Secrets to Fast Hair Growth, Thicker Eyelashes and Brows

How to grow your hair by one inch in one day?’, ‘Does vaporubs grow hair?’, ‘Does the inversion method really work?’…I am sure we have all googled this and stalked the internet searching for fast ways to gain that length. I must admit I tried some of these quick hair growth hacks; I even applied oil on my head and laid upside down for over 10 minutes. All that did was give me a massive headache and make me nauseous. Over the years, I have learned that it is not the hacks that will promote natural hair growth but the consistency of my black curly hair care. Something that is just as important as consistency is the products you use and the benefits they have, and a product that is perfect for anyone looking to grow their hair, lashed, and brows are Caster Oil.

 

 

You know how there is a common sentiment that coconut oil is a curly hair girls' best friend? Well, I like to think of Castor Oil as their underrated sibling. Originating from East Africa castor oil is derived from castor beans and has been used by human civilizations for over 2000 years. Making it one of the oldest cultivated plants and has even been alleged to be a part of Cleopatra's beauty regime and would use it in her hair and brighten her eyes. The plant has been used for its medicinal properties, such as calming stomach aches and its beneficial hair properties. 

 

 

Castor oil is much thicker than your usual oils, such as olive oil, and has a pale-yellow hue. The oil is packed with triglycerides, fatty acids, and ricinoleic acid, giving it remarkable moisturizing, nourishing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its high levels of ricinoleic acid help lock in moisture within hair strands, which is vital if you want to retain length and curly hair definition. 

Benefits of Castor Oil to Black Curly Hair Care 

 

1. Promote Natural Hair Growth – although they are no current studies that show the link between hair growth and castor oil, it does have potential hair growing properties. Due to the oil's fatty acid  content, it is known to stimulate our Prostaglandin E2 receptor. This receptor increases blood flow, sending more nutrients towards your scalp and hair roots, encouraging hair growth.
2. Promote a clean, healthy Scalp – the oil has      antibacterial traits which work in preventing fungal overgrowth, which helps you maintain a clean, healthy scalp. A healthy scalp is a vital step in your black curly hair regime, and you can use this oil if you wish to treat scalp irritation or dandruff.
3. Promote Hair Shine, Sheen, and Hair Flexibility – since      castor oil has antimicrobial and is a natural humectant, it coats the hair giving it a beautiful glossy shine and strengthening it will reduce  shedding.

 

 

 

Two types of castor oils are ideal for hair care: cold-pressed castor oil and Jamaican black castor oil. Cold Pressed oil Cold-pressed castor oil has a yellow hue and a light scent. It is produced by cold pressing the castor beans without heat or roasting and is perfect for irritated scalps as it is less alkaline than its counterpart. In contrast, Jamaican black castor oil is made by roasting the castor beans with ash giving it its darker, thicker consistency. While cold-pressed castor oil is better for finer hair textures and Jamaican black castor oil is perfect for black curly hair care.

 

 

There is no size all healthy way to use Castor oil, especially in regards to hair care. Depending on your hair goals, the frequency and method you will use castor oil may differ. It is also important to note that hair does not grow overnight as much as we all wish it did. So it might even take up to four months for you to notice drastic changes; during this process, remember consistency, length retention and healthy hair are key.

 

Suppose you wish to increase your hair density around your edges and hair perimeter, perhaps due to over-manipulating wigs and protective style. In that case, it is advisable to use the oil as a scalp massage. Every night you can apply some warm castor oil and massage it into your edges, stimulating blood flow and promoting growth. Since Castor oil is quite dense, try limiting this to three days a week or leave it overnight and wash it out every morning to avoid build-up.

 

Another way to use Castor oil is as a pre-poo due to its humankind properties. Combined this mineral and fatty acid-packed oil with your favorite oils, products or organic products such as aloe vera and give prep your hair for your next wash day. Castor oil will act as a perfect conditioner before your wash day and prevent that straw-like texture your shampoos leave on your hair.

 

Castor oil can also act as a sealant and efficiently take the role of oil in your LOC or LCO method. As a result of the properties we have mentioned before, and this oil is perfect for locking moisture. You might wish to combine it with something else to ensure your hair moisture is completely sealed. The oil can also be used on the scalp since it promotes blood flow and natural hair growth, but remember that a little goes a long way when it comes to Castor oil. Lastly, as always, I encourage you to experiment with the oil, figure out which part of your hair regime does it work best. I have seen people incorporate it into their DIY black shampoo recipe, so its use is genuinely endless.

 

 

Well lucky for you, this method can still work for your brows and lashes, and you might even be able to accomplish those bold natural thick set of brows you have always desired. When it comes to eyebrows, make sure you start with a clean face and have removed all your makeup. If you fail to do this step, adding oil might lead to skin irritation and an acne breakout. Therefore, once your face is clean, apply a drop of the oil onto your fingertips or a spoolie brush apply to your eyebrows and leave it overnight. Make sure to wash it off the next day; it might take up to 12 weeks to notice results.

 

With lashes, the use of castor oil is a bit tricky and requires a lot of precision since castor oil may irritate your eyes if you come into contact with it. Kindly Note castor oil is not toxic, so it will not damage your eyes probably make your eyesight temporarily blurry. Just like with eyebrows, make sure you start with a clean face, and using a mascara brush, apply a drop of oil and apply it to your top and bottom lashes and leave overnight. The following day uses a makeup wipe if you want to avoid getting any oil into your eyes.

 

Now that you know the benefits and applications of Castor oil, try it out for yourself and tell us your experience. Remember to do a patch test to determine if your skin is irritated by the oil. Moreover, due to the growing popularity of castor oil within black hair care, you will notice that it has been infused into many of our products. Hence you do not have to purchase plain castor oil; some may be infused with your favorite oils such as rosemary and coconut. Some products may have castor oil as an active ingredient for instant deep conditioners or hair grease. I wish you all the best in your journey to promote your natural hair growth, and remember to be patient. Do not beat yourself up if your results are not the same as some hair guru. Cherish Hair and mental health over everything.