For women, and men, hair loss is something very hard to deal with. As we grow older, we notice that our hair is thinner where we want it to be thick, and thicker where we want it to vanish! You may have noticed your eyebrows have started to thin too. Before you panic, there are some great natural ways along with PRP for hair loss that you can keep your hair youthful for longer, and even encourage regrowth if you have started to lose your hair.
Using Coconut Oil to Strengthen Hair
There have been loads of fad fruits and diets that claim to help us with our beauty regime; it can be confusing to know which to believe and which to ignore. But if you are suffering from thinning hair and you want to avoid getting a hair transplant then Coconuts might be the answer you have been looking for. In the last couple of years, coconut oil has gained a reputation as a hair growth agent. Of course, there are other oils which we have been excited about when it comes to hair growth. Olive oil and castor oil have both been used by people in the past, with a variety of results. However we think Coconut oil is the real deal, let’s have a little look at why.
Coconut oil has been used as a hair treatment and conditioner for a very long time, in fact, it has quite an impressive historical track record. Most commonly it was used in modern developing countries such as India. In the countries where coconut is easily grown and where processed products are not so widely available, coconut produce was a great example of resourcefulness and people experimented with what it could do.
Naturally high in fatty acids, the coconut is only surpassed in these essential fats by canola and avocado. Not considered a good staple for regular consumption, the natural acids, and fatty properties could be beneficial. It is the properties found naturally in the coconut that shampoo and conditioner companies try to mimic. Which seems silly, when they are readily available!
The natural acid in coconut oil will penetrate through oil build-up on the scalp. This penetrative quality, along with the antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities that acids have in general, is a good sign of maintaining cleanliness. While you may think that putting oil on your hair will have the opposite effect, making it greasy and cumbersome, the qualities in it have the opposite effect and can strip toxins and dirt from root to tip!
How Coconut Oil works to Repair the Hair
Oil lubricates. This means it is a fantastic way of soothing the abrasive damage caused by brushing. If you use it regularly, then you will find your hair begins to repair itself. Which will give you a fantastic light feel and fewer split ends? Coconut oil wraps around the hair at the scalp and into the root, preserving proteins and retaining moisture. More proteins in the hair follicle make a stronger hair shaft. Moisture in the shaft keeps it flexible and less prone to breakage. It is also fantastic for your skin, for the same reasons.
It is the way it works in your hair follicles that make it so good for encouraging hair regrowth. The vitamins in the oil will work with your body to replenish your cells. This means your hair will naturally start to grow back. You can see the difference if you use it on your eyebrows. The hair grows in places that you never thought it would; you will have a fuller, bushier natural brow. It also helps lengthen your eyelashes too. You just need to massage it on for a few minutes every morning and evening.
Using Coconut Oil as a Pre-wash/Post-wash Conditioner
In a study from 2003, “coconut oil performed better as a pre-wash rather than a post-wash conditioner.” Why? The oil prevented friction, which kept the hair cuticle cells from swelling. Swollen cuticle cells in hair break when brushed or combed. So you are better to use coconut oil to wash your hair and not to as a conditioner, which again might seem a little strange!
The results will vary by hair type. The previously-mentioned study was only conducted on hair from individuals of Indian descent. Those with coarser or drier hair may not need the extra protein that coconut oil traps. Thinner oils, like argan oil, might be a better fit for some of the beauty recommendations we have added. However, for regrowth reasons, it is by far the superior.
You cannot use too much of it. Just like with many other nature-based health and beauty “secrets,” usually the secret is to use it sparingly. If you cake it on, you will inevitably do more harm than good. Another issue with coconut oil is that It can interact with other products. Coconut oil has specific properties that when used with hair products that have a lot of chemicals could spell trouble. Just like when you start a new medication, you need to check how it can react to what you are already taken.
Of course, using the oil topically isn’t the only way to help improve your hair loss situation. The more omega three fatty acids and Vitamin E you add to the diet, the more your cells will thank you. This will mean your eyes, nails, skin, and hair will all improve. So while it is great to use it on the skin, try feeding your skin from the inside and see if that helps too.
If you are going through therapy that may lead to hair loss, such as cancer treatment, then you could try to use coconut oil before you see any hair loss. Ask the doctor to ensure there are no reasons that you shouldn’t try it. You may also find a cold cap helps to reduce the number of healthy cells which are killed during treatment.
If you’re looking for a beauty boost of the natural variety, coconut oil may be a good fit for you. Just remember, with any new product – even natural – there are risks so talk to your doctor and your dermatologist before going ahead and using it as your next big remedy!
