Nature’s natural repair kit for unhappy hair
The modern world certainly takes its toll on hair, and despite that we buy more chemicals to spray and spritz on it, simply adding to the strain its under.Do something good for your hair and slather it in coconut oil, whether it’s long, short, spiky or curly, coconut oil is nature’s natural repair kit for unhappy hair. Not only will it leave hair shiny and glossy, but will boost the health of your scalp.
Who Uses Coconut Oil?
You might already be familiar with coconut oil as a hair care
supplement for African hair- used widely because it helps keep it
moisturized and manageable. Traditionally, coconut oil has been used in
tropical climates as a skin and hair product for many centuries, as well
as in diets, and the west has only just started to catch on.
Celebrities from Miranda Kerr to Gwyneth Paltrow boast of slathering coconut oil on from head to toe, and celebrity dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone recommends using coconut oil for skin and hair because of its anti-ageing and repairing qualities.
Coconut Restores Damaged Protein
Hair is made from protein, and over time it degrades causing it to
become dry and brittle. Blow-drying and straightening hair easily causes
it to break and for ends to split.
Coconut oil contains Vitamin E (an essential nutrient for skin and
hair), lauric acid and capric acid. These chemicals all help to promote
protein regrowth in the hair, by penetrating deep into each hair, making
it stronger. In contrast to chemical conditioners which provide a
mirage of health, coconut oil actually nourishes your hair.
Why it Works So Well
Don’t be alarmed when we tell you that coconut oil is 90% saturated fat-
yes, the ‘bad fat’ that we’re constantly told to steer well clear of.
Firstly scientists have been forced to admit that saturated fat is in
fact not bad for you at all, and secondly coconut oil is formed from
shorter fatty acids than those found in meats, making it easier to
convert to energy. Coconut oil is 50% lauric acid, an anti-fungal,
anti-viral and anti-bacterial super chemical that is otherwise only
found in human breast milk. Even if you were to eat it you would glow
with health, so putting it in your hair is perfectly wholesome.
Tip: If hair is severely damaged and brittle,
you can do a deep conditioning treatment by rubbing coconut oil into
damp hair and scalp, wrapping it in a towel overnight and washing it out
with shampoo in the morning.
That’s the Hair Taken Care of, Now for the Scalp
Your scalp health and hair health are interlinked; an itchy scalp or
dandruff often makes your hair look lank and greasy. Thanks to the
anti-fungal and healing properties of coconut oil, it can be used as a
medicinal aide to treat scalp complaints such as the ones listed above,
as well as ringworm, which can appear as an angry red rash on the scalp
and body.
The anti-fungal properties help fight the cause of dandruff, a fungus
that causes skin cells to reproduce too quickly. A deep conditioning
treatment such as the one listed above applied three times a week can
help cure dandruff and other scalp complaints. Don’t forget to shampoo
it off after an hour or too, even if it smells great!
Hair care is just one of the health benefits of coconut oil, so don’t
hesitate before investing in a jar of your own. Enjoy silky, lush
smelling hair and a healthy scalp.
The Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair: Recap
- Vitamin E helps rebuild protein in hair lost through styling
- Keeps hair shiny and builds strength
- Can be used as a deep conditioning treatment
- Has a long shelf life, unlike other hair care products that quickly oxidize and turn rancid
- Can be used as a medicinal treatment for dandruff and scalp complaints
- Smells lush and tropical, which means your hair will, too!