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.
Dr Catherine Borysiewicz, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic, explains that, when you leave unrefined oil on the roots and scalp for too long and it's absorbed into the scalp, it can cause hair growth to slow down. In addition, coconut oil can make your hair greasy and dull if it builds up on your scalp.
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.
How long should I leave coconut oil in my hair? If you're targeting coconut oil for hair growth, leaving it overnight can be beneficial. However, if you don't have enough time, then you can leave it on for about an hour or two, and wash it off after some time.
Coconut Oil Can Cause Hair Breakage
The more you use it, the drier and brittle your hair becomes, leading to more breakage. Coconut oil should never be used on dry, coarse, or brittle hair because these hair types are particularly vulnerable to breakage from coconut oil use.
You must shampoo your hair to remove coconut oil. Then, follow it up with a conditioner. Why does my hair fall out when I use coconut oil? If you apply too much coconut oil, it may mix with buildup and dirt and clog the follicles, leading to hair fall.
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.
"I recommend warming the coconut oil so it becomes liquified and rubbing it in your hands to lather on the ends of your hair. You want the coconut oil to be warm (not hot) to open the hair cuticles, which allows the molecules to penetrate the hair."
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.
Coconut oil can cause protein buildup for these hair types, blocking your hair from much-needed moisture which makes your hair even drier, stiffer, and less elastic. And less elasticity means more breakage when combing or styling.
In short: Yes, coconut oil can support hair growth. "Coconut oil will definitely help your hair grow healthier, thicker, and longer," Brown confirms. "The vitamins and fatty acids in coconut oil help nourish your scalp and penetrates the cuticle of the hair.
"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.
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.
While there is scientific proof that coconut oil can reduce protein loss in hair, there's no scientific evidence to show that coconut oil has any effect on preventing male pattern baldness caused by DHT. However, this hasn't stopped people from making claims about coconut oil's “ability” to prevent hair loss.
Oils can cause an increase in naturally occurring yeasts that will exacerbate conditions like Seborrheic Dermatitis. Also oils like castor cause an excessive build-up of dirt and which can clog the hair follicles.
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.
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!)
Coconut oil will make any conditioner even more conditioning. After saturating your hair with conditioner, add a layer of coconut oil on top. The oil is occlusive, so it will trap the the conditioner's hydrating ingredients within your hair, allowing them to penetrate the shaft longer and more effectively.
One of the easiest ways to get rid of coconut oil is to use dry shampoo. Dry shampoo comes in handy to absorb excess oils and give your strands a refreshed and balanced feel. Apply the dry shampoo to your hair, making sure to focus on your roots and apply lightly through the rest of your hair.
There are different ways to apply coconut oil - you can use it on wet or dry hair, using a small amount to tame your style or a large amount as a treatment. It can also be used on either washed or unwashed hair. Coconut oil is a good option when used pre-wash.
Avoid hair oiling with an oily scalp
Oily hair, oily scalp — bad combo for a champi. But even if you have dry hair and an oily scalp, oiling will seldom lead to any good as it can further clog pores. Applying aloe vera gel is your best bet as it soothes the scalp and softens hair without making it greasy or clumpy.