Coconut oil has been used for generations and is regaining its well-deserved popularity for cosmetic and nutritional value. This moisturizing oil can be used in a multitude of ways: hair conditioner, beard oil, body moisturizer, as well as home treatments for head lice and infant cradle cap.
Known for its ability as a hydrator to help skin and hair retain moisture, coconut oil is an excellent hair oil for all hair in need of repair, but especially beneficial for people with more porous hair. A valuable oil for those whose hair becomes dry, brittle and frizzy due to chemical treatments such as heat straightening, relaxing or coloring.
Coconut oil is derived from the mature fruit of the coconut tree, Cocos nucifera, which is native to tropical regions of the world. You only have to admire the beautiful, healthy hair of the people from these areas to discover this secret to maintaining such shimmering tresses. The oil is found inside the coconut shells. Freshly picked, the mature coconut kernel is chopped, shredded and dried to a 10% moisture content, which is then cold-pressed to extract the virgin coconut oil.
A hair is just like a hollow hose or a tube. By penetrating this hollow hair shaft, coconut oil gives more body to hair and makes it feel full of body and shine. The hair's own moisture is retained as the coconut oil seals and prevents this moisture from escaping into the atmosphere.
By entering into the hair shaft, the hair is conditioned from within. This supplies moisture to the hair follicles which protects them from heat and environmental damage.
Our hair is make up of proteins. The usual shampoo formulations can result in protein loss during washing. Protein loss from hair results in weak and unhealthy hair. Coconut oil is unique to other oils in that it has a strong affinity for hair proteins not found elsewhere. Coconut oil is able to minimize this protein loss by its ability to seal and waterproof the hair.
The hydrophobic oil characteristics (meaning to repel water) allow it to inhibit the penetration of water. Coconut oil is able to actually bind to the natural protein structure of the hair. This helps hair retain its natural moisture.
Coconut oil achieves the best results when used as a pre-wash treatment. When hair gets wet the cuticle, or surface of the hair shaft, rises, which makes it more prone to breakage. (That is why it is best to be careful and not pull while combing out wet hair) As the hair naturally swells upon getting wet, a small portion of oil is absorbed into the hair fiber. Coconut oil protects by binding to the hair's inner proteins and keeps this swelling to a minimum. By inhibiting the penetration of water into the hair strands, it coats and conditions the outer cuticle layer and increases the hair fiber's pliability while reducing static electricity, thereby preventing damage and the frizzies.
Hair types such as black hair, which have more porosity problems, tend to take in more water during washing. When the hair shrinks back to normal while drying, the cuticle can split. Coconut oil helps reduce the water uptake and swelling by binding to the proteins. In keeping excess water out, the hair is under less stress as it naturally contracts to dry, resulting in less tendency for damage.
Perhaps you have heard that supposedly coconut oil makes your hair grow. Well, now we're told it is just a myth. By improving the health of your hair, there is less loss through breakage, so in reality you are just keeping your hair without it falling out by breaking off. Foods high in omega-3 fats will help with healthy hair growth.
If kept out of the sun and in a cool place your mask should last up to two years. It can be refrigerated if you prefer, just be aware that it will harden in cold temperatures, but softens immediately with the warmth of your fingers.
NOTE:
Upon ordering let me know through the message box if you want the addition of essential oils. You will choose at checkout if you want the refined or unrefined coconut oil but the options I can offer there are limited so you'll have to message me in the "message to seller box" for your essential oil choices. Essential oils can be added with the refined or unrefined coconut oil. Refined just means the oil has been deodorized to remove the natural coconut scent. The refining process is specifically made to remove only the scent of the coconut for uses where the scent is not wanted, (fully natural refining process).
The nutrients in the oil remain.
Chosen essential oil options are all great for hair care. They help the hair retain moisture and have properties to help with scalp issues.
You can choose an individual scent, a blend or message me with your preference. I can only have two drop down options at checkout so please let me know through the message box which scent blend you would like.
These are nice blends:
Lavender, Tea Tree oil, Thyme
Cedarwood, Lavender, Rosemary, Tea Tree oil
Geranium, Lavender, Cedarwood
Sage, Rosemary, Thyme
Lavender, Peppermint
Lemongrass and the natural coconut scent blend well
Orange and Cardamom
Lemon, Geranium
Peppermint, Tea Tree oil
Lavender, Rosemary, Basil
TO USE: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and begins to melt around 76 degrees. There are two ways to use the oil. It will melt at the touch of your fingers, so you can just dip out a bit with your fingers, let it soften in your hands, and apply.
Or, you can put a bit into a small cup and put the cup into a warm (not hot) water bath till it melts and apply as a liquid.
Be careful not to use too much at a time or you'll end up with greasy hair. A little bit goes a long way!
Start with 1/4 tsp. for short hair and experiment depending on hair length and thickness. Long hair may need a TBSP.
Wet your hair first and place a towel around your shoulders to catch any drips.
Distribute throughout your hair. Applying it to your scalp is optional but in doing so does aid in the absorption of nutrients and relieves dry scalp flakes.
Once the oil is applied, cover head with a shower cap, towel or pillow case, relax and leave it on for at least 20 minutes, an hour or two would be great. You don't want the oil to chill and harden onto your hair, so the cover is important.
Follow-up with a shampoo. A trick to getting out an oil is to first apply the shampoo throughout your hair before trying to rinse it out. You may need to re-shampoo to get it all out of your hair so it doesn't appear oily.
This application can be repeated daily until the dryness is gone or just periodically to maintain a shiny head of hair.
TIPS:
1. Those annoyed with a flaky scalp may see great improvement.
2. Help increase blood circulation by giving yourself a scalp massage. Use about 1 tsp. coconut oil and use gentle pressure with your fingers for about 10 minutes.
3. Just scrunch a bit onto the ends of your hair and leave in. Great for preventing split ends.
4. Tame the frizzies by applying just a tiny bit to hair before styling.
OTHER USES FOR COCONUT OIL:
Coconut oil has a multitude of uses in skin care besides your hair. It can be used as a moisturizer as well.
Cold-pressed organic coconut oil mimics sebum, the skin’s own system for lubrication and waterproofing.
Coconut oil is the perfect moisturizer because it is lightweight and easily absorbed, so use it as a skin nourishing moisturizer all over your body. It even helps serve as a natural sunblock.
Coconut oil can be used to remove make-up, but be careful if it has added essential oils to not let it get into the eyes.
Bearded men find the use of a beard oil very beneficial for not only a softened beard but as an aid in taking care of the skin underneath their beards.
Coconut oil can be used to rid the scalp from lice. Before bed, first soak your hair in vinegar and leave in to dry. Then coat your hair with coconut oil. Sleep with a shower cap to protect your bedding. The following day the nits reportedly comb out easily. Request that tea tree oil and lavender be added to the coconut oil upon ordering.
Coconut oil can help with your baby's scalp. Simply rub a small amount all over baby's head and brush with a soft baby brush for five minutes.
Coconut Oil Hair Conditioner/Mask comes in either a 4 oz. or 2 oz. plastic jar.
IMPORTANT:
Should you have a coconut allergy, it probably would be best to avoid using this type of hair conditioner. It could result in an itchy, red scalp.
Please do a patch test on just a section of your hair before applying all over.
Coconut oil is not the best choice for everyone. For some people coconut oil works fine on the rest of their body but when it comes to their hair it seems to make it even more dry and brittle to the point of breaking. A possible explanation is that for hair that already has enough protein adding coconut oil results in the hair being "protein sensitive". Read the following post for more information: http://urbanbushbabes.com/2011/07/coconut-oil-dry-brittle-hair-for-some/
In either case, if you suspect a problem, discontinue use. Using more or repeatedly might just aggravate and make things worse.
An alternative for either of the above circumstances could be the following shop listing which utilizes another favorite for hair care, Jojoba oil:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/53657865/dry-and-damaged-hair-repair-conditioning?ref=shop_home_active
https://www.etsy.com/listing/217327881/dry-and-damaged-hair-repair-conditioning?ref=shop_home_active_10
