It should be warm and melted to a liquid, but not scorching hot. Using the pads of your fingertips, massage the warm oil into your scalp, beginning at the crown and working your way down to the ends of your strands.
Coconut oil has many benefits for hair. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on most hair types. Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids that can improve hair health.
Coconut oil is packed full of saturated fats making it very stable, so melting or solidifying won't effect the integrity of the oil. It can sometimes go hard during cooler months or if left in the fridge, but there's no need to panic.
For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well it can dry hair.
"I recommend warming the coconut oil so it becomes liquified and rubbing it in your hands to lather on the ends of your hair. You want the coconut oil to be warm (not hot) to open the hair cuticles, which allows the molecules to penetrate the hair."
Applying coconut oil on hair after heating aids in moisturising your hair follicles and promoting healthy hair growth. Furthermore, it also helps prevent any unwanted buildup across the scalp. Heated coconut oil also contains necessary fatty acids and vitamins.
Smooth coconut oil onto hair and comb it through dry hair. Leave it on for at 15 to 30 minutes to let it absorb. Thoroughly wash hair with a great shampoo (you may need to shampoo twice to remove all of the oil) and conditioning as usual.
How to Apply a Coconut Oil Hair Mask. For a hair mask, you'll want to apply coconut oil to your hair before washing, being sure to shampoo, condition and thoroughly rinse out all oil after masking. (And yes, it will likely take an extra shampoo to get it all out!)
Moisturizing dry hair and scalp
Most oils sit on the surface of the hair, but research shows that coconut oil penetrates more deeply into the hair shaft, which may lead the hair to feel softer and smoother. The oil helps fill the hair shaft, making dry and damaged hair look healthier.
Coconut oil is unlike other vegetable oils and is very stable when heated. It will not create toxic byproducts. It has a smoking point of 350°F (177°C). No oil should ever be heated above its smoking point.
Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but will melt at around 76°F, so don't freak out if you notice a layer of clear liquid on top of your solid coconut oil—this is totally normal. In its solid form, coconut oil is a creamy, white color, but clarifies when exposed to high heat.
Don't panic, this process of liquefying then solidifying is perfectly fine and doesn't compromise the quality of the oil. We do recommend that you keep your jar in a cool dark place, but even the pantry seems to be fairly warm the last few days. If you wish to quickly cool the oil, you can pop the jar into the fridge.
Coconut oil can cause protein buildup for these hair types, blocking your hair from much-needed moisture which makes your hair even drier, stiffer, and less elastic. And less elasticity means more breakage when combing or styling.
The moment your hair is left to soak in oil for more than 12 hours, your scalp collects dirt and mixes with your scalp's natural oil. Leaving oil on your hair overnight can make it greasy and sticky, and it will also attract dust from your pillow and bed. As a result, it can lead to hair loss and other hair problems.
There are different ways to apply coconut oil - you can use it on wet or dry hair, using a small amount to tame your style or a large amount as a treatment. It can also be used on either washed or unwashed hair. Coconut oil is a good option when used pre-wash.
Oiling your hair 30 mins before shampoo.
Leave the oil for 30 minutes and then wash it off. While this may help only a little with your hair problems, it will definitely condition your hair and make it less frizzy. In Indian homes, oiling your hair is something you regularly do.
Is it bad to leave coconut oil in your hair overnight? No, putting coconut oil in your hair is not bad. Coconut oil stays in your hair and penetrates into the scalp and the shafts, making it stronger and luscious. Hence, it is always good to leave it overnight and then wash it off the next day.
Coconut Oil Isn't For Every Hair Type
For those of you with fine to medium hair, you might see great results from adding a coconut oil hair mask to your routine. However, for those of you with coarse or dry hair, with an abundance of protein, it may make your hair more brittle and lead to hair loss.
“Saturated fats, often found in meat and dairy products as well as coconut oil, can increase LDL levels in your blood,” says Dr. Russell. “This in turn increases your risk of heart disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke.” Eating foods that contain coconut oil can increase your risk for heart problems.
Hair breakage can be reduced, therefore meaning the hair can grow longer without breaking. If your hair is thinning or if your hair has become fine, coconut oil has helped people to reduce the speed of hair loss; it has been known to affect the hair shaft to have a positive effect on the loss of protein.
Can you leave coconut oil in your hair overnight? Although it might be tempting to put coconut oil into your hair before bed and sleep on it, you should avoid this. Coconut oil hair masks can clog hair follicles, make your hair greasy, and reduce growth. You can leave coconut oil in your hair for up to 30 minutes.
Melt down 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil and pour it into the bottle. Add around 3 drops of lavender oil. Add 1 cup of filtered/distilled water or rosewater. Add a lil splash of Vitamin E Oil if you've got any.
You can leave coconut oil on your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes. For maximum benefits, you may leave it overnight. Washing it off too early may not let the hair and scalp soak its benefits, and keeping it on for days may attract dirt and cause buildup and hair fall.
Lukewarm oil helps stimulate hair follicles so always make sure that you heat the oil before applying it. When oiling your hair, don't dump the liquid on your head.