Natural remedies are all the rage these days, but does coconut oil for dry scalp and hair growth really work? Keep reading to find out!
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In this article:
- What Is Coconut Oil?
- Who Could Use Coconut Oil on Their Hair?
- Why Should You Use Coconut Oil for Your Hair?
- When Should You Stop Using Coconut Oil on Your Hair?
- How Should You Use Coconut Oil for Dry Scalp?
- Where Can You Find Alternatives for Coconut Oil?
The Hairy Truth Behind Coconut Oil for Dry Scalp and Hair Growth
What Is Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil is a type of edible oil. It’s extracted from coconut palms.
These days, many claim coconut oil as a cure-all of sorts. The supposed application is wide-ranging, but here are some of the established benefits of coconut oil:
- Increases good cholesterol
- Helps control blood sugar
- Prevents the development of fatty liver
- Promotes weight loss
Apart from ingesting coconut oil, it can also be used in personal care products. You can find coconut oil as an ingredient in shampoos and skincare products.
Who Could Use Coconut Oil on Their Hair?
Anyone who has a healthy scalp can use coconut oil. To achieve shiny and silky hair, use coconut oil regularly in your hair care regimen.
On top of that, coconut oil is especially effective in fighting the symptoms of:
- Dry and itchy scalp
- Dandruff
- Cradle cap in babies
- Ringworm on the scalp
- Damaged hair
- Folliculitis
What is folliculitis? It is a scalp condition where there is an inflammation of hair follicles. It can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.
As a natural moisturizer, coconut oil soothes dry scalps. Oftentimes, dry scalp is accompanied by redness and irritation, and the coconut oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can take care of that as well!
Why Should You Use Coconut Oil for Your Hair?
Don’t be surprised if you see coconut oil listed on the ingredients list of your hair care products. It has loads of benefits for your hair and scalp.
Here are a few of them:
- Has anti-inflammatory properties that can help control redness and irritation
- Serves as a natural skin moisturizer
- Has antibacterial properties
- Has antifungal properties
- Serves as a protective barrier to help maintain soft and silky hair
- Penetrates hair more effectively than mineral oil
Coconut oil is a great hair care supplement. Not only does it make your hair more manageable, but it also helps protect and strengthen your locks!
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When Should You Stop Using Coconut Oil on Your Hair?
Those with oily scalps or sensitive skin should refrain from applying coconut oil directly on the scalp. Otherwise, the oil may clog the pores and lead to acne breakouts on the scalp or forehead.
Instead, they can apply coconut oil from the hair’s mid to end section.
Unfortunately, people who are using coconut oil for hair growth should reconsider. While coconut oil has numerous benefits, there’s no evidence supporting coconut oil as a hair growth supplement.
Tip: If you’re not sure about how you’ll react to coconut oil, you can try a variation of the patch test on your hair. Simply apply the coconut oil on a small patch of your scalp and observe it for a few days.
How Should You Use Coconut Oil for Dry Scalp?
There are hair care products in the market that contain coconut oil as the main ingredient, but you can also make it yourself at home.
Using coconut oil as a hair treatment also helps keep your hair from absorbing too much water when you take a bath. This will make it easier to tame your hair and prevent frizziness.
Here’s an easy way to incorporate coconut oil into your hair care regimen:
- You will need 5 tbsp of coconut oil, a microwave-safe bowl, and a microwave.
- Start by putting the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, and pop it into the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Take it out of the microwave and then stir the oil.
- Put it in the microwave again and heat for five more seconds or until fully melted.
- Let the oil cool down but once the heat is manageable, carefully apply it on your scalp and hair.
- Give yourself a scalp massage to help your scalp absorb the oil.
- Wrap your hair with a towel, cling wrap, or simply use a bathing cap and leave it on for 30 minutes to two hours.
- Wash it off with shampoo after.
Tip: For a more intense treatment, you can leave the coconut oil on overnight and wash it off in the morning.
Where Can You Find Alternatives for Coconut Oil?
If you’re not having any luck with coconut oil, you can try looking for other natural alternatives you can make at home. For example, you can try making a purple tea hair rinse.
This purple tea hair rinse is easy to make and apply! It nourishes your scalp and may help prevent hair loss.
Why purple tea? Purple tea is packed with a special kind of antioxidant — anthocyanins! Anthocyanins help fight the unwanted effects of free radicals and soothes inflammation.
It’s also a great source of polyphenol and GHG. Polyphenol and GHG help prevent cell damage, provides natural sun protection, and stimulates collagen production.
Purple tea isn’t only useful as a hair rinse. Its ultra-nourishing properties can also be extracted for other purposes. It actually works great as a key ingredient in skincare products such as a nourishing face mask, clarifying gel cleanser, and a variety of face creams!
Overall, coconut oil can make your hair stronger and helps prevent hair damage. It can also help nourish a dry and itchy scalp, but it won’t make your hair grow.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative for coconut oil, you may want to consider purple tea. Its applications aren’t limited to hair — it’s also a potent ingredient in skincare products!
Have you been struggling with dry scalp or hair loss? How have you been managing it? Let us know in the comments section below.
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