Castor Oil for Healthy and Silky Hair

Hairs growth is attributed to the genetic and environmental factors like diet and living conditions. Castor oil with its antibacterial and antifungal properties can help to improve the scalp condition and blood circulation leading to the removal of the conditions which are resisting the healthy hair growth naturally. This is despite the genetic and natural resistance to the hair growth.

 Castor oil is a medicine and nutrition for the human hair. This is for the sheer reason that it contains vitamin E, minerals, proteins, antibacterial and anti-fungicidal properties. Scientists attribute its healing benefits to its unusual chemical composition, which consists of a triglyceride of fatty acids with ricinoleic acid of up to 90 percent.

The best types of castor oil that can help your hair to grow profusely are the ones that are raw and unprocessed. The processed ones are not better to be used for the hair health as they contain the hexane which causes the dryness of hair.

Castor oil brings the following benefits to the human hair.

Shine

Castor oil can coat the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and creating a silkier surface. Dull hair may benefit from the use of castor oil hair treatments, either in conditioners or in the form of a hot oil treatment. For optimum shine, use a hot oil treatment once per month or moisturizing treatments weekly. However, more frequent use than this can result in an oily scalp.

Growth

In case of the hair loss the strengthening effect of the castor oil on the hair follicles can help them to strengthen and improve the problem.

Prevent hair loss

The antifungal and antibacterial properties in castor oil are useful in combating scalp infections, such as follliculitus, ringworm and peidra. Infections and scalp disorders are major causes of hair loss. Pathogens and micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungus and parasites can attack your skin and scalp, leading to bald patches and impeding hair growth.

Split ends

Omega 6 essential fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins and other nutrients in castor oil can penetrate dry and damaged hair, smoothing rough cuticles and helping the hair shaft retain moisture. Castor oil has a viscous consistency, so mixing it with lighter oils — such as olive and jojoba — makes it easier to evenly and sufficiently distribute it throughout your hair. This helps in controlling the split ends of the hair.

Seal the moisture

Castor oil has the ability to seal moisture in the hair, combatting the natural dryness of these hair types. Therefore it is the most important ingredient in the hair products.

Dandruff

Castor oil contains fungicidal, germicidal and insecticidal properties, making it an effective treatment for many causes of dandruff. If you have dry scalp or dandruff, apply castor oil directly to dry areas prior to washing or shampooing the hair.

Thickening hair

Omega 6 fatty acids in castor oil help keep your scalp from drying out, while regular use of castor oil may encourage thicker hair growth.

Tips for the best use of castor oil

Even though the castor oil has many benefits to the hair and helps in their growth but still the users have complaint regarding the sticky and oily feeling after the usage of this oil on their hair. Therefore one needs to keep in mind the following things while using the castor oil on their hair.

• Since castor oil is the emollient and hence it can trap the moisture therefore one needs to moisturize the hair first before applying this oil lest it can trap the moisture.

• Castor oil is the thicker oil therefore it needs to be used in lesser quantities and should also be mixed with other oils to make it lighter on the hair shaft.