How Jamaican Black Castor Oil Can Improve Relaxed Hair

Incorporating natural oils into my relaxed hair routine has been beneficial. Over the years I’ve used several natural oils such as coconut oil, sunflower, grapeseed oil, and olive oil, just to name a few. All of them have helped my hair in some way, either adding smoothness, shine, or sheen.

None of those oils though haven't just benefited my hair but also my scalp. The only one that has is Jamaican Black Castor Oil. It’s pretty much my go-to oil for my scalp. While I do sometimes use oil blends I buy in the store on my scalp, Jamaican Black Castor Oil is one of the few natural oils I’ll apply straight to my scalp as is on a regular basis.

Improving relaxed hair with Jamaican Black Castor Oil | A Relaxed Gal

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About Jamaican Black Castor Oil

So what is Jamaican Black Castor Oil? Well, it’s related to castor oil which is made from cold processing the beans or seeds of the castor plant. The difference between Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) and regular castor oil is how the oil is processed.

JCBO is created by roasting the castor seeds, mashing them into a fine powder, and then boiling the powder. This gives it the burnt-like smell you may have heard others mention. Also, due to the processing method, JBCO is said to be more potent than regular castor oil.

Jamaican Black Castor oil has become popular in the natural and relaxed hair communities because of the benefits attached to it. Benefits such as moisturizing the hair, treating dandruff, helping with split ends, strengthening the hair, and even promoting hair growth.

How to use Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Despite the many benefits it has for relaxed hair, Jamaican Black Castor Oil is not something that is recommended to use all over the hair, due to the really thick consistency. It can make the hair feel sticky and weighed down if too much is applied. Because of that, I use it pretty strategically in my own relaxed hair regimen.

On my scalp

I like to use Jamaican Black Castor Oil on my scalp because it helps with dryness and potential flaking. I’ve found when I stop using it for a while my scalp issues pop back up.

I apply it to my scalp pretty much every evening when I moisturize and seal my hair. I either use my fingers or a squirt bottle and then massage the oil into my scalp. Because my scalp and hair absorb the oil I don’t have to worry about it staining or getting on my pillowcase.

Mixed with my conditioner

I have to admit I don’t do this often enough. It’s mostly when I remember or when I’m participating in a castor oil challenge. But when I do remember to add some Jamaican Black Castor Oil to my pre-poo and/or my deep conditioner I can tell the difference in my hair.

On my ends

This is also something I don’t do often because JBCO is so thick I don’t want to weigh my hair down. When I apply it to my ends it’s because I’ve noticed some splitting, my ends have been constantly drying out, and mixing this into my moisturizer or sealing oil could help, or I want to do an extra treatment before I wash my hair.

Hot oil treatments

I’ve been doing hot oil treatments off and on throughout the years and including Jamaican Black Castor Oil in my mixtures only makes the treatment better.

The Jamaican Black Castor Oil I use

During the time I’ve been using Jamaican Black Castor Oil, I haven’t been using just one brand. For some reason, the stores around me can’t seem to keep JCBO on the shelves which has contributed to why I use different brands. I also try to see what’s on sale and purchase that.

I tend to like original Jamaican Black Castor Oil or extra dark. I’ve also bought some mixed with other oils but personally, I don’t think those have been as effective for me as straight JBCO. The two brands I purchase the most are Tropic Isle and Jamaican Mango & Lime.

From my use of Jamaican Black Castor Oil in my relaxed hair regimen I’ve seen some good results.

My scalp doesn’t dry out and flake like it used to, especially in the winter
My hair and scalp stay moisturized longer
I’ve seen thicker new growth
Less tangling with my new growth

How to use Jamaican Black Castor Oil on relaxed hair | A Relaxed Gal

Things to keep in mind

If you’re planning to give Jamaican Black Castor Oil a try, here are a few things to keep in mind.

You may have some itching after your first application. I’m not sure why but this happens to some people. It could be a type of allergic reaction. For some people, it helps to dilute the JCBO using other oils or mixing it into a conditioner. For others, regular castor oil may be a better option.
You may see an increase in shedding as your scalp and hair adjust.
Don't use it as a sealing oil. Jamaican Black Castor Oil is really heavy and when used directly and solely on the hair regularly it can weigh the hair down and leave it with a sticky feeling.