Coconut Oil for Hair
What is coconut oil for hair?
Coconut oil for hair is extracted from the coconut meat either fresh or dried. It is very beneficial for your hair, skin, and diet. It is truly a wonderful source of vitamin E which helps to heal and repair your damaged skin.
The coconut tree is the tree of life for it provides a lot of benefits from almost all its parts starting from the trunk to the leaves and especially its fruit. The coconut fruit itself is a nutritious source of juice, meat, milk, and oil that has been used by people around the world from generations to generations.
Image courtesy of: *Brunna Peretti Loureiro*
Coconut is considered a functional food because of the many health benefits it provides. It is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. It is highly nutritious fruits. Coconut oil is not only used for hair and scalp, it is also used in traditional medicine to treat various health problems.
Why is coconut oil good for hair growth?
Coconut oil for hair is recommended because of its healthy and natural components. Do you know that coconut oil is actually rich in fatty acids and a lot of vitamins and minerals? It is indeed rich in fatty acids which contribute to the nourishing effect on your hair. The properties of coconut oil aid in keeping protein loss at a bare minimum which is beneficial for the hair because protein actually makes up hair. The ability of these components in penetrating the hair shaft is ideal for your hair.
The following are some of the elements that can be found in coconut oil for hair:
- Fatty acids – Oleic acid, caprylic acid, linoleic acid, myristic acid, and palmitic acid are found in coconut oil for hair.
- Lauric acid and Capric acid – acts as microbial agents which minimize hair loss and hair fall.
- Vitamin E – keeps both skin and hair radiant and glowing. It improves the circulation of the scalp. Vitamin E present in coconut oil for hair is truly ideal.
What are the types of coconut oil for hair?
There are three types of coconut oil for hair that are available in the market and these are:
- Virgin Coconut oil: Virgin coconut oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat using no high temperatures or chemicals.
- Refined Coconut oil: Refined coconut oil is extracted from the dried coconut kernel or “copra.”
- Organic Coconut oil: Organic coconut oil is extracted from coconut grown in organic manure with no use of chemicals, fertilizers, or insecticides.
What are the benefits of coconut oil for hair?
Coconut oil for hair is good because it does not only make your hair grow healthy but it also repairs hair damage. It is one of the best natural nutrition for your hair that helps it to grow smoothly and provides a shiny complexion.
With a regular massage of coconut oil for hair, you will ensure that your scalp is free of lice, lice eggs, and dandruff. It is a natural conditioner that helps in the regrowth of your damaged hair. It consists of essential proteins needed for nourishing hair that has been damaged from the heat of the sun, chemicals, and daily use of hair dryer.
Aside from using coconut oil for hair, it can also be used in other amazing things such as the following:
- For cooking at high heat
- For shaving legs
- As a cheekbone highlighter
- Taking off eye makeup
- As a face moisturizer
- As a body moisturizer
- As a day-time tamer
- For Gluten-free and vegan baking
Coconut oil can also help you to lose weight. Many believed that coconut oil is a bad food for it is high in saturated fat but not all saturated fats are created equally. It is the hydrogenated oils found in your food that you should need to watch out for.
And also, coconut oil has anti-aging properties that helps you protect your skin from aging. It can help in healing and repairing damaged skin.
How to use coconut oil for hair?
Coconut oil for hair can be used in three ways. The application may depend on the user’s intentions. Treatments and usage of coconut oil include hot oil treatment, leave-on conditioner, and styling cream.
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Hot oil treatment – You need to preheat the coconut oil first before you could use it especially in countries such as in North America where it can solidify. Now, after you had preheated the coconut oil, pour some of the warm oil into your hands and you can start massaging the scalp gently. Ideally for about a few minutes until the coconut oil is generously applied throughout the hair. Once you are done massaging the hair, you can now cover the head using a shower cap. Leave the treatment on for about an hour or two but for those who have a very dry hair, overnight treatment is ideal. Wash the hair with water and a mild shampoo. -
Leave-on Conditioner – You will need a small amount of coconut oil for hair in this type of treatment. For those who have long hair, you may need a half teaspoon of coconut oil and even smaller for those who have short hair. Pour some of the oil into your fingers and start applying it into the damp hair. The trick in this treatment is in the amount of coconut oil to use. You should put more oil in the ends of the hair and less in the middle. You should use very little to none on the roots of the hair in order to keep clear of a greasy look. -
Styling Cream – It is important to take into account that coconut oil can condense upon cooling. It can work well as a styling cream or gel when you apply moderate amounts on your hair.
Is coconut oil for hair right for you?
If you’re experiencing hair fall or hair loss, you should use coconut oil for hair. It is composed of lauric acid and capric acid that functions as antimicrobial agents which minimizes hair loss. Microbial action on the scalp and roots is one of the reasons for hair loss and hair fall, thus coconut oil for hair is good for you.
If you want to keep your hair shiny and bouncy, you should be using coconut oil for hair. Conditioning your hair with coconut oil will prevent you from going to the salon for a hair treatment and will save you a lot of money.
Finally, coconut oil for hair is ideal and recommended for any types of hair.
