Are you a big fan of coconut oil, and love to use it on your scalp in a different way? This article is going to help you a lot because here we will share coconut oil benefits and its application.
Check out the details; stick around this blog for more!
Why is coconut oil better than any other oil?
Coconut oil is the widely used oil in skin & hair care because it prevents protein loss from the scalp and keeps your hair healthy, shiny, and well nourished. Extra virgin coconut oil is enriched with essential fatty acids and macro & micronutrients. They are vital for a healthy scalp and better hair growth. Thus coconut oil is used in hair growth serums, nourishing oils, shampoos, and hair masks.
A research study was performed in 2003 to check which oil is better at protein protection. They performed the test with Coconut oil, sunflower, and mineral oil. They have found that coconut oil is better at restoring hair protein than two other oils. At the same time, mineral oil is responsible for high protein loss. Therefore mineral oil is not approved by researchers to use on the scalp.
Along with that, coconut oil also protects hair from heat damage, chemical damage, and damage due to UV exposure.
Coconut oil consists of medium-chain fatty acid or lauric acid, which gives coconut oil molecules a straight framework. The simple structure of the coconut oil molecule allows it to get absorbed easily into the scalp and hair shaft.
Other oils like sunflower and mineral oil are made up of linoleic acid, and its molecular structure is bulkier, therefore, doesn’t get absorbed easily through the hair shaft. As they are heavy, they coat easily but don’t get absorbed at a deeper level.
Significant benefits of coconut oil for hair?
Offers enough nourishment: Coconut oil is a rich source of vitamin, minerals, essential fatty acids, lauric acid, saturated fats, and antioxidants which is vital for your hair follicles and shaft. All these nutrients keep your hair well nourished and healthy and protect it from stress hormones. Also, it protects your hair from UV damage and chemical damage as well.
Coconut oil has deep moisturizing properties: Damaged hair has low porosity, which can’t restore moisture; therefore, hair looks frizzy, dull, and damaged. Earlier, we said coconut oil is made up of lauric acid with low molecular weight. Therefore, unlike sunflower and mineral oil, it penetrates easily to the hair shaft, nourishes hair from root to tip, restoring shine, curing split ends, and strengthening hair cuticles for a better outlook.
Prevent protein Loss: Protein chains are the building block of our hair. Lauric acid has a greater affinity for proteins. Therefore, massaging the scalp with extra virgin coconut oil prevents protein loss from the hair shaft and keeps the hair denser, thicker, & shinier than before.
Improves blood circulation: Massaging the scalp with coconut oil improves blood circulation. ClockwiseClockwise and anticlockwise hair massage ensures blood and oxygen reach hair follicles properly, promote hair growth, and prevent hair fall.
Let’s check out different applications of coconut oil for better hair health.
Coconut oil has a wide range of applications depending on the hair problem. Here we’ll talk about two ways of applications. You can get coconut oil in liquid or semi-solid form, depending on weather conditions. Coconut oil solidified at a reduced temperature. You must follow these steps to apply coconut oil to your scalp and hair.
- Take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl.
- Heat it in a warm water bath, don’t overheat, slight heating works better for the scalp
- Then let it cool for five minutes
- Then use your fingers or cotton to apply to scalp
- Massage oil in circular motion, clockwise and anticlockwise; it increases blood circulation to the hair follicle.
- Then apply to the hair, and cover each strand to get enough nourishment.
- Here the thumb rule is to apply coconut oil from root to tip.
Coconut Oil Hair Mask for Dry Hair
It is a natural homemade hair mask different from a store-bought hair mask. It is better for dry, damaged, curly hair. Mix four tablespoons of coconut oil, one tablespoon of honey, and one egg white. Mix them well and make a fine paste. Apply this mixture from root to tip and massage for 10 minutes, then make a bun, and cover it with a shower cap. Then wash it off with mild shampoo after 30 minutes, and get shinier, healthier hair.
Coconut oil hair mask for thin hair.
Mix four tablespoons of extra virgin coconut oil with 1 teaspoon of castor oil and 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds, and take a paste of hibiscus leaves. Apply the mixture from the root to the hair shaft. Make a tight bun. Then wash it off with plain water after 30 minutes.
Coconut oil is a natural ingredient in hair-related home remedies. But if you have extreme hair fall in the crown section, home remedies may not suit you. Instead, you need a hair transplant, especially a crown hair transplant, but before that, you must consult a hair transplant surgeon.