Coconut oil is extraordinary for its ability to penetrate deeper into the hair than other oils. This feature makes it ideal for restoring vigor to hair damaged by heat, chemical treatments or excessively dry. Depending on your needs, you should use it before or after shampooing or pamper your hair with a restorative mask.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Use Coconut Oil
Step 1. Select virgin or unrefined coconut oil
You can use those intended for the kitchen or those for cosmetics indiscriminately. Since there are many types, refer to these guidelines to choose a good quality one:
- If the label states that the oil is "virgin", "extra virgin" or "unrefined", it means that no chemicals have been added. A high-quality virgin coconut oil should be white when solid and clear when liquid.
- If the label states that it is "refined" coconut oil or there are no specific definitions, it is very likely that it is a product that has undergone an industrial transformation process. There are products of different qualities, but they are difficult to evaluate unless you do specific research about the brand. Generally the oils belonging to this category have a milder odor.
Step 2. Check the label to know which extraction method was used
Both types of oil can be extracted from coconut in different ways. These are technical details that are not essential to know, but if you are interested in learning more to find a valid brand, refer to this analysis:
- "Centrifuged" oils tend to have a milder scent and the risk of them undergoing progressive degradation is less.
- "Cold pressed" oils generally have a mild to strong scent. Those of poor quality can deteriorate with heat and in this case give off an unpleasant smell of burning.
- The oils extracted with the exclusive "DME" method (from the English "Direct Micro Expelled") tend to be of high quality and are produced directly by coconut palm growers. This is a generally difficult product to find.
Step 3. Melt the oil (optional)
Virgin coconut oil melts at 24ºC, so during the warm months it may already be liquid and directly applicable on the hair. Otherwise, to be able to distribute it more easily, it is best to pour about 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 ml) into a bowl which you will then place in a larger container filled with hot water. Use the hot water from the sink and make sure that the water level does not exceed half of the bowl. The coconut oil should turn liquid within a few minutes.
Don't heat coconut oil in the microwave. The risk is not to ruin it, but to burn your skin if it gets too hot
Step 4. Brush your hair.
You have to remove all the knots to be able to distribute the oil easily.
Part 2 of 3: Apply Coconut Oil
Step 1. Prevent water damage
Used as a mask to apply before washing your hair, coconut oil reduces the damage caused by being immersed in water. In fact, the hair expands when it is wet and contracts when it is dry and this can "fatigue them" (in English this phenomenon is called "hygral fatigue"). Coconut oil also mitigates the damage caused by using a comb and blow dryer on wet hair. Massage a small amount into the roots and then gradually distribute it to the tips. Cover your shoulders with an old towel to avoid staining your clothes with coconut oil. Leave the oil on for 10-20 minutes before shampooing to treat damaged hair. Wrap them in a shower cap (alternatively, you can use a plastic bag) to avoid soiling the surrounding surfaces and to retain the natural heat of the head. Then use the shampoo and conditioner as usual.
Coconut oil makes hair stronger, but not invulnerable. You should avoid combing them when they are wet and use the hair dryer as infrequently as possible
Step 2. Prevent the hair from breaking
Used as a leave-in conditioner, coconut oil reduces the damage caused by using a comb and brush on wet hair; it also makes them shiny. Start with a pea-sized amount and saturate the ends of your hair. Distribute the oil on the lengths by massaging them with your fingers. Add a few more drops of oil halfway between the tips and scalp and avoid the root area so as not to weigh them down. You can use a little more oil if it seems necessary, but be careful or your hair will be greasy. Leave it on for as long as you want and then consider if it is better to rinse your hair.
- This technique allows you to restore some strength to damaged, dry, frizzy (such as afro) or chemically treated hair.
- If you have frizzy hair, coconut oil can help you tame it temporarily. However, as it penetrates inside the barrel, the problem will arise again in the future. If your goal is to keep frizz at bay, you can try using mineral oil, but keep in mind that unlike coconut oil it is unable to restore strength to the hair.
Step 3. Make a mask with coconut oil to restore strength and shine to the hair
Used consistently, coconut oil can make dry, damaged hair strong and shiny. Find time to pamper them once a week or as often as you feel the need. Pick up the oil with your fingers or the bristles of a brush and massage it all over your hair, focusing especially on the points where the hair is driest and most damaged.
If you have very long or thick hair, separate it into different sections to help distribute the oil better
Step 4. Collect your hair
After applying the mask, collect your hair and put on a shower cap (alternatively you can use cling film or a plastic bag).
Step 5. Increase the effectiveness of the mask with heat (optional)
If you want you can wear a thermal cap (which works with hot air or steam) to facilitate the absorption of the oil by the hair. Keep it on for 10-30 minutes. Follow the directions that accompany the product carefully to avoid burning or damaging your hair.
Step 6. Let the mask work for one to eight hours
Coconut oil is probably what your hair absorbs best. After only an hour they could have assimilated as much as 15%. Depending on the health of your hair, you can leave it on for longer or overnight to raise the share to around 25%.
Step 7. Shampoo
After leaving the mask on for the necessary time, wash your hair twice with the shampoo, taking care to rub the scalp well, and then apply the conditioner as usual. The oil that has been absorbed will remain inside the hair protecting it from further damage.
Part 3 of 3: Restoring Scalp Health
Step 1. Fight Scalp Infections With Coconut Oil
Massaging the scalp with coconut oil can be very helpful in treating some infections, such as dermatophytosis. Symptoms of this fungal infection include swelling and abscesses of the scalp and hair loss (with the appearance of blackheads due to the fact that the shaft has broken off at the level of the scalp).
It is imperative to speak to your doctor before treating a serious scalp problem, particularly if you are already using topical medications
Step 2. Make a coconut oil and anise oil spray to defeat lice
If you have used a permethrin drug without success, the solution may be to spray your hair with a mixture of coconut oil and anise oil. As always, it is advisable to talk to your doctor first.
Step 3. Avoid using coconut oil to fight dandruff
Some people use it anyway, but in most cases it is not recommended. Dandruff is usually caused by a fungus that feeds on the oils produced by the glands under the scalp. Adding another natural oil could then strengthen the fungus rather than defeat it. Instead, try using a mineral oil or a specific anti-dandruff treatment.
Advice
- There is no hard and fast rule as to how often you should make a coconut oil mask. It is best to start with just one application per week. If the hair is still dry or frizzy, you can increase the frequency or on the contrary you can reduce it if the frequent use of the oil makes it greasy and heavy.
- An examination revealed that the hair shaft absorbs coconut oil unevenly, more on one side than the other. It is possible that by applying it from above and below you will get better results.
