Coconut oil, specifically pertaining to its benefits on hair and how to use it is one of the most common searches on our site, so we decided to give you even more insight on this amazing and natural product!
The History of Coconut Oil
Some of us like to know a bit about the background and components of a product before we buy them, so we wanted to give you a little history on coconut oil and the variety of uses it has.
Coconut oil is made from pressing the meat of the coconut and has been documented back thousands of years as being used by people in tropical regions around the world. They used coconuts and its oil in every aspect of their lives, specifically as a nutritious source of meat, milk, and oil. It also showed healing capabilities and was used for medicinal purposes among Asian and Pacific populations.
Coconut oil got a bad connotation in the 1950s because people prematurely freaked out about the saturated fats in the oil. This was before we knew that there were “good” and “bad” saturated fats, and all of the fats were categorized into “bad” fats. Since then, research has found that the molecular structure of coconut oil make it unique due to its medium chain fatty acids. These acids are more easily digested than others; they are processed directly in the liver and immediately converted into energy (which is why it is commonly found in energy drinks).
Today, coconut oil is still used for many of the same reasons as it was thousands of years ago, but we are strictly going to talk about one way it probably wasn’t used for back then - to benefit your hair!
Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair
You could say that coconut oil has been a well kept secret for many years but has more recently become an “it” beauty product, especially in regards to your hair. Because it is rich in fatty acids, coconut oil helps nourish and moisturize your hair, leaving it with a beautiful shine!
Part of the reason why coconut oil works well to condition your hair is because of its molecular structure. Lauric acid, capric acid, and Vitamin E are all present components in coconut oil that help to condition, strengthen, revitalize and add shine to your hair. This means that not only will it make your hair more smooth, but it will help in healing and hydrating it, along with aiding the repair of split ends. When applied to your entire head of hair, coconut oil will act as a deep moisturizer that will leave your hair feeling revitalized. And because of its antifungal qualities, coconut oil also helps combat dandruff and flakes.
Coconut oil works well on all hair types - natural, processed, highlighted, straight or curly. Since it is a natural product, you won’t have to worry about any chemical reactions happening. Coconut oil can also deeply penetrate the hair shaft, making it an ideal hair conditioner!
Applying Coconut Oil to Hair
As you can see, coconut oil can be very beneficial for your hair. Knowing how and where to apply coconut oil to your hair can be a little confusing; “Where do I apply it?” and “How can I work this into my beauty routine?” are two very common questions that are asked that we will answer for you.
In its natural state, coconut oil is a solid if the temperature is below 76 degrees Fahrenheit and liquefies when it is warmed up. Since this is the case, trying to apply it to your hair in its solid form can be difficult because the coconut oil may clump up. In a majority of cases, you would need to warm up your coconut oil before applying. You can do so by rubbing it together with your hands or putting a small amount in the microwave.
There are multiple methods to try when it comes to applying coconut oil to your hair. It can take a bit of trial and error, and finding out what works for you hair. Some applications take a few seconds and some can last all night. For example, using just a dollop of coconut oil for the ends of your hair can quickly tame flyaways and only takes a few seconds to apply, but doing a deep conditioning application can take minutes to apply, and hours to soak. It all depends on the benefits you are looking to achieve. Applying coconut oil once a week is a good practice but again, that just depends on what works best for you. If you do not use heating products like hair dryers or straighteners, you probably won’t need to do a conditioning treatment as many times as someone who is constantly damaging their hair with heating products. So whether your coconut oil conditioning treatment is done once a week, or once a month, a regular routine will boost shine, volume and overall hair health.
Before applying coconut oil to your hair, make sure you are wearing an old shirt just in case you get a little messy. Warm up the coconut oil by rubbing it in your hands or putting it in the microwave. If you are wanting a full treatment, make sure you apply the coconut oil all over your hair - from the scalp to the ends. Be sure to take special care of the hair closest to your face, as these strands are the ones that receive the most damage from heating products. You can use a big clip or hair tie to section off your hair to make sure every strand gets the appropriate amount of attention. After the oil is applied, tie your hair up into a bun or ponytail (along with a shower cap, if you’d like) and let your hair soak up the coconut oil. Typically, the minimum amount you should let it soak is 30 minutes, but you can do this for however long you’d like, including overnight. Just be careful to wrap your hair, pillow and bed sheets so you don’t transfer any oil while you sleep. Showering is the best way to rinse out the coconut oil. Many people rinse out the coconut oil first, then they proceed to their usual shampoo and conditioning routine.
Again, these treatments may take some trial and error, so don’t be discouraged if you are unable to see results the first time around. Figuring out what your hair needs is an important part of the process. If you’d like to try coconut oil on your hair and see how beneficial it can be for you, our all-natural, 100% Coconut Oil is an ideal moisturizer for this purpose.
