Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
Coconut Oil For Hair
I am 100% vegetarian and about 75% vegan. The extra 25% accounts for the fact that I have a really hard time giving up cheese and eggs when I am in Mexico. I’m trying!!
The realization…
About a year ago, I began to be mindful of what I was putting on and inside of my body. I remember when I went vegetarian the first time, I lasted about 5 months before I got really really sick. I took meat out of my diet but I wasn’t replacing it with anything else. I knew chemicals were bad for me, but I didn’t know how to replace them. I challenged myself to test and find one new recipe a week to help me replace a products with unnatural ingredients in it, and I decided to start with my hair. Have you heard the little nugget “If you can’t pronounce the ingredient, stay away from it”? Yea, I was finding those all over my hair products (and everywhere else, for that matter!). I have long black hair and I’m sort of proud of it, so I decided to start doing my best to enjoy it now before it all turns silver.
I will admit that my first attempts at homemade shampoo were horrible– I smelled like rotten eggs and yogurt. But let’s talk about my deep conditioning instead, since it has been a much better success story.
The recipe is simple- coconut oil. But if you have a common hair issue, you can add a few drops of essential oils.
For stimulated hair growth: Basil, Lavender, Peppermint or Rosemary
For oily hair: Basil, Lemon, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree Oil
For dry hair: Peppermint
For dry scalp: Cedarwood, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Rose, Sage, Sandalwood, Tea Tree Oil
For Hair Loss: Burdock, Cedarwood, Jojoba, Thyme
For extra shine: Chamomile, Lavender
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warm extra virgin coconut oil
- essential oils, optional
Directions
- Warm a jar of extra virgin coconut oil by placing it in hot water.
- Pour a half a cup of coconut oil into a cup. You will not use all of it. Save what is left.
- Drape a towel around your shoulders to keep the oil off your clothing.
- Gently comb the oil through DRY hair with your fingers, paying lose attention to your ends.
- Your hair should look wet, but should not be dripping oil.
- Cover your head with a damp, hot towel, and leave on your head for about an hour (less if you don’t have time, but more if you do!).
- *During this time, feel free to shave with TICO* so you are doing TWO wonderful things for your body!
- Rinse hair and shampoo as normal. For long or thick hair, you may want to wash twice.
- You can also use your normal conditioner, though I don’t after using coconut oil.
- If your hair still seems oily after 2 washings, use a handful of cornstarch. (I have not had an issue with this, but I know some people have.)
- Dry and style as normal.
The Result
I am currently working in Cozumel, near the ocean, so my hair gets very dry. I use this treatment twice a week, and it works well for me. I would love to hear how you like this treatment, and how often you use it. Do you add any of the essential oils? Have you seen a difference in your hair’s color, texture, shine, or strength? Do you have any tips or questions to add? Leave them in the comments below! We love to hear from our readers!