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coconut oil. photo: everydayhealth.com |
Coconut oil can enhance the health and appearance of your hair. By preventing protein loss in your hair, it works to improve its condition. To get the best results, it is recommended to apply coconut oil to your hair both prior to and after washing it.
Coconut oil is a versatile health and beauty product that is used for various purposes, including cooking, cleaning, moisturizing skin, and removing makeup. It is also a popular choice for those seeking to improve the health and appearance of their hair.
This article examines the benefits and drawbacks of using coconut oil on hair.
Daily grooming practices can damage your hair
Note: Daily grooming practices, such as washing, brushing, coloring, and styling, can harm the structure of your hair, making it more vulnerable to breakage.
Why coconut oil is better at protecting your hair than other oils
Note: Coconut oil is more effective in reducing protein loss in hair compared to sunflower and mineral oils, according to a study published in 2003. This is due to its chemical structure, which consists primarily of the medium-chain fatty acid lauric acid, that is more easily absorbed into the hair shaft.
Rubbing oil on your hair before or after washing helps prevent damage
Another way to use oil on your hair is to apply it after washing as a leave-in conditioner. This will help lock in moisture and reduce frizz.
Lastly, you can use coconut oil as a hot oil treatment, which involves warming the oil and applying it to your hair. This allows the oil to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft and provides additional benefits for your hair.
Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to use a small amount of oil and avoid using too much, as this can leave your hair feeling greasy.
Wetting your hair causes the cortex, the thick central layer, to absorb water and expand, altering the structure of the cuticle. The hair cuticle is composed of flat overlapping scales that are attached at the root and point towards the tip.
To minimize hair damage, it's recommended to apply oil before washing and after washing. When wet, the cortex of the hair swells and causes the cuticle scales to rise, making it more vulnerable to damage. By applying oil before washing, the water absorbed by the hair shaft is reduced and the cuticle remains flattened, reducing the risk of damage. On the other hand, coating the hair in oil after washing makes it softer and smoother, reducing friction during styling and reducing the likelihood of breakage.
Note: Wet hair is more susceptible to damage, but applying oil both prior to and after washing can help prevent damage to your hair.
Coconut oil could help you grow your hair longer
Coconut oil may aid in promoting longer hair growth by:
- Keeping your hair hydrated and minimizing breakage
- Guarding your hair from protein loss and harm during wetness
- Defending your hair from external damage caused by wind, sun, and smoke.
Coconut oil may offer additional benefits for your hair, but these have not been thoroughly tested through proper scientific studies. Some possible benefits include:
- Prevention of lice infestations, as a small study showed that coconut oil mixed with anise in a spray was 40% more effective at treating head lice than the chemical permethrin.
- Protection from sun damage as some laboratory and skin studies have found that coconut oil has a sun protection factor of 8.
- Dandruff treatment, as it has antimicrobial properties and could be useful for controlling dandruff.
- Prevention of hair loss, as coconut oil can help maintain the health of your hair and prevent damage from excessive grooming.
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photo: pharmaeasy.in |
Coconut oil is generally considered safe for use on skin and hair (13Trusted Source). However, excessive use can result in an accumulation of oil on the hair and scalp, making it look greasy and dull, particularly for those with fine hair. To prevent this, it is recommended to start with a small amount and apply it to the midsection to the ends of the hair. Those with fine hair may want to avoid applying coconut oil to the scalp. Additionally, while it is normal to shed 50-100 hairs per day, some people have reported increased hair loss while using coconut oil. However, this is often not due to the oil itself but rather because it can cause previously detached hair to fall away more easily.
In conclusion, while coconut oil is considered safe, overusing it can cause greasiness in hair, but it is not usually the cause of hair loss.
How to use coconut oil for beautiful hair
Here are some ways to incorporate coconut oil into your hair care routine to improve its health:
- As a conditioner: After shampooing, comb coconut oil through the midsection to the ends of your hair.
- As a post-wash detangler: After washing and conditioning your hair, apply a small amount of coconut oil to protect it while brushing.
- As a hair mask: Massage coconut oil into your hair and let it sit for a few hours or overnight before washing it out.
- As a pre-wash protector: Apply coconut oil to your hair before washing it.
- As a scalp treatment: Before bed, massage a small amount of coconut oil into your scalp and leave it overnight. Rinse it off with shampoo in the morning.
Can Coconut Oil Help with Hair Growth?
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photo: unileverservices.com |
Coconut oil is a solid, white fat derived from raw or dried coconuts that melts when heated. It is commonly used as a food, cooking oil, and beauty treatment for hair and skin.
There is significant research on the health benefits of coconut oil for the body, skin, and hair. Some people apply coconut oil to their hair and scalp with the belief that it promotes faster hair growth. In this article, we will examine the validity of this belief.
- Moisturizes and Calms Scalp
Coconut oil is a natural saturated fat, which can help moisturize and calm the scalp by reducing irritation, flaking, and itching. Its high fat content helps lock in moisture, keeping hair healthy and shiny.
- Prevents Split Ends
Research has shown that coconut oil is more effective than mineral oil and other oils at penetrating the hair shaft, helping to prevent hair breakage and split ends. By using coconut oil regularly, you may need fewer haircuts, making your hair appear to be growing faster.
- Reduces Protein Loss in Hair
A study conducted in India showed that coconut oil can reduce protein loss in hair, making it less prone to dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Coconut oil is used both as a pre-wash hair mask and a leave-in conditioner after showering.
- Coconut Oil Protects From Heat Damage
Applying a small amount of coconut oil to your wet hair before using heat styling tools can help protect it from water and heat damage. This can reduce the risk of hygral fatigue, which is a condition where the hair swells up from excessive water and becomes weaker and drier over time.
Healthy fats are an important part of your daily diet and should make up about 30% of your total calorie intake. Incorporating coconut oil into your meals and using it for cooking can contribute to a balanced diet.
Consuming coconut oil may result in healthier, more robust hair growth. This could be particularly noticeable if your diet lacks adequate healthy fats and nutrients.
As a hair and scalp treatment, coconut oil has the potential to effectively eliminate head lice and their eggs.
To make a coconut oil hair and scalp treatment mask, you can follow these steps:
- Put a small amount of coconut oil in a bowl.
- Heat the oil in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Ensure the oil is soft but not fully liquid.
- Test the temperature to make sure it's warm but not hot.
- Use your fingers to massage the oil into your scalp, then apply it to your hair from roots to tips.
- Put your hair in a bun and cover it with a towel.
- Leave the oil in for 30 minutes to a few hours.
- Thoroughly wash the oil out with your regular shampoo.
Other healthy, natural ingredients that can be added to a coconut oil hair mask include:
- Aloe vera gel
- Whole egg or egg white
- Avocado
- Argan oil
- Olive oil
Hair loss and thinning can be a result of deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals. A study showed that 38% of women experiencing hair loss had low levels of biotin (vitamin B-7). Other vitamins and minerals that are essential for hair growth include vitamin A, E, D, and iron.
In conclusion, using coconut oil as a hair mask and leave-in treatment may provide benefits for hair and scalp, such as preventing a dry scalp, dandruff, split ends, and hair breakage, which can result in shinier, stronger, and longer looking hair. However, there is currently no evidence that coconut oil can increase hair growth speed or length.
Read More: How to Get Glowing Skin
Source: https://www.healthline.com
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