90-day castor oil challenge

So I haven’t posted in a while because of school, studying, exams and all that good stuff, but I’m back now…
I’m still on my relaxed hair journey, and while it is very challenging, it is also very fulfilling as I am seeing good results. I usually keep my hair in protective styles but for the past month, I’ve been wearing it down. This is the longest I’ve had it out, and I’m actually impressed that I’ve been able to maintain it. I got a roller set while I was back home in Zimbabwe and for the entire time I was there, I would moisturize and seal every two or three days and I would also wrap my hair every single night. I’m currently 7 weeks post so moisturizing is a must to keep my new growth manageable.
While there has been an improvement in the growth and health of my hair, my edges have always been a constant struggle. They have never really recovered from years of having tight braids and tight ponytails and postpartum shedding. I would also like to think that relaxing my hair has also played a part.
So I’m starting this castor oil challenge to see if I can recover my hairline. This is what I will be doing for the next 90 days.

1. Jamaican Black Castor Oil – I will be applying Jamaican black castor oil to my hairline. Castor oil is widely known for its benefits in hair growth and thicker hair. But because castor oil is pretty thick, I mix in olive oil to help thin it out for easy application. I’m also going to add just a couple of drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and Tea Tree Essential Oil . This step is optional. Peppermint oil increases circulation of blood to the scalp and tea tree oil has antioxidant properties which stimulate hair growth. Be careful when using essential oils. If used in large amounts they can actually burn your scalp. I will only be adding a couple of drops of each. Essential oils should never be applied directly to the skin or scalp. Always mix them with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. Just a few drops per ounce or per 30ml of carrier oil. I will be massaging this oil mixture every day for 90 days. It’s going to be a challenge but I’m always up for one!!

I will be applying this oil mixture to my edges everyday to help regrow my edges. The olive oil helps thin out the very thick castor oil.

Castor oil mixture:

1.5oz/45ml castor oil
1.5oz/45ml olive oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil

2. The band around the satin bonnet I wear at night could be doing damage to my edges by rubbing against my edges causing friction and thinning them out. So to cover and protect my edges at night, I’ll be tying a Satin Scarf  around my head and pulling it over my forehead. Then I will wear my Satin Bonnet over the scarf. The scarf is going to act as a barrier between my edges and the band around my bonnet.

Wearing the satin bonnet over the satin scarf will help prevent the band around the bonnet from rubbing against my edges at night.

3. Lastly, I will be staying away from protective hairstyles that pull my hair too tight at my edges like micro braids and box braids. Crochet braids are my go to protective style. I tend to pull the cornrows too tight and this may be affecting my edges. But because crochet braids have helped me retain length throughout my hair journey, I will continue with them but I will make sure that the cornrows at my edges are a not tight.

So I’m looking forward to starting this challenge and to seeing results, and I hope to stay committed to it for the whole 90 days. Follow me on Instagram for regular updates.