JBCO = Jamaican Black Castor Oil

(Jamaican Black Castor Oil, $9.99 Amazon.com)

I recently received an email inquiring about JBCO or Jamaican Black Castor Oil.  I realized I mention it quite a bit here on The Anti Hair Slave, (like here, here, here, here, plus more) so I decided I'll do a complete AHS style review.

Product Description: Black Castor Oil is a powerful healing oil that has withstood the test of time. It is the end result of an ancient method used in preparing and making castor oil. The fatty acids and phytochemicals found in Tropic Isle Living’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil address many health and beauty conditions. A bottle can serve as a hair and scalp conditioner. Black castor oil seals moisture in the hair with a protective coat. It’s also the only oil in nature with ricinoleic acid. It helps to destroys viruses, bacteria, yeast and molds that cause many skin problems. Tropic Isle Living Black Castor Oil also helps to remove uric acid from body – the source of many inflammations.   


AHS Thoughts:  When I first got the JBCO I have to admit it took some getting used to.  I used it off and on for a while because I really couldn't get the hang of it.  It's super thick and if you use too much you'll have a greasy mess on your hands.  So it moved to the back of the beauty closet and only made it's appearance every now and then.  Then I started only putting a little tiny dab on my fingertip, rubbing my fingertips together, then applying it to my scalp.  I keep on dabbing and applying until I get my whole scalp, massaging the whole way.  


I attribute the growth of my problem area to this product.  Nothing could help that area grow in, it stayed short and was just a whack patch!  But now, the whole area is growing in.  It still hasn't caught up to the rest of my hair, but it's doing well.  I've tried adding in JBCO to other products, like my conditioners and shampoos but I think it works best when applied directly to the scalp and massaged in.  

Some people complain that they hate the smell of JBCO, but I really don't even smell much of anything.  It's not a strong scent at all and it does not linger in my hair, but if it really bothers you there is Lavender Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($11.95, Amazon.com).  I've tried that as well, works the same as the regular just it has a slight lavender scent.  

Skip the Dry Scalp

Even though I love the Fall, it just means that winter is getting closer.  The season where we're all bundled up, wearing sweaters, scarves, hats, and gloves, cranking up the heat, and it's the time of year that my scalp starts to go a little crazy if left alone.

Scalp massages with coconut oil or any other oil you like is a great way to keep your scalp moisturized and flake free.  Not only will the oil soothe the dry skin on your scalp the massaging action is great for relaxation and increasing blood flow to the scalp.

Another way I try to keep flakes to a bare minimum is to try my best not to over do it on the heat.  The heat in my apartment is super dry heat and that leads to dry skin which also means a dry scalp.  Now, please note I said I try my best because I really love it warm inside when it's cold outside so this really is a hard one for me.  My skin and nose suffer the most so I did buy a humidifier, but I haven't noticed a big difference in my hair because of it but my skin and dry but stuffy feeling nose are way better with it.

Freshen up between Washes

Dry shampoo's are all the rage right now, but my hair and scalp cannot stand them! To dry shampoo's defenses, I have only tried the powdered type and not the spray types but still the powder does nothing for me but make me have to wash my hair sooner. Instead, I use two products to freshen up my hair and scalp.

Philip B pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist - this is a detangling, leave-in toner for the hair. This super-lightweight toner adjusts the pH of tap water allowing the cuticle of the hair to seal tightly, leaving smooth, detangled, shiny, gorgeous, finished, toned hair. With Apple Cider Vinegar as a natural astringent and pH balancer, together with lightweight essential oils, PHILIP B® pH Restorative Detangling Toning Mist detangles hair, reduces frizz and static, while enhancing shine, leaving your hair with a fresh, beautiful finish.

Because of the Apple Cider Vinegar it helps my scalp feel fresh and clean. I part my hair and spritz it directly on my scalp for a mid-week pick me up. I try my best not to get it on the length of my hair when I'm rocking a roller set.

Since I've been going to the gym more lately, I've been sweating like crazy. All my relaxed and natural's that rock their hair straight know sweat is a problem. When I work out I keep my hair wrapped up and secured under a scarf. I don't unwrap my hair until the sweat has dried completely otherwise, I end up with frizz and curly roots. I turn to DevaCurl Mist-er Right to get rid of any gym scents. DevaCurl Mist-er Right - A lavender infused, curl revitalizer, refresher and rejuvenator for all curl types.

With the DevaCurl Mist-er Right I spritz the entire length of my hair and then wrap it up to dry. The key is to not use too much, it smells great so you might be tempted to use more than you need. Remember a little goes a long way and too much will make your hair less sleek and invite frizzies to pop up all over the place.

Design Essentials Solves Scalp Issues with Shampoo

Whenever the seasons change my scalp gets a little freaked out, whether it gets really dry and itchy or overly oil whenever the weather starts to switch up my scalp gets confused. I'm sure I'm not alone on this one, right ladies?

We all know that a healthy scalp is one of the keys to healthy hair, that's why I pay attention to what's going on down on the scalp level to ensure things are going well. Lately, I've noticed that my scalp is really dry in certain areas and nothing seems to be helping. That is until I tried the Design Essentials Therapeutics Anti-Itch Shampoo, I decided I didn't want to use it all over my head and instead I focused on the driest spots which was right in the front by my hairline. Even though the shampoo is gentle, for some reason I didn't want it all over my scalp. It worked good after the very first use and the results lasted even longer after each wash. Now I'm finding that I actually don't even need to use this shampoo anymore so it's back in the hair care closet until it's needed again.

If you can't find this product at your local BSS, you can purchase it online for just $9.90

Flaky Scalp Fix

I absolutely love deep conditioning my hair, there is something very relaxing about taking my time, ensuring that each strand of hair is thoroughly coated in conditioner, and then leaving it on overnight for deep penetration. But I've come to realize that a simple rinse of the conditioner is not good enough to make sure it has all been removed from my scalp. Just rinsing, regardless of the length of time I spend rinsing does not remove all the conditioner from my scalp and the end result is flakes. Once the conditioner dries up, it can cause itching and flaking. So, while you might think it's dandruff it's actually dried up conditioner.

So what do I do? I try my hardest not to get conditioner on my scalp. Conditioner is for the hair, not the scalp so I apply it mid length down. Then when it is time to rinse it out, if I've used a thick creamy conditioner, I like to use a co-wash conditioner to ensure that my scalp is product free. As a treat for your scalp you might also want to consider doing a baking soda scrub. It's really simple, all you do is mix baking soda with water to make a paste and then use it as a mild exfoliant on your scalp. It's simple, natural, and it works well.

SOS: Save Our Scalps

Our poor abused scalps! We heat them up with blowdriers, hooded dryers, steamers, and occasionally burn them with flat irons, curling irons, waving tools, etc. But men have it worse than we do. A little coconut oil to the scalp will alleviate most women's scalp issues, but what about those unsightly bumps some men get on their scalp, base of the neck, under the chin? Well there's a medical term for what's happening and it's called folliculitis. Basically, it's an infection of the hair follicule and if left untreated it can lead of serious scarring that can inhibit hair growth completely, that's called scarring alopeica. In a nut shell, scarring alopeica destroys the hair follicle, replaces it with scar tissue, and causes permanent hair loss.

Prevention is key! And now, two prominent California dermatologists with a large celebrity and athlete clientele, Dr. Sheri Feldman and Dr. Louise Stewart, have developed Clear Poreformance™ Shampoo and Conditioner. This antibacterial, deep pore cleansing system is designed specifically for hair and scalp (www.clearporeformance.com). This dynamic duo not only wash excess oil off the scalp and out of the hair, but it also features special ingredients that work to kill and prevent growth of bacteria and deep clean the pores, helping to prevent scalp irritations.

I had a friend test it out and it does work! Prior to using this system he was using Dial Antibacterial soap to shampoo his scalp which was working as well, but Clear Poreformance has more of the ingredient that works to kill off the bacteria. So if you know someone that could use some assistance in this area, definietly recommend Clear Poreformancy Shampoo and Conditioner for scalp issues and Dial Antibacterial soap for the affected areas on the face.

Clear Poreformance Shampoo and Conditioner is exclusively available online at www.clearporeformance.com.

Scalp Massages

Healthy hair needs a healthy scalp. Yet, so many women have scalp issues ranging from dandruff, itchy scalp, and a variety of other problems. One of my favorite things to do for my scalp is a simple scalp massage. I always use an oil when I do my scalp massages because the scalp is skin too and it needs an occasional moisturizing session. You can choose to warm the oil a little bit and then proceed to massage the oil into your scalp, I work from the back to the front.

Performing scalp massages has a variety of benefits:

* Performing scalp massages can be extremely relaxing if you set aside adequate time to perform the massage

* Using an oil when performing your scalp massages can cut down or eliminate a dry flaky scalp

* Provides a release of tension that can help alevate stress (even if it's only for a few minutes)

* Increased circulation to the scalp which has been linked to increase hair growth