Coconut Oil Hair Care

Coconut oil has a long history of use for skin and hair care, particularly among Asian people. Many beauticians and hairstylists use coconut oil because of the properties it possesses. Use virgin coconut oil for the best care for hair--virgin coconut oil has not been refined, and stripped of some of its properties, unlike refined coconut oils.

Properties

Coconut oil is extracted from the fruit of the palm tree. It is a solid, white fat which is crystalline. Unrefined coconut oil melts at 77 degrees F, according to Len Price in his book "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage." Sometimes, coconut oil is fractionated and refined, producing a clear liquid. Coconut oil is useful in skin care, due to its skin softening properties, and consequently is also used for conditioning the hair and the scalp.

Historical Use

Palm trees are prevalent in Malaysia, Polynesia and other parts of Asia and the South Pacific. The indigenous people of these regions have been using coconut oil to condition hair for centuries, perhaps one of the reasons why many Asian women have long, shiny and lustrous black hair, even into old age.

How Coconut Oil Protects Hair

Coconut oil contains many proteins and nutrients, such as glycerides and fatty acids, essential to nourishing the hair. Bruce Fife, in his book "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil," an extract of which is published on the website Coconut Connections, writes extensively about how the ingredients of coconut oil help the skin, and subsequently, the scalp and hair. The ingredients of coconut oil are thought to help fight damaging free radicals, responsible for the aging and destruction of skin and hair. Coconut oil protects and repairs the skin and hair by removing dead skin cells, softening the skin and hair, and repairing the underlying tissues.

How to Use

Coconut oil is simple to use for hair care--scoop out a handful of coconut oil and massage into the head and hair. Many hairstylists recommend using less than this, as the hair will absorb what it needs. Leave coconut oil in the hair for at least a couple of hours to increase the luster of the hair. Coconut oil is recommended in the treatment of dandruff, dry hair and lice, according to the website Organic Facts.

Cautions

Coconut oil is suitable for use by everyone, according to Len Price, in his book "Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage." People of the South Pacific and Asia, who have used coconut oil for hair care since childhood, rarely go bald or have gray hair. Use virgin coconut oil, which is unfractionated and unrefined, for the best results.