Is Coconut Oil Good For Your Hair? We Reveal The Truth

Coconut oil has hundreds of uses. But as a black woman who wants to use it in your hair, is it really any good for you? Or should coconut oil be avoided at all costs?

This is what we explore today, so have a look below and discover the truth.

Contents

Coconut Oil: Bad Effects On Hair

It’s hard to believe that one product can be used in every step of a hair care regimen. Many black women do that. They use it as a conditioner, moisturizer, styler, frizz controller among many other functions. If you’re one of those women, you might actually be causing damage to your hair. Did you know that coconut oil might be drying out your hair? Probably not! Coconut oil creates a barrier between your hair shaft and the environment and prevents intake of moisture by the hair strands.

The moisture enclosed within the hair slowly dries out leaving your hair dry. The worst thing about it is that you probably think that your hair is moisturized and healthy while in real sense, it’s dry. The shine that coconut oil gives to hair doesn’t mean that the hair is moisturized!

If you’re one of those who slather a huge amount of coconut oil on your hair, you’re doing a huge injustice to it. Coconut oil is heavy oil and large amounts weigh down on the hair. It also requires a lot of shampoo, and potentially a pre poo, to clean it out. This means that you’re exposing your hair to the harsh chemicals found in most commercial shampoos in large quantities. If you don’t wash your hair thoroughly, it leads to product buildup which is not good at all.

Which Is The Right Way To Use Coconut Oil?

Why would coconut oil be harmful to your hair? Well, coconut oil isn’t the culprit, you are. There’s the right way to do things. For instance, you can’t use soap to brush your teeth although it cleans other parts of your body. This is the same with coconut oil. If you use it the wrong way, it will definitely not work to your favor. However, when used the right way, it gives amazing results.

The most common mistake that black women make is using coconut oil as a moisturizer. This is what dries out the hair. Coconut oil is a sealant. It seals in moisture in the hair but does not add any moisture. With this in mind, always apply coconut oil on moist hair not dry hair. It will seal in the moisture and keep the hair moisturized and shiny. Even better, use it as a deep conditioner or apply it pre-washing. It protects the hair from breakage during washing and gives it a vibrant look. The lesson here is to always wash out the coconut oil. Don’t leave on the hair for more than 2 days. Always remember to use coconut oil sparingly. Don’t soak your head with it thinking that it’ll work better if you do so. With coconut oil, a little goes a long way!

How Can Coconut Oil Benefit My Hair?

A black woman with coconut oil in her hair

Once you learn the right way to use coconut oil on your hair, you’ll get amazing benefits. Ensure that you buy coconut oil from a trusted source or a brand you’ve used before. Apply it on your scalp and rinse it out after ten minutes to fight dandruff. It works great as a deep conditioner and can also be used to detangle your hair. Coconut oil seals in moisture in your hair and fixes split ends in an instant. It also adds a beautiful glow to your natural hair making it look healthy. However, it is important to keep in mind that everyone has different hair and coconut oil works differently on each hair type. Just because it’s a natural hair care product, that doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to get the results you desire. Experiment to find out how it works best on yours.