Studies have shown that there are benefits of coconut oil for hair. Some studies even suggest that it's the best oil to use on your hair as it reduces protein loss and keeps it looking and feeling healthy.
Ways your hair gets damaged
Washing, styling, and colouring (coloring) your hair can damage the cuticle. The cuticle is the outermost layer of a strand of hair. It acts as a protective barrier for the inner layers of your hair. When the cuticle is damaged, it makes it unable to protect parts of your hair shaft. This, in turn,
- Causes you to lose some of the fibrous protein that makes up the middle and thickest layer of a hair strand (the cortex).
- Makes your hair thin, fragile and prone to breakage.
Two of the main benefits of coconut oil for hair to protect it from this damage
1. Rub coconut oil on your hair before washing to help prevent damage.
Hair is most prone to damage when it's wet because when it absorbs water, structural changes occur, especially if you brush and style it while it's still wet.
If you apply coconut oil to your hair before washing, it can help reduce the damage that occurs when your hair is wet and during the washing process. How? It helps reduce the amount of water absorbed by the hair shaft, making it less prone to damage while it's wet.
2. Apply coconut oil to your hair after washing it to help make it softer and smoother.
Using coconut oil after washing your hair and before styling helps reduce the amount of friction caused by styling. It makes your hair less likely to break.
For maximum benefits, it's recommended to apply coconut oil both before and after washing your hair. This simple routine, which uses the two main benefits of coconut oil, will help you take control of your hair's health.