8 Unique Ways to Use Coconut Oil for Beautiful Hair

Coconut oil has amazing benefits for many aspects of our overall well-being.

Classified as a superfood, people are increasingly turning to coconut oil.

It treats and manages a host of health-related symptoms, boosts immunity, lowers the risk of heart disease, and replaces harmful ingredients in diets.

Coconut oil is also a very effective and affordable beauty treatment that can improve the look of your skin and hair.

A little coconut oil goes a long way in your hair, so just grab a jar of all-natural, extra-virgin coconut oil from your grocery store.

Then follow some simple steps for healthier-looking hair.

Here’re 8 ways to use coconut oil to improve your hair.

Coconut Oil as Detangle

Long hair (or even short, curly hair) can easily tangle, making it hard to run a comb through it.

Coconut oil is very effective at detangling.

You’ll Need:

• Small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• A hairbrush, comb or pick
• A jar of organic extra-virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

Place a small amount (a couple of fingertips should do just fine) in the smaller of the bowls, and place the smaller bowl inside the larger bowl.

Run hot water in the larger bowl — so that the smaller bowl is slightly floating, but not fully submerged.

Don’t allow water to seep into the smaller bowl.

Wait a few minutes until the coconut oil in the smaller bowl melts completely.

With your fingers, gently massage the melted coconut oil through the ends of your hair first,  then gently work your fingers toward your roots.

Once you’ve massaged it in fully, use your comb or brush to work out the tangles.

After the oil has soaked in, you can style your hair as you normally would.

There’s no need to wash out the coconut oil.

This treatment is very effective for parents to use on tender-headed kids, who hate to have their tangles combed out.

Coconut Oil and Hair Growth

Everyone who’s tried to grow their hair out knows that it can be a frustratingly long process, particularly after you’ve reached that “plateau” stage: it feels as if your hair has just stopped growing.

Good news – research shows that using coconut oil for hair growth is very effective.

It’s full of vitamins and fatty acids that can help hair grow longer and faster.

It nurtures your scalp and helps remove buildup from hair follicles that stunt hair growth.

This treatment is safe to use daily.

You’ll Need:

• A comb or brush
• A small towel or shower cap to wrap your hair in
• Two small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

Before going to bed, wash and condition your hair as usual. Don’t dry.

Place a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls.

Put the smaller bowl in the larger one, and run hot water into the larger bowl.

Then the smaller bowl with the oil floats, but it isn’t submerged and won’t fill with water.

As the coconut oil melts, pick through your hair with your comb to remove any tangles.

Then your hair is nice and smooth.

After the coconut oil melts, use your fingers to gently massage it into your scalp.

Once the oil is in your hair, wrap it in a towel and let it dry overnight.

There’s no need to wash out your hair in the morning.

Let it do its magic all day long!

Coconut Oil as Deep Conditioner

While there are many products on the market that promise to give you more complete conditioning, the oil in coconut is made of fatty acids that provide an outstanding, healthy conditioner.

And it’s not chemically laden or expensive.

It also can be used as a leave-in treatment, so your hair will get all-day conditioning that will help it look more nourished and shiny.

You’ll Need:

• Time (This treatment will take at least an hour or two. If you’re wondering how long to leave coconut oil in the hair, keep in mind that the longer it remains in it, the more effective it will be.)
• Two small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• A comb or brush
• Towel
• A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

Place a small amount of coconut oil into the smaller of the two bowls.

Put the smaller bowl in the larger one, and run hot water into the larger bowl.

Then the smaller bowl with the oil floats, but it isn’t submerged and won’t fill with water.

While you wait for your coconut oil to melt, wash your hair as you normally would and let it air-dry.

With your fingers, gently massage the coconut oil through your hair.

Then comb or brush through it, ensuring there are no tangles.

Once you’ve applied the oil in your hair, fully wrap it in a towel and allow the oil to keep soaking in.

While you’re waiting, you can watch a show you recorded or catch up on household chores.

Just keep your oiled hair wrapped in the towel.

After about an hour, shampoo to remove the oil.

If you’d like, after shampooing, massage a little oil in the ends of your hair to give it an extra boost of shine.

Then style as you normally would, and go about your day with a head of deeply conditioned, luxurious locks.

Coconut Oil and Dandruff

Most people abuse their hair by overusing shampoos that are full of chemicals, hot styling products, and colorants.

And of course, there are toxins in our everyday environment.

Any of these factors can damage your scalp, leading to an unsightly, itchy, flaky condition known as dandruff.

Applying coconut oil is an excellent method for preventing dandruff.

You’ll Need:

• Two small bowls of different sizes
• Comb or brush
• Towel
• Jar of extra-virgin coconut oil

Instructions:

Repeat the directions above regarding the bowls.

While you wait for the coconut oil to melt, wash and condition your hair as you normally would.

Slightly towel-dry your hair, and use a comb or brush to get rid of any tangles.

Using your fingers, gently massage the melted oil into your scalp.

Don’t wash out the oil. Just wrap your hair in a towel, and let it completely dry overnight.

Coconut Oil and Sun Damage

Prolonged exposure to UVA rays can leave hair looking thin, frizzy, and damaged.

It can also result in hair discoloration. So it’s important to protect your skin and your hair from the harmful effects of the sun.

A coconut oil treatment is an all-natural sunscreen for your hair, so before heading to the beach, take steps to shield your mane from the sun.

You’ll Need:

• Two small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• A comb or brush
• A jar of extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions:

Repeat the directions above regarding the bowls.

Once the coconut oil has melted, massage it throughout your hair.

Style as usual.

Coconut Oil as a Base for Hair Coloring

If you color your hair at home with all-natural hair coloring, coconut oil is good at preserving your color longer and giving it a more vibrant shine.

You’ll need:

• Comb or brush
• Two small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• Gloves
• A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil
• A bowl for coloring mixture
• Coloring herbs
• Towel

Instructions:

Repeat the directions above regarding the bowls.

Allow the coconut oil to completely melt.

Mix the coconut oil with your coloring herbs, and apply them as you normally would.

After the color has set (per the instructions that come with your coloring), shampoo with lukewarm water to remove oil and colorant.

Wrap your hair in a towel and allow to dry overnight, letting the colorant to fully set.

Coconut Oil and Lice Prevention

Lice are very common in elementary schools, and they’re unfortunately difficult and expensive to get rid of.

While pharmacies sell a number of lice treatments, they can be drying and damaging to all hair types.

Coconut oil can help protect your hair and allow you to fully comb through it.

Then you can more effectively remove lice and nits.

You’ll need:

• Two small bowls (of slightly different sizes)
• A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil
• A towel
• A comb or hair pick specifically designed for the removal of lice

Instructions:

Repeat the directions above regarding the bowls.

Allow the coconut oil to fully melt.

Wash your hair with an all-natural shampoo specifically formulated to kill lice.

While your hair is still wet, massage an ample amount of coconut oil throughout your hair.

Pay special attention to your scalp, where nits and lice live.

Carefully and thoroughly comb through your hair.

Wrap your hair in a towel, and let it dry overnight.

Coconut Oil for Daily Shine

Coconut oil is packed with nutrients and Vitamin D, which gives your hair a healthy shine.

Make a DIY spritz to spray on your hair (wet or dry) daily for extra luster.

It’s much better for your hair than many hair oils on the market, most of which are tested on animals.

You’ll Need:

• An empty spray bottle
• A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil
• Water

Instructions:

Fill the spray bottle with very warm water.

Add a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil.

Allow the oil to melt completely.

Shake well, and lightly spray it all over your hair.

Leave it in all morning for all-day shine.

(Tip: you can also add a few drops of rosemary essential oil to the same spray bottle to help strengthen your hair.)

Conclusion

Coconut oil for hair is rapidly catching on as the go-to, all-natural product that can give you soft, glossy manageable hair every day — without spending a fortune on commercial products that deliver mixed results.

As you can see, you have to invest some time, but you can’t beat the price.

A jar of extra-virgin coconut oil will typically cost less than $10.

And it’ll go a long way, particularly since such a small amount is required for any of the hair treatments listed above.

A few tips:

• Don’t microwave your coconut oil. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of burning your scalp. Let it melt naturally, as described above.

• Make certain the oil you buy is all-natural extra-virgin. Don’t use an extract on your hair.

• Generally speaking, coconut oil is safe and effective for almost all hair types. But people who have allergic reactions to coconut should steer clear of applying the oil to their hair.

• If you already use an all-natural shampoo that contains coconut oil, it’s fine to add more oil to that shampoo bottle for even better results.

• Coconut oil is largely safe for all ages.

• It’s fine to use coconut oil in your hair every day, but most people are pleased with the results they see after using it only two or three times per week.

Despite the many benefits of coconut oil for hair, it won’t be as effective if you’re using other products that can be harmful.

So pay close attention to the ingredients in the products you’re using, and limit your use of heat-styling products.