2 Proven Benefits of Coconut Oil as a Deep Hair Conditioner
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Coconut oil has become quite popular these days for more than just cooking and consuming in some form or another. Another use for this magical oil, delivered to us from the world’s coconut trees, is for treating, protecting and conditioning our hair.
This article will examine the proven benefits of coconut oil and how it can be used as a deep hair conditioner. Scientific studies demonstrate how coconut oil can effectively prevent hair damage and maintain hair moisture.
Scientifically Proven Benefits of Coconut Oil
Why should you use coconut oil as a deep hair conditioner?
Scientific research has shown that the application of coconut oil provides significant benefits for the overall health of our hair. More specifically, the studies highlight that coconut oil can prevent hair damage and maintain hair moisture if used regularly.
Let’s explore these two proven benefits of coconut oil in more detail.
1. Coconut Oil Prevents Hair Damage
A study done by Marcio Industries Ltd. in Mumbai, India, concluded that coconut oil treatments prevented hair damage when combing or brushing. The study compared applications of three different types of oils: mineral oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil.
All three oils were effective at protecting strands of hair in the people participating in the experiments; however, they found coconut oil to be the most beneficial.
Whenever coconut oil is applied to hair, there is less protein loss within the hair when coconut oil is used during pre-washing or post-washing after a shower.
Furthermore, the research actually found that mineral oil and sunflower oil did not prevent protein loss in hair as effectively as coconut oil. The chemical structure of coconut oil allows it to go within the inner section of the hair strand while the other oils did not have the same ability or benefit. In other words, this unique chemical structure arms coconut oil with its “magical” powers to deep condition your hair.
2. Coconut Oil Maintains Hair Moisture
Not only does coconut oil prevent hair damage, but it also maintains hair moisture. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found that hair treated with coconut oil was able to maintain moisture for longer periods than with hair treated with mineral oil.
When coconut oil is applied to hair, water is unable to fully penetrate the inner regions of the hair beyond the surface cuticle. This was especially true in environments with relatively low humidity.
Therefore, if you live in a particularly dry climate, you may want to consider applying coconut oil to your hair to maintain adequate moisture levels in your hair and for added protection when combing or styling it.
Because of coconut oil’s ability to protect the inner regions from losing moisture, it will also reduce the likelihood of split-ends and give your hair a healthy vibrant shine. Coconut oil’s natural moisturizing qualities make it one of the best organic products to deep condition hair.
Now let’s explore how you can use coconut oil as a natural conditioner for your hair.
How to Use This Oil as a Conditioner
In Bruce Fife’s book The Coconut Oil Miracle, he emphasizes that coconut oil can be used as a great natural conditioner.
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Try It Overnight
The book goes into a lot of detail about the process, but it can be summed up in one easy step. Simply apply approximately two teaspoons of coconut oil to your hair before bedtime and wash it out in the morning.
Note that it is recommended to cover your hair before sleeping with a shower cap. This way, the oil can work its magic inside whilst preventing your pillow from being soaked in oil.
Try the 2-Hour Method
If you prefer not to sleep with the coconut oil on your hair, you could try the alternative 2-hour method. For example, in the evening, you could lather your hair with coconut oil and wash it off after about two hours. You could keep the oil in your hair while watching TV, catching up with emails or doing some other evening chores. Before going to bed, wash out the oil.
Using either routine, the results can be noticed only after a few treatments, leaving your hair bright, shiny and vibrantly healthy-looking.
You could try doing this process weekly or bi-weekly for best results. It can be just as effective as visiting a hair salon, and it is also much cheaper!
For a thorough step-by-step guideline of the application and removal process, check out the video at the end of this page. The girl in the video will explain, in detail with clear instructions, how to apply and remove the coconut oil from your hair.
A Versatile Hair Product
Coconut oil is so versatile. Not only can coconut oil be used as a daily conditioner, but you can also use it to repair hair that is already extremely dry, damaged from styling, and ruined from hair dye.
The oil has been used for centuries by people who lived in tropical areas of the globe for hair treatment and other natural medicinal uses for the skin. Moreover, it can also be used as a natural skin moisturizer for both adults and children.
To sum up, the proven benefits of coconut oil as a deep hair conditioner are well worth considering if you haven’t already started using it as part of your weekly routine. It is a healthier alternative to using other hair conditioners that can carry harsh chemicals and other toxic properties that are bad for your health.
Coconut oil is inexpensive, all-natural and proven in studies to improve the health, strength, and longevity of your hair.
More Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair
Do you have any tips to share?
Please let other readers know about your own experiences with coconut oil in the comments section.
Coconut Oil Question
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Comments
Josie Bauer on January 05, 2018:
great information I can't wait to give it a try
Becky from England on March 05, 2017:
I have been wanting to try this for a long time!