Coconut Oil For Your Hair:

My Spring Hair Routine to Spring Clean My Hair: Coconut Oil Hair Mask & Deep Cleanse:

Summer is coming, so bring on the coconut & it’s amazing fragrance! Now is the time to repair your hair damaged by our drastic weather changes and winter dryness to prep and repair your hair for gorgeous Summer hair.

Coconut Oil has some AMAZING benefits for hair. It has vitamins A, B, E, K, and D, Iron, Calcium. Coconut oil is also rich in Essential medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) including Lauric Acid.

Using coconut Oil on your hair, such as doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil in your hair, is a great way to restore moisture to dry brittle hair, & repair damage in your hair after the dryness of coldness in Winter, eliminates frizz and can heal split ends. It makes hair super soft and glamorously shiny, & can stimulate hair growth.

doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil buy here: https://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?FuseAction=CategoryShop&CategoryID=7086

Why Use Coconut Oil for Hair?

Coconut oil is the richest natural source of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), special types of fatty acid with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that are very nourishing to the body. It is especially high in the C12 chain of MCFAs known as Lauric Acid.

Lauric acid is naturally occurring in breastmilk as well and is supportive of hormone health and cellular health. This beneficial property of coconut oil is also one of the reasons it can help prevent protein loss in hair (for some people).

Coconut oil helps the hair retain its natural protein, it can be helpful for those who lack enough natural protein in hair follicles. Studies have even confirmed coconut oil’s benefits for certain types of hair, but it isn’t for everyone! Typically, those with fine to medium shiny hair will see good results from coconut oil and notice stronger, shinier hair with more volume. Those with coarse or dry hair may not struggle with low protein at all and coconut oil may lead to more brittle hair and hair loss. These people may also benefit from other types of oil like argan oil.

Coconut oil’s structure allows it to penetrate hair in ways that other oils are not able to, which is why some people notice amazing results relatively quickly when using coconut oil for hair.

My Putting Coconut Oil on My Hair: 10am - 11am:

- Hair doesn’t have to be clean for this. So if you’ve had a lazy or depressed couple of days in COVID-19 without washing your hair, not to worry! Don’t stress!

- Take 100g of liquid doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil, or cold pressed SSM Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil which is more solid, but you melt it to liquid first inside the closed jar put in a saucepan of boiling water for 15 minutes. Primarily intended for use as a carrier oil, you could try my doTERRA’s Fractionated Coconut Oil: AUD$22.00 https\://www.mydoterra.com/ShoppingCart/index.cfm?FuseAction=CategoryShop&CategoryID=7086. (This is my first $paid Wellness Advocate affiliate link: I get $paid for this if you buy it, so please buy & try!). Please let me know how you go in the comments on my Facebook page: The Holy Oak & Gum Trees: https://m.facebook.com/holyoaktree/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3441994362531033&ref=bookmarks!

I used SSM Organic Coconut Oil which is cold pressed, raw, pure and naturally unrefined & unfractionated, this coconut oil passes USDA Organic quality standards - that’s unrefined for not chemically processed or with chemical additives, which is a GOOD raw & naturally unrefined that you should WANT. I put a few pictures of good organic brands to choose from. Make sure to pick a fine naturally organic & cold-pressed Extra Virgin coconut oil for best chemical-free quality. You don’t want pesticides or such chemicals or synthetics in your hair too!

- If the coconut oil has solidified in the jar as it does when in cold temperature or in the fridge, then stand the jar in a kitchen sink or bowl of boiling hot water to the top of the closed jar to melt the oil. DO NOT MICROWAVE OR HEAT THE COCONUT OIL IN A SAUCEPAN AS THIS WILL CHANGE ITS FORMULA & DIMINISH THE NUTRIENTS TO GO IN YOUR HAIR!! Take the jar of oil out when it has melted, and this should only take 15 mins or so.

- Coconut oil is most beneficial when used in small amounts to coat hair and reduce frizz and hair may not respond well to being coated in large amounts of coconut oil. So try to use no more than 100g for long hair, less if you have shorter hair.

- For best results, first try just rubbing a small amount of coconut oil between your hands to warm it up and then working through hair gently. This should help tame frizz and make hair smooth and shiny without the negative effects.

- Comb the coconut oil completely through your hair in the morning eg 10am or 11am. Massage scalp with your fingers to stimulate circulation blood flow which helps to stimulate hair growth. A good hairdressing massage technique is called effleurage scalp massage technique that professional hairdressers do while washing your hair, but if you can’t do that, there’s a couple of quick YouTube videos down below on how to do a DIY Scalp Massage, especially now in COVID-19 if you can’t get to a hairdresser.

- Wrap hair with coconut oil in glad wrap to trap the coconut oil mask, & enclose your hair. Leave on all day as desired, or take out and wash hair around 4pm.

- In the meantime, bask lazily on a couch or outdoors dreaming of being on a tropical island with a coconut palm tree filled beach drinking coconut water or coconut juice and relax. Or do as you would normally as your wrapped hair-do permits.

- Some people have put coconut oil on their hair at night and slept with it in their hair (see the YouTube video versions below if you want to try this method) or do it at this morning time as I do, but it’s up to you which is done. Personally, I don’t find sleeping like that very practical or comfortable, and maybe your boyfriend or husband might not find that fun either! I’d rather make a relaxing day of it putting the oil in my hair in the morning at 10am or 11am and wash it out at 4pm or 5pm, that’s just as many hours as sleeping overnight with the coconut oil in your hair.

Leave the Coconut Oil in for 4-5 hours:

- The coconut oil really only needs to be in your hair for no more than around three - four hours or so, and not necessarily slept with overnight. In fact too much oil or hair care treatments in your hair can cause problems with your hair’s sebum production. Sebum is a type of oil secreted by your sebaceous glands in your scalp. The oil in your hair is part of your body’s defence system for the sensitive hair of your scalp. Healthy hair produces a certain amount of sebum oil, as a way to hydrate your scalp and protect your hair. The amount of oil you produce varies depending on your hair type, your hygiene habits, and other lifestyle factors. If you put too much oil or product in your hair, your scalp overreacts and starts producing more sebum oil. Adding too much hair oils and products and rinsing your hair with just water or skipping the shampoo step and using only conditioner can allow oil and products to build up. Sometimes this natural oil can collect on your hair, especially at the roots on your scalp. This gives your hair a slick appearance that can make the hair look dull, lifeless, flatter and lose volume, that some people feel looks dirty and greasy. The oil in your hair is part of your body’s defence system for the sensitive hair of your scalp. This oil mixes with sweat and dirt, coating your scalp and sometimes the top of your head. This is normal and, for the most part, unavoidable. Practicing good hair hygiene by washing your scalp often and well with a shampoo cleanses the oil and gives your hair a fresh start. But some hair types are prone to oil buildup. Oil can build up to a visible level in less than a 24-hour time span. Sometimes intense exercise, overuse of hair products, or even going outside in excessive humidity or heat can trigger an oily hair day. Every time you wash your hair with shampoo, it sends the scalp the signal to produce more sebum, because washing the hair too much can strip the hair of too much protective sebum. So if you’re washing your hair too often, your scalp gets the message that it needs to be in oil production overdrive. This and too much oily hair care products can result in oily buildup on your scalp. Similar to brushing your hair, straightening your hair moves oil throughout your hair cuticle. Hair straighteners and other hot tools for hair also apply heat close to the root of your hair, which can trigger your subaceous and sweat glands.

- Some hair types are more prone to oily buildup than others. But there are plenty of home remedies, hair care products, and beauty routine swaps you can do to cut down on how oily your hair appears. Chances are, even if you feel like you’ve tried everything, there’s a trick or two that you don’t know about. Remember, oil is just part of the way your body protects your scalp, and there’s nothing dirty or wrong about a little oil buildup in your hair. If you’re concerned by how much you sweat or if your scalp is often irritated, speak to a hairdresser or dermatologist for some expert advice.

Washing 4pm or 5pm:

- As the coconut oil is oily in its own nature you may need a stronger deep cleansing shampoo to wash out the coconut oil. This is why you don’t need to wash your hair before putting the coconut oil on (so as not to wash your hair too often), and so this is why it’s a good opportunity for a more deep cleansing shampoo. I used 1 wash with Tresemme Deep Cleansing Cleanse & Replenish Shampoo as my first wash to wash out the coconut oil, which will be a salon quality deep cleansing shampoo without stripping any sebum oils from the scalp. Make sure you wash your hair rubbing your scalp thoroughly to wash out the coconut oil under very warm water (but hand-hot touchable so as not to burn the scalp!) to help melt any solidified coconut oil in your hair. At this point in washing out the oil, your shampoo might not lather as much, in your hair as your hair will be too oily from the coconut oil to let the shampoo create lather. This is why it’s best to follow this with a 2nd wash, this time you can use your usual shampoo required for your hair type, and this should allow the shampoo to fully lather up. My hair type is dry and frizz prone so I use Tresemme Salon Silk Smooth & Silky Shampoo, as my hair is sensitive and frizzes up even just after washing! Yet this IS a beautiful moisturising shampoo for me with Silk Proteins & Argan Oil that work other softening and strengthening wonders on my hair! Follow this with your matching conditioner, which I used Tresemme Salon Silk Smooth & Silky Conditioner, which you can leave in for a couple of extra minutes for maximum benefit, then rinse out the conditioner.

- Here you might like to add putting in your other favourite hair treatments (these are not $paid affiliate links or endorsements, but are just for recommendations!) eg Schwarzkopf Extra Care, Gliss, and Oil Nutritive Split-Ends treatments I use for no longer than 10-15 mins. I love the professional hairdressing quality of Schwarzkopf hair care products. Schwarzkopf Bonacure Hair Therapy is a great range too but a little more pricey. Lately Argan Oil Hair treatments are highly praised too for working wonders on the hair, with such brands as OgX, Muk.Spa Argan Oil Treatment or Mask, and Moroccan Argan Oil. Though you do not have to have this on for longer than 10-15 mins or as directed by the product, because the coconut oil will have done a lot of work already, and it might be too much oil and product for your hair type on this occasion. Rinse out the treatment product out of your hair as directed.

- Another best way to wash out the coconut oil of your hair is you can try following with a matching coconut shampoo and conditioner that could be a good idea for this coconut oil treatment and a good one is Clairol Natural Instincts Brilliant Shine Conditioner with coconut oil & Aloe Vera that can be left on for 2 minutes like a treatment. Or if you don’t have all-day time to have fun with this real all-natural raw coconut oil treatment, try enjoying coconut treatments with the OgX Coconut Miracle Oil Hair Care Range with Penetrating Oil, Hair Mask, Shampoo and Conditioner or OGX Coconut Milk Hair Care Range and use as directed (these are not $paid affiliate links or endorsements, but are just for recommendations!).

- Dry hair, and style or blow wave as preferred. Follow with any leave-in hair treatments as required (pictured, as these aren’t paid endorsements! (these are not $paid affiliate links or endorsements, but are just for recommendations! But I’m open to offers!). I use Schwarzkopf Normal Balance Keratin Serum Leave-In Treatment and John Freida Frizz Ease to strengthen my hair with keratin to minimise frizziness and split-ends.

- Voila to your new amazingly beautiful soft, deep cleansed and gorgeous hair!

Here’s some YouTube videos on this coconut oil treatment for more information:

Morgan Gregory, 2018, Coconut Oil Saved My Hair (my tips & advice) 1 September, 2018: https\://youtu.be/V7-2QAxh5iA

Jordan Anne, 2017, How I Apply Coconut Oil To My Hair - Updated, May 25, https\://youtu.be/hEdBGiUTsoU

Jordan Anne, 2017, The Coconut Project TRANSFORMATION!!! August 10, https\://youtu.be/_vGj3hLiltA

Annie Jaffrey, 2014, DIY Scalp Massage for Healthy Strong Hair! (Stimulates Growth & Conditions) Annie Jaffrey, March 4, https://youtu.be/C9LpfBEkF7s

SP System Professional, 2015, How To: Relax Head Massage - System Professional, December 16, https://youtu.be/FG5QpMrHiPI

Trendz & Style, 2017, How to do Hair Spa at home | Schwarzkopf Hair Spa | Trendz & Style | Ankita Bhowmick, July 10, https://youtu.be/0cuCi-pbZBM

Heidi, 2019, SCHWARZKOPF REPAIR RESCUE MASK : VIRGIN HAIR BACK??! UNSPONSORED TRUTH, April 7,

https://youtu.be/MQqQqOPhSDc

Heidi, 2019, HOW TO REPAIR BLEACHED DAMAGED HAIR ( 18 HAIR HACKS ), February 17, https://youtu.be/ZCfZgfw2Grc

Heidi, 2019, MOROCCANOIL RESTORATIVE HAIR MASK VS INTENSE HYDRATION: DRAMATICALLY STRONGER? #TreatmentTuesday, August 29, https://youtu.be/ku2B6bHITJQ

Heidi, 2019, MOROCCANOIL INTENSE HYDRATING HAIR MASK: BEST LUXURY HAIR MASK? UNSPONSORED #TreatmentTuesdays, July 10, https://youtu.be/f4JmxkhutaY

Heidi, 2020, THE TRUTH: DOES MOROCCANOIL TREATMENT HELP FIGHT FRIZZ? (QUICK OLAPLEX No 7 COMPARISON), May 20, https://youtu.be/UnLPx1011Gk

Heidi, 2019, BEST Hair Masks of 2019 ! � Ranking my TOP 5 Hair Masks, December 20, https://youtu.be/wDf59d4HSiY

Beautyklove, 2018, One Brand Hair Care Routine for Dry & Damaged Hair - Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue, April 30, https://youtu.be/M63DtZfbmZc

Alice Olivia Cross, 2018, How to Grow Long Healthy Hair Fast - My Hair Routine + Tips AliceOliviaC, August 9, https://youtu.be/EVnImsRvj0c

References and Further Reading:

Kathryn Watson, 2019, Why Is My Hair So Oily? Healthline, July 17, Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, https\://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/why-is-my-hair-so-oily

Katie Wells, 2016, Coconut Oil For Hair: Good or Bad? Wellness Mama, March 23 (updated May 22 2020), https\://wellnessmama.com/2162/coconut-oil-for-hair/