Castrol is a multi-purpose oil used to treat various conditions, either by ingesting or applying the oil. It is a crucial ingredient in many cosmetics products meant to provide moisturizing benefits to skin and hair. So is Castor oil suitable for dreadlocks? What are the benefits of using this oil for your dreadlocks?
Castor oil is a natural conditioner that strengthens and softens your natural dreadlocks. It is an ultra-hydrating moisturizer that nourishes dry scalps and makes your dreadlocks radiant. It cleanses your scalp and reduces dandruff, creating a clean and healthy environment for hair growth. Castor oil can be a carrier oil for essential oils.
Table of Contents
What is Castor Oil?
Castor oil is extracted from castor seeds from the castor plant (Ricinus communis) in Africa and Asia. The oil is pale yellow and has a very distinct smell. It is also thick, making it best mixed with another skin-friendly oil such as coconut or olive oil.
Castor oil has also been used as a laxative, healing benefits, and induced labor from ancient times, among others. It has now evolved to become an important product in the beauty industry.
Castor has natural healing properties that make it essential for skin and hair products. It contains proteins, Omega 6 & 9, and Vitamin E vital for healthy hair and skin.
Benefits of Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of the best oils that you can use on your dreadlocks, especially because it can be left on your hair overnight.
Here are the benefits of using castor oil for your dreadlocks:
Moisturizing Properties
Castor oil contains fatty acids that make it a natural emollient that gives your scalp and dreadlocks moisture. It is used as a remedy for dry scalp and hair. It prevents your locs from becoming dry and brittle, which in turn stimulates hair growth.
Castor oil is a humectant, this simply means it can absorb moisture from the air and preserve it. The oil makes your locs soft, shiny, and healthy, reducing the flaking.
Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and Antifungal Properties
Castor oil contains a fatty acid called Ricinoleic acid which gives it anti-inflammatory properties. This means the oil can be used to reduce inflammations and pains on your scalp.
This oil can then be used to treat an inflammatory condition that causes red scaly patches on the scalp. This condition, also known as seborrhoeic dermatitis, causes an increase in dandruff.
Castrol oil’s Antimicrobial properties protect your scalp from bacterial infections by fighting and preventing microbes’ overgrowth that can cause hair conditions.
Studies have shown that the antifungal properties of Castor oil may help fight fungal infections and pathogens microorganisms that may cause hair and scalp infections that lead to hair loss.
Cleansing and Detoxifying Properties That Fight Dandruff
There are so many causes of dandruff in your dreadlocks. Castor oil can treat scalp conditions such as dandruff and infections. The oil is non-comedogenic, this simply means it does not block or clog the pores, facilitating cleansing of the scalp.
Applying castor oil on your scalp removes all the dead skin, dirt, and dry flakes that clog the hair roots. The oil does not give any room for impurities or infections to grow.
Beautify and Nourishes your Dreadlocks
Castor oil gives your dreadlocks the beautiful shiny look that you desire. The oil acts as a lubricant, coating, and conditioning the dread strands, improving smoothness, softness, and shine.
Using castor oil helps your locs grow more robust, thicker, and shinier. It is a remedy for increasing healthy, beautiful, shiny locs.
Repairs Dry and Damaged hair
Castor oil is also used to prevent hair loss and to repair damaged hair. Its moisturizing and healing properties come in handy to ensure your locs are strong, maintained, and healthy to ensure no hair loss.
Applying castor oil to your dreadlocks helps to lubricate the locs shaft, treating the damages caused by color treatment, and decreasing the chance of hair breakage and loss.
Stimulates Hair Growth
For your hair to grow, it has to be in an environment that stimulates growth in length and volume. Castor oil creates a healthy environment for your dreadlock’s growth. It is especially recommended for starter locs that need consistent growth and care.
Although the oil smells unpleasant, you have to use it consistently for maximum results in hair growth. When massaged on the scalp, the oil improves the blood flow, which stimulates hair growth.
Great Carrier Oil
With all its benefits, Castor Oil is a perfect carrier oil for essential oils. Essentials are concentrated and toxic. They cause skin irritation when used on their own. That’s why they need a carrier oil to dilute and make them less toxic for skin and hair.
For better results in the health of your dreadlocks, add the essential oil of your choice and enjoy the nourishing benefit.
How Do You Apply Castor Oil to Your Locs?
Castor oil is an essential product that should not miss on your shelf for your scalp treatment and hair growth. However, the oil is ideal for people experiencing dryness in their scalp, hair balding, and hair loss—those who have brittle hair experiencing breakage and thinning.
The oil is also ideal for those who want to grow their dread in length and volume.
Castor oil can be used to massage your scalp to treat and heal scalp conditions. It can also be applied to your hair for hair growth and nourishment. However, it has to be mixed with other ideal oils for each goal.
Scalp Massage with Castor Oil
The goal is to deal with any scalp condition by cleansing and treating inflammations, fungus and dandruff. Mix the oil with small amounts of tea tree oil, coconut oil, and lavender essential oil, all ideal for scalp treatment.
Remember, Castor oil is thick, so it is necessary to dilute it to promote absorptions on the scalp. Apply the blend and massage it on your scalp gently. Leave it for the night or an hour, then wash it off with your favorite shampoo.
Applying for Hair Growth
The aim is to create a healthy environment for hair growth and prevent hair loss and breakage. To achieve this, the Castor oil can be mixed with Rosemary essential oil, which is well known for natural hair growth.
Apply it on your scalp and hair after or before washing. Use a comb to ensure you cover your hair evenly until you feel moist on your hair. If you prefer washing it after, leave it for some time to penetrate the scalp, hair follicles, and hair shaft.
Castor thickness makes it difficult to effectively apply on your scalp and locs because it might leave residuals that will be difficult to wash. Mixing it with a lighter oil is recommended to make sure it absorbs into your scalp properly without leaving unwanted residuals.
Use the Castor oil in small amounts. Due to its thickness, you do not want to load it on your hair and scalp. Ideally, 1 teaspoon is enough, and then add a few drops of your essential oil.
For those dealing with scalp balding, hairline loss, and thinning, apply castor oil on the affected areas and on the edges of your scalp.
Be sure to have in mind that the best method for using this oil totally depends on your hair type and concerns.
Castor Oil Precautions
There are a few precautions you need to take when using castor oil for your dreadlocks. These include:
Do a Patch Test before Applying
Castor oil is used in different ways by many people. However, it is not for everyone. It is recommended, just like any other skin product, to do a patch test before applying it to your scalp. You can apply a small amount behind your ear to test if the castor oil fits your scalp.
Mix it With an Essential or Another Carrier Oil
Castor is a big coater due to its thickness. If applied directly on your scalp or hair, it might get stuck for days and will be challenging to clean out the residual.
This means it can also block or clog your scalp pores and follicles. It is therefore recommended to combine castor oil with active essential oils or lighter carrier oils.
Side Effects
Castor oil is relatively safe; however, skin irritation and rashes on the skin are common side effects. If you experience these allergic reactions, you should not continue using castor oil. Note that applying the oil straight to your scalp may also lead to these side effects.
The side effects include:
● Skin irritation and itching
● Inflammation
● Dryness
● Skin rashes
If you experience these allergic reactions after applying castor oil, seek medical attention immediately.
Acute Hair Felting
This is a rare condition that causes your hair to entangle into a hard mass. Acute hair Felting has no remedy, and in most cases, you may end up cutting your dreads or the affected areas of your hair. You should therefore avoid using Castor oil in large amounts.
Stains your Clothes
While applying the oil, if it falls on your clothes or towels, it may stain. It is therefore recommended that you use an old t-shirt when applying castor oil on your dreads. Wash off the oil properly before drying it with your clean towel.
Other side effects of applying or consuming large amounts of castor oil include abdominal cramps, Dizziness, Nausea, Diarrhea, Hallucinations, Throat tightness, Shortness of breath and chest, and Fainting.
Avoid using Castor oil if you are pregnant, it can induce premature labor.
Conclusion
It is important to note that there is no scientific evidence of castor oil stimulating hair growth. However, people have reported experiencing hair growth after using castor oil. To determine the full benefits of castor oil, we will need more scientific research.
Additionally, before using the oil to remedy hair loss which might be an underlying health problem, you should first consult your doctor.