If you have dry, damaged hair or naturally dry and coarse hair, adding moisture with coconut oil can improve the look and condition of your hair. You can use coconut oil as a deep conditioning treatment or a styling aid, depending upon your hair type, style and preferences. Coconut oil will not irritate sensitive skin, making it a good choice for children with dry hair as well as adults.
Function
Coconut oil is a rich source of moisture for your dry hair. The fatty acids in coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft in a way that many other oils cannot, according to a 2003 study in "Journal of Cosmetic Science" by A.S. Rele and R.B. Mohile, allowing your hair to become softer and healthier with regular use. Coconut oil reduced protein loss in both healthy and damaged hair when used before shampooing or as a styling product in dry hair.
Types
You can purchase a variety of hair oils and products made with coconut oil; however, these are costly and may contain fragrances and chemicals. Purchase pure, unrefined virgin coconut oil at your local health food store, recommends Healthy-Oil-Planet.com. You can use virgin coconut oil for health and beauty applications, as well as cooking. Expect the oil to be a white solid at room temperature; however, it liquefies at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Considerations
Coconut oil is most commonly used as a pre-shampoo hair treatment. Depending upon the length of your hair, warm coconut oil between your palms or by placing a container of coconut oil into a bowl of hot water. Work the liquefied oil through your hair, focusing on the ends of your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic shower cap or wrap your head in plastic wrap. Leave the oil in place one hour, then shampoo.
Features
You can use unrefined coconut oil as a natural styling aid to make your hair more manageable. Rub a very small amount of coconut oil between your palms and work into wet or dry hair, keeping the oil away from the roots of your hair, recommends Candida-Cure-Recipes.com. Experiment with how much oil works for your hair to find a balance between moisture and greasiness.
Effects
With regular use, oil treatments can add shine to your hair, reports DailyGlow.com. If you opt for coconut oil, your hair will break less and be less prone to split ends due to increased moisture and reduced protein loss. You may even find that coconut oil improves your dry or flaky scalp by providing your skin with important fatty acids.
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