How to Use Coconut Oil for Your Hair

Coconut oil is one of those incredibly amazing home remedies that can be used for anything as it supports skin health working as a moisturizer and helping to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, cellulite, age spots, and scars.

Coconut oil is a major versatile weapon in the quest for perfect flawless hair. It can be used as a conditioner, a hair mask, repair for dry or split ends, and detangling cream.

What can coconut oil really do for your hair? Well, nothing short of wonders. Now you can finally flaunt those long locks of gorgeous hair that you pined for, along with that flawless skin.

Conventional hair care products (including shampoos, conditioners, and various serums), being chemical-laden and alkaline, disrupt the natural texture of your hair making it struggle for a delicate balance that results in dry and rough hair with split ends, dandruff, hair loss issues and a host of other troubles.

The natural properties of coconut oil make it extremely beneficial for your scalp and hair. Coconut oil meshes well with the texture of your hair to impart a gorgeous, shiny, and longer fall.

There are two ways you can use coconut oil on your hair or depending on your hair type. People with slightly wavy or straight hair should use a coconut oil treatment before washing their hair, while those with curly or thick hair should use it after washing their hair.

DIY Coconut Oil Remedies for Healthy Hair

Given below are coconut oil treatments for nine major hair troubles, you are likely to encounter at some point in time.

Method 1: Coconut Oil Hair Mask for Deep Conditioning

Coconut oil helps smooth the overlapping layers of protein on each strand of hair and improves overall scalp health. At the same time, lauric acid from the coconut allows the oil to be more easily absorbed into the hair shaft, making it a top choice for reducing protein loss from sun exposure or chemical treatment.

Honey is an amazing humectant and thus works as an excellent conditioner for dry hair.

Apple cider vinegar, on the other hand, acts as a natural detangle as well as removes any traces of residue from the hair.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (improves scalp health) – 2 tablespoons
• Honey (excellent conditioner) – 1 tablespoon
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV) (natural detangler) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Pour coconut oil and honey into a bottle

• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a wide-mouth bottle.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the oil.

Step 2. Whisk the ingredients together

• Whisk the ingredients together so that they are well incorporated into each other.

The mixture may separate a little bit, but that is perfectly fine. Just give it a swirl while applying to ensure that you get an even proportion of each ingredient.

Step 3. Add ACV and whisk again

• Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and whisk again to form a mask.

Step 4. Apply the mask on your hair

• Start with a small amount of the mask on your palm and massage it well into your dry hair with your fingertips.
• Section your hair into equal portions and apply the mask from the roots moving down to the tips.
• Once all parts of your hair are covered, pile your hair into a bun and let the mask do its work for 30 minutes.
• Wash it out with a mild shampoo. You do not need conditioning for this wash.

Use the treatment once every week for softer, smoother, and gorgeous hair.

Method 2: Hot Coconut Oil Therapy for Hair Growth

Coconut oil works in a natural way to promote longer, thicker, and shinier hair. Plus, a blend with essential oil and herbs makes it all the more effective in promoting hair growth.

Certain vitamins are essential for healthy hair, such as vitamin E and K. Hair follicles absorb the nutrients found in coconut oil, which stimulates blood circulation, improving hair health down to the root.

While the vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids in the coconut oil nourish the scalp and remove excess sebum from the hair follicles, the essential oils and herbs help strengthen the roots and work to eliminate dandruff, which further boosts your hair growth.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (promotes hair growth) – 2 tablespoons
• Rosemary (strengthen the roots) – 1/2 teaspoon
• Tea tree essential oil (contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties) – 1/4 teaspoon

Step 1. Put coconut oil and rosemary in a bowl

• Start with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Add ½ teaspoon of rosemary herb to the oil.

Step 2. Heat the mixture, then strain it

• Heat the oil and herb mixture in a microwave for 30 seconds.
• Set the hot oil aside for 5 minutes. This allows infusion of the properties of the herb into the oil.
• Strain the oil to separate the herb residue.

Step 3. Add tea tree essential oil to the hot oil

• Add 1/4 teaspoon of tea tree essential oil to the hot oil.

Step 4. Apply the hot oil on your hair for 30 min

• Apply the hot oil on your hair and scalp and massage gently for 5 minutes.
• Leave it to rest for 30 minutes before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

Repeat the treatment once every week for healthy hair growth.

Method 3: Lemon and Coconut Oil Mask for Dandruff

Lemon, combined with coconut oil, qualifies as one of the most effective remedies for treating dandruff.

Loaded with vitamins B and C, phosphorus, folic acid, and other vital nutrients, lemon helps maintain the health of pigment cells in your hair follicles, thus detoxifying your scalp and preventing any traces of dandruff.

It is important to allow your hair and scalp to absorb all the nutrients found in the all-natural oil.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (nourishes your scalp) – 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice (treats dandruff) – 1 tablespoon (or the juice from half of a lemon)

Step 1. Mix coconut oil and lemon juice

• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a bowl, bottle or jar.
• Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or squeeze the juice of half of a fresh lemon into the oil.
• Whisk the mixture so that the ingredients incorporate well into each other.

Step 2. Apply and leave it on your hair overnight

• Apply the oil to the scalp and massage gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Comb the oil through your hair, cover with a towel or shower cap, and leave it on overnight.
• The next morning, wash it out using a mild shampoo and cold water.

Repeat on alternate days for effective results.

Method 4: Dry, Damaged and Frizzy Hair

Coconut oil, honey, and egg yolk combine to make one of the best remedies for treating dry, damaged and frizzy hair.

While coconut oil moisturizes and nourishes your dry hair, honey acts as a humectant to restore moisture to your scalp.

The egg yolk adds proteins and vitamins that help nourish the hair follicles, condition and soften knotty hair and provide an intense protein treatment to your hair.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (moisturizes and nourishes dry hair) – 2 tablespoons
• Honey (natural humectant) – 2 tablespoons
• Egg yolk (conditions and softens hair) – 1

Step 1. Break an egg and separate the yolk

• Break open an egg and separate the yolk from the white.

Step 2. Whisk coconut oil, egg yolk, and honey

• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a jar.
• Add 1 large egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of honey to the oil.
• Whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.

Step 3. Apply the mixture and let it work overnight

• Apply the mixture to your dry hair. It is best not to overdo it with the oil, lest you may end up with oily and sticky hair that would require shampooing.
• Massage gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mixture in your hair overnight for best results. However, if you’re in a hurry, letting it sit 1 hour will also suffice.
• The next morning, rinse it out using warm water until there is no more residue on the scalp. If your hair feels too oily, you can wash it with a mild shampoo. However, it is best to avoid shampooing.

Repeat the treatment twice a week for effective results.

Method 5: Protection from Sun Damage

Coconut oil makes an incredible natural sunscreen. It naturally contains a sun protection factor (SPF 10) that helps protect your hair from being damaged by the harmful rays of the sun.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (natural sunscreen)
• A spray bottle containing water

Step 1. Pour coconut oil and water in a spray bottle

• Fill a spray bottle almost full with water.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into the bottle.

Step 2. Shake well and spray it on your hair

• Put the cap on the bottle, shake it, and spritz the diluted oil on your hair.
• For even coverage, comb it through your hair.

Use this spritz 4 or 5 times throughout the day to protect your hair from sun damage.

Method 6: Detangler

Coconut oil works wonders for detangling stubborn hair knots and tangles.

If you have long or curly hair, all you need to do is just apply a small amount of coconut oil to your hair and gently work through your tangles. Coconut oil is 100 percent natural and organic, so it will not leave any residue on your scalp.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply coconut oil on your hair and comb out the tangles

• Gently massage a small amount of coconut oil onto the tangles in your hair, or evenly throughout your hair if you prefer.
• Grab a comb and gently work out the tangles.

You do not need to shampoo or rinse your hair after applying the coconut oil. If you have oily skin, avoid the scalp area. Let the oil soak in, and it will continue to nourish your hair all through the day.

Alternatively, after shampooing and rinsing your hair, you can spray diluted coconut oil as a detangler and gently comb through your hair to help work out tangles.

Use the treatment whenever you are struggling with messy knots.

Method 7: Lice Prevention & Treatment

Another amazing benefit of coconut oil is the natural prevention and treatment of lice.

Rich in fatty content, coconut oil suffocates the lice, making it harder for them to maintain a grip on your hair follicles. The lubricating properties in the oil prevent the lice from moving in freely, thus restricting their growth.

Prior to the application of coconut oil, rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and allow it to dry. Comb hair with a nit comb. To add to this, tea tree essential oil acts as a natural insecticide to kill head lice.

The blend of shampoo makes it an all-in-one treatment, acting as the base to help rinse out your hair.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (suffocates lice) – 2 tablespoons
• Shampoo – 2 tablespoons
• Tea tree essential oil (natural insecticide) – 10 drops

Step 1. Mix together coconut oil, shampoo & essential oil

• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a jar.
• Add an equal portion of shampoo to the coconut oil.
• Add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to the mixture.
• Whisk the ingredients together so that the elements combine well into each other.

Step 2. Apply for 30 minutes and comb out the dead lice

• First step rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar and allow it to dry
• Coat your hair well with the oil-shampoo blend and cover with a shower cap.
• Allow the concoction to rest on your hair for 30 minutes.
• Comb your hair to remove the dead lice and their eggs.
• Finish with normal shampooing and conditioning your hair.

Alternatively, before combing, you can use a blow dryer over the shower cap for 2 to 3 minutes in order to further suffocate the lice.

Repeat 3 times a week for best results.

Method 8: Base for Hair Coloring

Coconut oil makes an excellent base for your hair coloring. This is because coconut oil seeps more deeply into your hair than any other natural oil, thus making your color look more vibrant and last longer.

Single-Step Treatment: Apply the oil before hair coloring

• Scoop 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into a bowl.
• Apply the oil to your hair, literally covering every section.
• Allow the oil to penetrate deep into your hair for 5 minutes.
• Follow your regular coloring routine.
• Once the color has set, shampoo normally with lukewarm water to remove any traces of colorant or the oil. Then dry your hair.
• Finish with wrapping your hair with a towel or a shower cap and leave it overnight to allow the color to set further.

Apply coconut oil every time before you want to color your hair.

Method 9: Prevent Gray Hair

Coconut oil comes with another amazing benefit of treating and preventing gray hair. Blend coconut oil with gooseberries. This works as an excellent remedy for gray hair.

Gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help promote healthy growth of your hair.

Moreover, the collagen-boosting ability and the antioxidants in gooseberries help maintain the health of your hair follicles by fighting off factors that lead to damage.

Things you’ll need:

• Coconut oil (prevents gray hair) – 2 tablespoons
• Gooseberry powder (promotes healthy hair growth) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Heat coconut oil and gooseberry powder in a pan

• Pour 2 tablespoons of coconut oil into a pan.
• Add 1 tablespoon of gooseberry powder to the oil.
• Mix the ingredients.
• Turn on the flame and heat the ingredients until the mixture starts to char.

Step 2. Pour into a jar and let it cool

• Pour the oil into a jar and allow it to cool until it is just warm enough to touch.

Step 3. Coat your hair with the mixture

• Apply the oil mixture on your hair and scalp, and gently massage for a few minutes.
• Let the oil sit for 1 to 2 hours. You can also leave it on overnight, just cover your hair with a shower cap.
• In the morning, wash it out with a mild shampoo.

Use the treatment 2 or 3 times a week for getting rid of and preventing gray hair.

Summary of How to Get Rid of Coconut Oil for Hair

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