My Go-To Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

My year-round beauty secret lies within a tropical drupe, or stone fruit. Each week, I use the creamy, plant-based oil from a coconut to add shine and moisture to my skin, hair, and nails. Whether I've been out in the abundant summer sun or bracing against winter winds, I trust the revitalizing properties of a coconut oil hair treatment to bring back the sleek shine of my tresses.

Why Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair?

Just like skin and nails, your hair also deserves a little TLC to recover from harsh weather conditions and hair treatments, such as straightening and dyeing.

Oils can protect hair from damage, according to a report published in the International Journal of Trichology. When applied regularly, coconut oil lubricates and penetrates hair shafts, leading to less breakage. Using coconut oil before and after washing your hair can also reduce protein loss. When tested against mineral oil and sunflower oil, coconut oil was the only oil to display this powerful protein benefit. In addition, coconut oil helps to smooth hair cuticles and minimize split ends, creating softer, silkier hair.

I love coconut oil because it's easy to manage. At room temperature, it's a creamy white substance that's simple to massage into my hair, unlike drippy liquid oils. I also feel good knowing that I'm using a product that's 100 percent coconut oil—with zero fillers or artificial fragrances. Plus, it's derived from a renewable source!

My Go-To Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

To give your hair health a boost, all you need is some coconut oil and time in the bath or shower. I use either food-grade coconut oil from the baking aisle at the grocery store or a salon-quality oil sold with natural hair care products. Here are the steps for one of my favorite coconut oil hair treatments:

1. Rinse your hair with warm water. Make sure your hair is fully saturated before applying the coconut oil.
2. Put a small amount of oil on your hands. I have long hair that reaches the middle of my back, and I use the size of a small grape. When in doubt, start with less and reach for more oil as needed.
3. Massage the coconut oil between your hands. This will melt and distribute the oil over your palms, turning it into a clear, slippery substance.
4. Comb your fingers through your wet hair. I start about three or four inches away from my scalp, then I work my way down toward the ends. If you massage coconut oil directly into your scalp, it's difficult to fully remove the oil, and your roots may appear greasy.
5. Let the coconut oil penetrate the hair. I like to relax for at least fifteen minutes and listen to music.
6. Wash the coconut oil out using shampoo. Thoroughly rinse with warm water, then follow up with conditioner if you usually use one.
7. Rinse your hair one more time to remove the conditioner, then towel dry. I avoid blow-dryers simply because they make my hair frizzy.

That's all there is to it. You may notice an increase in manageability, softness, and sheen when styling your hair. Between coconut oil hair treatments, I use a tiny dab of the oil on flyaways or dry ends to make my hair behave and look polished.

Because everyone's hair is different, you can experiment with the amount of coconut oil you use, how long you let it soak, and how often you do this treatment. I have thick hair, so weekly works best for me. If your hair is coarse and dry, try this treatment two or three times a week to start. If your hair is fine, once a month might be all you need.

We'd love to learn about your natural hair care tips and see your best-hair-day selfie. Tag @toms_of_maine on Instagram to show us your pampered locks!

Image Sources: Pexels | Angela Tague | Angela Tague

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