuckthorn Berry Oil	Hemp Seed Oil
Tea Tree Oil	Sesame Oil
Peanut Oil	Hazelnut Oil
Cranberry Seed Oil	Pecan Oil
Evening Primrose Oil	Pomegranate Seed Oil
Coconut Oil	Grapeseed Oil
Rose Hip Oil	Olive Oil

You can find the majority of these oils in any health food store. Olive oil will probably be the easiest to find-it is in almost every grocery store. From previous information I have read-the greener the olive oil the better. But to be honest, my hair response the same way to olive oil no matter the color.Mixing the olive oil with a carrier oil can be tricky.

If you look at some homemade hair product recipes out there you will notice that when Castor is used, the same amount of carrier oil is used. Some people apply the Castor oil straight with no chaser. The choice is yours. Listen to your hair and give it what it asks for.

The rules of the challenge say to apply at least twice a week. Castor oil has anti-fungal properties so if you have a serious dandruff problem you may want to consider a few additional days a week. The challenge will be going on for a while so feel free to start off slow and adjust your application if needed.

My plans for this challenge (and some things you may want to ponder):

Participation time frame: 2 months (Feb 1 -Apr 1)

Brand used: Walgreen’s Castor Oil and then Home Health Castor oil for the rest of the challenge

Mixing: Castor Oil and Avocado Oil (equal parts of each oil)

Application: Twice a week. Sundays and Thursdays, Sunday is my wash night.

Overall goal for this challenge: Healthier scalp, I put a lot of care into my strands but don’t really pay a lot of attention to my scalp.

I have pledged some serious dedication, I hope I can stick to it. Hold me accountable!

Castor Oil Challenge

Recently, I have came across a few videos on YouTube regarding a Castor Oil Challenge upon further investigation I discovered that quite a few of the ladies got this Challenge from Black Hair Media (BHM). The claims from the challenge include growth, healthier scalp, and less split ends. Sounds interesting huh? Well because I am more about maintaining length the healthier scalp and less splits intrigued me. So I decided it's worth a shot. I am going to follow that same rules posted on BHM. Once again, curiosity is getting the best of me. However, this challenge utilizes products that I already know that my hair loves. Therefore, I assume that no harm will be done.

I plan to try this starting on Feb 1 and going until April 1. The ending date also happens to be the date I plan to slow down on protective styles. The air should be moist again-April Showers :)

If you want to join me, I hope this gives you enough time to purchase your Castor Oil and your mixing oil.

My previous post highlight all the other benefits that can be gained from using Castor Oil.