11 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Your Natural Hair Routine

 

11 Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Hair

Coconut oil is one of the most used and loved oils when it comes to natural hair care. The benefits of using coconut oil in your natural hair routine are plentiful, as it is non-toxic and safe to use for both children and babies.  Coconut oil is one of the few natural oils that can penetrate the cortex of the hair, providing immediate and long-term benefits to the overall health of your hair and encouraging healthier hair growth.

Based on a study by the Journal of Cosmetic Science, coconut oil scored much higher on the beauty scale in preventing hair damage than other oils such as sunflower oil and mineral oil. Coconut oil has also been proven to be the only plant-based oil that can significantly reduce protein loss in the hair. Protein loss is one of the main causes of dry and brittle hair, split ends, breakage and hair damage.

9 Quick Facts about Coconut Oil

• Powerful medicinal properties
• Antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties
• Kills harmful microorganisms
• Promotes a healthy scalp
• Stimulates hair growth and prevents thinning hair
• Coconut oil is colorless in its liquid form but turns white when solid
• It smells like freshly shredded coconut
• Coconut oil has a melting point of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees C) and a
• It has a smoking point of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees C) and is not recommended for heat styling

In addition to smelling delicious, coconut oil is a staple oil that can be used for almost all of your hair and beauty needs. It can be used on the hair when it’s wet or dry, and also works really good for everyday styling. Here are 11 ways that coconut oil can be used in your daily and beauty care routine.

1. Prevents Hair Breakage

Coconut oil can help to prevent breakage because of its high protein makeup. This is essential because your hair is made of a type of protein called keratin, which is vital to hair growth and the strength of your hair strands. The amount of protein loss in the hair is also significantly reduced when coconut oil is used as a pre-shampoo treatment, conditioner or even with daily hair use, keeping hair strands strong and healthy. 

2. Fights Bacteria and Scalp Fungus

Coconut oil has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help fight scalp infections and bacteria build-up on the hair and scalp. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and monolaurin, fatty acids that can kill harmful bacteria, viruses and fungus. It is highly recommended for anyone suffering from a scalp infection or inflammation of the scalp.

3. Eliminates and Prevents Dandruff

Coconut oil has been used for centuries to fight dry scalp and dandruff.  It can be used for treating dandruff and dry, flaky scalp caused by ringworm, psoriasis, or eczema of the scalp. Coconut oil contains powerful healing properties that help treat the root cause of a severe scalp shedding. Dandruff and a flaky scalp are usually caused by a dry scalp, an overgrowth of fungus or as a reaction to regularly using common hair products containing harsh chemicals. Coconut oil will also prevent the scalp from shedding by adding moisture to the scalp.

4. Adds Sheen to Dull, Lackluster Hair

When it comes to retaining moisture, coconut oil works well by conditioning the hair from the inside out. This protects the hair against environmental damage, and keeps hair silky and soft. Using coconut oil as a hot oil treatment will improve the elasticity of the hair, making the hair soft and smooth.

5. Protects Hair from Chlorine Damage

If you like to take advantage of the hotter temperatures by passing time in the pool, coconut oil should be your best friend. It protects the hair from chlorine damage by repelling chlorinated water due to its hydrophobic properties. Before entering the pool, dampen your hair to allow the coconut oil to fully penetrate the hair follicle. Coat your hair strands and rake through your hair with a comb or your fingers to keep your strands protected.

6. Moisturizes Dry Hair

Because of coconut oil’s ability to naturally penetrate the hair shaft, your hair will increase it ability to retain moisture by holding on to water molecules. Applying coconut oil to the hair as a leave-in followed by a creamy moisturizer will significantly increase the moisture in your hair.

7. Protects the Hair from Sun Damage

It has been proven that hair that has been exposed to the sun for long periods of time can be damaged by harmful UVA and UVB rays. The cuticle of the hair can be damaged and cause your hair to become brittle, frizzy, discolored and also contribute to thinning, breakage and split ends.  Coconut oil has a SPF of 8 and acts as an all-natural sunscreen to protect the hair against sun damage when used as a leave-in conditioner. Be sure to use a little on your scalp if you hair thinner hair or if your hair is parted to protect your scalp from sun exposure.

8. Prevents Split Ends

Coconut oil has a molecular structure that allows for it to penetrate the shaft and the cuticle layer of the hair. The nutrients found in coconut oil strengthen and improve the hair’s elasticity, restructures the hair, and prevents the ends of the hair from splitting.

9. Controls and Prevents Hair Loss

Not only does coconut oil help the hair grow longer and thicker, it also helps to prevent hair loss. The essential fatty acids and nutrients in coconut oil, such as Vitamin E, penetrate the hair shaft and strengthen the follicles from within.  It is a safe, effective and cost-friendly method for improving hair growth and minimizing hair loss.

10. Helps Prevent Premature Graying

Coconut oil contains some pretty powerful antioxidants. It also contains saturated fatty acids and Medium Chain Triglycerides such as Caprylic Acid, Myristic Acid, and Capric Acid to name a few. These nutrients help to fight against the effects of the hair turning white or gray, and also helps to prevent signs of aging hair.

11. Promotes Blood Circulation in the Scalp

Coconut oil helps with circulating the blood flow when massaged into the scalp. This stimulates and promote healthier hair growth by allowing the vitamins in the coconut oil to enter the blood stream. Try massaging slightly warm coconut oil into the scalp as a pre-shampoo treatment for at least 5 minutes. Wear a plastic conditioning cap for at least 45 minutes before shampooing to allow the oil to absorb and work its way into the hair follicle.

As you can see, coconut oil is one of the most versatile oils that can be used for natural hair care. It has many benefits to healthier, longer hair growth. Raw, unrefined coconut oil is the best option to use and it can be used on all hair types. Coconut oil is one of the safest, most cost-effective oils that you can use for your natural hair care.