The benefits of coconut oil for hair and skin

Coconut oil is full of healthy saturated fats and offers a distinctive and delicious taste making it a beloved ingredient in many foods. In recent years however, many people have also begun to celebrate the wide and varied cosmetic benefits coconut oil offers. Due to its antimicrobial properties, coconut oil has natural anti-fungal properties making it an important aid for a number of skin issues, such as acne and athletes foot. What’s more, due to its naturally hydrating properties, the oil can be used as a moisturizer and is effective at reducing dryness.

The benefits of coconut oil for hair are well-documented and varied. While it may seem counter-intuitive to apply oil directly to the hair, it doesn’t not have the heavy and greasy effect you may think: instead it naturally strengthens, cleanses and smooths the hair. Comprised of medium-chain fatty acids, the oil from coconuts is able to penetrate much more deeply into the hair shaft than other substances. As such, it can provide much needed moisture to dry hair and help strengthen the cuticle to help prevent split ends.

Different ways to use coconut oil for hair

There are a number of different ways to use coconut oil for hair. The most popular are:

• As a deep conditioning hair mask
• As a detangler
• To help fight dandruff

For anyone looking to use coconut oil for a hair mask the process is quite simple. Follow these tips for a deep and hydrating experience.

1. For cosmetic use, it’s best to pick a virgin coconut oil that has been cold pressed. This will best ensure it is packed full of the healthy nutrients your hair craves.
2. Wash your hair first to ensure it is totally clean and let it dry completely before getting started.
3. Take a small amount of coconut oil, about the size of a tablespoon, and rub it between your hands to warm it up to a liquid state.
4. Gently massage through the tips and middle section of your hair using your fingers. Try not to let too much sit on the scalp and this can block the pores.
5. Wrap your hair in a warm towel and let it sit for up to thirty minutes.
6. To wash out, use a clarifying shampoo.

 
When you shouldn’t use coconut oil for hair

The very things that make coconut oil so well suited as a treatment for some types of hair, can equally make it have more damaging effects on others. The high concentration of lauric acid that naturally occurs in coconut oil helps it to reduce protein-loss from hair strands. For hair that is very fine and benefits from added strength, this is a huge asset. However, if your hair is coarse and comprised of thick individual strands, using coconut oil for hair treatments could prove counterproductive: rather than smoothing the strands, the oil can create a protein buildup, exacerbating their stiffness.

A great alternative to coconut oil for hair is a weightless smoothing oil or serum that seals the cuticle without weighing the strands down. Try out the GLISS Oil Nutritive Weightless Oil to achieve light-as-a-feather frizz-fighting that also leaves hair feeling soft and shiny.

From Schwarzkopf.com

I myself, wash my own hair every day. No matter how hard I try to find a shampoo that will keep my hair fresh, I have to put it in a ponytail on the second day after washing or use a dry shampoo.

Many people think that if they wash their hair daily, it will get dirty faster. However, in reality, the skin on the head and hair suffer more from dirt at the hair roots, than from it frequently being washed. Skin oil, dirt, and dust that accumulate daily on the head, clog pores, which means hair gets fewer nutrients.
​
You can try using deep cleansing shampoos for oily hair once a month. Men’s shampoos also help perfectly in these cases.

Let me clarify this from the beginning: cutting your hair won’t help (I have a couple of clients who visited me to shorten their hair, thinking they lose it due to gravity). As a rule, the seasonal loss of hair happens by itself. Our task is to not worsen the situation, but to try to decrease the loss with the help of the right treatment.
​

• Make up for your lack of vitamins through your diet.
• Don’t use thermal hair masks (especially ones made with pepper and mustard). The issue can worsen due to their irritating effect.
• Strengthen your hair’s roots with the help of special tonics, oils, and ampules that help fight hair loss (make sure to consult a trichologist). A shampoo against losing hair won’t help — it can’t penetrate the skin on the head and affect the roots.
• Massage the head and neck skin. It increases blood flow and affects hair growth positively.
• Do a physiotherapy course with a d’Arsonval apparatus at a beauty salon or with a trichologist.

It can happen due to incorrect care or bad habits. For example, I often roll my hair around my fingers and end up getting knots in my hair and split ends.

However, the most frequent reason for tangled hair is its dryness. Hair consists of a core and a shell similar to a tile. When the top layer dries, the flakes that are tightly adjacent to each other open and cling to each other, forming knots. In order to prevent it, you need to do moisturizing masks more often and use special sprays that can be applied right after washing and on dry hair during the day.

Thin hair is more prone to getting tangled. People with thin hair should be more careful about choosing their shampoo — it should carefully clean your hair and not over dry it. It’s better to choose shampoos with the following ingredients in their composition: sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, сocamidopropyl betaine, lauryl glucosid, and decyl glucoside.⠀

Hair Botox is often mistaken with Keratin Straightening, but it’s a completely different procedure. Its effect is aimed at hair “restoration.” Why do I use quotation marks? Because you can’t restore your hair’s health with this method. You’ll only temporarily fill the damaged areas inside the hair, improve its look, and get rid of tangles.

Even if you get hot hair Botox from a master, it’s likely that they will burn your hair. Some hairdressers mistakenly use the same temperature of a hair strengthener — both for natural hair and for weak blonde curls.
​
Moreover, hair Botox gets rinsed out after a month or 2. The hair goes back to its initial look and the person has to go to the salon again. By the way, the average price for this procedure is about $50 — and you can buy a lot of high-quality hair care products for this amount of money and treat it well.

If there a white coating inside your faucets and teapots, it means that the water you are using is hard. You actually get this same coating on your hair. Salts from calcium and magnesium gradually accumulate on your hair, and curls become lifeless and brittle. At the same time, dandruff, as well as an increased risk for eczema, may appear on your overdried scalp.

Hard water is harmful to colored hair — it quickly washes out the color and even the brightest cold blonde will turn yellow really fast. Hair clogged with salts is worse for coloring too, it is more difficult to lighten it and give it a cool shade.

How one can solve this issue:

• install a filter on the shower or tap
• wash your hair with boiled water
• use nourishing and moisturizing balms and hair masks

When buying shampoo, many people pay attention to the “natural” composition, but few of us know what SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) is. The constant use of sulfates can cause irritation, dryness, itchiness, the development of allergic reactions, and hair loss. These substances make our wonderful curls have less body because they perfectly remove not only contamination from the hair, but also the natural protective barrier of the skin.

I often hear these words from my clients, “I use only sulfate shampoo and can’t start using a different one because I instantly get dandruff and itchiness.” This happens because the skin of your head has gotten used to aggressive components. Try using a deep-cleaning shampoo, wash your head with the new product several times, and everything will be OK.
​
Here are the components that don’t harm your hair:

• Lauryl glucoside (coconut glucose product)
• Decyl glucoside (made from corn starch and coconut oil)
• Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (made from coconut oil)
• Sucrose laurate and sodium lauroyl sarcosinate

Never ever go to bed with wet hair. Even if you are very tired, dry it a little at least. Otherwise, you won’t be able to style your hair in the morning or give it the necessary volume at the roots. Once your hair dries in a certain way while you sleep, there is nothing you will be able to change about it in the morning.

Moreover, wet hair is the perfect environment for various bacteria and microorganisms. You might end up getting dandruff, itchiness, or other scalp issues.

Pat your hair dry after washing, but don’t rub it and don’t wrap it — it is too sensitive and brittle for that. It’s better to start blow-drying your hair with cold air — because it’s less harmful. If you feel too tired and don’t want to do anything with your hair, you can use a special spray to help it dry quickly.

I would like to bust several myths about men’s balding heads and perhaps increase someone’s self-esteem.

• Myth # 1: Baldness can be cured with ointments, creams, and folk remedies. In reality, there are very few remedies that really work and they should only be prescribed by a doctor. These remedies are not used to make the bald areas grow hair again, they are used to stop hair loss.
• Myth # 2: A hair transplant will certainly help. There is no guarantee that this hair will stay with you forever. After some time, it can fall out anyway.
• Myth # 3: You don’t need to watch your hairdo and spend money on haircuts. Bald men shave their heads once every 5-7 days. Those who have a perfectly bald head do it every 3 days or do a laser epilation. Apart from that, they have to use special products to moisturize the skin on their head.

Now let’s talk about the advantages of having a bald head. This head visually makes a man bigger and more massive. That’s why many bodybuilders shave their heads or get short haircuts. In addition, a man with a bald head will always look stylish and this hairdo will go with any look.

​My neighbor called me crying and asked me to come to her place to correct her color. I took my magical hairdresser’s supply kit and rushed to her. Turned out, she visited some beauty salon and asked them to do something called root stretching. (Root stretching is a technique we do to blend out the natural root color. We do this by painting on the color first as though we’re doing a normal root touch up, then we weave out sections of the hair like Balayage to “stretch” the root color around a quarter, or even halfway down the hair shaft.) I was taken aback when I saw what was done to her hair in the salon: her root area was lighter and then she had these red stains and dark ends.
​
I made a decision to remove the stains, to give her hair a more natural shade, and to color the roots well. Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done, but at least we managed to get rid of the stains and she can leave the house now without being embarrassed. My client is happy, she loves everything.

If I’m being completely honest, it’s taken me literal years to learn how to air-dry my hair. It wasn’t until I accepted the fact that successful air drying requires a cocktail of products (lol, trust me when I say those “air-dry creams” won’t actually give you Selena Gomez–worthy waves on their own) plus a handful of techniques (there’s way more scrunching, gliding, twisting, and smoothing than you’d think), that I was finally able to air-dry my straight-ish, poofy-ish hair at home.
​
Why is why I can genuinely say that learning to air-dry your hair isn’t, in fact, an impossible task, as long as you (a) take your time—which, like, what else are you doing right now?—and (b) follow the right equation for your exact hair texture. And to help you, I rounded up the easiest ways to air-dry everything from straight, fine hair to coarse coils, along with the exact products you need on your team. So put down the hot tools, pour yourself a glass (or three) of wine, and prepare to come out of quarantine with your air-dry routine on lock.

In theory, naturally wavy hair should be one of the easiest textures to air-dry, but thanks to the fact that not all waves are created equally (@ my super-puffy and undefined-as-hell waves—if you can even call them that), the process definitely calls for a little technique. Here’s what you’ll need:

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

• Step 1: The more moisture in your hair, the more defined your natural waves will look, so use a lightweight, hydrating shampoo and conditioner filled with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or aloe.
• Step 2: Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb, wrap it in a towel for five minutes, then shake it out and let it air-dry for another 15. When it’s still damp, mist on a salt spray to build up some body and grit. (Mist is your key word here. Spritzing too much will just make your hair stiff and crunchy).
• Step 3: Once your waves are fully dry, rub a quarter-size dollop of styling cream between your fingers, then begin twisting your waves in two-inch sections, working from your ears to the ends, for extra definition and shine.

If you usually rely on a blow-dryer to give your fine, flat hair tons of lift and volume, you’ll love how easy this air-dry routine is. Prepare to get mega volume without all the heat damage:
​
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

• Step 1: After cleansing with a volumizing shampoo (look for lightweight, strengthening ingredients like keratin or biotin, nothing oil-based!), follow with a conditioner just on your ends. Read: Keep. That. Sh*t. Off. Your. Roots.
• Step 2: Air-dry your hair for about 20 minutes or until your roots and ends are almost dry. Mist on a volumizing spray—less is always more, here—that’s spiked with polymers that help build volume and hold (aka the secret to getting hella volume without heat).
• Step 3: Once your hair is 100 percent dry, prepare for a little magic: Lift up three-inch sections and sprinkle a super-fine styling powder (lighter than dry shampoo, stickier than hairspray) underneath along your roots for big-time texture and lift.

You know those soft, bendy waves you always see on your Instagram feed? Yeah, you don’t need a flatiron or hair dryer to re-create them—just follow these tricks and air-dry some movement into your straight hair:
​
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

• Step 1: K, this is going to sound weird, but you need to reverse your in-shower routine. Start with conditioner, then follow with a super-gentle shampoo—it’ll help remove any weight from your conditioner without losing the moisture.
• Step 2: Give your hair a quick towel dry—don’t be afraid to muss it up—then scrunch in a puff of wave-enhancing mousse, tightly twisting one-inch sections of hair, from roots to ends, until your head is covered in twists. Leave ’em alone (no touching, pls) until they’re totally dry.
• Step 3: Shake out your twists using your fingers, rub a dab of matte pomade over your hands, and gently twirl and rake through the bottom few inches of your hair for a piece-y lewk. Finish by tossing your hair back and forth a few times to help it settle naturally.

Saw palmetto is a popular herbal remedy. Some people use it to reverse or prevent hair loss, but there is not yet enough scientific evidence to confirm that it is effective.

Serenoa repens, or saw palmetto, is a small palm tree that grows in the United States. Saw palmetto is native to the West Indies, and Native Americans have used it as a healing plant for some time.

In this article, we examine the research into saw palmetto and hair loss. We also explain how to use saw palmetto and discuss other possible remedies for hair loss.

Does it Work?

To date, scientific research on saw palmetto for hair loss remains limited. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is not enough scientific evidence to support people using saw palmetto for any health condition.

However, some researchers have looked into saw palmetto and hair loss.

According to a 2012 study, saw palmetto might inhibit an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. A medication called finasteride (Proscar) uses this mechanism to treat hair loss in males. By inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, finasteride blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, which is the hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss.

Saw palmetto may also have anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which could offer protection from some causes of hair loss.

In a small 2002 study, researchers gave 10 males with androgenetic alopecia a supplement that contained both saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol. The researchers noted improvements in 6 of the 10 males. As this study was very small, additional research is necessary to support these findings.

In a 2012 study, researchers enrolled 100 males with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia. Over 2 years, one group took 320 milligrams (mg) of saw palmetto each day, while the other group received 1 mg of finasteride daily.

In the end, 38% of those who took saw palmetto had an improvement in their hair loss, compared with 68% of those who took finasteride. This finding suggests that both treatments had an effect but that finasteride was more effective. The researchers also noted that the more severe the hair loss, the less likely saw palmetto was to work.

While smaller studies have shown that saw palmetto might have promise as a treatment for hair loss, there is a need for additional, larger scale studies.

How to use saw palmetto

Saw palmetto is available in a variety of preparations, including oral supplements and hair care products, such as shampoos and conditioners. As researchers have not proven that saw palmetto prevents or treats hair loss, there is no official recommended dosage.

An article in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery cites a recommended dosage of 160 mg twice daily in the form of tablets. Researchers have also used this dosage in a clinical trial setting.

There is no extra guidance on how to use saw palmetto, such as whether to take it with or without food.

Side effectsSaw palmetto does not usually cause significant side effects. The most common side effects are headaches and stomach upset.

According to the NCCIH, research has not shown that saw palmetto interacts with any medications. However, it is still a good idea for people to talk to their doctor before taking saw palmetto in case new information about interactions becomes available.

Another concern for males taking saw palmetto is that the supplement can reduce levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). One article notes that levels of PSA may decrease by 50% after 6–12 months of taking saw palmetto. Doctors test PSA levels during prostate cancer screening, so saw palmetto could make these tests less accurate.

Other remedies for hair loss

A person’s diet can have an important effect on keeping the skin and hair healthy. Specific foods can help promote the growth of the hair and improve its strength and volume. These foods include eggs, Brazil nuts, and fatty fish.

The American Academy of Dermatology advise people to ensure that they get enough of certain nutrients in their diet. These include protein and iron, which the body uses to build strong, healthy hair. Eating too few calories may also affect the growth and health of the hair.

Learn about the best foods for hair growth here.

Few studies have looked into other home remedies for hair loss. However, there is some evidence to suggest that scalp massage and aromatherapy may help.

Like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. A 2014 study found that males who took 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil daily for 24 weeks had an average hair count increase of 40%. However, more research is necessary before researchers can determine the effectiveness of this supplement.

Many doctors will recommend making lifestyle changes relating to hair care. In some people, these steps may help prevent further hair loss:

• washing and conditioning the hair using gentle and moisturizing products
• refraining from using hot oil treatments, chemical straighteners, chemical relaxers, and heat styling products, such as flat irons, hot combs, and curling irons
• limiting the use of a hair dryer and only using the lowest setting possible
• avoiding adopting hairstyles that pull the hair back tightly — including buns, pigtails, cornrows, or braids — because the twisting and pulling can lead to hair loss
• brushing the hair as gently as possible

Summary

Saw palmetto is a supplement that may help the hair grow. However, the current evidence to support the use of this treatment is limited, and official bodies do not recommend it.

Saw palmetto has few side effects, so some people may wish to try taking it despite the lack of evidence. People can buy saw palmetto supplements online.

This supplement can affect PSA levels, so people should always tell their doctor when they take this supplement.
 
From MedicalNewsToday

Banana Mask for Hair Growth
For those of you in a “grow-out” phase with your hairstyle, you’re going to want to give this Banana Mask a try. It takes only four simple ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp of olive oil
• 4 drops of lavender oil (optional, for fragrance)

When you’re ready, mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and apply to wet hair. The mask should sit on your hair for about 10-15 minutes. One critical thing to remember with this one is DO NOT rinse with warm/hot water unless you want cooked eggs in your hair. The banana will moisturize, the egg gives your hair protein, and the oil helps fight the frizz. I can’t wait to give this one a try, and since I love lavender oil, this one’s at the top of my list.

Coconut Oil Mask for Shiny Hair
If super shiny, lustrous locks are what you’re after, then this DIY hair mask is the one for you. It uses just three ingredients you most likely have in your cupboard right now:

• 2 tbsp of coconut oil
• 2 tbsp of honey
• 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

The coconut oil is a natural detangler and promotes hair growth. It works best on dry hair as it can make your hair feel oily if you use too much or are naturally prone to oily hair. No need to wet your hair for this one. Just melt the coconut oil and honey together in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add the vinegar and stir, making sure it cools down so it’s warm to the touch. Then, apply to your hair with a brush and let it sit for about 20 minutes. To remove, rinse with shampoo and warm water.

Aloe Vera Dry Scalp Care Mask
Some of you may be like me and suffer from time to time with a dry, flaky scalp. I find this even more true on day two (2) after I’ve washed my hair. If this sounds like you, then you can use this DIY recipe from to fight those dry, itchy spots. The recipe includes:

• 100 ml of aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp of turmeric
• 4 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 7 drops of tea tree oil

Did you know aloe vera is a natural antifungal agent? It sure is. It can help relieve your itchy scalp that leads to dandruff. The turmeric helps give your hair strength and can stimulate blood circulation in your scalp, helping your hair follicles stay healthy. Finally, the rosemary and tea tree oils provide regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties that are great for a dry scalp.

The “Grease Release” Oat Mask
After a long week of self-isolation, nothing feels better than some self-pampering with this DIY, all-natural oat mask for your hair. Simply combine:

• 1/8 cup of milk
• 1 tsp of almond oil
• 1/4 cup of oats

Put the ingredients together in a blender or food processor and mix until they form a paste. Put the paste on your scalp and hair for 15 minutes for a mask that helps your hair release its natural oily build-up. Rinse and wash for a fresh, clean feeling.

Avocado Nourishing Hair Mask
Avocados are one of my all-time favorite foods to eat, and, now, I have another reason to love them. This super simple DIY hair mask uses this superfood for a whole new purpose. Use these ingredients:

• 1 avocado
• 1 cup of yogurt
• 2 tbsp of olive oil

You’ll want to mash the avocado in a small bowl until there are no lumps, then add the yogurt and oil to the mix to form the mask. Smooth the mixture on your hair and scalp and leave in place for 30 minutes to get the full benefit of this rich mask. When done, you can wash with shampoo and rinse to remove all remnants of the mask. Your hair will love it.

Mayonnaise Wonder Treatment for Dry Hair
I’m all about simplicity, and it doesn’t get any simpler than this one-ingredient wonder of a hair mask treatment that includes:

• 1 cup of mayonnaise, drugstore or homemade

All you have to do is apply the one (1) cup (or less if you have short hair) of mayo of your choice to your dampened hair starting at your scalp and working all the way to the ends. Leave the mask on your hair for 20 minutes then wash thoroughly for glossy, healthy-looking hair. Applying this DIY hair mask once a week can make a world of difference to dry, damaged hair. If you want a deeper treatment, you can apply the mayo to your dry hair, wrap with a warm towel and relax for 20 minutes, then rinse.

Yogurt Mask for Color-Treated Hair
This luxurious and silky smooth mask is the perfect way to give your color-treated or chemically damaged hair a pick-me-up. According to hair gurus, you’ll need:

• 4 tbsp of plain curd or yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp of olive oil

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Apply the mask to your hair, starting at your scalp and massaging to your ends for about five (5) minutes. If you have long hair, pile it up into a bun and put it under a shower cap, letting the mask soak for about an hour. Then, rinse and shampoo. After just one treatment, your hair should feel soft and supple.

Honeyed Coffee Scalp and Hair Mask
This DIY hair mask is a gem! The three (3) ingredients you’ll need are:

• 1 tbsp of coffee powder
• 1 tbsp of honey
• 1 tbsp of olive oil

Mix all three of the above ingredients to form a rich paste that you apply to your scalp and leave in place for an hour. Then rinse and shampoo for silky, smooth hair and an energized scalp. But remember, coffee can be used as a semi-permanent hair dye for brown-colored hair, so try this one in a small area first to make sure it has the results you are seeking.

I hope you find one of the above DIY hair mask recipes to your liking. By taking a little time to pamper yourself, you’ll feel and look great whether you’re in self-isolation or preparing for when we can all be together again. In the meantime, stay safe and find joy in the little things, my friends.

​This helpful information is from The Right Hairstyles