The Beauty Brains tackles another interesting question! Check it out:
CYW asks:
Is using coconut oil as a pre-poo or a leave in after shampoo/cond going to benefit my hair the most?
The Right Brain responds:
We’ve blogged before about how coconut oil is effective at treating hair damage. That’s because it’s one of the relatively few oils that are able to penetrate deep into the hair. Coconut oil is special because it has the right combination of molecular size and shape (it’s small and has straight line structure that allows it to slip into hair) and the right chemical structure (it’s derived from lauric acid which has an affinity for protein.) So while most conditioning oils (like silicones and mineral oil) just sit on top of that hair, coconut oil is literally able to work from the inside.
What’s the best way to apply coconut oil?
One of the best studies we’ve seen on this subject was conducted in India is in 2002. Researchers found that coconut oil reduces damage both as a pre-wash and post grooming treatment. However, results showed it worked better as a pre-wash which makes sense since that’s when a lot of mechanical damage occurs during the washing and drying process.
Does this sound too good to be true? Well there is a slight catch, at least based on the methodology used in this particular test. The coconut oil was applied to hair and allowed to soak in for 14 hours (overnight). Despite the usage instructions for many regular conditioners you don’t have to let those sit on your hair for very long. However, if you want good penetration (and who doesn’t?) you have to allow coconut oil to soak into your hair for quite some time. Maybe 14 hours isn’t the magic number but that’s the timeframe that researchers used in this study.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
We wouldn’t want to over emphasize the results of any single study, however, based on the research we’ve seen you should apply coconut oil to your hair at night before going to sleep. In the morning wash it out and you should see significantly less damage.
Ladies, how do you incorporate coconut oil into your regimen?
How do or can I use coconut oil in my 3 yr old daughter hair which is very thick? After wash the apply? Or when dry? Do I apply it to her scalp & ends?
Yes you can use coconut oil on your three year old. Apply the oil after a good shampoo. Apply to the scalp and massage in throughout the air. You will know when to wash it out. Be Blessed!
I’d say listen to the article above and apply before shampooing. I would apply it to her before dinner and then wash out during her bath after dinner/before bed.
Hi, to everybody using coconut oil – how do you stop it wrecking your pillow cases? I love the oil but it seeps through everything!
Thanks xXx
use a plastic cap and bonnet?
One way is to reduce the amount of the oil you are using. Apply the oil in the mornings. By night fall, you will find that much of the oil has penetrated the scalp. Wash you face and behind your ears before bed. If need be wrap the hair in a scarf or bonnet. In the morning rinse and re apply when needed.
Try not to use to much.even tho u are using a little all over your hair it will still grow your hair. If u still using a lot wrap your hair twice before going to bed
I was using it as a sealant on my hair. It doesn’t really give your hair any shine, but it seals pretty well. I’ve started using vegetable oil and I am noticing the difference in shine. I still use coconut oil on my body though and I’m definitely going to try the pretreat thing. Besides, Indian women have VERY long shiny hair and they swear by it. :)
I am really crazy about Aragan or Argin oil for shine. The oil really picks up the highlights in your hair. A small amount goes a long way.
That’s very nice post.I think that post was very much needed! Thank you so much for it :)
I just stumbled onto your blog and I LOVE IT(i’m a white girl who is devoted to natural hair care) I have 4 year old daughter of mixed race and this blog gives me hope for naturally caring for her hair. I have never had to care for hair other than my low maintenance straight locks (and i only recently decided to care that they exists). her hair is so curly and i won’t cut it no matter what other ppl tell me i always tell them “i know there are black woman with long hair who don’t use chemicals! (i just have to find one)” thankyou so much for your blog!
As a leave in you can try mixing melted & cooled, liquid coconut oil with aloe vera juice from health food store (1:1 or 1:2). Starting at the nape of neck, take small sections, spritz with water then smooth from root to tip. Dip 2 fingers in coconut aloe mix and smooth it into the section gently. Twist the section into a 2-stranded twist and repeat for entire head. You may want to watch YouTube videos on washing, conditioning, twisting, styling natural hair. You might like rhassoul clay from mountainroseherbs.com instead of shampoo/deep conditioner. I love it & have only heard good things.
When I hear people rave about coconut oil and how it helps their skin and hair, it makes me want to cry. I live in Nigeria, and I have lots of coconuts. I extract my own coconut oil. If there was a thing like extra, extra, virgin coconut oil, that will be it. However, I literally throw away coconut oil. I extract to make my soap and throw away what is left. No tactic I have employed has ever left me with moisturised hair from coconut oil. It is completely to each her own. I overlooked peanut oil(indeed I could never have thought about it) untill I completely ran out of options. Then I extracted my peanut oil, raw. My hair has never been happier! It leaves a soft powdery feel to my hair. Coconut oil has lauric acid which is a drying agent. Why it works for some people I do not know. It dries my hair, my skin, causes my skin to itch, clogs my pores. Oh coconut oil! Why do I love thee so and thou hatest me so?
Hi Mne! I live in Nigeria too, and getting coconut oil to buy is a chore!what state do you live in?would you be open to selling to me? thanks and God bless.
hi i live in nigeria too,and make my own coconut oil.so if u’re interested to buy,send me am email via this add.ritorio.cherie@hotmail.com
Do we have to wash out the coconut oil? I have a very dry scalp, especially since its winter, but in Texas the weather is bipolar, but even without the weather my hair is dry.
I know this response is a little late, but I never wash out my coconut oil unless I’m actually washing my hair. I use it as my hair moisturizer, period.
I braid my own hair and use coconut oil for moisture every day twice day, I leave in until I wash it.
I just started using coconut oil as a pre-poo treatment, and I love it! This is going to be a permanent addition to my Natural Hair regimen, and for me to commit to a product/oil permanently, that’s a HUGE, BIG DEAL!
Signed a self-proclaimed Product Junkie! lol
This was very helpful…thanks. However, Is there anything wrong with putting coconut oil in your hair and leaving it in
for days without washing it out?
After leaving the coconut oil in your hair overnight, then rinsing it out and shampooing it in the morning, do you need to condition it still? or will the coconut oil be conditioning enough?
Pls what can I use on my daughter’s hair the back is going bald but the front is full and thick,she is black,I live in Nigeria and I use jojoba oil on her hair
try castor oil,it really does work a lot.
I leave it on my hair as maintenance and use it as needed in between my retwist. I have micro-locs.
I found a miracle for my hair!!I will never stop using coconut oil on my hair ever!!
It is a miracle product but there are a few out there! I gave up on it a year ago because it made my hair hard. I tried a few different ways to use it recently and came up with the magic results people rave about. My hair is sensitive to protein so I have to mix it with other products & use small amounts or simply pre shampoo with it. It makes a noticeable difference by thickening & strengthening my fine, cottony coils. The least expensive natural product seem to work better than the expensive brand named items. I wish I had figured that our a year ago.
Coconut oil and castor oil for hair and jojoba for skin!Thats my choise :) I get all my oils and beauty products on iherb.Com You can also use reward code ZQL811 and checkout and get $10 discount on your first purchase.Check it out girls ;)
So is it okay that I apply the oil to my hair for overnight use, then wash it out and put my normal mouse, gel, and leave in conditioner products the next morning? And is it still effective if I only do this treatment once a week?
Also, does your hair have to be clean to put it in or can you put the oil in at night and just shower and style in the morning?
This was copy and pasted straight from Curly Nikki. Smh.
if using as a pre conditioner like the article says(should you just massage in a table spoon into your hair with or without water ,should your hair be dry or wet when you do it) ,if your a guy would you still leave it in over night ,then wash out in morning,
but is it better to not use any conditioner or grease afterwards just shampoo in morning and be done with it
Like extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil is a great oil to keep in your home.online buy pure coconut oil Based in Oxfordshire, Eden of Essence provide pure organic extra virgin coconut oil to a range of wholesalers and health food shops across the UK. Buy online or call 0800 458 2928.