Coconut oil benefits for hair

Coconut oil is extracted from the coconut and retains many beneficial ingredients.

If youve ever had itchy, dry scalp or damaged hair, you know that treating your hair is a top priority. There are many treatments available for scalp and hair, but what if you want to take a more natural route? What are the benefits of coconut oil for your hair and scalp?

Coconut oil is extracted from the coconut and retains many beneficial ingredients. With a mild and sweet taste, coconut oil has natural properties that are helpful for your skin. Dermatologists often recommend coconut oil for its moisturizing and possible anti-aging properties.

Fat content. Coconut oil doesn have a high concentration of vitamins or minerals. It has a 100% fat content, with 80% to 90% of that content being saturated fat.

This type of fat is a "bad" fat for your diet, but it gives coconut oil firmness not found in other oils. In fact, coconut oil is solid at room temperature, and it begins to melt at around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fatty acids. Lauric acid makes up 47% of the fatty acids in coconut oil. When ingested, lauric acid can contribute to bad cholesterol levels in your bloodstream. When applied to your skin, lauric acid has antimicrobial properties.

If you have an open wound, coconut oil helps to kill bacteria, preventing them from causing further damage.

How Does Coconut Oil Improve Hair and Scalp?

Provides a barrier. Even though coconut oil doesn have a high nutrient content that provides specific benefits when applied topically, it does protect your scalp and hair.

For the scalp, the barrier created by coconut oil blocks bacteria and irritants from causing more damage. Youll want to determine the cause of your scalp condition or breakage so you can prevent it in the future.

Moisturizes. The lauric acid in coconut oil has nourishing properties that are especially prone to soak into the strands of your hair. Coconut oil absorbs into your hair quickly, providing moisture to tame frizz and heal breakage.