Coconuts often confused as being a nut are in fact a fruit and they are slowly becoming a very hot commodity. Many different parts of the coconut are being used in various areas in our everyday life. It is popular now to drink coconut water for re hydration whilst coconut milk and flesh are used in food and the oil of the coconut in beauty regimes and hair products.
In the western hemisphere the smell of coconut is looked at as exotic and conjures up an image of tropical beaches yet in the eastern hemisphere people tend to dislike the smell of coconut in products.
Interestingly though coconut oil has been used as a hair oil for thousands of years it is rich in carbohydrates,vitamins and minerals. These components help keep the hair strong and nourished.
Why The Humble Coconut
Coconut oil when used on your hair can moisturize and add shine. An additional benefit is the fact that it can also be helpful for scalp health due to its antibacterial and anti fungal properties. This makes it excellent for use if you suffer from a dry or itchy scalp as the coconut oil will moisturize the skin.
Coconut Oil In Your Shampoo?
A large number of shampoo’s today contain within their ingredients a small amount of coconut oil. As its anti-oxidants have anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties
Detergent or soap based shampoos tend to leave your hair feeling rough and dry. That is why some times when you comb your hair and have not used any conditioner after your shampoo. You find that your comb will not go through your hair smoothly.
Manufacturers realized that natural oils in shampoos have various benefits. Such as moisture retention and vitamin E supplementation that will help to counter this effect. Coconut oil has that component as it comes from the natural saturated fats.
Coconut Oils Conditioning Elements.
Coconut oil helps to prevent protein loss. It is this loss of protein in your hair that leads to dryness and breakage.
The lauric acid in coconut oil has a low molecular weight and is actually able to penetrate your hair shaft.Thereby nourishing your hair with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.
In fact you could say coconut oil is a better conditioner than most of the synthetic conditioners that are available on the market.
A study from the journal of cosmetic science in 2005 stated that coconut oil penetrated the hair follicle better than most common ingredients in hair conditioners.
Using Coconut Oil As A Deep Conditioning Treatment.
Coconut oil is great for moisture retention as it is not very easily broken down. In other words it does not let moisture escape. This will help to keep your hair soft which in turn helps prevent breakage.
Immensely hydrating. Coconut oil is a creamy solid at room temperature and turns to liquid when heated.
Shampoo and towel dry your hair. Then place one tablespoon or if you have very long hair two table spoons of the cream in your hands. Warm this up whilst you are under the shower.
Once the cream has turned into a liquid apply onto your hair. Running it through with your fingers before using a wide tooth comb so as to achieve an even distribution.
If you happen suffer from greasy scalp problems. Make sure to keep the oil a good couple of inches from your scalp when you are applying.
Leave the coconut oil on your hair about 20 minutes longer if you want to.
Then shampoo off.
Start with a less is more philosophy. You can always increase the amount you use next time. If you put on to much you may find that it will leave your hair weighed down or lank looking.
Coconut Oil To Tame Frizz.
To help tame frizz try warming up a quarter teaspoon of coconut oil in your psalms then smooth through from roots to tips and blow dry. It may take you a little longer to blow dry your hair. But you could find it well worth it as your hair will be soft, shiny and manageable.
Coconut Oil As A Sunscreen.
Are you spending a long time in the pool or at the beach?
Coconut oil is a natural sunscreen for your hair. As it provides a barrier so that your hair hardly absorbs the salt or chemical water when going for a swim. It is also great in protecting your hair from the sun. So remember to heat up a small amount in your hands and run it through you locks.
Use the coconut oil like a leave in conditioner for all day protection in the sun.
In Sanskrit the coconut palm is known as the tree of life and coconut oil is nature’s natural hair conditioner. But if you do dabble use it with care. Remember a little will go a long way.
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