How Does Castor Oil Impact the Hair of Children?

Parents always seek natural cures for their children’s health and castor oil is an often used product. This thick oil containing a range of various types of nutrients helps in the growth of better hair, keeps the scalp healthy and also enhances the overall quality of hair- this has been a belief for ages now. But what happens to children’s hair? Well, we will try to answer that through this article as we list down some advantages and disadvantages of the use of castor oil for hair mentioning its correct application as well.

What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is one of the most popular oils for hair strengthening. It is a vegetable oil that is derived from the seeds of Ricinus communis plant. With a high concentration of fatty acids, it helps in hair growth. Because of its molecular composition, castor oil works as a remarkable emollient and moisturizer, which can enhance the overall health and appearance of your hair – scalp included.

Is castor oil safe for kids’ hair? Does castor oil do anything to a child’s hair? The good news is that castor oil is generally safe for children’s hair. Castor oil helps to naturally moisturize and protect young hair and scalp.

The Benefits of Castor Oil for Children’s Hair

1. Promotes Hair Growth

Castor oil has always been a popular product for promoting hair growth. It nourishes your hair which is why everyone loves to try it out, especially for children’s hair. The reason is that castor oil contains ricinoleic acid in high ration which promotes hair growth by increasing the blood circulation to the scalp. In children, there might be thinning hair edges or slow growth of hair, so when castor oil is applied, it will help to promote healthy hair growth and speed up the growth as well.

2. Moisturizes and Conditions Hair

Castor oil moisturises and conditions hair. Children’s hair becomes dry and brittle very easily. Especially if your kid’s hair is curly and textured, this might be your problem as well. Castor oil is thick and viscous in nature. It makes our hair manageable and a great option for providing moisturisation. It has the ability to hold moisture which prevents dryness and makes your hair smoother.

Related reading: Do Hair Dryers Need To Be Used for Kids?

3. Reduces Hair Breakage

Fragile hair is a common problem in children’s hair. When they want to style their hair, it always comes with an obstacle. Castor oil has the ability to reduce your hair breakage. It does it by strengthening the hair shaft. It consists of multiple nutrients like Vitamin E, omega 6 fatty acids and more. By locking the moisture of children’s hair, it makes them strong and reduces hair breakage.

4. Soothes and Protects the Scalp

Castor oil helps to soothe and protect the scalp. It is well understood that a healthy scalp is very important for the healthy growth of hair. By moisturizing dry and irritated skin, it keeps your scalp healthy. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties which provide benefits to children with sensitive scalps. It can also keep your children’s scalp away from fungal or bacterial infections due to its antimicrobial properties.

5. Tames Frizz and Adds Shine

If you want to say bye bye to frizzy hair and add shine to it, castor oil is your perfect fit. It is the best natural remedy to give a healthy shine to your hair without any side effects. It helps to flatten hair cuticles. This in turn keeps moisture locked in your hair and minimise any frizz problem. When your children need a neat look, castor oil is a great choice.

How to Use Castor Oil on Children’s Hair?

Using castor oil on children’s hair in the right way is important. Let’s discuss the main points:

1. Start with a Patch Test

Starting with a patch test is always the best decision. Sometimes our skin doesn’t support a few products so with a patch test, you can ensure safe application. You can simply apply a few drops of castor oil on some small area of your kids’ scalp. Wait for a few hours to see if any irritation or itchiness occurs. If there are no such problems, you can easily go ahead.

2. Dilute the Oil

Dilution is a good option if you do not love the thick and sticky nature of castor oil. It is sometimes challenging to apply castor oil to the hair due to the same issue. You can dilute castor oil with a lighter oil like coconut oil or even olive oil will work well. The ratio can be 1:1. This will make your oil a little light and easy to apply for the best results. It also gets removed easily on washing.

3. Apply Sparingly

The amount of application matters. When you are applying it, it is better to use less oil. Massage it into the scalp with your fingers so it can get deeply absorbed. It also promotes good blood circulation.

4. Leave It in for the Right Amount of Time

Don’t oil your hair and wash it immediately. At least keep it for 30 minutes for the best results. If you are looking for deep conditioning, leave it overnight.

5. Rinse and Repeat

Castor oil can be challenging to wash out, so it’s important to use a mild shampoo to ensure all the oil is removed from the hair and scalp. You may need to shampoo twice to fully cleanse the hair. Regular use of castor oil, about once a week, can help maintain healthy, strong hair.

Conclusion

Castor oil for hair is a natural, safe and effective way to improve the hair health of your child. It can help boost hair growth and keep hair moisturized, prevent breakage, and thicken up mild thinning spots (if any). It can also protect your little one’s scalp from infections. To ensure that you only reap benefits from castor oil, using it safely is essential apart from watching out for allergic reactions or other side effects which fortunately are rare. In fact, used properly, castor oil becomes an excellent beauty essential helping to enhance the overall health and appearance of your child’s hair.

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