One of the most widely used ingredients in many skin care products, coconut oil is also starting to be more and more used in hair products, due to its unique positive effect on the scalp.
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| Credit:gethealthideas.com |
Coconut oil has been used to preserve the health and vitality of hair by Filipino, Burmese, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Indian, Indonesian and Caribbean women for ages, and nowadays its becoming a staple in Western societies as well.
When people think of the benefits of coconut oil they usually think about the health benefits of eatingcoconut oil. However, there is likewise plenty to gain from applying it topically.
1.It Fights Dandruff
Dandruff is a chronic condition which is the result of fungi and skin dryness (among other things) that cause your scalp skin to flake.
Coconut oil is known for its anti-fungal and hydrating properties, and as such it is a perfect natural weapon against dandruff.
If you want to treat your dandruff with coconut oil, just mix equal proportions of castor and coconut oil and thoroughly massage the mixture into your scalp, about 30 minutes before you wash your hair. If your dandruff is more severe, you can use this method before every hair wash.
2.It Prevents and Repairs Hair Damage
Even though sunflower oils and mineral oils are good for preventing hair damage, coconut is much more effective than both, and it is the only oil that can strengthen the hair shaft and prevent the loss of proteins.
Just apply some coconut oil on your split ends to stop them from further damage. You should also trim them every 6 weeks.
3.It Kills Lice
If you have children, you know how annoying lice can be. The most common lice solutions are store-bought treatments which are often very toxic and cause damage to the scalp and hair of your children.
Coconut oil is a much better alternative, as it doesn’t irritate the sensitive skin of your children, but hydrates it instead. Coconut oil is even effective with lice that have developed pesticide resistance.
The way it works is that the oil will form a layer that will suffocate the lice and prevent any eggs from staying on your hair shaft.
If you want to ty it, just evenly spread it on your child’s scalp and leave it for a few days. As the oil gets absorbed, keep putting on more so there would be a continuous layer of coconut oil. If you want to increase the efficiency even more, you can also put in several drops of tea tree oil.
4.It Smoothens Your Hair
Frizzy hair is the result of long lasting dryness of the hair shaft and cuticles. Since coconut oil is a hydrophobic oil, i.e. it repels water while preserving moisture, you can use it to make your hair smoother and silkier.
Just apply some oil about 10-15 minutes before you wash your hair. You can also use the oil to style your hair afterwards and make it slicker and free from flyaways.
5.It stops the Hair from Graying
Hair graying is the result of pigment cell death in the hair follicle base that naturally occurs with age. As you get older, the pigment cells in your hair follicles become weaker and weaker up until a point where they die away.
Coconut oil can provide nutrition to your scalp and protect the health of your hair follicle, which means that your pigment cells will be better protected and they will stay healthy longer. Using coconut oil will not color your hair, but it will slow down the process of graying.
If you want to protect yourself from gray hair, just massage a mixture of lemon juice and coconut oil in your hair on a daily basis, and leave it for 15 minutes before you rinse it off.
6.It can stop hair loss
Hair loss is usually the result of nutrient shortage, skin inflammations or fungal infections. As coconut oil is rich in healthy fats, it can fight off infections, provide nourishment to the scalp and treat the inflammations.
If you have a hair loss problem, just combine 3 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 tablespoon of sage oil and cook them until you end up with a homogenous mixture. Afterwards, leave the mixture to cool down so that it would feel warm to your hand. Apply the mixture on your scalp, before you go to bed, and use a shower cap to cover it. When you get up the following morning, wash it off as you usually would. Repeat the process for as much as you feel is necessary.
The Bottom Line
If you are still skeptical about using coconut oil – don’t be. There is just so much to gain from it, as many people already witnessed.
If your buy organic shampoos, there is a high chance they already have coconut oil in them. However, if they don’t, you can always add your own to the shampoo and make it more beneficial for your hair.
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