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Coconut Oil and Curly Hair: What’s The 411?

coconut oil for curly hair

Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in modern times for its versatility and amazing benefits. Coconut oil can be used in cooking as a healthier fat alternative, on your body as a smooth moisturizer, and in your hair as a nourishing product - more specifically, those with curly or textured hair have been raving about this natural substance performing better than chemical products. Read more below to find out if coconut oil can help your curly mane!

What is Coconut Oil?

Like the name insinuates, coconut oil is derived from coconuts! Specifically, coconuts that grow on the coconut palm. The coconut oil is obtained by removing the hard outer shell of the coconut and pressing the white flesh of the coconut to reap its oil. Coconut oil is known to be extremely rich in natural fatty acids, which makes it an amazing moisturizing product. 

Unlike other oils, coconut oil is able to penetrate deep into the hair shaft. Other oils can be less effective, as they just sit atop your hair’s surface. Coconut oil has been a wonder for the curly hair community because it naturally helps to add moisture and heal the hair cuticle. Regular use of coconut oil on curly hair also helps to increase shine and manageability, and decrease tangles & frizz.

How to Use Coconut Oil for Curly Hair

Those with curlier hair are prone to having drier hair. Thus, unlocking the market of the thousands of chemical products aimed to prevent frizziness and brittleness in curly hair. But what if there was a product that was 100% natural and could boost your strands tenfold in terms of nourishment and shininess? Say hello to coconut oil. 

You may find that chemical products found online and drugstores don’t always deliver on their claims or that your hair actually ends up becoming more damaged over time from the harsh ingredients. Coconut oil is the opposite. Coconut oil in its purest form has no other additives, which makes it an amazing hair product for those whose hair is sensitive to chemical ingredients.

The Coconut Oil Routine

Coconut oil can be used as either a leave-in treatment or a deep conditioning mask. Regardless of what method you choose, please note that less is more! As with many other hair care products, you don’t always need to slather handfuls of product onto your head. Generally, a tablespoon or so is just enough. Excess coconut oil can actually have a reverse effect on those with coarser hair; if you apply too much, you could actually cause accelerated hair loss or shedding

Coconut oil is generally found in its solid form. In order to warm it up and achieve a liquid texture, simply allow the heat from rubbing your palms together to melt the coconut oil fat. We recommend doing this in the shower so that the heat/steam from the water will not only aid in melting the oil, but also allow your hair follicles to open up (which means better hair absorption), as well as easier clean up!

There are so many different ways to use coconut oil for curly hair. From frizzy hair prevention, deep conditioning, tangle prevention, dandruff control, and so forth. If you are using coconut oil as a deep conditioning hair mask, massage the coconut oil all over your head and allow it to sit on your strands for 15-30 minutes as you proceed with your shower routine, then simply wash out the excess after. If you are using coconut oil as a leave-in product, apply a minimal amount of liquid coconut oil to your fingers, and finger brush throughout your head (root to tip). As with any hair product, make sure you are properly cleansing your scalp and strands from time to time. You do not want to cause build-up! Other than that, your result should be smooth and shiny curls! 

Not Everyone's Hair Is the Same

While we are highlighting the great natural benefits that coconut oil has, please bear in mind that we all have different hair needs. What works incredibly well for one person, could be not as impactful on someone else’s hair. It is important to differentiate your specific hair needs, as well as your hair type to ensure you are providing the best products for yourself. 

Conclusion 

We hope this blog makes you consider all of the great varying benefits that coconut oil has. It is truly an all-natural wonder ingredient that is great for not only food and skin, but curly hair as well! Consider our tips above on how you can incorporate coconut oil to your hair routine.

Luscious hair is something we all aim for, and there are always other actions that you can take to promote healthier hair. For instance, the Revela Hair Revival Serum is clinically tested solution for women experiencing hair loss or thinning, and the first that directly targets hair follicles to promote a healthy scalp. The serum is free of hormones, toxins, parabens, and gluten, and is cruelty-free. Try Revela's Hair Revival Serum to see fuller, thicker-looking hair in as little as 6-8 weeks.

Profile photo for Enzo Benfanti

Reviewed by: Enzo Benfanti, MEng

Enzo is a chemical engineer and data enthusiast with a background in industrial chemicals. His previous experience is in developing catalysts and designing industrial chemical processes to produce the precursors to detergents, polyester fibers, and other specialty materials. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo [Go Bills!] and his master's degree from Columbia University, both in chemical engineering.

Written by: Revela Editorial Team

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