Hi! I'm Steph and one of the founders of iAMA Castor Oil.
I have been on a healthy hair journey for over 10 years now, using almost every product on the market to transform my hair into healthy curls. I have been using Castor Oil for the last few years and it has completely restructured my hair and scalp.
Curly hair is naturally drier and more fragile than straight hair. The twists and turns of each curl make it difficult for the scalp's natural oils, known as sebum, to travel down the hair shaft, leading to dryness and frizz. Additionally, curly hair’s cuticle layers are often more lifted, which increases moisture loss and makes the hair more susceptible to environmental damage. To maintain healthy, bouncy curls, it’s essential to provide them with deep hydration, nourishment, and protection—all of which castor oil excels at.
Castor oil contains a rare fatty acid, Ricinoleic Acid
This rare fatty acid that constitutes 90% of castor oil. Its molecular structure includes a hydroxyl group that enhances its ability to penetrate the skin and hair follicles. Research shows that ricinoleic acid exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects, which can soothe the scalp and create a conducive environment for hair growth. Ricinoleic acid works by forming a protective barrier around each hair strand, sealing in moisture and preventing dehydration. For curly hair, which is prone to dryness, this is crucial. By locking in moisture, ricinoleic acid helps to keep curls soft, bouncy, and well-defined.
Omega-6 and Omega-9 Fatty Acid
These fatty acids nourish the hair, promoting elasticity and strength. They play a crucial role in maintaining the lipid barrier of the scalp, preventing dryness and hair damage.
Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that the body cannot produce on its own. It plays a critical role in maintaining the hair’s lipid barrier, which is essential for keeping the hair hydrated and preventing moisture loss. For curly hair, which often struggles with dryness, linoleic acid is invaluable in maintaining softness and reducing breakage.
Oleic acid is a non-essential fatty acid that deeply penetrates the hair shaft, providing intense hydration and improving hair elasticity. This makes the curls more pliable and less prone to breakage when styling or detangling. Oleic acid also helps to smooth the cuticle layer, resulting in shinier, more defined curls.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects hair follicles from oxidative stress, which can damage hair cells and impede growth. It also enhances blood circulation to the scalp, ensuring that hair follicles receive adequate nutrients and oxygen.
Environmental factors like UV radiation, pollution, and heat styling generate free radicals, which can damage the hair’s cellular structure. Vitamin E in castor oil neutralizes these free radicals, protecting hair from oxidative stress and preventing damage to the hair cuticle. This protection is vital for maintaining the integrity and elasticity of curls.
Vitamin E also improves blood circulation in the scalp, which ensures that hair follicles receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen for healthy hair growth. Enhanced blood flow can lead to stronger, thicker, and more resilient curls.
Triglycerides (Tricinolein)
Triglycerides in castor oil, particularly tricinolein, contribute to the oil’s thick, emollient texture, which provides deep conditioning and nourishment to curly hair.
Tricinolein serves as a natural emollient that penetrates the hair shaft, delivering moisture and nutrients to the hair’s inner layers. This deep conditioning effect is particularly beneficial for curly hair, which often requires more intensive moisture to stay soft and manageable.
By smoothing the hair cuticle, tricinolein helps to reduce frizz and enhance curl definition. Well-conditioned curls are less likely to experience frizz and more likely to clump together, forming well-defined ringlets or coils.
Sterols and Esters
Castor oil contains various plant sterols and esters, such as beta-sitosterol and cholesterol, which are known for their hair-conditioning properties. These compounds contribute to the flexibility and elasticity of curly hair, making it more resistant to damage and breakage. By enhancing the hair’s natural strength, sterols help prevent the snapping and split ends that curly hair is prone to. Sterols and esters also help to smooth the hair’s outer cuticle, which enhances light reflection and gives curls a natural, healthy shine.
Minerals and Proteins
These components fortify hair strands, reducing the likelihood of breakage and split ends. Proteins help repair damaged hair and maintain its structure and integrity.
I also sleep with a bonnet on to hold the curls and avoid frizz.
My curly hair routine
Pre-wash to clean the hair
Although this step isn't completely necessary, I like to shampoo my scalp (with castor oil shampoo of course) to ensure my scalp and ends are clean. This is also to dampen the hair for the next step.
Castor oil treatment
While my hair is still damp, I massage iAMA Castor Oil into my hair. To watch how I do this from my scalp to the ends, watch here. I brush this through and find massaging for 3-5 mins is really beneficial.
Regular scalp massages
iAMA can stimulate blood flow and promote healthy hair growth. Apply a small amount of oil to your fingertips and massage your scalp in circular motions for 5-10 minutes. This practice not only nourishes the hair follicles but also helps to reduce scalp dryness and irritation.
Leave in!
I leave my Castor oil hair mask overnight. I sometimes tie in a bun and leave it for a few days. Due to it's thickness, it's super slick!
Wash out
When I'm ready to get back to curly, I carry out my wash routine. I shampoo 2 times to ensure the stickiness will not remain. I then condition, brush through and rinse.
(When I first used iAMA Castor oil, I was worried my hair would still have an oily residue. But after a few washes using the Castor oil, I noticed my hair actually got less greasy between washes. I was surprised, since I was literally applying oil voluntarily on my hair, but it re-balanced the scalp to produce a normal level of oil instead of overproducing and making it greasy.)
Upside down towel scrunch!
On my dripping wet hair, I apply the Lush R&B moisturiser and begin to scrunch with my towel. This helps to dry the curls, as well as hold them. I do this until my hair is damp. Before I diffuse, I also put a drop of iAMA Castor oil on my finger tips and apply to the ends to lock in moisture.
Diffuser to hold the curls
With NO heat to avoid damage, I begin diffusing the curls. Room temperature air isn't fun or quick, but I know it provides a better result. I ensure to get the back and sides, as well as swooshing my hair to one side (to dry the curls in different directions)
Here are a few tips I have between cycles to hold your curls.
- I sleep with a bonnet on to hold the curls and avoid frizz.
- When I'm home, I clip the two strands of hair at the front to the back, almost like the half up half down look.
- I never tie my hair up. It creates frizz.
- I use Castor oil on the ends every few days, it makes a difference with frizz and having dry ends which ends up spreading to the roots.
Why Use iAMA Castor oil?
Within a few washes, iAMA Castor Oil forms a barrier on the hair surface which prevents water loss and protects the hair from external damage. It's a powerful antioxidant that helps to repair and build weak tissue.
On average, our skin cycle is 5-6 weeks, so after you have been through one or two of these, you may notice your scalp feels less irritated and more soothed, your hair is stronger and maybe has a few more baby hairs growing, and isn't greasy as quick. After a few cycles, you may notice your scalp feels less irritated and more soothed.
I would love for you to try it for a few months and let me know how you get on.
Steph. x
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