Although using coconut oil in hair is a relatively new concept in the United States, women in India have used coconut oil to remedy hair problems for hundreds of years. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides that allow it to pass freely through the hair's cell membranes and nourish each hair strand from the inside out. Choose extra-virgin or unrefined coconut oil for hair and scalp treatments and add therapeutic-grade essential oils to remedies for additional nourishment and shine.
Step 1
Shampoo hair and towel dry, then apply a quarter-sized amount of coconut oil to palms and rub briskly to warm the oil. Run fingers through your hair, from scalp to ends, to evenly distribute the coconut oil. Repeat until you hair is covered with oil. Cover your hair with shower cap or towel for one hour. Shampoo out and style as usual. This deep conditions your hair, according to HealthyOilPlanet.com.
Alternately, try this coconut and sesame oil protein conditioner. Mix 1 tsp. coconut oil with 2 Tbsp. each olive oil and sesame oil in a bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. each honey and coconut milk and two eggs. Mix well and apply to hair from roots to tips. Let sit for 20 to 30 minutes and shampoo out.
Step 2
Remove dandruff by heating 1 tbsp. of coconut oil until warmed through. Allow the oil to cool until it is comfortable to the touch. Massage it into your scalp and then wrap your head with a towel or shower cap. Let the oil sit overnight and then shampoo out the next morning. Repeat three times a week.
Step 3
Massage about 1/4 tsp. of coconut oil into split ends to help minimize their appearance. Cover split ends with plastic wrap and let sit overnight. Shampoo out in the morning and style as usual. Although coconut oil cannot repair split ends, it can make split ends less noticeable, says AyurvedicCure.com.
Step 4
Make a homemade shampoo by heating 2 tbsp. coconut oil in a saucepan until warm. Remove from heat and add one drop rose essential oil and three drops orange essential oil. Let cool for approximately five minutes and pour into a glass jar with a screw-top lid. Allow to harden. Apply solid shampoo to sections of hair and comb hair from roots to tip. Rinse off with hot water.
Step 5
Use coconut oil as a light, leave-in conditioner to add volume and shine to your hair. Apply about 1/8 tsp. to damp hair from scalp to ends and style as usual.
Things You'll Need
- Extra-virgin coconut oil
- Shower cap
- Sesame oil
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Coconut milk
- Rose essential oil
- Orange essential oil
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