Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair & How to Use for Hair Growth

Coconut oil is one of the most popular hair care ingredients due to its amazing benefits. It can condition your hair deeply, tame frizzy hair, treat dandruff, protect your hair from the Sun, prevent hair fall, etc.

To experience the real coconut oil benefits for hair, it’s important to choose a pure, good-quality coconut oil and use it the right way. So, here in this article, we will discuss why coconut oil is good for your hair, the numerous benefits it offers, and the tips to use it correctly for the best results.

Why Coconut Oil Is Good for Your Hair

One of the most widely known and used hair care ingredients is coconut oil. It has been used for generations to keep hair healthy because coconut oil is full of nutrients that help improve hair health from root to tip. It can reduce the protein loss in your hair.

Also, it is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids like lauric acid, which penetrate easily into the hair shaft. This deep nourishment repairs damage caused by heat styling, tight hairstyles, or poor nutrition. You can use coconut oil as a conditioner, an overnight hair treatment, to manage frizzy hair, to add a natural shine and more.

Top Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

One of the best natural remedies for maintaining strong, shiny, and healthy hair is coconut oil. Given here are some of the top benefits of coconut oil for hair that make it an irreplaceable ingredient in your hair care routine:

Makes Hair Easier to Manage

Coconut oil can manage tangled hair because it can soften your hair without causing any damage or leaving any sticky residue.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Manage Tangled Hair

• Massage warm coconut oil into the ends of your hair and slowly move upward toward the roots.
• Now, use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair.

Deeply Conditions Your Hair

Coconut oil is an excellent deep conditioner for your hair because it can quickly penetrate deeper into your hair strands when compared with most other hair oils. You can keep coconut oil on your hair for a longer time to get the best results.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Deep Conditioning

• Wash your hair with your regular shampoo and towel-dry it. ( Let it air dry if possible, and avoid using a hair dryer)
• Apply the warm oil to your scalp and hair in small sections, and massage with your fingertips.
• Once done, comb through your hair to spread the oil evenly.
• Wrap your hair in a warm towel by dipping the towel in hot water, wringing it out, and using it right away.
• After 30-45 minutes or after a few hours, wash your hair with shampoo to remove the oil.
• You may also add a few curry leaves to the coconut oil before applying for extra nourishment.

Fights Dandruff

Coconut oil is one of the most effective home remedies for dandruff, as it can hydrate and nourish the scalp, preventing dryness and flaking. Dandruff usually appears when the scalp becomes too dry.

This is the reason why dandruff is more common during winter than in summer. Using too many chemical-based hair products can also dry out the scalp, making it itchy and flaky. Coconut oil helps reduce dandruff by deeply moisturising and nourishing the scalp.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Dandruff

• Before going to bed, warm a little coconut oil and massage it into your scalp and hair.
• Comb your hair to remove any tangles and tie it loosely before sleeping. In the morning, wash it off using a shampoo followed by a conditioner.
• Repeat this treatment two times a week.

Promotes Hair Growth

One of the significant benefits of coconut oil for hair is that its regular use can help your hair grow naturally, offering longer and thicker hair over time.

It is rich in vitamins and healthy fats that help nourish the scalp and remove excess oil or buildup from the hair roots, which in turn will allow new strands to grow easily.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

• In the evening, warm a little coconut oil and apply it from the roots to the ends of your hair. (For best results, wash your hair before applying the oil)
• Once done, comb your hair to remove tangles and massage your scalp for a few minutes to boost circulation.
• Leave the oil on overnight and wash it off the next morning.

Tames Frizz and Flyaways

For those who have curly or wavy hair, coconut oil can be used to manage frizz, which will keep your hair looking neat and polished all day.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Tame Frizz

• Mix equal parts of water and coconut oil and apply it to the frizzy areas of your hair.
• Run your fingers through your hair to spread it evenly, and then style your hair as usual.
• To prevent greasy hair, use only the required quantity of oil to smooth down flyaways and baby hairs along the hairline.

Acts as a Base for Hair Colouring

Coconut oil acts as an excellent base for your hair colour. When you mix coconut oil with your hair dye, it will help the colour absorb better into the hair strands, which in turn will make your hair colour look rich and long-lasting. It can also protect your hair from dryness and prevent the colour from fading too quickly.

How to Use Coconut Oil Before Hair Colouring

• Warm a little coconut oil and mix it with your chemical ornatural hair dye.
• Apply the colour to your hair and leave it for the recommended time.
• Once done, rinse off with lukewarm water and shampoo your hair.

Provides Sun Protection for Hair

Coconut oil can protect your hair from sun damage. It is better to apply coconut oil to towel-dried hair so that it absorbs more effectively and provides lasting protection.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Sun Protection

• Before stepping out, warm a few drops of coconut oil and apply it to your hair strands.
• Smooth any leftover oil from your hands onto the ends of your hair to prevent dryness.
• Then style your hair as usual.

Gives Your Hair a Natural Shine

To offer your hair an instant, healthy shine, apply a small amount of virgin coconut oil to the outer layers of your hair before styling.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Shiny Hair

• Combine two spoons of coconut oil with one spoon of castor oil, warm the blend, and apply it evenly to your hair.

Provides strength to hair roots

A scalp massage with warm coconut oil can make your hair roots stronger. It will also help improve blood flow to the scalp.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Strengthen Hair Roots

• Apply the warm oil using your fingertips or a small piece of cotton, focusing on the roots and working it into the entire scalp.
• Massage thoroughly for better absorption.
• You can also mix coconut oil with equal parts of sesame or olive oil to get extra nourishment and added strength from the blend.

Reduces Hair Loss

Applying coconut oil can help reduce hair fall. Rich in nutrients, coconut oil can penetrate your hair strands and scalp, strengthening both your hair roots and fibres.

It can restore lost proteins, and with regular use, your hair becomes stronger and reduces breakage over time.

How to Use Coconut Oil to Reduce Hair Fall

• Massage warm coconut oil into your scalp and hair, focusing on the roots.
• Leave it on overnight for the best results.

How to Choose the Best Coconut Oil for Hair?

Pure and natural coconut oil can make your hair soft and healthy. So, the best type of coconut oil that can be used for hair is the unrefined, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil, as it contains all the natural nutrients that can help nourish your hair.

Even though refined coconut oil can also moisturise hair, it may contain added chemicals or preservatives, which are added to extend its shelf life. You can also find fractionated coconut oil, which stays in liquid form even at room temperature. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and works well as a carrier oil to mix with essential oils or other nourishing oils like almond or castor oil.

Some hair products also include keratin-infused coconut oil, which is often used in hair masks or sprays to add strength and shine.

Tips for Applying Coconut Oil to Hair

If you have been using coconut oil regularly but haven’t seen much difference, you might not be applying it the right way. Follow these simple tips on how to use coconut oil on your hair for the best results:

• It is best to apply coconut oil at night before sleeping, because it will give the oil enough time to soak into your scalp and hair. Avoid applying it during the day as it can make your hair look greasy and flat.
• Before applying, warm the oil slightly just enough to make it comfortable to touch. Warm oil will spread easily and help open up the hair cuticles, providing deeper nourishment. But be careful not to overheat it.
• If you have an oily scalp or thin hair, apply the oil only to the lengths and ends of your hair, which will prevent your hair from feeling heavy. Focus more on the dry and damaged areas of your hair.
• If you don’t want to leave it overnight, keep it for at least 30 minutes before washing. Do not apply too much oil, as it may take multiple washes to remove it completely.

Side Effects of Coconut Oil on Hair

Even though coconut oil suits most hair types, it may not suit everyone. Given below are some possible side effects to keep in mind:

• Allergic reactions: Some people may be allergic to coconut oil, which can cause itching, redness, or irritation on the scalp.
• Not a cure for scalp problems: Coconut oil can help reduce dryness and flakiness, but may not treat serious scalp issues like dandruff or psoriasis on its own.
• Can make hair greasy: Excessive use of coconut oil can make your hair fine or thin and may look oily, flat, or heavy.
• May stiffen coarse hair: Overuse of coconut oil on thick or rough hair can make it stiff or less manageable.
• Can block pores: In some cases, coconut oil may clog scalp pores, leading to small bumps or irritation.

Takeaway

Coconut oil is truly an incredible ingredient for hair care. It helps repair damage caused by heat, pollution, and styling. Moreover, it can keep dryness and frizziness away. With regular use, coconut oil will leave your hair soft, strong, and easy to manage.

With consistent use, it can improve scalp health, reduce hair fall, and support hair growth. Include coconut oil in your hair care routine to enjoy its full benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions on Coconut Oil Benefits for Hair