If you suffer from frizzy, damaged hair after relaxing treatments then you might want to consider some coconut oil benefits for your relaxed hair! Coconut oil is a natural oil that helps restore and maintain healthy hair. Also, it contains fatty acids that can help to smooth and soften hair, improving overall hair texture.
Coconut oil is an excellent and versatile oil that provides numerous benefits for your relaxed hair. Its ability to moisturize, nourish, and strengthen hair helps reduce frizz, soothe the scalp, and prevent breakage. Additionally, it protects your hair from UV damage and promotes healthy hair growth. In this blog post, we explore some coconut oil benefits, especially for relaxed hair.
So How is Coconut Oil Processed?
Coconut oil is typically made by extracting the oil from the “meat” of mature coconuts. The most common method of extraction is either through a process called “cold pressing” or “expeller pressing”— which involves using a machine to mechanically press the oil out of the coconut meat. The result is a pure, natural oil with a mild coconut flavor and aroma. It can be used for cooking, baking, skincare, and many other applications.
Listed below are the general steps involved in making coconut oil:
- Harvesting: Coconuts are harvested when they are mature, which is typically around 10-12 months after planting.
- Shelling: The outer fibrous husk of the coconut is removed, and the hard shell is cracked open to reveal the white meat inside.
- Drying: The coconut meat is either dried in the sun or in a dehydrating machine until the moisture content is reduced to around 10%.
- Grinding: The dried coconut meat is then ground into small pieces or flakes.
- Pressing: The ground coconut meat is then placed into an expeller press or hydraulic press, where the oil is squeezed out of the meat under high pressure. The oil and coconut milk are separated, typically using centrifugation.
- Filtering: The oil is filtered to remove any remaining impurities or solids.
- Refining (optional): Some coconut oils undergo a refining process, which involves bleaching and deodorizing the oil to remove any remaining impurities and to improve its flavor and shelf life.
Please note that expeller-pressed oils are slightly different from cold-pressed oils. While the expeller-pressed method uses a mechanical process of extracting at high pressure and heat, the cold-pressed method uses a heat-controlled temperature usually below 122ºF degrees.
5 Incredible Coconut Oil Benefits for Relaxed Hair
1. Moisturizes and Nourishes Hair
One of the biggest benefits of coconut oil for relaxed hair is its ability to moisturize and nourish hair strands. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which has a low molecular weight and can penetrate the hair shaft easily, providing deep hydration. Regular use of coconut oil on relaxed hair can help prevent breakage and split ends and promote healthy hair growth.
2. Coconut Oil Benefits: Strengthens Hair
Coconut oil can also help strengthen hair by preventing protein loss. Protein loss can occur from using harsh hair products and heat styling, which can lead to weak, brittle hair. Coconut oil can help protect the hair shaft from damage and keep the hair strong and healthy.
3. Reduces Frizz and Improves Shine
Relaxed hair is prone to frizz, which can be difficult to manage. One of the great benefits of coconut oil is that it helps tame frizz and improve hair shine by smoothing the hair cuticle. The oil’s fatty acids can coat the hair shaft, reducing friction and static electricity, resulting in softer, smoother hair that is less prone to tangles and knots.
4. Coconut Oil Benefits for Relaxed Hair: Soothes Scalp
Coconut oil has natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that can help soothe an itchy scalp and prevent dandruff. When massaged into the scalp, coconut oil can also improve blood circulation, which can promote hair growth.
5. Protects Hair from UV Damage:
UV rays from the sun can cause damage to the hair, making it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Coconut oil can help protect hair from UV damage by forming a barrier that can prevent moisture loss and keep hair healthy and shiny.
Coconut Oil Benefits for Relaxed Hair: Ways to Incorporate in Your Hair Care Routine
There are loads of coconut oil benefits for relaxed hair, especially when used properly in your hair care routine. Using coconut oil on relaxed hair is easy and can be incorporated into your hair care routine. Remember to always choose high-quality, organic, cold-pressed coconut oil and warm it up before use for the best results. Here are some simple steps to follow to use coconut oil for healthy strands:
- Pre-shampoo Treatment: Apply coconut oil to your hair before shampooing to help protect your hair from damage and breakage.
- Deep Conditioning Treatment: Rub coconut oil into your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes or more before washing it out to help restore moisture and shine to your hair.
- As a Hair Oil: Use coconut oil as a natural hair oil to help control frizz and add shine to your hair.
- A Detangler: Use a small amount of coconut oil to help detangle your hair and make it easier to comb through.
- Hot Oil Treatments: Coconut oil is a great choice for a hot oil treatment for relaxed hair because it can deeply penetrate the hair shaft, providing intense hydration and nourishment. The heat from the treatment helps to open up the hair cuticles, allowing the oil to penetrate even further. This can help to reduce breakage, increase hair strength, and promote healthy hair growth.
Try incorporating these coconut oil treatments into your hair care routine and see the difference for yourself!
Coconut Oil Mixed with Conditioner for Healthy Relaxed Hair Strands
Do you know you can mix coconut oil with your conditioner to use on your relaxed hair? Using coconut oil and conditioner together is a great way to give your hair extra hydration and nourishment. By doing this regularly, you can keep your relaxed hair healthy and strong. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a high-quality conditioner: Choose a conditioner that is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones. This will ensure that your hair is getting the best possible nourishment and hydration.
- Warm up the coconut oil: Place the desired amount of coconut oil in a bowl and heat a bit by placing the bowl in warm water or using a microwave for a few seconds.
- Mix the oil with your conditioner: Add the coconut oil to your conditioner and mix using a spoon or a whisk.
- Apply the mixture to your hair: Apply the coconut oil and conditioner mixture to your hair, focusing on the ends. Leave the mixture on your hair for at least 10-15 minutes or a little longer. You can wear a plastic shower cap for deeper conditioning.
- Rinse out the mixture: After leaving the mixture on your hair for the desired time, rinse it out with warm water. You may need to rinse your hair twice to ensure that all the mixture is removed.
- Style your hair as usual: Allow your hair to air dry or use a blow dryer on low heat. Then style your hair as usual.
In conclusion, there are numerous coconut oil benefits for relaxed hair. Furthermore, using coconut oil is a simple yet effective way to maintain healthy, hydrated strands. Incorporating it into your hair care routine helps prevent breakage, reduce frizz, and promote healthy hair growth.
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