12 Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair You Must Know

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair. Coconut oil is one of the most popular in hair care products, there are various benefits of coconut oil that can make hair healthier and stronger.

In recent years, the popularity of coconut oil has soared because it contains many benefits. Coconut oil is made by squeezing fresh coconut meat or dried coconut meat. The majority of world coconut oil production comes from Australia, East Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Launching from research by Jacqueline B. Marcus published in the journal Culinary Nutrition, one tablespoon of coconut oil contains:

• 116 calories.
• 13.5 grams of total fat.
• 11.7 grams of saturated fat.
• 0.8 grams of monounsaturated fat.
• 0.2 grams of double unsaturated fat.

Coconut oil has been used for years to moisturize hair. Due to its various effective uses, coconut oil has become a staple in hair care. Hair is the fastest growing body tissue after bone marrow. The average human has 100,000 – 150,000 strands of hair. In a day, we lose about 50-150 strands of hair.

Coconut oil has long been used in hair care products. This is because coconut oil for hair is believed to have many benefits, especially in repairing damaged hair. What are the benefits of coconut oil for hair?

Coconut oil comes from the seeds of the coconut fruit and is a medium chain fatty acid consisting of lauric acid, capric acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Thanks to these fatty acid chains, coconut oil contains antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral properties.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair

Hair care is important, not only for appearance, but also for overall hair hygiene. Having healthy hair can bring you a sense of comfort and increase your level of self-confidence. Using coconut oil can be one method of hair care that brings many benefits. The benefits of coconut oil for hair are as follows:

1. Protects hair from the sun

According to a study in the journal Collegium Anthropologicum, coconut oil has a sun protection factor with the ability to block ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays can damage the coating on the hair strands. Using coconut oil is beneficial for protecting your hair from sun damage.

2. Treat split ends

A review in the International Journal of Trichology revealed that coconut oil absorbs into the hair strands better than other oils, helping to prevent breakage and split ends. Coconut oil needs to be used regularly to see its effects.

3. Softens hair

The use of coconut oil on the hair helps restore the lost protein, so that the hair becomes soft again. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and easily absorbs into the hair shaft, perfect for use as an everyday conditioner.

4. Makes hair shiny

Coconut oil has the benefit of locking hair moisture, thus making hair shinier.

5. Accelerate hair growth

The vitamins and natural essential fatty acids present in coconut oil nourish the scalp and help remove sebum buildup from the hair follicles, thereby accelerating hair growth.

6. Fights dandruff

Dandruff can be caused by an overgrowth of fungus or yeast on the scalp. A study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Journal revealed that coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that are useful for fighting dandruff.

7. Fights fungal infections

Healthy hair starts at the roots. Taking care of your scalp can help your hair grow better. One new study published in Microbiology Research Journal International found that coconut oil helps fight a type of yeast infection.

8. Helps untangle frizzy hair

Your hair is tangled? Apply coconut oil on the wrinkled area. Coconut oil contains various fats that can soften your hair and make it easier for you to comb your hair. So, no need to worry anymore if your hair is tangled.

9. Hairdressing

Put a few spoonfuls of coconut oil in a spray bottle and spray it on your hair before styling it. The fat content in coconut oil can make hair styling easier. If you are using coconut oil in solid form, place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to allow the coconut oil to melt.

10. Protects hair from chlorine

Salt water and chlorine can damage your hair when swimming in the ocean or pool. Before you go to the pool or beach, brush your hair with coconut oil. Coconut oil acts as a barrier between the hair strands and water, thereby protecting hair from damage caused by seawater and chlorine.

11. Use coconut oil to manage curly hair

If you have curly hair, you are more likely to experience dry, unruly hair more often than not. Coconut oil is great for managing frizzy hair and preventing frizz. Apply coconut oil on curly hair to make hair more manageable and moisturize hair.

12. Get rid of head lice naturally

Head lice can torture the sufferer. In addition to making uncomfortable, head lice are also dangerous for health. Usually, head lice can be removed with lice medication. However, it is often difficult for many people to find a suitable flea remedy, especially those with sensitive skin.

Coconut oil can be a very effective alternative to getting rid of head lice. A study in the European Journal of Pediatrics used a mixture of coconut oil, anise oil, and ylang oil for children affected by lice. The result, after three times a day of use for five days, 92.3% of participants experienced a decrease in the number of lice.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Hair

To get healthy and shiny hair, here are suggestions for using coconut oil for hair:

As a hair mask

Using coconut oil for hair as a mask is quite easy. Just massage your scalp using two teaspoons of coconut oil. Make sure the roots to the tips of the hair are covered with coconut oil or use a comb to smooth it out.

After that, ponytail or roll your hair, then wrap it with a head covering. Leave it on for a few hours or leave it overnight, especially if your hair is dry and damaged. After that, shampoo as usual.

Apart from being a mask, you can also use coconut oil for your hair regularly before shampooing. Enough Apply coconut oil on the stem to the ends of your hair, then let it sit for 15–30 minutes before shampooing.

As conditioner

Coconut oil can be used as a conditioner to help strengthen hair and prevent split ends. The trick, drops coconut oil on the conditioner you normally use, then apply it to the hair shaft.

As a frizzy hair treatment

If you have unruly or frizzy hair , you can use coconut oil to treat it. The trick, apply a few tests of coconut oil on hair that is still wet. Let the coconut oil soak into each strand of your hair, then style your hair as usual.

Some of the ways to use coconut oil for hair above you can try to get healthy hair and overcome various hair and scalp problems.

However, if the complaint does not improve after various treatments with coconut oil, you should consult with your doctor further to get the right treatment.