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.
Use coconut oil in wet hair
We recommend that you use the hair oil in wet hair as a finishing, nourishing treatment after washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner. By applying the coconut oil to wet hair, the hair gets an extra moisture boost and is left soft and shiny all day.
Moisturizing dry hair and scalp
Most oils sit on the surface of the hair, but research shows that coconut oil penetrates more deeply into the hair shaft, which may lead the hair to feel softer and smoother. The oil helps fill the hair shaft, making dry and damaged hair look healthier.
For a quick deep-conditioning hair treatment, apply your coconut oil before shampooing and conditioning your hair like you normally would. Simply leave it on for 30 minutes, then wash your hair like normal. Or, for an extra-hydrating hair mask, leave your coconut oil hair treatment on overnight.
You can leave coconut oil in your hair for up to 30 minutes. If you have thin or highly porous hair, 15 minutes is likely enough time. If you want to use coconut oil as a hair mask or a scale treatment, and your hair type allows, leaving it in overnight occasionally shouldn't cause problems.
Applying the oil while the hair is wet will nourish and protect it from frizz and pollution as it dries into a subtly shiny version of its natural texture. Once the hair is dry, you may pump a touch more oil into your palm, rub it between your hands and smooth it over your lengths and ends.
“You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won't have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta. For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well it can dry hair.
Like other oils, coconut oil can make your hair and skin feel greasy. It can clog pores in the skin and scalp. This can lead to acne or other skin irritation. Avoid using too much coconut oil on your hair and scalp.
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.
Oil repels water. If you apply oil to wet hair, water will repel it and won't allow for deep penetration. This will make it ineffective. Water forms a layer on your hair and scalp that does not allow the oil to pass through it.
You can use coconut oil as an intensive overnight hair treatment like I did, or as an everyday hair oil, using just about ¼ teaspoon. I recommend using extra virgin organic coconut oil (which you can find at your local market) as a great chemical-free hair conditioning treatment replacement.
Simply applying the oil allows hair that has already detached from your scalp to fall away. Using too much coconut oil can make your hair greasy. It usually doesn't cause hair loss, but it can cause previously detached hair to fall away from your scalp more easily.
"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.
For best results, some haircare experts suggest using coconut oil about two to three times a week.
Leaving Coconut oil for a dry scalp overnight is effective because it restores moisture content to the scalp. If your hair feels dull and dry, use coconut oil once a week as a hair mask before washing your hair, and feel your hair become moisturised.
Always apply oil before washing your hair
“We all know that oil is a great moisturizer and if you want to keep your mane hydrated and frizz-free then you must apply oil before washing your hair,” explains Dr Kapoor. She also adds that hair oil protects the scalp from harsh chemicals.
Apply oil to the ends of your hair. Use your fingers to spread the oil evenly from the middle of your hair to the ends. Keep oil in hair as long as desired (20 minutes to an hour) and then wash out.
Just as you can use a hair oil before blow-drying your hair, you can also use one after you're done styling.
If you do decide to wash your hair after applying coconut oil, make sure to use a gentle shampoo and conditioner. You don't want to strip away all of the oil and moisture, as this can leave your hair feeling dry and damaged. Just use a small amount of shampoo, focusing on the roots, and then rinse thoroughly.
You can leave coconut oil on your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes. For maximum benefits, you may leave it overnight. Washing it off too early may not let the hair and scalp soak its benefits, and keeping it on for days may attract dirt and cause buildup and hair fall.
Macadamia Oil
Macadamia oil is extracted from macadamia nuts and is enriched with fatty acids. These fatty acids make it one of the best hair oils for dry and frizzy hair. If you frequently style your hair with heat tools, using hair masks with macadamia oil can deeply nourish your hair.
In general, it is not recommended to leave oil on for more than 6-8 hours, as that might make things tricky. The oil can attract a lot of dirt, dust, grime and get them to stick to your hair! So, it will take a lot more effort to wash your hair with all this added stuff to wash off.