Dry hair can be a challenge to care for. Including oil as part of your hair care routine can help to give your hair the moisture it needs. Using castor oil for your dry hair may seal in moisture, making it healthy, soft and less susceptible to breakage, reports Black Women Beauty Central.
Dry Hair
Your hair may be dry naturally or it might have become dry as a result of over-processing. Hair can also become dry from frequent use of heated appliances or from using certain types of styling products. Whichever way you acquired dry hair, it can become frizzy, brittle and dull very easily. Cold winters and hot summers can also take a toll on dry hair, making it hard to manage. Dry hair can even be the result of swimming and over-shampooing, says Women's Hair Topics.
Castor Oil
Castor oil, which comes from the beans of the Ricinus communis plant, is native to tropical Africa and cultivated for its oil, reports Animal Science at Cornell University. Castor oil is used for medicinal, therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. The oil has germicidal properties that make it effective against all kinds of bacterial, fungal and viral infections, reports Online Gardener tips. Castor oil treats dandruff, eczema, hair loss and scalp infections. Castor oil is also effective in getting rid of hair lice, according to Online Gardener Tips.
Used In Ancient Egypt
Castor bean plants were found in ancient Egyptian tombs that date back to 4000 B.C. Egyptians used castor oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids, to moisturize, condition and thicken their hair, reports Qhemet Biologics.
Castor Oil Hair Treatments
You can use castor oil to treat your dry hair in several ways. You can use it as a leave-in or combine it with other ingredients to make your own special hair and scalp treatment. Castor oil even makes an effective hot oil treatment. It also makes a scalp massage oil that you can use daily or every other day. Mixing the castor oil with either almond oil or grape seed oil and a few drops of a scented oil will make it more pleasant, reports Black Women Beauty Central.
How To Do a Hot Oil Treatment
To do a hot oil treatment with castor oil, slightly warm a small amount of oil in a saucepan. Apply a small amount of the oil to your scalp by massaging it in with your fingertips. Cover your hair with a plastic cap and leave on for a few hours to overnight. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and follow with a conditioner, says Black Women Beauty Central.
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