Coconut Oil for Dry Hair, Split Ends and Shine
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 11:35PM Lizzy Since my last post about major issues related to DHEA, and dry hair from hypothyroidism, I found some good info from the ladies on the Grow Hair Group on Yahoo. Namely a few people suggested Coconut Oil to help with dry hair. Naturally, being an over-eager experimenter, I ran out to Whole Foods, bought organic Coconut Oil, oiled my hair every day for a week, and now smell faintly like a piña colada. Certainly I can think of worse smells.
I must say the Coconut Oil has been amazing for my hair's dry split ends! Almost miraculous in one treatment. And I've found I don't really need another styling product or hair spray. So it's way cheaper than all the expensive hair care products I have in my bathroom. Used with my Chi Flat Iron (a good flat iron is a must have), my hair looks shiny again, instead of dry and brittle. (Insert cheer!)
Here are a few methods I've tried....
• Apply Coconut Oil to dry hair at night before bed. It's really not as oily as you would think. Sleep on it, and the next day wash/condition hair as usual.
• Wash/condition hair, dry but leave a little damp. No need for other products. Rub Coconut Oil on hands and work into the dry ends. A little goes a long way so I start slow, and avoid the roots, then flat iron for super shine.
• I am also experimenting with washing my hair less frequently to let the natural oils work. At first it seemed kind of icky, but the coconut oil does something so my hair doesn't really feel dirty. Very interesting.
• After reading a lot about shampoos, I've learned how harsh the detergents are on our hair. So I am just using baby shampoo which does seem to clean the hair nicely. Conditioners apparently are okay.
A word of caution: If you try Coconut Oil on your hair, avoid doing it for the first time before a big event or when you are in a rush. Your hair might turn out too oily, and then you'd have to shower/shampoo to wash it out. It's a little tricky finding the right amount which is why before bed is a great time to experiment.
Happy hair everyone!
xxoo
Lizzy
Reader Comments (5)
I finally tried this and I love the results! Truly, I don't think that I'll go back to using frizz ease or leave in conditioners; the shine, softness and de-frizzing I get from the coconut oil is ideal. I live in Florida and fine hair, but a fair amount of it. It tends to be oily at the roots but very dry a few inches out. I've found that shampooing with a sulfate free organic shampoo and conditioner (as sulfates alter hormones. I'm currently using Nature's Gate and Organix products) and following it with the coconut oil as you've suggested works wonders. It has that "fresh from the salon" feeling for several days-almost as if the oil repels the dirt and dust that the frizz ease and styling products attracted. And I agree; a little goes a very long way! But it's great for cooking too. There's a wonderful agave and coconut oil baklava recipe on Oprah's site, and if you Google coconut oil+ health you'll read about claims of many more health benefits. A wonderful find even for those people who don't have hypothyroid disease!
Hmmm...reminds me of that old SNL skit "it's a floor wax AND a dessert topping"! ;-)
Lol! So cool, glad to hear its working for you too! Coconut oil seems to have amazing health benefits! I also read on Stop the Thyroid Madness that a teaspoon of Coconut Oil a day may help speed up metabolism. I am going to try it, will share my findings.
xxoo
Lizzy
I know, I know! I'm everywhere today! But good on ya with the coconut!
Incredible stuff, really!
I have found a great coconut shampoo because I have naturally curly..sometimes frizzy hair. And when I tried DHEA a year ago it was a nightmare! My hair turned into African hair and not in a good way!
I have two African/Mexican daughters who have gorgeous hair!
No. This was nappy and breaking or a 6 inch bang turned into a 1/2 inch coil! it was INSANE! So, not knowing what in the world was wrong, I went searching for some good conditioning shampoo and found this!
http://www.amazon.com/Phyto-Phytojoba-Intense-Hydrating-Shampoo/dp/B003JCLOW4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1293581172&sr=8-2
AWESOME STUFF!
I've since stopped taking DHEA . For good.
Thanks Sue, I am ordering the shampoo right now. I will do a product review when it arrives.
I am new to "treating" my horrific symptoms although I"ve been dealing with said symptoms for years. Yesterday, I went to good ol Walmart and got some coconut oil..because I didn't really know what the difference in organic and the Louana brand and since I'm from a small town where there aren't many options for "exotic" ingredients..I got the Louana 100% coconut oil. I applied it to my unbearably brittle and disintegrating hair and slept that way, washing it in the morning. My hair is noticeably softer..not greasy and gooey like when you overdose it with too much stuff in a desperate attempt to infuse moisture, but most of it is soft to the touch and bends naturally, instead of having that stiff, straw, crunchy feel. I have some spots that are simply beyond help and need to be cut off, but I am hopeful that with continued use of coconut oil, I can salvage the newer hair that does manage to grow and stay attatched to my head. Thanks for the info about coconut oil..I never would have thought it would be ok to use on my hair. Sure beats the 7 different tubes of high end repair balms and creams I've been using with not much success.