Does Coconut Oil for Hair Growth Work? | How to Use It?

Are you wondering whether coconut can be beneficial in making your hair grow thick and prevent hair loss? You will definitely find the answer to this question in this article.

I have done extensive research on this oil; here, I want to share with you the outstanding goodness of this oil for hair that you should not miss out on.

The moment we notice a few extra numbers of fallen hairs on our comb, we all begin to panic and try to find a solution to arrest the hair fall at the earliest. Currently, many have taken up coconut oil as an all-in-one natural hair care solution.

If the hair fall is due to any of the ordinary reasons, it can certainly be remedied by using this oil treatment for hair.

The many excellent benefits of this oil for health, hair, and skin came to be widely known and accepted all over the world in only a couple of decades. But this oil has been extensively used as edible oil and as an ingredient in several herbal medicines from ancient times in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and the Red Sea coastal regions of the world.

In fact, it is one of the most popularly used hair and skincare oils in the U.S. now. According to The Statistics Portal report, U.S. domestic coconut oil consumption amounted to approximately 524,000 metric tons in 2015.

Our discussion in this article is going to be centered on why and how coconut oil is good for faster hair growth and how to use this oil for hair. I have also included a few important tips on taking maximum advantage of this oil in your hair care regimen.

How Does Coconut Oil for Hair Growth Help?

Coconut oil is known for its effectiveness in promoting hair growth and as an excellent hair conditioner. Here are some of the reasons that make this oil so precious for our hair.

1. Coconut Oil Contains Lauric Acid, Beneficial for Hair

One of the major components in this oil is a fatty acid called Lauric acid. The hair protein easily binds with Lauric acid from this oil gradually leading to the strengthening of hair strands and stopping the breakage of hair due to thinning.

Some studies suggest that coconut oil has natural efficiency in strengthening hair strands with the help of Lauric acid present in it. It is, in fact, far more effective than the combination of sunflower oil and minerals popularly used in some hair oils.

2. Coconut Oil Contains Essential Nutrients and Vitamins for The Hair

The Vitamins E & K and iron present in this oil are good for the hair. They not only bring shine and softness to the hair but also help in the growth of the hair.

Most skin and hair-related issues occur due to the deficiency of Vitamin E and other nutrients.

Vitamin E helps to maintain the integrity of the cell membranes of hair follicles. Even dandruff that causes hair fall becomes rampant when there is a serious shortage of Vitamins and nutrients among these vitamins E & K, iron, and fatty acids can be obtained from coconut oil.

3. Coconut Oil Contains Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties

One of the major reasons for hair fall is the fungal infections and bacterial attacks affecting the skin tissues on the scalp and roots of the hair. This can protect the hair and scalp from localized infections caused by certain fungal formations and bacterial attacks.

“Medium-chain fatty acid constituents of coconut oil, including lauric acid, capric acid, and others, provide an antimicrobial effect by disrupting bacterial, fungal, and viral cell membranes, leading to cell death.”

Coconut Oil contains the same type of fat as Sebum (skin oil) and lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair of mammals. It protects the scalp with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory power.

4. Vitamin E and Fatty Acids in Coconut Oil Protect the Hair with Moisture

The hair strands become thin and break when the hairs remain dry and dull. The regular application of coconut oil makes the hair moisture always.

Vitamin E present in coconut oil works from within to make the hair soft and healthy.

This oil penetrates deep into the hair shafts and keeps the hair conditioned from within. It also forms a protective layer around the hair strands, which will safeguard the hair from environmental pollution and the heat of the sun.

5. Head Massage with Coconut Oil Improves Blood Circulation

Since the skin coverage on the scalp is the outer portion of the head, blood circulation to this area is not as vibrant as other parts of the body. Due to a lack of blood flow into the scalp skin tissues, the hairs do not receive the sufficient nutrients required for their growth.

One of the best ways to increase blood circulation into the hair roots is to gently massage coconut oil onto the scalp and hair roots for 5 to 10 minutes. This will stimulate the blood flow into hair roots, and hair follicles will receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients required for their growth.

12 Benefits of Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

Coconut oil can take care of the healthy growth and protection of the hair in many ways. It is also good for hair conditioning and styling. Most natural remedies for hair fall usually contain coconut oil as the base ingredient.

Especially when coconut oil is mixed with other herbal properties it can provide Total-Hair-Care-Solutions for all issues related to hairs.

Let us look at some of the major uses of this oil in hair care.

1. Helps in the Growth of Hair

In the above paragraphs, we had already discussed that coconut oil contains Vitamins E & K, Iron, and Fatty Acids, including lauric acid and capric acid, which are important for the healthy growth of the hair.

2. Prevents Hair Loss

All normal hair loss issues can be easily remedied with a coconut oil treatment. It must be noted here that coconut oil treatment cannot cure some of the hair loss issues arising out of other diseases, medication, or hormonal disorders. Most of the natural remedies for loss include other herbal medicinal ingredients mixed in coconut oil in the right proportion. Regular application of this oil mixture strengthens the hair roots on the scalp and stops the fall and breakage of hair.

3. Protects Hair from Internal and External Damages

As we have discussed in the earlier paragraphs above, the lauric acid in coconut oil binds with hair protein to make the hair strong. It also forms a protective layer outside the hair strands to prevent external damage to the hair.

4. Excellent Natural Hair Moisturizer

All synthetic moisturizers and hair styling gels are harmful to the hair and health of the person. The coconut oil penetrates deep inside the hair follicles and keeps the hair entirely moisturized for hours. It does not readily dry or evaporate.

Vitamin E present in coconut oil helps the body to maintain moisture and softness of the hair from within.

However, when you are out in the open, there is a possibility of higher dust accumulation on hair strands as this oil is slightly sticky. So, it is important to shampoo the hair daily in cases of dust accumulation on the hair.

5. A Good Natural Hair Conditioner

Most of the conditioners you buy from stores usually have chemical ingredients that could adversely affect the hair in the long run.

The warmed-up coconut oil at a mild temperature could be applied to the hairs to make them appear soft and shining. At least 30 minutes, the applied oil must be left to penetrate the hair before washing it away with normal water; if you can leave it there overnight, it is still better.

You can also buy ready-to-use coconut oil conditioners which also contain other herbal ingredients to add more shine and softness to the hairs.

6. Helps Dispels Microbial Infections

The antibacterial and antifungal properties present in the fatty acids in this oil fight all normal fungal formations or bacterial infections that can affect the hair roots and scalp.

7. Reduces Over-Sweating on Scalps

Many people sweat profusely, especially on the scalp, due to higher body temperature within the body. One of the best ways to reduce body heat is to massage the coconut oil gently onto the scalp for 5 to 8 minutes. Coconut oil has properties that work as a coolant.

8. An Excellent Anti-Dandruff Remedy

The antibacterial agents present in the fatty acids of coconut oil are good for fighting dandruff. Regular application of coconut oil on the scalp along with multivitamin pills intake for a two to three-month period will help in the total removal of dandruff in most cases. There are also coconut oil treatments mixed with other herbal ingredients like sesame oil for faster removal of dandruff.

9. Beneficial For Coloring of Gray Hairs

Ammonia-rich hair dyes are not good for the hair. One best natural solutions for the coloring of gray hairs is the application of coconut oil and the Eclipta Alba leaf juice (Bhringraj) mixture. You can also get a coconut oil mixture with several other herbal ingredients that prevent graying and fall of hair and promote hair growth at the same time.

10. Helps to Get Rid of Hair Split Ends

Normal split ends issues with hair due to dryness can be removed by regularly applying a mixture of coconut and almond oil (or jojoba oil) on the hair. If the split ends are too many already, then you need to trim them away initially and then carry on with the application of this mixture of oils to prevent the split ends in the future.

11. An Effective Solution for Getting Rid of Lice

It is not so healthy to use chemical-based solutions for removing lice from the hair. There is an easy way to get rid of lice. First of all, simply wet your hair with water. Secondly, apply coconut oil to the wet hair and then use a comb with narrow teeth to remove the lice by combing the hair from different angles.

12. Useful in Hair Styling

Coconut oil is an excellent hairstyling gel, especially in colder climates. The coconut oil forms a slightly sticky layer around the hair strands, and it helps in parting and setting the hair whichever way you want. In colder climates, the coconut oil condenses quickly, and this fixes the hair like a hairstyling gel.

Coconut oil is also good for toning and curling the hair the way you want it to look. Dry hairs and thick hairs can be molded easily by applying this oil.

How Much Hair Growth with Coconut Oil Is Possible?

You should not expect a great amount of hair growth within a few days after you start to use this oil. Coconut oil only supplies a few nutrients required for hair growth, but your diet must also have all the nutrients and vitamins required for hair growth.

Hair growth also depends on many biological and hereditary factors.

Coconut oil treatment exclusively used for hair growth also contains a mixture of other herbal ingredients.

If you are looking for good hair growth results, then you should choose a coconut oil treatment that also contains other good herbal ingredients.

How to Apply Coconut Oil to Hair?

It is simple and easy to use coconut oil. You can either apply it before a shower or after the shower.

I use it 30 to 40 minutes before the wash. I’m not particularly eager to go to bed with oil on my hair as it will dirty the pillow, or I will have to wear headgear/cap.

Another method is to make a thick application before the wash and have a lighter application of the oil after the wash. This method will be useful for those with curly or thick hair.

It is always good to massage the oil on the scalp for about 5 to 10 minutes. This will allow the oil to penetrate quickly into the hair follicles and roots. Massaging will also increase the blood flow to the skin tissues under the hair and make you feel relaxed as well.

If you have long hair, then you need to spend a good bit of time applying the oil on your hair exclusively.

You can think of leaving oil on the hair for 2 or 3 hours if you are staying at home and need not have to go out.

Never use any harsh shampoo for washing your hair…it is better to use an herbal shampoo for washing the hair.

It is also a good idea to mix the shampoo and coconut oil in equal amounts to get a good conditioning effect on the hair after the wash. This method does not work well on all types of hair.

After the wash, if your hair is dry or has split ends, then you could do a light application of the coconut oil on the ends of the hair.

Tips for Using Coconut Oil for Hair Most Effectively

Tips-On-Using-Coconut-For-Hair-Growth

Many use coconut oil, but some of them do not get any satisfactory results from it.

Here, I am reminding you that coconut oil may not work on some types of hair…it also depends on the method of application and the duration of application.

If you are finding that coconut oil is not giving you the expected results, then you could try out some of the tips given below:

1. Right Amount of Oil to Be Used

You just need to use a sufficient amount of oil that is enough to soak your hair and scalp but not drip or leak all over the shoulder.

If you are applying the oil after the wash, you will certainly have to apply a lighter amount as you cannot afford to make your hair greasy with coconut oil spreading over your shoulder and clothing. The greasy hair will also attract a lot of dust and dirt as well.

2. Warm the Oil Before Application

Coconut oil normally turns into a solid form if the temperature is below the standard room temperature level.

You certainly need to warm up the coconut oil before applying it to your hair if it is in solid form because of the cold climate.

The best way to warm up the oil is to immerse the tightly closed oil container in hot water. While applying the oil, it is also good to massage oil onto the scalps to prevent the solidifying of the oil before the hair strands and roots absorb it.

3. Method to Use Coconut Oil Before Wash

Water and shampoo mixture tends to make the hair softer and lighter while washing. The application of coconut oil before washing will make the hair stronger, and the breakage of hair can be reduced while washing.

If your hair is naturally healthy and has moisture, it is better to use the application of the oil before the wash.

If you have hairs that can become greasy even with a little application of the oil, you should use the oil before washing.

4. Using Coconut Oil after Wash

If your hair remains mostly dry, then it is better to apply the oil after the wash. The split-end hair issues can also be reduced by applying oil on the ends of the hair after the wash.

It is also beneficial to apply the oil post-wash if you have hair that is quite unmanageable without applying the oil.

5. Specific Coconut Oil Treatments for Hair

You will get better results if you can use the specific coconut oil treatments specially prepared to take care of issues like hair growth, hair loss, dandruff, or gray hair.

Most of these specific remedies contain a mixture of other natural oils and herbal ingredients that are known for remedying various hair-related issues.

You can easily find some of these coconut oil-based remedies for hair issues with reputed herbal medicine sellers online and at the stores nearby you.

Final Thoughts

Coconut oil has been in use as hair oil for thousands of years, and it has shown amazing results in hair treatments. Great nutrients and fat in it keep the hair strong, nourished, and protected from the effects of premature graying, baldness, and excessive hair loss. It is also good for adding shine and moisture to the hair.

Coconut oil is undoubtedly the best natural oil for caring for your hair. It has been in use for hundreds of years for treating various skin and hair care issues.

It is noticed that people who use coconut oil regularly for thick and beautiful dark hairs.

You can also make use of coconut oil for treating various hair and skin-related issues….these treatment solutions usually contain several other natural medicinal ingredients mixed into this oil to give faster results.

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