coconut-oil-for-hair

Coconut Oil For Hair: Tips On How To Have Glorious Tresses

Discover what kind of hair coconut oil can be used and how to apply it for the best results

The benefits and properties of coconut oil for hair are all the rage these days. The health properties that coconut oil has for our hair are undeniable and make it into a very sought after product. It is, however, essential to determine how to use coconut oil on each type of hair. 

So, before using it, we advise you to get acquainted with the properties of coconut oil and  decide if it's suitable for the needs of our hair. To this effect, we have compiled a series of hair tips, including coconut oil, to get your hair from drab to fab in no time!

How to use coconut oil for hair?

For coconut oil to be beneficial for all types of hair, it is necessary to follow a series of pointers on how to apply it correctly. Here's how to do it:

1. Avoid using on the scalp

Although this product seems to be beneficial for those who fight dandruff by applying it directly to the scalp, other people believe that they have experienced adverse effects by doing the same.

Coconut oil can clog pores and irritate some types of the scalp  (and on certain types of skin), and it is better to use it only on the hair and not directly on the scalp.

2. Start with small quantities 

In the case of coconut oil for hair, less is more, especially until we know how our hair reacts to it. This is why  we recommend using a small amount the first few times that we apply it. 

3. Add other ingredients

Adding other essential oils can change how coconut oil affects our hair for the better. If you want to try a deep conditioning treatment, mixing it with honey and yogurt can offer more benefits than using it alone.

How to use coconut oil for hair?

It is not surprising that different types of hair respond to products differently, and coconut oil does not work the same for all hair types. Because it helps the hair retain its natural protein, it may be useful for those who lack sufficient natural protein in the hair follicles. Thus, studies have confirmed the benefits of this product for specific hair types, but not for all.

In general, people with thin hair will see excellent results  with coconut oil and will notice a brighter and more voluminous hair. However, for people with thick or dry hair, this product may keep the protein deficit and cause brittle hair and loss.

This type of hair can benefit more from other oils such as marula oil, argan, or castor oil. Besides, anyone with an allergy to coconuts should not use these products on their hair, regardless of the type of hair.

Where to buy coconut oil?

Coconut oil can be found in different places, from your local supermarket to specialized organic stores. However, since this product is so popular and can be found in most stores, we risk buying less-than coconut oil. 

Supermarkets store it in the "oil" section, and if we look at all the products that they offer us, we will notice refined and unrefined coconut oil. We can also buy it in cosmetic shops, in the oils section.

It is vital that we make sure that the product we are acquiring is a high-quality oil  that has been altered as little as possible.

Product review

We find a great diversity of opinions regarding the use of coconut oil for hair: is it good or bad? Does it work for all types of hair? Coconut oil can stimulate the growth and thickness of the hair, hydrating it, nourishing it and cleaning the scalp. 

The application of a small amount after washing allows the product to penetrate the roots and filter deeply into the follicles. This strengthens the hair, promoting growth and density.

However, people with dry and thick hair get the opposite effect, so we do not recommend the use of coconut oil as it can promote the accumulation of proteins and restrict moisture in dry or rough hair. This blocks the necessary moisture and causes the hair to dry, creating split ends and hair breakage.

Other people believe that coconut oil can tame even the wildest curls. If you have very curly hair, adding a little of this product will surely keep them in check. Depending on the porosity of your hair, it can keep your curls under control.

However, other opinions suggest that using coconut oil regularly can be bad for the hair. Thus, the use of coconut oil depends a lot on the type of hair and how we use and apply it.

References:

Garcés, I. C., & Cuéllar, M. C. (1997). Productos derivados de la industria de la palma de aceite: usos. Revista Palmas, 18(1), 33-48.

Torres-González, M., Angulo-Guerrero, O., Oliart-Ros, R. M., & Medina-Juárez, L. A. (2009). Efecto de la refinación física sobre la calidad química y sensorial del aceite de coco. Grasas Aceites, 60, 96-101.