We all want luscious locks and unless you have been born with amazingly gorgeous hair you’re probably on the lookout for some products that will add shine, body or just remove the frizz. It’s difficult to know what to choose because there are so many products out there. But coconut oil has become popular, and many people believe soaking hair in coconut oil can have many benefits. If you want to know more, stay with me as I’m going to dig deeper in the world of coconut oil to see what I can find out.
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So, let’s go right back to the beginning and find out where coconut oil comes from.
Where does coconut oil come from?
Coconuts grow in many countries around the world, usually very hot ones. They are grown and harvested for their milk and flesh to consume or put into other products. Coconut oil is made when coconut flesh is put under a lot of pressure and the oil is extracted. The process can be done with fresh coconut meat or dried coconut meat and the outcome is very similar. One is called virgin coconut oil from the fresh coconuts and the other is called refined coconut Oil.
The history
Soaking hair in coconut oil dates back to the ancient Indian tradition of hair-oiling. The treatment was usually practised before taking a shower or before you went to bed. It involved working the natural oils into your hair and scalp to make the most of the nourishment and moisture that the oil could offer. In the morning you would wake up with shinier, thicker and softer hair.
Originally, sesame oil was used in cold seasons and coconut oil was used in the warmer weather to take advantage of the warming and cooling effects of the oils.
Why soak hair in coconut oil?
Clearly, the practise of soaking her in coconut oil has been around for a very long time. But how does the coconut oil nourish and moisturise the hair exactly?
The science
These days, so many of us have treatments on our hair on a regular basis. Hair is so important for confidence and individual style and it’s a massive deal if we have a bad hair day, right? I know personally if my hair is not looking great in the morning, it ruins my whole day. Because of that, we wash it, dye it, brush it, and tie it. If you think about it, it’s quite surprising that we keep hold of our hair as long as we do with all the messing about we give it.
One of the most popular ways to prevent the damage occurring is to use treatments on your hair, such as coconut oil. Coconut oil can help to reduce protein loss in your hair. One study showed that coconut oil was better than mineral or sunflower oil at protecting proteins if applied before or after a wash. Coconut oil beat the other oils for all hair types tested, showing much less protein loss in undamaged, bleached and UV exposed hair.
Scientists believe that it’s the chemical structure of the coconut oil that gives it such brilliant protective properties. Coconut oil is mainly made-up of medium chain fatty acids called lauric acid. This means that the oil structure is long and straight, and it makes it easier for your hair to absorb.
How do I use coconut oil in my hair?
Please let me just clarify that when I say soak hair in coconut oil, I don’t mean fill a bucket with coconut oil and stick your head in it. You can soak your hair in products by applying a small amount to the palm of your hand. Gently rubbing it into your hair and then giving it a nice gentle brush or comb. If you leave it in your hair, it will soak in.
If you are applying it to leave in overnight then you can be quite liberal with your usage. Make sure you put a towel on your pillow otherwise you will ruin your bed linen. However, if you are using the oil as a smoother after you have washed your hair then, a small tip from personal experience would be don’t put too much on your hair or it will end up feeling very heavy and greasy. If this does happen, it’s not the end of the world but you might want to wash it again and start over.
Coconut oil can be an awesome product for your hair
To summarise I’ve put together a list of benefits of soaking hair in coconut oil.
5 benefits of soaking your hair in coconut oil:
- Prevents the development of a dry flaky scalp and dandruff.
- If you apply coconut oil to your hair when it is wet it reduces the friction when you’re brushing it and prevents it from breaking.
- You may be able to grow your hair longer if it is in better condition and prevent hair loss.
- Though not clinically proven another possible benefit may be lice protection. A small coconut oil study in the UK did show that when the coconut oil was combined with anise as a spray, it was more effective than the chemical Permethrin.
- Other skin studies have shown that coconut oil may contain an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 8. So, it has the potential to protect your hair from sun damage.
Despite the advantages of coconut oil there can be a few negatives.
Disadvantages of using coconut oil in your hair
- If you use coconut oil too much you may end up with a build-up on your hair and scalp. This will leave your hair looking dull and greasy.
- Some people report excessive hair loss when they use coconut oil. But this is not usually the case. It is purely the fact that the moisturised skin allows hairs that have already detached to be released more easily from your scalp.
If you want to give soaking your hair in coconut oil a go, then here is a link to a product on Amazon that I use literally every time I wash my hair and I would highly recommend. It’s a combination of oils and coconut is one of them. Also it smells divine. Let me know what you think.
Hallelujah for no more bad hair days!
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rachelmills7
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