What is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil, derived from coconut palm contains omega-9, omega-6, vitamin E, vitamin A, and lauric acid.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair
- Nourishes Dry Hair: Deeply moisturizes due to lauric acid
- Low Protein Loss: Protects hair from damage and breakage by penetrating the hair shaft
- Offers Sun Protection & More: Provides some protection from sun damage, heat, and mechanical damage
- Makes Hair Strong: Increases resilience and smoothness, especially for damaged hair
- Better Scalp Health: Fights fungal infections and dandruff
- Tames Frizz, Adds Shine, and Increases Hair Manageability: Smoothens the cuticle, adds shine, and makes hair easier to comb
Who Should Use Coconut Oil? - Beneficial for dry, dandruff-prone, and itchy scalps, and for defining curly hair.
How to Incorporate Coconut Oil in Your Hair Care Routine? - Use as a pre-shampoo treatment, in conditioners/hair masks, or in styling products.
Tips on How to Use Coconut Oil? - Consider your hair type (those with oily scalps should avoid direct application), heat the oil for better absorption, and rinse thoroughly.
Coconut Oil: Peek into the Basics
Coconut oil is extracted from the fresh coconut palm. It contains a wide variety of nutrients, including omega-9, omega-6, vitamin E, vitamin A, and lauric acid - a saturated fatty acid that features similar properties like those of natural hair proteins. With a low molecular weight, this fatty acid penetrates into the hair shaft, ensuring maximum nourishment. This unique composition is what makes coconut oil beneficial for hair. Curious to know more about the benefits of coconut oil for hair?
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair
Dull and dry hair, frizz, begone! Here is a consolidated list of the benefits of coconut oil for hair:
1. Nourishes Dry Hair
The presence of high concentrations of lauric acid allows coconut oil can reach the deeper layers of hair fiber. This benefits dry hair as it offers intense nourishing and moisturizing effects on the hair.
2. Low Protein Loss
Another benefit of coconut oil for hair is its ability to reduce protein loss. Over-washing, excessive heat styling, and environmental stress damage your hair and make it brittle and breakage prone. However, low molecular weight and straight linear chains allow coconut oil to enter the hair shaft of damaged hair, protecting it from protein loss during the hair washing or styling process.
3. Offers Sun Protection & More
Coconut oil offers sun protection to some extent. Yes, you heard it right! Though it doesn’t work as a dedicated sunscreen for hair, it can still protect hair from sun damage and pollution. What’s more! Coconut hair oil benefits by creating a film on the hair that serves as a shield. Thus, it helps avoid heat damage and offers protection from mechanical damage from brushes, combs, etc.
4. Makes Hair Strong
Coconut oil makes your hair resilient and less porous. Its vitamin-rich composition leaves your hair smoother, silkier, shinier, and easier to detangle. This is crucial for dry, damaged, or chemically processed hair. Utilize this benefit of coconut oil for hair and flaunt strong hair.
5. Better Scalp Health
The medium-chain fatty acid content of lauric acid in coconut oil gives antimicrobial powers. Resultantly, coconut oil efficiently combats fungal infections and dandruff, making the scalp clean and suitable for hair growth.
(Read our guide on dandruff causes and solution and pave the way for healthy scalp)
6. Tames Frizz, Adds Shine, and Increases Hair Manageability
When applied correctly, coconut oil helps smoothen the hair cuticle, discipline unruly hair and frizz, and add shine. Additionally, coconut hair oil benefits by making hair more manageable and easier to comb.
Who Can Benefit from Coconut Oil?
- Coconut hair oil benefits dry, dandruff-prone (with antifungal properties, it reduces scalp flaking), and itchy scalps.
- The smoothing properties of coconut oil benefit curly hair. Thorough and proper application of coconut oil helps define curls, repair fiber, and give it a shiny appearance.
How to Incorporate Coconut Oil into Your Hair Care Routine?
Now that you know the advantages of coconut oil for hair; let’s understand how to include it in your daily/weekly hair care routine.
1. Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment
Apply coconut oil before shampooing to prevent excess water absorption, reduce damage and dryness.
- Step 1: Warm 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil (depending on hair length and thickness) slightly.
- Step 2: Make sections in your hair and apply the warm coconut oil to each section, focusing on the ends and mid-lengths. Massage gently using fingertips.
- Step 3: Leave the oil in for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for a deeper treatment. Now, wash with your regular shampoo your hair as usual, making sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the oil. You may need to shampoo twice.
2. Strengthening Conditioner
Consider using coconut oil-rich conditioners to revitalize the hair shaft and prevent breakage.
3. Deep Nourishment
Coconut oil-enriched hair masks offer deep nourishment and repair hair fibers.
4. Frizz Control
Styling products with coconut oil tame frizz and enhance your hair’s natural beauty.
Tips on How to Use Coconut Oil for Hair
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Consider Your Hair Type
Those with an oily scalp must avoid applying coconut oil directly to the scalp. Also, it may weigh down fine or thin hair. Consider your hair type and apply it sparingly or skip it if the oil makes your scalp greasy.
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Heat the Oil
Heating coconut oil softens it, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft better, and making it easier to apply.
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Rinse Well
Post-application, rinse thoroughly to avoid product build-up.
If you haven’t used coconut oil for hair yet, now is the time to boost your hair care routine with the magical potion. Learn the application techniques and tips and utilize the benefits of coconut oil for hair for healthy, shiny, and manageable locks.
For further hair care-related assistance, browse through the L'Oréal Paris hair care products range and hair care blogs to maximize your hair’s natural strength.
