Beauty influencers have long been praising the benefits of coconut oil for hair health. It is one of the most effective treatments for hair that feels like straw, as it can deeply moisturise and nourish your tresses, restoring dry, brittle hair to its former glory.
While not all commercially acclaimed hair products have scientifically proven qualities, coconut oil is among the few that do. Evidence shows that its components can reduce oxidative stress, prevent hair protein loss and may possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties [1][2][3].
This article will tell you all about the ways coconut oil can improve your hair health and how to harness its qualities, including:
Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel of mature coconuts. Depending on the extraction method, it can be of two main types: copra oil (extracted from the dried fruit pulp) or virgin coconut oil (extracted from the fresh kernel). While they are similar in properties, virgin coconut oil has larger amounts of certain nutrients and antioxidants (for example, polyphenols and vitamin E) [3].
Traditionally, coconut oil has been used for many purposes, from cooking to natural remedies. It is commonly believed to help prevent or treat a variety of conditions, from heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (despite insufficient scientific evidence) to tooth cavities and skin disorders [3].
The modern cosmetic industry uses coconut oil for its many skin and hair benefits. It is added to a variety of products due to its outstanding moisturising and antioxidant properties.
Hair experts agree that coconut oil is one of the best at-home dry hair treatment and prevention options. However, its benefits extend far beyond that. Here is what this hair oil can do for your hair and scalp health.
The high content of fatty acids in coconut oil can coat your hair, nourishing it and sealing moisture inside [1][2][4]. This can make your hair fibres softer and more supple, preventing dryness and unnecessary hair breakage. Well-hydrated hair is also shiny, bouncy and full of life.
The main type of fatty acid in coconut oil is called lauric acid. This substance has a low molecular weight, which allows it to penetrate the hair shaft [1][2][5]. When your hair is wet, water can seep into its fibres, washing out some of the protein (especially if your cuticles are already cracked and damaged). However, coconut oil provides a protective layer over the hair cuticle, keeping water out.
Moreover, your hair shafts swell when wet and shrink back to regular size when they dry out. If this swell-shrink cycle happens frequently, it places stress on the hair fibres, known as hygral fatigue. The water-repellent properties of coconut oil can also prevent this phenomenon, protecting your hair from this type of damage [6].
Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of hair weathering and can even contribute to hair loss. However, coconut oil is rich in vitamin E for hair and phenolic (plant) compounds, which have known antioxidant properties [2][7]. They can help keep your hair stronger, healthier and more resistant to environmental damage.
Applying coconut to dry, frizzy hair can lubricate and hydrate the strands, smoothing the cuticles. This helps tame wilder tresses, making them softer, sleeker and easier to brush and style [1].
Working out knots from frizzy, unruly hair can be frustrating. It often leads to aggressive brushing that can cause shaft splitting or breakage. However, well-lubricated and conditioned hair is easy to detangle and has a more manageable texture.
Many common scalp problems, such as seborrheic dermatitis and scalp folliculitis, are caused by microbes overgrowing on the scalp. They are often bacteria or fungi. Coconut oil has been shown to possess some antibacterial and antifungal properties [1][2][7] which may help reduce the symptoms of such scalp conditions (however, evidence is needed to support this effect in vivo).
Moreover, there is some evidence that applying coconut oil to your scalp may prevent and treat local atopic dermatitis (scalp eczema) flare-ups [3][8]. Since this condition is often a result of skin barrier problems, an added layer of oil that keeps water and irritants away from the skin while locking in moisture may help reduce symptoms.
Using coconut oil may help soothe your scalp if you are experiencing inflammation [2][7]. Moreover, it may help reduce the symptoms of inflammatory scalp conditions, such as scalp psoriasis or even alopecia areata (though no studies have been conducted yet to determine the extent of this effect).
The only fully effective way to get UV hair protection is to cover your head when going out in the hot sun. However, using coconut oil as a leave-in conditioner may help block up to 20% of UV rays from reaching your hair, offering modest protection against weathering [9][3].
Just be aware that despite bold marketing claims, this oil only has a solar factor protection of 7, far below the recommended value for effective sunscreens [10]. So don’t rely on it alone to protect you from UV radiation. Excessive exposure to sunlight is not good for your hair, as you may end up with damaged tresses and even sunburns on your scalp.
At this time, there is no evidence that using coconut oil on your hair can speed up hair growth or improve your hair density. However, it can make your hair look fuller and more beautiful by reducing hair breakage and protecting your tresses from mechanical and chemical damage and oxidative stress.
If you are searching for scientifically proven ways to grow thicker hair naturally, try some of the best essential oils for hair growth.
Coconut oil is normally safe and well-tolerated by the scalp and hair. There have been no reported cases of serious adverse reactions. However, people who are allergic to coconut can develop symptoms of contact dermatitis after applying coconut oil to their scalp. Symptoms may include a rash, redness, inflammation, swelling, oozing, itching or pain in the affected area.
Another concern related to virgin coconut oil in particular is that it is prone to going rancid quicker than other hair oils. This can cause an unpleasant smell that clings to your hair [11].
Finally, applying too much coconut oil or using it on oily tresses can weigh your hair down, give it a greasy, clumpy appearance and even clog your pores or hair follicles. So be sure to use this oil as recommended for your hair type and to wash it off thoroughly afterwards.
Depending on the effect you are hoping to achieve, here are some of the best hair oils you can mix with coconut oil to make your tresses stronger and healthier:
Coconut oil is very versatile and can be used in several ways for excellent hair health benefits. Here are some of the most common.
Melt some coconut oil and use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to spread it on your hair from the roots to the tips. Leave it in for 30 minutes before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner as you normally would. The coconut oil will seal in your hair’s moisture and prevent protein loss during the wash.
If you want to achieve deeper moisturising and increased hair softness and shine, simply pour about half a teaspoon of melted coconut oil into your regular conditioner. This can add to its strengthening, lubricating and detangling properties.
Those with dry curly hair types that are prone to frizzing can use coconut oil to tame and hydrate your hair.
Simply apply melted coconut oil evenly to the entire length of your hair and go about your day. Just remember to wash your hair frequently to avoid buildup, especially if you also apply the oil to your scalp (don’t worry, washing your hair every day will not make it fall out).
Do you feel like you constantly need to get rid of split ends? You can prevent them by applying a bit of coconut oil to the lower third of your hair (or the lower quarter for longer hairstyles).
This will lubricate your ends and reduce friction and tangling, making them less likely to crack or split. Just give the oil some time to absorb before getting dressed to avoid staining your clothes.
If your hair feels like straw, a nourishing, regenerating and deeply moisturising hair mask can help. Get a homemade scalp and hair detox by mixing coconut oil for hair with other beneficial ingredients. While the best combinations depend on your hair type and specific needs, here is a recipe that works for most kinds of hair:
Coconut oil, black seed oil and aloe hair mask
This deep-conditioning mask helps keep healthy hair beautiful, soft, shiny and luxurious. But it also helps repair, nourish and condition damaged hair, prevent oxidative stress and stimulate hair growth in people with telogen effluvium. Here is what you need:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
The amount of time you can leave coconut oil in your hair depends on the properties of your tresses. If your hair is very dry and you use this treatment for deep conditioning, you can safely leave it on through the night. However, if you have oilier hair, it is best to wash it off with shampoo and warm water after 30 minutes to 2 hours.
The amount of time coconut oil can be kept on also depends on other ingredients it may be mixed with. Some, such as mustard oil for hair, can irritate your scalp and clog your hair follicles if left on it for too long. So if you want to use an overnight deep-moisturising mask with several components, make sure they are all safe to use on your scalp for prolonged periods.
There is no evidence to indicate that coconut oil can treat any of the common types of alopecia, such as androgenetic alopecia or alopecia areata. However, it can prevent and curb unnecessary hair loss caused by poor hair health.
Using coconut oil on your hair can reduce hair breakage caused by tangling, swelling, protein loss, oxidative stress, or vigorous scratching caused by itchy scalp problems. It can also treat dry, damaged hair, preventing it from splitting or snapping.
If your hair isn’t as healthy as it could be, let our experts help. Book a consultation with one of our experienced trichologists at your most convenient clinic location. They will work together with you to create a personalised hair treatment plan that addresses all of your concerns. Moreover, they will recommend the most suitable hair care routines and products to keep your tresses healthy, full and luxurious.
Learn more about coconut oil for hair by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.
No, coconut oil is not an essential oil, but it can be used as a carrier to dilute essential oils. The main difference between the two is that essential oils are volatile, which means they can evaporate, while carrier oils aren’t.
Like coconut oil, other carrier oils are mild and safe to apply directly to your skin, while essential oils normally need to be diluted before use to prevent irritation.
While it is good for most hair types if used appropriately, coconut oil provides the most benefits for curly hair (especially Afro hair). That is because these hair types are naturally prone to drying and frizzing and high maintenance when it comes to conditioning needs.
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and deeply nourish and condition your hair. This can soften its texture, making it more malleable and less prone to frizzing and breakage.
Studies that compared the effectiveness of coconut oil against that of sunflower and mineral oil have concluded that coconut oil is superior in preventing protein loss and hygral damage to the hair fibres [6][5][14]. That is due to its greater capacity to penetrate the hair shaft and lock water out.
Yes. While both kinds of coconut oil can provide hair benefits, virgin oil is superior. That is because it is cold-pressed from fresh fruit kernels, while the refined variety (also known as copra oil) is extracted from dry coconut meat, refined, bleached and deodorised [3]. This process destroys some of the nutrients, which is why virgin oil is richer in antioxidants.
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