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.
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.
Apply the coconut oil mask on dirty, dry hair. Not on hair that is already wet! If you have thin or greasy hair already, start with a small amount of coconut oil & add more oil as needed. If you have thick hair, damage, or extra dryness, don't be afraid of adding too much.
The oil protects each strand from drying out while you shampoo. Rinse the oil from your hair after shampooing and apply a conditioner as normal. (Note that if you have thin hair, the oil might be too much for you.)
However, because it is so thick and oily, it can be difficult to wash out with just water and shampoo. To get rid of the excess oil, try dry-hair solutions such as dry shampoo, cornstarch, or baby powder. You can also use leave-in treatments such as an egg wash, lemon juice, or baking soda.
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.
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.
How to Apply a Coconut Oil Hair Mask. For a hair mask, you'll want to apply coconut oil to your hair before washing, being sure to shampoo, condition and thoroughly rinse out all oil after masking. (And yes, it will likely take an extra shampoo to get it all out!)
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.
One tablespoon of coconut oil contains about 12 grams of saturated fat, so it could be easy to overdo it on saturated fats if you get more than one serving. Too much saturated fat can lead to high cholesterol, increasing risks of heart disease and stroke.
After showering, run the coconut oil through the ends of your hair, or take it up slightly higher (to the midsection of your hair) to use as a moisturizing detangler. To avoid excess oil or grease, skip applying it to your roots or scalp area.
helps soften and condition hair
The use of coconut oil on hair helps reduce protein loss in all hair types. And, because this oil is rich in lauric acid and easily penetrates inside the hair shaft it is great to use as a daily conditioner.
"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.
The best moisturiser is coconut oil as it acts to decrease fine lines and wrinkles all around eyes even while delivering nourishing hydration.
Leaving oil on your hair everyday for too long can cause product build-up on your scalp. It may also clog your pores, attract dirt and accumulate dandruff. Oiling your hair everyday also means that you have to wash it with shampoo everyday. This is not ideal to achieve healthy, lustrous and soft hair.
Preventing frizz
Coconut oil stops the hair from absorbing water, especially in humid climates, which can help prevent frizz. Damaged hair tends to look frizzy, even in dry weather. As coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft, it can also help smoothen damaged, uneven hair.
Wait for 5-10 minutes for the oil to absorb into the skin, and wipe away any excess with a soft cotton towel. A thin layer is all you need to prevent moisture loss through evaporation from the skin surface. If you have oily skin, you can still make use of the moisturizing effect of this oil.
Things You Should Know
Leave the oil in your hair for up to 8 hours. Rub coconut oil on your scalp to treat scalp infections or head lice. Avoid using coconut oil to treat dandruff.
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.
For best results, some haircare experts suggest using coconut oil about two to three times a week.
Is it bad to leave coconut oil in your hair overnight? No, putting coconut oil in your hair is not bad. Coconut oil stays in your hair and penetrates into the scalp and the shafts, making it stronger and luscious. Hence, it is always good to leave it overnight and then wash it off the next day.
What will happen if you apply coconut oil to wet hair? It will help lock in moisture but it's important to rinse it out thoroughly. Coconut oil does not moisturize on its own (no oil does—oil and water don't mix). However, oils are occlusive, meaning that they lock in whatever is in your hair.