Karkar oil is an old and traditional Sudanese hair oil. They say that Karkar oil is the secret to long Sudanese hair. Sudanese women used it for a long time and still use it today to nourish their hair (I'm one of the women who grew up using it). Although it's called Karkar oil, it has a solid to semi-solid composition. It's also an expensive hair care product, but after I teach you how to make it, you won't need to buy it.
Karkar oil kept my hair thick, healthy, and glowing. It wasn't until I started trying other hair products that my hair started to break, and now, after I got back to Karkar oil, my hair is finally regaining its strength. Today, I'll share with you all about Karkar oil. What is it? Its benefits, how to use it, and how to make it.
What is Karkar Oil?
As I mentioned earlier, Karkar oil is a natural and traditional hair oil. The bases of Karkar oil are:
Beef Tallow.
Bee wax
Sesame oil.
Peanuts oil.
Cloves.
There are some additions that a lot of people add for extra nourishment, like orange peel and mahaleb. Also, you can add other oils like olive oil and coconut oil.
Benefits of Karkar Oil for Hair
To get to know the benefits of Karkar oil, let's take a look at what every ingredient can do to your hair.
1. Tallow
Tallow is rich in fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins (A, C, D, and K) that are important for hair health and hair growth.
Tallow can reduce dryness and frizz.
2. Beeswax
A study run in 2016 found that beeswax can significantly promote hair growth and increase hair length after 30 days of use¹. Beeswax contains vitamin A, which helps moisturize your hair. At the same time, the composition of beeswax locks in the moisture for a longer duration.
Beeswax can also smooth out your hair and reduce frizz.
3. Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is famous in Sudan for its many benefits. Sudanese women use cold-pressed sesame oil to grow their hair longer.
Sesame oil contains omega-3 and omega 6, both of which can induce hair loss in cases of a deficiency².
If you heard of hair products that contain linoleic, linolenic, oleic, or palmitic acids and how good they are for hair, then let me tell you that sesame oil has all of those healthy fatty acids and more; it will nourish your hair and give it a beautiful shine.
Sesame oil possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties, and due to that, sesame oil can reduce dandruff. It can also help with itching. When my scalp itches badly, I heat some sesame oil, wait for it to cool a little, then apply it while it's still warm on the itchy areas.
4. Peanuts Oil
Peanut oil is rich in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, not to mention a respected quantity of vitamin E.
How to make Karkar oil
Karkar oil is not a cheap hair product. However, making it at home is not hard; learning how to make it will allow you to enjoy the benefits of Karkar oil without losing much money in the process. Below are the steps to make Karkar oil:
Take a handful of cloves and let them soak in water for several hours.
You can also add orange peel to the water; it adds a nice fragrance.
Put 500 grams of tallow in a very low heat and wait for it to melt.
Add the clove water to the tallow.
Add half a small cup of sesame oil.
Add half a small cup of peanut oil.
Add 250 grams of beeswax.
Allow the mixture to heat on very low heat until the water evaporates and all that remains is oil.
Strain the mixture and then allow it to cool.
After cooling, if it's hard, you can add some oil to it.
Use it on your hair.
How to use Karkar oil
There are many ways to use Karkar oil on your hair.
1. Daily Use
Use Karkar oil every day for your daily hair care routine.
2. Leave-In Conditioner
Another way in which I use Karkar is that I use it to lock in moisture. First, I apply a homemade leave-in conditioner to my hair; after that, I apply a water-based cream; and finally, I apply the Karkar oil on top and cover my hair. This method is known as the LOC method, and it's great for keeping moisture in your hair for a long period, especially if your hair is type 4c.
Using a protective hairstyles after moisturizing will protect your hair from damage even more.
3. Hot Oil Treatment
Heat some Karkar oil and wait for it to cool a little. Then apply the warm oil to your hair and scalp, and massage your scalp while you are at it. This method is great for increasing the blood flow to your scalp and thus providing your hair with essential nutrients.
4. Hair Mask
You can use Karkar oil alone as a mask by applying it generously to your hair, then covering your hair with a plastic wrap for an hour before washing it.
You can also mix it with yogurt or mayonnaise for a protein hair mask.
The Bottom Line
Karkar Oil is a traditional Sudanese hair oil rich in fatty acids and vitamins that are important for hair growth and nourishment. Karkar oil has a lot of benefits for the hair; it provides it with nutrition, acts as a protective barrier, and helps the hair grow.
Although Karkar oil is somewhat expensive, you can obtain the ingredients and prepare it easily at home.
You can apply Karkar oil in different ways, as a part of your daily routine as a hair mask or as a leave-in conditioner.
FAQ
Q1: What is Karkar Oil?
A1: Karkar oil is a traditional Sudanese hair oil known for its nourishing properties. It typically consists of sheep tallow, beeswax, sesame oil, peanut oil, and cloves. Some variations may include orange peel, mahaleb, or other oils like olive and coconut oil.
Q2: What are the benefits of Karkar oil for hair?
A2: Karkar oil offers numerous benefits for hair health:
Tallow: Rich in fatty acids and vitamins A, C, D, and K, it reduces dryness and frizz.
Beeswax promotes hair growth, moisturizes, and locks in moisture, reducing frizz.
Sesame Oil: It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, nourishes hair, gives shine, and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Peanut Oil: Rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E, it supports hair health.
Q3: How do you make Karkar Oil at home?
A3: To make Karkar oil:
Soak a handful of cloves in water for several hours.
Optional: Add orange peel to the water for fragrance.
Melt 500 grams of tallow on very low heat.
Add the clove water to the melted tallow.
Add half a small cup of sesame oil and half a small cup of peanut oil.
Heat the mixture on very low heat until the water evaporates, leaving only oil.
Strain the mixture and allow it to cool. If it hardens, add more oil to adjust the consistency.
Q4: How can Karkar Oil be used on hair?
A4: Karkar oil can be used in various ways:
Daily Use: Apply Karkar oil as part of your daily hair care routine.
Leave-In Conditioner: Use it to lock in moisture using the LOC method (Leave-In Conditioner, Oil, and Cream).
Hot Oil Treatment: Warm the oil, apply it to the hair and scalp, and massage to increase blood flow and nutrient delivery.
Hair Mask: Apply generously as a mask, cover with plastic wrap for an hour before washing, or mix with yogurt or mayonnaise for a protein mask.
Q5: Is Karkar Oil expensive?
A5: While Karkar oil can be expensive to purchase, making it at home is cost-effective. The ingredients are relatively affordable and easy to obtain.
Q6: Can Karkar Oil be customized?
A6: Yes, Karkar oil can be customized by adding other nourishing ingredients such as orange peel, mahaleb, or additional oils like olive or coconut oil.
Q7: What is the shelf life of homemade Karkar oil?
A7: Homemade Karkar oil, if stored properly in a cool, dark place, can last for several months. Make sure to use clean containers to avoid contamination.
Sources and citations
Shatalebi, M. A., Safaeian, L., Baradaran, A., & Alamdarian, M. (2016). Preparation and evaluation of a hair wax containing propolis and Eruca sativa seed oil for hair growth. Advanced biomedical research, 5, 182. https://doi.org/10.4103/2277-9175.190985
Guo, E. L., & Katta, R. (2017). Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology practical & conceptual, 7(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.0701a01
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