Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Sable43

I'm hoping for favorable responses here. I just purchased two bottles of Jamaican Black Castor Oil after reading about it on hair boards. I finished chemo. in December and radiation in April but it seems as if my hair growth is sluggish or at a stand still. What started out as curly is spongelike albeit thick and dark; with a few gray strands only on the left temple ( go figure!) I have a tiny 'fro. I was relaxed and short before but this new texture has been so hard to tame. The hair on top of my head is the thinnest; I can still see portions of my scalp with the thickest being in the back. The exact opposite of how my hair was in the beginning.

Can't wear the wigs because of the hot flashes ( I have them bad; to the point where I'm drenched at times!) So I choose to go natural; no more relaxers for me. I'm not asking for length but at least for my hair to be better conditioned and easier to handle. I can't help but wonder if the Tamoxifen is hindering my hair's growth. Tamoxifen and Baby ASA are the regimen I'm on now.

My question is, are there any of you who are using the JBCO, have ever heard of it, and have had positive or negative experiences from using it? I'd really appreciate any feedback. I also read where this product was also great for preventing breast tumor growth.

If anyone knows anything; I'd be grateful for your response.

Thanks in advance.

apple

it takes about 6 months for most people's hair to come in 'nicely'.. in a year I bet it will be beautiful.  it took my hair about 6 months to be nice..

it is darker now with little grey, it is curly rather than straight but it is thick and gorgeous and it was awful at first.  (it actually came in steel grey).

Sable43

Hello apple,

Sorry to be meeting this way but I do appreciate your response. I wish that I had more patience. It's been 7 months since my last chemo session and as I mentioned before; my hair growth seems to have diminished or stopped altogether.

If you don't mind my asking, are you using JBCO or any other hair growth aids at the moment?

apple

not at all.. just that green shampoo with the conditioner built in.  I've seen quite a few gals regain their hair.. it's sparse on top and comes in VERY curly... it gets thicker and thicker and thicker.    I started cutting the ends of the hair off, keeping it super short.   It's straighter now.  I never put anything really on my hair except shampoo and sometimes conditioner... and maybe it is because I am not African American..

Now I am exactly one year out from my last chemo.  My hair is curlier than before, but seems just as thick.  I don't have any grey anymore and I had quite a bit of grey before chemo started.  It seems that at about 6 - 9 months my hair really started coming in.  come to think of it I used to put Vitalis in my new hair.  ha ha.

There are a lot of threads here on hair, if you want to use the search function.

I just realized this forum was 'African  Americans with breast cancer'. I'ts hard to tell from my avatar just what I look like.

peace and love, apple
Diagnosis: 5/10/2008, IDC, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 4/9 nodes, ER+, HER2+

Sable43

I've seen Caucasian women on YouTube who've used unrefined castor oil with success. We're cut from a different cloth but share the same goal. I appreciate your input. My hair is thick in the middle and the back of my head. A shag; "Business on top; party in the back!" going on. The top is filling in but ever so slowly and I'm tired of seeing my scalp through the strands.

I wish you peace and blessings apple. Good luck.

rogam

Hello. I have heard about this stuff from some of the youtube videos. Give your hair some time. Mine was baby fine for the 1st couple of months. Then at the 5-6 months out it was a fro. I have had very rapid growth. I have cut it several times in the past 2 years. Mainly because it grows up and full like a lion's mane. Make sure you massage your scalp and enjoy the ride. Take care.

Sable43

Hi Rogam,

Thanks for your post. I appreciate your feedback but I must tell you that I'm discouraged. I'm almost 8 months post chemo and I have a small fro now with varied textures. I'm not necessarily asking for length but would like it to appear healthy. It's mostly spongey, particularly at the top of my head where it's most thin.

Are you or were you taking Tamoxifen during your hair's transition? I still use the Jamaican black castor oil along with Kinky Curly Products. The latter seems to help me with my styling woes. I've read where some women were having trouble with their hair growing while taking Tamoxifen as I've been taking the drug since May.

Thanks in advance.