Benefits Of Coconut For Hair

If there is anything you must do to keep your tresses vibrant and healthy, switch to coconut oil.

We have been listening to our mothers and grandmothers praising the oil’s amazing properties right from the time we were kids. But then, how many of us are actually aware of the wide array of benefits it offers?

That is what this post is all about – the numerous ways the humble coconut oil can do your hair good.

Read on to know more!

Coconut Oil – A Brief

In simple terms, coconut oil is nothing but the fatty oil obtained from the flesh of the coconut. This oil is used in cookery and in cosmetic products.

One of its prominent USPs is the way it can benefit your hair. This is why oil is a favorite in numerous households when it comes to maintaining hair health.

Most of us just know that coconut oil is good for hair. But what we don’t know is the ways in which it can be beneficial.

Following are the numerous benefits coconut oil can offer to your hair.

1. Treats Hair Loss

This is the single most common problem that has been plaguing humanity for ages. But coconut oil has always been a natural and handy remedy for the condition.

The oil has been used since ancient times in India for grooming hair and maintaining its health. It has also been combined with other herbs to make various remedies for hair fall.

You can ideally boil sage leaves in coconut oil and apply the mixture to your scalp for improving hair health. This oil can also be mixed with lime water or gooseberries for desirable results.

Further Research

A study conducted by Marico Industries, Mumbai, India, found that coconut oil has a high affinity for hair proteins. This enables it to penetrate the hair shaft very easily and treat hair loss.

It has also been found that regularly massaging the scalp with lukewarm coconut oil can stimulate blood flow to the scalp, which in turn helps control hair fall.

2. Offers Cooling Effects

Applying coconut oil to your scalp can give you an amazing cooling effect. It can be very much beneficial for people who suffer from severe scalp sweating. Coconut oil enhances scalp health and keeps your hair well nourished.

Further Research

In her book ‘Professional Beauty Therapy’, reputed beauty therapist Lorraine Nordmann talks about the efficacy of coconut oil in cooling the scalp.

3. Helps Treat Dandruff

Dandruff can be a very embarrassing problem – and you never know how effective all those so called ‘dandruff control’ shampoos you see on TV are. This is where coconut oil comes to the rescue.

The various fatty acids coconut oil contains act as effective anti-dandruff agents, thereby helping you cope with the condition. Regularly applying coconut oil can help eliminate dandruff forever.

You can also mix coconut oil with lukewarm water and castor oil in order to cure dandruff.

Further Research

An Indian study was conducted on a set of dandruff patients from the northern and southern parts of the country and another set of healthy individuals. It was found that cases of dandruff were not very severe in a majority of the south Indian patients, which was attributed to their habit of regularly applying coconut oil.

4. Offers Protection From Lice

These tiny pests on your scalp can cause you great embarrassment and misery. Most of the OTC products that claim to offer protection from lice can also damage the scalp and hair. But that wouldn’t be the case when you have coconut oil handy.

Simply coat wet hair with coconut oil and use a fine comb to remove the lice.

Further Research

A UK study revealed the superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin lotion (an OTC chemical-based treatment for head lice) in eliminating head lice.

The application of coconut oil has also been found to loosen the nits and prevent the multiplication of head lice.

According to research conducted by the University of Arizona, coconut oil is an ideal alternative to insecticidal shampoos (that might contain harmful chemicals) for killing nymphs.

5. Retains Moisture

Moisture retention is one of the best ways coconut oil ensures your hair health. The oil has high moisture retaining capacity as it is stable and cannot be easily broken down or evaporated.

It retains the moisture in your hair – keeping it moist and soft.

Further Research

According to The Daily Wildcat, a student newspaper serving the University of Arizona, using a hair mask made of coconut oil can help your hair retain moisture.

As stated in The Lexington Line, LIM College’s online magazine, using coconut oil for hair treatment can retain moisture and make your hair smell amazing.

6. Prevents Hair Damage

Coconut oil plays a major role in reducing protein loss, both from damaged and undamaged hair. The oil is rich in lauric acid and easily penetrates the hair shaft, thereby keeping a check on hair damage.

Damaged hair is also brittle due to the lack of natural proteins. Coconut oil contains these hair proteins in abundance and provides nutrition to the hair follicles.

You can slightly warm the oil and apply it to the scalp and hair, working from the top to the bottom. Leave the oil undisturbed for an hour, and then rinse with shampoo (make sure the shampoo doesn’t contain harsh irritants).

Further Research

According to one Brazilian study, coconut oil has the ability to reduce protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair.

As stated in the International Journal of Ethics in Engineering and Management Education, coconut oil is the most effective oil when it comes to preventing hair damage.

As per a report published by the University of South Florida, damaged hair is better treated with coconut oil than other vegetable or nut oils.

7. Treats Boils

Boils on the scalp can be irritating. These may occur in winters or even in summers due to excessive sun exposure. Keeping the hair and scalp clean is a must to prevent boils. Occasionally massaging your hair with a mixture of coconut and olive oils can also prevent and treat boils.

But if the problem persists, it’s always better to consult your doctor.

Further Research

Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that make it an ideal remedy for scalp boils and other scalp problems.

8. Treats Split Ends

The most common piece of advice anybody having hair with split ends would get is this – cut them! But if the problem occurs only on a few strands, you can use coconut oil to treat it. Simply massage your hair with a mixture of coconut and almond oils for a few minutes – this helps minimize split ends.

Further Research

It has been found that apart from moisturizing your tresses, coconut oil also treats and prevents split ends. Using the oil is one of the best ways to alleviate dry ends as well.

9. As A Conditioner

The best thing about coconut oil is that it is natural and free of those scary chemicals lurking in commercial hair care products. The presence of minerals, vitamins, and medium-chain fatty acids makes it an ideal substitute for a leave-in conditioner.

Apply some warm coconut oil to your hair at night, and rinse it off the next morning. Do this every few days for healthy, shimmering, and strong hair.

Further Research

The nourishing constituents of coconut oil penetrate your hair shaft and provide deep conditioning.  The oil is rich in vitamins E and K is an excellent conditioner, and plays a major role in the re-growth of damaged hair.

10. Can Be Used For Styling

Coconut oil melts on heating, and condenses on cooling – this is the reason it can be used as a styling agent. When you apply it to the scalp, it spreads evenly due to the heat. Afterward, when the oil comes in contact with hair, it condenses and works as a styling gel.

Coconut oil can be used for detangling as well. Smooth a small amount of the oil through your hair, giving special attention to the tangled areas and damaged ends, to get tangle-free hair.

Further Research

Coconut oil improves the hair break stress by penetrating the hair shaft. The oil also surrounds the hair, making it easier to remove the knots after washing.

2 Clever Ways Of Using Coconut Oil For Your Hair

Following are 2 clever ways you can use coconut oil for your hair.

• As A Base For Hair Coloring

Coconut oil acts as a wonderful medium when it comes to hair coloring. The oil penetrates hair more deeply than most other natural oils. This makes the hair color look more vibrant, and even prevents it from fading too quickly.

What You Need  

• A shower cap (or a small towel)
• A comb
• Coloring herbs
• Gloves
• Two bowls (of different sizes, such that one fits into the other)
• A container (for mixing the color)
• A jar of virgin coconut oil

What You Need To Do

• Take a few spoonfuls of coconut oil into the smaller bowl, and set it into the larger bowl.
• Fill the larger bowl with hot water in such a way that the smaller bowl is only partially submerged.
• Wait till the coconut oil gets heated and melts.
• Mix the oil with the coloring herbs, and apply like you usually do.
• Once the color has set, shampoo your hair with lukewarm water. This will help remove the excess oil and colorant.
• Cover your hair with the shower cap and let the color continue to set all night. 
• For Faster Hair Growth

Coconut oil can help make your hair strong and healthy, and accelerate hair growth as well. The various vitamins and fatty acids found in coconut oil nourish the scalp and promote hair growth.

What You Need

• A comb
• Shower cap
• Two bowls (of different sizes, such that one fits into the other)
• A jar of virgin coconut oil

What You Need To Do

• Before going to bed at the night, wash your hair with an all-natural shampoo. You can also use a conditioner.
• Take a little amount of coconut oil into the smaller bowl, and set it into the larger bowl.
• Fill the larger bowl with hot water ensuring the smaller bowl is partially submerged.
• Wait for the coconut oil to melt, and in the meantime, you can use the comb to remove any tangles in your hair.
• Once the oil has melted, gently massage it onto your scalp with your fingers.
• Twist your hair up and tie it.
• Cover your hair with the shower cap and leave the oil on your scalp overnight to get amazing results.

The way to healthy hair is through your kitchen – start using coconut oil today, and drive your hair problems away! Also, tell us how you liked this post. Do comment in the box given below.