Coconut oil is abundant in fatty acids that nurture and hydrate the scalp and hair. A research study published in the “Journal of Cosmetic Science” in 1999 found that coconut oil applied to the hair lowered hair damage, and another research study in 2005 from the Journal of Cosmetic Science kept in mind that coconut oil permeated the hair follicle better than the most typical active ingredient in hair conditioners, mineral oil.
Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair and How to Use It
Coconut oil can even be used to extract chewing gum from hair. While the oil can improve scalp health, for that reason improving the conditions for growing thicker, fuller hair, it does not treat the underlying cause of loss of hair and can not be depended on for treating baldness related to dihydrotestosterone.
Inning accordance with some sources, coconut oil can also relieve cradle cap, a concern commonly seen in children. Its anti-bacterial properties might fend off folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, and might likewise combat fungal infections, such as ringworm of the scalp.
You can quickly change costly, deep-conditioning beauty salon treatments by utilizing this fantastic smelling oil as a hair conditioner at home.
How to Heat and Apply Coconut Oil to Your Hair
Step 1
In order to properly heat coconut oil, use this approach. Warming in the microwave or straight over high heat in a pan can break down the quality of the oil, making it less beneficial. Pour 1 cup of warm water into a small bowl.
Step 2
Scoop 2 tsp. coconut oil from the container, using a tidy spoon, and put it into a glass cup. Use extra virgin coconut oil and, if possible, make certain that it’s organic and sustainably gathered.
Step 3
Place the cup of coconut oil into the bowl of warm water. Leave the cup in the bowl up until the coconut oil melts. Pure coconut oil is solid at cold temperature levels however melts rapidly at 76 degrees F or above.
Step 4
Massage the coconut oil onto your scalp and throughout your hair. If your hair is long, you might need to use additional coconut oil. Use the coconut oil to dry or wet hair, whichever you choose. The oil spreads more quickly through moist hair.
Step 5
Comb your hair to disperse the coconut oil evenly. If you are using coconut oil for hair growth or scalp health, make certain to massage it into the roots of your hair. Nevertheless, if you are prone to an oily scalp and simply want the conditioning advantages, you can apply the oil mid-shaft, a few inches from your scalp.
Step 6
Put a shower cap on your head, and tuck all your hair within it. Leave the coconut oil on your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes or you can leave it in overnight. The longer you leave the coconut oil on, the more it will condition your hair.
Step 7
Shampoo your hair and repeat if needed to get rid of the coconut oil totally. Using warm water will help get the oil out of your hair.
Step 8
Melt a pea-sized quantity of coconut oil in the palms of your hands by rubbing your hands together, and apply it gently throughout your hair for extra conditioning, concentrating on the ends of your hair. Skip this step if your hair does not need extra conditioning. Style your hair as typical.
Best Uses of Coconut Oil For Hair
Rich, shiny, manageable and healthy hair can be yours, with coconut oil!
You can even clear out commercial conditioners, shine, and styling products, and change them with this natural solution. Coconut oil is abundant in anti-microbial properties, lauric acid, and medium-chain fatty acids that reinforce hair, condition the scalp, and help to grow back hair.
While I have supported the internal health advantages of coconut oil for quite sometime, it’s time to bring light to coconut oil’s other uses, among which is using it as a natural, multi-tasking hair care product. Rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, the nourishing benefits coconut oil for hair keeps your hair strong, shiny and looking fantastic!
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair
If your hair is dry and brittle, chances are you are not consuming enough fresh water. Water helps to keep the whole body hydrated, consisting of hair and skin. As we age, hormone health plays a considerable part in the health of hair too.
Eat for your best hair health by consisting of lots of healthy fats, drinking a lot of water, and using natural hair care products, consisting of coconut oil for hair, rather of unsafe chemical laden hair shampoos, conditioners or styling representatives.
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants, and has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. When used on hair, it improves scalp health, battles infections and fungus, supports hair growth, all while adding volume and shine without the common harmful chemicals.
If you look on the ingredient labels of a number of your favorite cosmetics and hair products, you will find coconut oil noted. However, a lot of cosmetics and hair products also contain other ingredients that can be hazardous to your health, while actually damaging your hair and skin.
The extreme chemicals in industrial hair care products can leave your hair flat, dry, and harmed. Including coconut oil in small amounts merely isn’t enough. So avoid conventional products and add coconut oil to your program in addition to your favorite natural organic shampoos and products.
While some of these much healthier hair products may cost a little more, fortunately is that food-grade coconut oil is safe, budget friendly, and can efficiently replace lots of hair care products in your cabinets.
Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Hair
1. Conditioner
Coconut oil is free of the frightening chemicals that prowl in commercial hair products, and is an exceptional conditioner, for all types of hair. Inning accordance with a study released in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, coconut oil out carries out sunflower oil and mineral oil, and is the only oil that reduces protein loss. Avoid all appeal products which contain mineral oil, particularly for children.
It is the protein loss in hair that results in dryness and damage. The lauric acid has a low molecular weight, and has the ability to in fact permeate the hair shaft, nurturing the hair with vitamins, minerals and the medium-chain fatty acids.
Coconut oil helps to prevent damage from combing and brushing, and it is safe to use on children. It can be used as a leave-in conditioner, or used as an extensive conditioner for a couple of hours, or over night. The key to using natural coconut oil as a leave-in hair conditioner, is discovering the right amount for your hair. A little goes a long way.
TO CONDITION:
For short hair, begin with simply a 1/4 teaspoon, warmed in your palms. For longer, thicker hair, you may require approximately a 1/2 tablespoon. You wish to use moderately on thinner hair, as it can weigh hair down if excessive is used. Pay specific attention to ends and the shaft of the hair. Smooth through hair, and proceed to design as regular.
As an intensive conditioner to bring back hair, after washing with a mild natural shampoo, use 1 teaspoon (for short hair), 2 teaspoons (for shoulder length hair) and 1 tablespoon (for long hair) after warming in the palm of your hands. Apply to hair shaft and ends, then rub into scalp. Cover with a shower cap, and leave on for 1-2 hours, or over night. Wash with mild hair shampoo, and design as typical.
For dry or damaged hair, add a few drops of sandalwood important oil and/or geranium vital oil for both leave-in and intensive coconut oil for hair conditioning treatments. These essential oils support moisture retention, and work to increase the moisturizing and conditioning results of the coconut oil for hair.
2. Hair Growth
Coconut oil is a safe, effective, and fairly priced option if you have thinning hair. It can actually help grow hair, longer and thicker. The necessary nutrients consisting of the lauric acid, penetrates the hair shaft improving the general health of the hair.
The health of hair is often a result of internal problems, and incorporating natural loss of hair remedies will help. Foods high in Omega-3 fats, pumpkin, chia, and flax seeds, and green tea, and all help support healthy hair growth, from the inside out. Before trying prescription hair growth preparations that just work for 50% of individuals and just works with continued use, customize your diet, and use coconut oil for hair conditioning and styling. The severe chemicals can cause scalp inflammation and even hair growth where hair is not wanted.
HAIR GROWTH TREATMENT:
When massaged into the scalp, coconut oil helps to enhance blood flow, supporting hair growth. It is very important to massage the coconut oil into the scalp with mild pressure for 10 minutes, 3 or 4 times each week. If you wish to simply focus on scalp conditioning and hair growth, you will only require 1 teaspoon.
However, if you want the advantages of a deep conditioning, follow the actions above. Rather of using sandalwood essential oil, include 4 drops of rosemary important oil, which is known to increase new hair growth over 20%. Rosemary oil likewise helps to increase blood circulation in the scalp, and when used with coconut oil can produce great results.
After massaging the oils into the scalp for 10 minutes, place a shower cap on, and allow the heat of your body to work with the oils to enhance scalp health. Follow with a gentle cleanser like my Homemade Rosemary Mint Shampoo. It smells great, and is gentle on all hair types.
Rich with vitamin K and vitamin E, coconut oil helps to reduce dandruff, and make hair follicles healthy. These treatments are not simply for thinning hair; if you are experiencing hair fall while cleaning, brushing, or design, these treatments with important oils can help.
3. Dandruff
Individuals have used coconut oil for skin for centuries to eliminate dandruff. This undesirable, and often itchy, condition can be caused by dry skin conditions, level of sensitivity to the severe chemicals in hair care products, and commonly yeast-like fungal (Malassezia) infections.
Coconut oil’s medium-chain fatty acids consisting of lauric acid and capric acid, have strong antiviral, antimicrobial and antifungal properties that target the fungus and help to kill it as well as viruses and bacteria that may be hiding on your scalp.
Numerous prescription and over-the-counter dandruff shampoos can really make dandruff even worse, and don’t repair the origin of the flakiness. If the problem is fungal, or if the issue is dry skin, topical applications of coconut oil will make a difference.
Many industrial hair shampoos consist of chemicals that are hazardous. These include parabens, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, salt lauryl sulfate, and many others. Dandruff shampoos are even worse, and include ammonium laureth sulfate, magnesium aluminum silicate, and selenium sulfide.
And most of the time, these preparations just do not work. The objective is to make the scalp healthier, devoid of fungus, and hydrated, to put an end to dandruff. Treating with coconut oil will not make dandruff disappear overnight, however many can see lead to just a week approximately.
TO TREAT DANDRUFF:
Essential oils including lavender, wintergreen, thyme, and tea tree, all help to fight fungus and yeast. For an extensive dandruff treatment, after cleaning hair, mix 2 teaspoons of coconut oil with 5 drops of one of the oils discussed above, or a mix, and massage into the scalp.
Make certain to truly work the mix into the scalp, from neck to forehead, and behind the ears. Cover with a shower cap, and if possible sit in the sun for 20-30 minutes to increase the heat, or just use a hair dryer on a low setting to warm the cap.
Eliminate cap, and wash with a mild natural shampoo. Repeat this 2 to 3 times per week, and even regularly, as wanted. Like with the conditioning or hair growth treatment, you can leave it on overnight. Simply make certain to use the shower cap to avoid staining bed linens.
4. Styling
Yes, coconut oil is a fantastic styling representative, and devoid of the hazardous chemicals in standard hair care products! This is among the most neglected coconut oil for hair uses. Hair clothes dryers, flat irons, hot rollers, and curling irons zap the moisture from the hair shaft causing it to be brittle and prone to tangling.
Coconut oil helps to avoid this type of thermal damage, and when used in the correct amount for your hair length and texture, tames fly aways, frizz, and more. People with thick curly hair often battle frizz in damp climates. Coconut oil helps to tame the frizz, by permeating into the curls. It can be used throughout the day for touch-ups, simply make certain to use it sparingly.
TO TAME FRIZZ:
Start with a small amount (1/4 teaspoon– 1 teaspoon) depending upon hair, warming in palms. Smooth from root to tips, and coiffure and design as wanted. It will take just a bit longer to dry your hair, but it will be soft, glossy, and workable.
Camouflage split ends, and nourish them at the same time by utilizing just a tiny bit of coconut oil on simply completions.
TO PROTECT FROM THE SUN:
Hair, like skin, is susceptible to sun damage. Coconut oil is a natural sun block, with an SPF of 8. If you are planning a day out in the sun, use it as a leave-in conditioner for all day security. And, while you are at it, use it on exposed skin as well. Coconut oil is a safe and effective sun block for children and adults alike.
TO DETANGLE:
Detangling hair is a task; and can typically cause damage. Coconut oil improves hair break stress by penetrating the hair shaft. It likewise surrounds the hair, and makes it much easier to remove knots after cleaning, or at nights. Smooth a small amount through hair, paying specific attention to twisted areas and damaged ends. Use a wide toothcomb, starting from the bottom, and slowly work your way up.
Using coconut oil for hair frequently will enhance the general health of the hair, and help to avoid tangles. If tangled hair is a continuing issue, cutting the damage ends will help.
KEEP IN MIND: If you have thin or fine hair, apply coconut oil sparingly to hair for styling. Also, do not use it to the scalp as this can weigh down the hair.
5. Lice Prevention and Lice Treatment
One of the best uses of coconut oil for hair is in the treatment and avoidance of lice! Inning accordance with a study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, combination of coconut oil and anise spray is more reliable, than the frequently used prescription lice treatment permethrin.
In truth, in the regulated research study, the coconut oil based spray was 82% successful and the permethrin was just 42% successful, and 33 of the 50 participants reported scalp inflammation when following the traditional treatment.
Another study released in the Israel Medical Association Journal discovered higher success, although they included ylang oil to the coconut oil and anise oil combination. The treatment succeeded in 92.3% of children and caused no serious side effects.
LICE TREATMENT:
To keep lice at bay, use coconut oil as mentioned above as a leave-in hair conditioner, or to detangle and style hair. If there is an invasion of lice, mix 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of each ylang ylang, anise, and tea tree oils. Double the recipe for longer hair; this must be enough for shoulder-length hair.
Apply the solution all over the scalp, massage in, and pulling through the ends. Comb through the hair with a great toothcomb. Cover in a shower cap, and allow to sit for 2 hours. If possible, being in the sun or use a hair clothes dryer to regularly heat up the cap. Carefully get rid of shower cap, and seal in zip lock bag for disposal.
At the end of 2 hours, comb hair as soon as again, prior to washing and washing completely, twice. While hair is still wet, integrate 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water in a small spray bottle. Fill the hair, spraying 1/2 the bottle on the scalp and hair. Lean over the sink and put the remaining mix over the hair, rubbing gently.
Wash completely and comb hair once again with a fine toothcomb. Follow with a light application of coconut oil, cover with a shower cap, or style as wanted, and permit to stay on the hair till next cleaning.
Just like the majority of lice treatments, the procedure needs to be repeated every 5-10 days for a number of weeks. This helps to guarantee that all lice, and their eggs are eliminated. In between treatments, comb hair early morning and night with a fine toothcomb, and use coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner.
As coconut oil both drives away and kills lice, at the first notice of a lice break out, start using coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner.
Coconut Oil Hair Recipes
Coconut Oil Shampoo
Here is among favorite coconut oil shampoo recipes, that will leave your hair sensation soft and healthy. As every person’s hair is different, do not hesitate to change the coconut oil level to fit your hair requires. For fine hair you might reduce the coconut oil amount as needed to 1/4 cup, and for thick dry or curly hair, you may need to increase this amount or include a few drops of avocado oil too.
- 1 cup liquid castile soap
- 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 50-60 drops of preferred essential oils.
Melt coconut oil and coconut milk together over very low heat, as to not harm any of the nutrients. Put into a bottle with a safe cover, and leading with the castile soap. Shake well. And then, shake some more. Add 50 drops of your preferred important oils, and shake once again.
Fantastic important oils for hair include lavender, wild orange, peppermint, lemongrass, rosemary and clary sage.
This shampoo will not be as thick as industrial shampoos; capture on hair directly from the bottle. Wash, and wash well.
Coconut Oil Conditioner
- 2/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
- 1 tablespoon Jojoba oil
- 10 drops of your favorite necessary oil
Mix all components in a bowl with a hand mixer up until well combined. This may take numerous minutes. You desire a smooth and velvety conditioner. In the shower, after cleaning hair with Coconut Oil Shampoo, use a teaspoon or 2 and smooth through hair. Permit to permeate hair for the remainder of your shower, and wash extremely well.
KEEP IN MIND: If you color your hair, especially red, coconut oil might fade the color. For the majority of hair types and colors, it will not.
BENEFIT: Coconut oil is a terrific base for natural hair colors as it penetrates the hair shaft. For darker hair, mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 1 cup of strong coffee, with 1 tablespoon of invested grounds, and use to hair. Permit to sit for 45– 60 minutes, the longer you leave it, the darker the results. Wash well and design as preferred.
For blonde hair, or to include subtle highlights, mix 1/2 cup of strong chamomile tea, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 cup coconut oil in a mixer till emulsified. Apply to hair and roots and cover with a shower cap. Sit in the sun, or use a hair clothes dryer to keep the cap warm for 45 minutes to 75 minutes. Rinse well.
Looking for Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil for hair is among the best things you can do to prevent hazardous chemicals that are in numerous commercial hair care products. Safeguard hair from the elements, keep it strong, nourished, shiny, and workable using coconut oil for conditioning, styling, hair growth, to get rid of dandruff, and treat lice.
Look for additional virgin organic coconut oil; when you open the container, the aroma must remind you of fresh coconuts.
