Does coconut oil have any negative effects on hair? Coconut oil is generally considered safe to apply to your skin and hair ( 13 ). However, using too much could cause a buildup of oil on your hair and scalp. This could make your hair greasy and dull, especially if you have very fine hair.
Coconut Oil Isn't for Every Hair Type
Typically, those with fine to medium shiny hair will see good results from coconut oil and notice stronger, shinier hair with more volume. Those with coarse or dry hair may not struggle with low protein at all and coconut oil may lead to more brittle hair and hair loss.
"The reason some people experience dryness with coconut oil — especially when using it alone as a treatment — is that it can penetrate the hair cuticle, taking up space within the strands," says cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson.
Whether you are trying to avoid chemicals or are just looking to experiment with some new hair care products, try natural oils such as coconut, argan, jojoba, almond, olive and grapeseed. These are some of the best oils for hair health and can be used directly on the skin and hair.
Ingesting large amounts of coconut oil can cause diarrhea, cramps, and gastrointestinal discomfort. Coconut oil may also increase levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increasing your cardiovascular risk. If you have high cholesterol, talk with your doctor before doing a coconut oil cleanse.
"If you have oily skin and are acne-prone, coconut oil shouldn't be applied to acne-prone areas." Steer clear of applying coconut oil to your face, chest, upper back and shoulders, as these areas of skin have the most oil glands, and do test patches on other areas of your body before going all in.
It can be used as a cooking oil in the kitchen, to treat damaged hair, and even as a moisturizer for the skin on your body; however, I do not recommend using coconut oil on your face. Coconut oil is highly comedogenic, which means it clogs the pores on your face.
For those with thinning or fine hair, coconut oil helps slow down hair loss by penetrating deep into your hair shaft to prevent protein loss, which in turn prevents breakage. When applied to your scalp, it simultaneously moisturizes and removes buildup around your hair follicles to jumpstart hair growth.
Do you put coconut oil on wet or dry hair? If you plan on just using a little (and only enough to smooth out flyaways), you can apply coconut oil to dry hair. Otherwise, if you want to use it as a conditioning treatment, apply it to damp hair, so it can better absorb the oil.
stimulates hair growth
Coconut oil is a natural way to help your hair grow longer, thicker, and faster. The vitamins and essential fatty acids naturally found in coconut oil nourish the scalp and help to remove sebum build-up from hair follicles.
Smooth coconut oil onto hair and comb it through dry hair. Leave it on for at 15 to 30 minutes to let it absorb. Thoroughly wash hair with a great shampoo (you may need to shampoo twice to remove all of the oil) and conditioning as usual.
Is it safe to use coconut oil on dry hair daily? Yes, it is safe to use coconut oil on your hair daily. Coconut oil is gentle and non-irritating, so it will not damage your hair. In fact, using coconut oil on your hair and dry scalp daily can actually help to improve the health of your hair and reverse hair damage.
Yes, coconut oil is good for your skin. It provides antioxidants, moisturizes, minimizes the signs of aging, boosts nutrients and helps to protect skin.
It kills bacteria and viruses
See, coconut oil is made up of about 50 percent 12-carbon lauric acid. When lauric acid is digested, it produces monolaurin. Both of those funny-sounding things can kill things like bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Hydrated skin from coconut oil is known to ward off wrinkles, mimicing sebum. In a study conducted by Japanese researchers – oily skin takes much longer to get wrinkles as compared to dry skin. So not only does coconut oil help your skin feel its best - it also works hard prevent wrinkles before they strike.
Benefits of coconut oil for lips
The primary benefit of coconut oil is its moisturizing effects. This makes it ideal for chapped lips. Your lips are particularly sensitive to moisture loss because the skin is thin, and they're exposed to the elements more so than other parts of your skin.
Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic detox ritual which involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for approx. 20 mins. This 3000-year-old tradition draws out the toxins of the body and improves overall health.
When applied overnight, it will trap the moisture into your skin making it soft, supple and hydrated. Lauric acid in coconut oil will help boost collagen production. Coconut oil is said to reduce any signs of inflammation like redness or irritation but its anti-inflammatory properties are yet to be proven.
While the promises of coconut oil's benefit sound great, the research is less clear. A few studies have looked at the benefit of coconut oil on weight loss, and results have been mixed. While some studies have reported a decrease in participants' body mass index (BMI) and waist size, others have not.
For best results, some haircare experts suggest using coconut oil about two to three times a week.
If you have fine or thin hair, coconut oil can weigh down your hair. This is because it is very heavy oil and it can make the hair look greasy. You can apply coconut oil directly to your hair, and you can use it as often as you like. Still, if you have oily hair, then use it sparingly.
Here's the hard truth: Little can be done to permanently change the diameter of individual hair strands. Thickening products can do wonders to temporarily plump hair strands, but when it comes down to it, fine hair is genetic and can't be changed.