Doesn’t matter if it’s a professional hairdresser or your mother, everyone will vouch for coconut oil and its unparallel benefits for your hair. And, in case you needed some more convincing about why to use coconut oil in the hair, then this post is what you need.
Do you know Coconut oil is mainly composed of lauric acid? This medium-chain fatty acid imparts coconut oil with a long, straight structure that gets nicely absorbed deep into the hair shaft. Several coconut hair oil benefits make it one of the most sought-after health and beauty products. While there are different kinds of hair oil that are available on the market, coconut oil is considered the best oil to reduce protein loss and keep hair healthy. So, while olive oil, almond oil, mustard oil, curd, and shikakai are really good for hair care, coconut oil tops the list of hair care products.
The day-to-day wear and tear due to styling, grooming, weather, and pollutants can damage your hair and make hair maintenance a challenging task. But, if you use coconut oil in your hair then, maintaining hair isn’t that much difficult. So, let us look at the different coconut hair oil benefits to know how it can be useful for you.
Coconut Hair Oil Benefits: Why To Use Coconut Oil In Hair?
1. Stronger & longer hair growth
Coconut Hair Oil deeply nourishes and strengthens hair to fight breakage and environmental damage. Hair loss usually happens when your hair is wet. On absorbing water, subtle structural changes take place in your hair which weakens it, thus causing easy hair fall. Applying coconut oil to your hair before head-wash can minimize such damage. If you apply coconut oil post-head wash, it softens your hair. A coconut hair oil coat on your hair protects it from friction caused by styling. (Don’t forget to discover foods that help in fast hair growth)
2. Prevents lice
Lice can be serious trouble for your hair. Although there are plenty of medicated shampoos on the market for lice treatment, coconut oil is effective too. One study found that coconut oil, combined with anise, is 40% more effective for lice treatment than permethrin.
3. Protects from sun damage
Like your skin, your hair also needs protection against the Sun. The best and easiest way to UV-protect your hair is by using coconut oil. According to research, coconut oil has an SPF of 8 which can be useful for your hair.
4. Treats dandruff
The most common reason behind dandruff is poor scalp health. Dandruff can be a mild or severe hair problem depending on various biological factors and also how you tackle it. As such, no studies have conclusively proven the role of coconut oil in effective dandruff treatment. But it is still considered a good antimicrobial agent for hair. We recommend that you first consult a dermatologist and then use this tip.
5. Prevents hair fall
Consistent hair loss can be quite stressful. You start developing anxiety about thinning hair, receding hairline, patchy balding, and other such issues associated with hair loss. There are several reasons behind hair loss. Poor hair care in the face of constant exposure to pollution, sunlight, and styling products is one of the biggest reasons. Thus, here is one of the best coconut hair oil benefits for you. By using coconut oil in the following ways, you can see a remarkable improvement in your hair loss problem!
- Conditioner: After thoroughly shampooing your hair, apply a small quantity of coconut oil to your hair. Apply it in a top to down motion, from midsection to hair ends.
- Detangler: Before brushing your wet hair, apply a coat of coconut oil to allow your comb to pass through your hair smoothly.
- Hair Mask: Apply coconut oil before hair wash and allow it to sit for 45 mins-1 hr. You can use different variations of DIY coconut oil hair masks for more nourishment.
- Scalp treatment: If your doctor advises, you can apply some coconut oil to your hair before sleeping and wash it off in the morning.
Some more coconut hair oil benefits
6. Calms scalp irritation
As coconut oil is fatty, it soothes your scalp from itchiness, dryness, and flaking. It also locks moisture into your hair which keeps your scalp naturally irritation-free.
7. Treats split ends
Coconut oil, as compared to other oils, seeps better into your strands and prevents split ends.
8. Protects against artificial heat
Styling products make your hair look as good as new but they also have a downside: lots of damaging heat. Thus, if you apply some coconut hair oil before blow-drying your hair, it will prevent your tresses from heat and water damage.
The Bottom Line
Coconut Hair oil benefits are worth knowing. Ranging from sun protection, and dandruff treatment, to lice prevention, and reduced hair loss, coconut oil is a boon for your hair. No wonder it is being used as a routine hair care product for ages. Nowadays, various coconut hair oil variations are also available on the market. You can choose whichever you like and enjoy strong, long, and shiny locks.
Remember to consult a dermatologist before using coconut oil if you have a typical scalp condition. Many a time, your hair requires medicated treatments for improved scalp conditions. Going by guesswork, in that case, can backfire on you. Hence, it is better to make informed choices.