Top 8 Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

Hair loss, dandruff, itchy red scalp and dry frizzy hair can all be repaired using one of nature's top beauty fixes - coconut oil! Rich in healthy fatty acids, lauric, caprylic and mystiric acid, coconut oil will replenish damaged hair locks as well as sooth dry, itchy and red scalp. If you've got dandruff, slather soft silky coconut oil gently onto your scalp and watch your dandruff miraculously disappear. With coconut oil, you don't need a whole batch of hair care products. Coconut oil itself can cleanse, repair, condition and soften your locks. We've listed out 8 important benefits of coconut oil for hair care.

Always use extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil to prevent build-up on your scalp and for best results. Processed coconut oil may contain additives that will not give you full benefit.

1. Coconut oil for Hair Growth
One study from the Journal of Cosmetic Science found out that hair protein loss can be minimized by applying coconut oil before and after washing hair! Furthermore, no other oil showed as much success as coconut oil in preserving the loss of potent hair-nourshing proteins and minerals. Coconut oil contains a lot of valuable nutrients that are vital for proper hair growth. Nutrients like caprylic acid, lauric acid, mystiric acid and vitamins will strengthen the hair shaft and nourish the roots, promoting luscious strong hair strands. Coconut oil also maintains the scalp's natural pH balance, creating a hair-friendly environment that inhibits microbes, bacteria and other fungi that can cause infections which promote hair loss. Shampoos not only dry out hair but are also alkaline in nature yet the scalp's pH ranges from acidic to neutral. This means these artificial alkaline hair products throw the scalp's pH out of balance! Coconut oil contains small molecules that can sink deep into the hair follicles, enriching the scalp with its valuable nutrients and promoting hair growth.

2. Coconut oil for Dandruff
Slather some silky coconut oil onto your dry scalp before bed everynight and rinse off the next day. Coconut oil has anti-fungal properties which help eliminate flaky dandruff as well as fungal infections. This beauty oil will deep moisturize your hair, sealing moisture into hair roots to keep your scalp healthy and lubricated. To give your scalp a dandruff-removing hair massage, get two to three teaspoons of coconut oil, depending on the length and thickness of your hair, warm it lightly in a microwave or stove. Remember not to boil or overheat the coconut oil. When it's warm enough, using your finger tips, massage the melted oil onto your scalp gently. Wrap your hair into a loose bun and cover with a shower cap. Let the coconut oil penetrate deep into your scalp for 10 to 15 minutes. When the time is up, rinse off with a mild shampoo. Enjoy your moisturized dandruff-free scalp! Keep in mind, you have to repeat this hot oil treatment at least once a week for best results.

3. Coconut oil for Lice
Most headlice treatments contain toxic substances such as carbaryl and pyrethroids in them that could be potential threat to not only your scalp and hair locks but also your body! For the ultimate lice-eliminating home made treatment, what you need is extra virgin coconut oil and raw apple cider vinegar. Before you begin the live removing process, make sure you remove any tangles and knots in your hair. Then gently rinse out your hair with 1/2 cup of raw acv and 1/2 cup of filtered water. Do not rinse out your hair again with tap water, just leave the acv to dry out on your hair and scalp. This acv hair rinse dissolves the bind between nits and your hair or in other words, helps 'pluck' the nits off hair locks. Next, fully saturate your scalp with coconut oil, cover with a towel or shower cap and leave it on for 12 hours. The coconut oil will suffocate any lice and nits crawling around. When the time is up, start combing your hair thoroughly with a special lice comb, to remove as many dead nits and lice. Wash out your hair as normal, with a mild shampoo. You can repeat the procedure after two days but this apple cider vinegar coconut oil lice treatment normally removes the lice in the first go!

4. Coconut oil for Split ends
If you're the person who really loves your long hair and doesn't want to trim it even though it's got split ends, then this might be a working solution for you! Almost everyone trims off their hair to get rid of split ends but did you know that regularly applying coconut oil to damaged hair ends could close off your split ends? Granted it takes a lot of dedication and you have to be consistent to see results, but in the end, your split ends will be sealed and your hair ends will become luscious. Start off by discontinuing your normal chemical laden hair care products especially serums. Minimize or completely put a stop to hair dryers, straighteners and all those harsh hair tools. Next, smear coconut oil onto your hair strands every single day, taking special care to slather a lot of it on your hair ends which contain the split ends. Remember to slather some coconut oil onto your hair roots for hair growth and vitality. Be consistent and patient and you will see results!

5. Coconut oil as a Natural Hair Conditioner
Coconut oil is a wonderful hair conditioner on its own. Containing medium fatty trigycerides that can penetrate deep into the hair follicle and shaft, coconut oil will not only enrich your scalp with nutrients but also regenerate dull locks. Coconut oil will also lock moisture into dry hair cells, thereby regenerating dehydrated hair strands. Make your own hair conditioner by mixing 2 tablespoons manuka honey and 1 tablespoon coconut oil thoroughly in a small mixing bowl. Apply the mixture everywhere from your hair roots to the tips. Sit for 10 minutes, then wash it out like usual. For a leave in conditioner, heat coconut oil until it is melted and warm, then slather it on your hair locks and scalp. If you're leaving it on overnight, cover your head with a shower cap and wash off the next morning. You can also leave the coconut oil in your hair until when you next wash your hair.

6. Coconut oil Hair Mask - Total Hair Treatment
Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids that protect the skin from bacteria and fungal infections. These fatty acids also regulate the pH of the scalp and create a skin friendly environment that helps stave off microbes that can cause itchiness and scalp infection. A simple and effective coconut oil and honey hair mask can nourish your scalp and bounce your locks back to life! Combine one tablespoon coconut oil and 1 teaspoon organic honey in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly with a spoon. Using clean fingertips, apply this mixture onto your wet clean scalp and hair strands. Remember to slather a generous amount on your hair ends, where the most damage occurs. Let the hair mask sit for 10 minutes. When the time is up, wash it out very well and wrap your hair in a fluffy towel. Leave your wet hair to dry naturally for healthier locks!

7. Coconut oil for Frizzy, Dry & Dull Hair
To tame wild hair and frizzy locks, pour a dime sized amount of coconut oil onto your palm, and use the other hand to rub in the coconut oil onto your frizzes. Run your coconut oil smeared hands through your hair locks to moisture them. You can leave the coconut oil in your hair or wash it out after the treatment if your hair looks too greasy. Coconut oil will not only hydrate your damaged hair but also seal in moisture into dry hair cells. The medium chain fatty acids and triglycerides will lubricate dry locks and penetrate deep into the hair shaft, regenerating hair from the inside out.

8. Coconut oil for Dry Itchy Scalp
An itchy flaky scalp can be soothed with coconut oil. During dry winter, our skin and scalp can become very dry and also itchy. To provide a cooling and soothing relief for this problem, get 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil and gently massage it all over your scalp.