Coconut Oil For Hair: What Are The Benefits?
Coconut Oil is a Powerful Moisturizer
Coconut oil is naturally rich in fatty acids. These compounds are powerful hydrating agents, which can supply your hair and scalp with long-lasting moisture. The high antioxidant content in coconut oil adds to the benefits of applying the oil to your hair as well.
However, it’s important to note that, as far as cosmetic oils go, coconut oil is fairly high on the comedogenic scale. This means that the oil has the potential to be pore-clogging for anyone with acne-prone or oily skin.
If you notice that coconut oil is causing breakouts when you apply it to your hair and scalp, it may be best to switch to a different moisturizing ingredient, such as argan oil or rosehip oil. These natural oils are much lower on the comedogenic scale, but offer the same moisturizing benefits that coconut oil has for your hair.
In many cases, using coconut oil to hydrate and nourish your hair will not cause skin problems. However, since some of the oil will inevitably end up on your forehead, neck, and other parts of your face after it is applied to your hair, it’s worth considering the possibility of breakouts.
If you struggle with acne, talk to your dermatologist about using coconut oil to moisturize your hair. They may be able to advise you regarding how your skin may react to comedogenic ingredients like coconut oil.
One of the best ways to moisturize your hair with coconut oil is by using the oil as a main ingredient in a leave-in conditioner. This form of conditioner is designed to be massaged into the hair and scalp, then left in (not rinsed out) as the hair air-dries. Using a coconut oil-based leave-in conditioner can help to hydrate your hair and lock in moisture all day.
In addition to using leave-in conditioner, you can also apply pure coconut oil to your hair. You only need to apply a small amount of coconut oil to your hair with each use, especially if your hair is shorter. You can typically use a dime-sized or quarter-sized amount of oil with each application, depending on the length of your hair. If your hair feels greasy after you apply coconut oil, try lowering the amount that you use.
The Bottom Line: You can use coconut oil to hydrate and nourish your hair, locking in moisture throughout the day. The oil can be used on its own or as an ingredient in hair products like leave-in conditioner.
Applying Coconut Oil May Relieve Scalp Irritation
Thanks to the natural hydrating power of coconut oil, the ingredient can be an effective remedy for dry scalp and scalp irritation in many cases. With its high fatty acid and antioxidant content, coconut oil can be an excellent source of relief if your scalp is dry, flaky, or irritated.
Dry scalp often develops as a result of weather changes, poorly-chosen hair products, and as a side effect of topical hair treatments like Rogaine. One of the best ways to get relief for dry scalp is by applying a natural oil like coconut oil to your hair and scalp each day. However, the oil that is best for you can depend on your skin type, hair type, and the severity of your dry scalp.
As you’ve learned, coconut oil is higher on the comedogenic scale than some other facial oils. This means that the oil might not be the best dry scalp treatment for everyone.
If you have oily, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, you may want to consider using a different oil to hydrate your hair and relieve dryness. Argan oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil are all lower on the comedogenic scale, and can be used on their own or as ingredients in hair products.
If you are dealing with scalp irritation or dryness as a result of using a topical hair loss prevention treatment, we highly recommend using argan oil to get relief. Argan oil is one of the powerful, all-natural hydrating ingredients in GroMD’s shampoo, conditioner, and follicle activator spray. We added this non-comedogenic oil to our products to moisturize and nourish your hair and scalp and to provide relief from the side effects of treatments like Rogaine.
In some cases, scalp irritation or dryness can be chronic. If you have tried multiple treatments and been unable to get relief, make sure to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. A healthcare professional may recommend that you try a prescription dry scalp remedy as opposed to over-the-counter treatments or natural products like coconut oil.
The Bottom Line: Coconut oil can sometimes help to reduce scalp irritation and dryness, but it’s not for everyone. Argan oil may be a better option for you if your skin is naturally oily or acne-prone.
Coconut Oil is Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that serve an important purpose for your hair – these molecules counteract free radical activity in your body. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons, which can harm your hair and skin cells by stealing electrons from them.
When your hair and skin cells are weakened, their production of the proteins that keep them healthy and strong can be compromised. As an excellent source of topical antioxidants, coconut oil can be a great addition to a well-rounded hair care and skincare regimen.
However, it’s important to note that applying coconut oil to your hair cannot directly impact free radical activity in your body. While the oil can supply your hair with important nutrients, it cannot cancel out the damaging effects of excessive free radical production.
To maintain strong, healthy hair and skin, you will need to take additional steps to maximize the antioxidant activity in your body. These steps include eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, wearing sunscreen, moderating alcohol consumption, and more.
Do GroMD Hair Products Include Coconut Oil?
Our hair products are designed to combat hair loss by inhibiting your body’s production of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the primary cause of androgenic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss in adults.
Our shampoo, conditioner, and follicle activator spray include a proprietary blend of DHT-blocking ingredients, all of which have been scientifically proven to reduce your body’s production of DHT.
Decreasing DHT production can help to get your hair’s growth cycle back on track. Excess DHT production can have a shrinking effect on your follicles, which can slow down your hair’s growth cycle and lead to shorter, thinner growth. Androgenic alopecia can also cause significant hair loss in certain parts of your head, which can be prevented, and sometimes even reversed, by using DHT-blocking ingredients.
Our proprietary blend of growth-boosting, DHT-blocking ingredients includes saw palmetto, biotin, caffeine, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed extract, and more. Our products also include argan oil, which, as you’ve learned in this post, is a non-comedogenic alternative to coconut oil. Instead of including coconut oil in our products, which has the potential to clog pores in individuals with acne-prone skin, we opted for the gentler argan oil instead.
While coconut oil may make a great addition to your hair care regimen, this natural ingredient is not necessarily the best choice for everyone’s hair. Because of this, GroMD products are instead made with non-irritating, non-comedogenic ingredients that offer the same hydrating, nourishing benefits as coconut oil.
To learn more about our growth-boosting products, visit our shop by clicking here!
Dr. Amir Yazdan, MD, is an internationally renowned hair transplant surgeon, expert guest on Dr. Phil and The Doctors, creator of the GroMD hair restoration product line, ISHRS member, accredited member of the IAHRS and a visceral advocate for patient care. Learn more about Dr. Yazdan or read rave reviews from his patients.Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080563/