Coconut oil isn't just for cooking -- it's packed with benefits for your scalp and hair. Many store-bought hair products contain coconut oil, but they might also be filled with ingredients you don't want or need. A few dabs of pure coconut oil will soothe your scalp for just pennies per treatment.
Benefits for Hair and Scalp
If you have a dry, itchy scalp, coconut oil can help. The oil moisturizes skin and may help correct redness and irritation. Coconut oil soothes scalp conditions, including dandruff and cradle cap, an issue commonly seen in babies. Its antibacterial properties may ward off folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles. Coconut oil can also fight fungal infections, such as ringworm of the scalp. Daily washing strips hair of its sebum, which can lead to dry, frizzy locks. Coconut oil acts as a protective barrier between washes so hair stays soft and silky.
Make a Coconut-Oil Treatment
To make your own scalp treatment, put 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil in a small bowl. The amount of oil to use depends on the length of your hair. Microwave the oil for 30 seconds. Stir well, then heat a few seconds more until the oil has melted fully. Let the oil cool a bit, then massage it into your scalp and the roots of your hair. Use a plastic comb to work the oil through your hair. Wrap your tresses in a towel or shower cap, then let the oil soak in for two hours. Finish by shampooing as usual.