How to Apply Castor Oil for Hair
Castor oil has long been used as a remedy for hair loss and thinning hair. It has many other uses as well, including moisturizing dry hair, taming frizz, and managing tangles. It can also make your hair grow stronger and thicker. There is much more to just slapping the castor oil on, however; how you prepare the oil will determine how easy it is to put on. Take time to prepare the oil before you put it on your hair, and apply it properly to get the best results.
Part I - Preparing the Oil
Gather your supplies. Applying castor oil to hair seems like it might be simple, but there are a few things you can do to make it more effective and easier to apply. Here is a list of what you will need:
- Castor oil
- Other oil (argan, avocado, coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, etc.)
- Hot water
- Bowl
- Jar
- Shower cap
- Towel
- Old shirt (recommended)
- 3 tablespoons (44 ml) castor oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil
Consider adding a few drops of essential oil to mask the smell. Castor oil can smell bad. If this bothers you, try adding in two to three drops of a fresh-smelling essential oil, such as rosemary, peppermint, or tea tree.
Pour all of the oils into a small jar and shake the jar to mix everything together. Close the lid tightly, and shake the jar for a few minutes. When you are done, take the lid off.
Fill a bowl with very hot water. You can do a “hot oil treatment” with castor oil by warming it in hot water before use. Warming the oil will make it more effective and easier to work with. Make sure that the bowl you choose is large enough for the jar of castor oil to fit inside. Do not attempt to warm the oil in the microwave.
Put the jar into the water, and leave it there for two to four minutes. Make sure that the water level is at the same level as the oil. Also, make sure that the no water gets inside the jar, or the oil will get wet.
- Consider pouring the oil into a small bottle with an eye dropper. This way, you can use the eye dropper to just drip the oil to your scalp.
- If you don’t have an eye dropper, you can use a bottle with a nozzle. You can get empty applicator bottles from most beauty supply stores.
Part II - Using the Oil
Dampen your hair if you wish. Although you can apply castor oil to dry hair, dampening your hair may help the oil absorb better. A quick way to dampen your hair is to fill a spray bottle with water, and spray just your scalp. Your hair should just be a little damp, not dripping wet.
Cover your shoulders with a towel. This will protect your clothes from getting covered in oil. It may also be a good idea to wear something you do not care about anymore, in case the oil drips past the towel. This way you can avoid getting oil stains on your good clothes.
- You can also use an eye dropper to drip the oil onto various points on your scalp. This may be easier for you, and less messy. Be sure to massage the oil into your scalp for about five minutes.
Apply the oil to the rest of your hair. Scoop a little bit more oil onto your fingers, and rub it between your palms. Then, run your hands across your hair. Use your fingers to comb your hair; this helps distribute the oil. Again, start with a small amount. You do not need a lot of oil.
Cover your hair with a shower cap. Loosely pile your hair on top of your head. If you need to, you can keep it in place with a claw clip. Slip a shower cap over your hair. The shower cap will trap the heat inside, and it will keep your hair from drying out.
- This technique is similar to a hot oil hair treatment, but does not involve using a hair dryer.
- If your hair doesn’t feel overly oily or heavy after the treatment, you may choose to leave the oil in instead of washing it out.
- If you wish, you can use castor oil daily, or as often as needed.
[Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Castor-Oil-for-Hair]