So, you wanna know about hair oil for black hair growth, huh? Lemme tell ya, I’ve been down that rabbit hole, and then some. It feels like a never-ending quest sometimes, trying to get our beautiful hair to really show its length.
My Starting Point: The Frustration
For ages, it felt like my hair just hit a certain point and then, poof, decided to stop. Or maybe it was breaking off just as fast as it was growing, who knows? I’d see all these pictures, hear all these stories, and think, what am I doing wrong? I wasn’t new to trying things, believe me. Heard about this, tried that. Most of it? A whole lotta nothing, just wasted time and money.
Diving into the World of Oils
Then, oils started popping up everywhere in my research. Not just any oil, but specific ones people swore by for growth. Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Rosemary oil, Jojoba, Argan – the list was long. I figured, okay, I’ve tried crazier things. Let’s give this oil thing a serious shot. I wasn’t expecting miracles, but I was hopeful, y’know?
I started by grabbing a bottle of good old Jamaican Black Castor Oil. That stuff is thick, man. And I also picked up some Rosemary essential oil because I read it was good for stimulating the scalp. My plan was to be consistent. That was the key, I kept telling myself.
My Oiling Routine: What I Actually Did
Alright, so this is how I went about it:
- Scalp Massages: Three to four times a week, I’d take a little bit of the castor oil, sometimes mixed with a few drops of rosemary oil (diluted in a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil first, ’cause pure essential oil is too strong). I’d warm it up slightly between my palms and then really get in there, massaging my scalp for a good 5-10 minutes. Not just rubbing it on top, but really working it in with my fingertips.
- Hot Oil Treatments: Once a week, usually on a Sunday, I’d do a proper hot oil treatment. I’d use a more generous amount of oil, cover my hair with a shower cap, and then sit under a hooded dryer for about 20-30 minutes. If you don’t have a dryer, a warm towel wrapped around your head works too.
- Sealing Ends: After washing and conditioning my hair, while it was still damp, I’d use a lighter oil, like Jojoba or Argan, just on the ends to seal in moisture. This was more about preventing breakage than direct growth, but hey, retaining length is part of the game.
This whole oiling business became a ritual. It was around the time I was also trying to get a new project off the ground at work, super stressful. My boss was on my case constantly, breathing down my neck. Felt like nothing was going right. So, these little hair care moments, massaging my scalp, it was kinda my escape. My little zone-out time. Funny how things link up, right? I was trying to grow my hair, and also trying to grow this project, both felt like uphill battles.
The Results: What Happened (or Didn’t)
So, did I wake up one day with hair down to my ankles? Nope. Not even close. Let’s be real. But I did notice some changes.
First off, my scalp felt way better. It used to get dry and itchy, especially in winter. The regular oiling definitely helped with that. My hair itself? It felt softer, and it had a nice shine to it. It looked healthier, you know?
Now, for the growth part. This is where it gets tricky. I wasn’t taking daily measurements with a ruler or anything. But, after a few months of being really consistent, I felt like there was some progress. My hair seemed a bit thicker at the roots. I noticed fewer broken strands in the comb and in the shower. This was big for me, because breakage was always my enemy.
I remember telling my cousin about it, the one who’s always trying some new fad. She was like, “Oh, you’re just imagining it!” Maybe a little, but the reduced breakage was undeniable. And if your hair ain’t breaking off as much, then you’re gonna see more length over time. It’s basic math, really.
My Final Thoughts on Hair Oils
So, here’s my takeaway from this whole experiment. Hair oils aren’t magic potions. They’re not going to make your hair sprout like a Chia Pet overnight. But, using them consistently, especially with scalp massages, really helped improve the overall health of my scalp and hair. And healthier hair is less prone to breakage, which means you get to keep more of the length you grow.
I think the biggest thing was the consistency and the gentle handling. The oils helped with that. It forced me to pay more attention to my hair, to be more deliberate in my care. It wasn’t just about slapping on some product; it was the whole process.
I still use oils in my routine. Maybe not as obsessively as I did during that initial “growth mission,” but they’re a staple. For me, it was less about a specific “growth” oil and more about finding what my hair liked and sticking to a routine that nourished it. It’s a journey, not a race, especially with our kind of hair. And hey, if nothing else, those scalp massages feel pretty darn good after a long day dealing with bosses and deadlines!