Is coconut oil the secret to healthier hair? Experts weigh in
Scalp disorders are very common. Dandruff, psoriasis, fungal infections, alopecia and several other conditions affect countless Americans every day. So it makes sense there are many solutions out there.
To treat one's scalp or hair that has been damaged by dye, combs, frequent touching, environmental elements, or infections introduced to the dark, warm environment atop most heads, many people turn to a host of beauty products. There's seemingly no end to the number of shampoos, soaps, chemical compounds, medications, body washes, ointments and other topical applications available.
But for those looking for a more natural approach, coconut oil is often their preferred choice.
What is coconut oil?
Coconut oil is the fatty, edible oil "that comes from coconut meat and milk," explains Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, a sports dietitian for the Kansas City Chiefs and founder of Active Eating Advice. The unrefined form of the oil, also called virgin coconut oil, comes from fresh coconut fruit − the white part of the coconut. The refined form of the oil is usually derived from dried coconut and is deodorized and bleached until it has a similar appearance and consistency as butter. "Coconut oil is 100% fat, mostly saturated, which gives it a firm texture at room temperature," says Perri Halperin, MS, RD, clinical nutrition coordinator at Mount Sinai Health System.
Though it contains no fiber, no cholesterol, and only traces of vitamins and minerals, coconut oil is also frequently used in cooking and as a digestive aid, in addition to its many uses as a topical application.
Think coconut oil is good for you? Here's what the experts are saying
Is coconut oil good for your hair?
The lauric acid in coconut oil has been shown nourish one's hair as it penetrates the cuticle of the hair, scalp and becomes absorbed. In such a capacity, "it can be an effective moisturizer for the hair," says Bonci. Coconut oil also provides a barrier to block heat, irritants and bacteria from causing damage to one's scalp and hair, and also "prevents damage and hair breakage when combing your hair," says Jennifer Koman, RD, LDN, dietitian at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Coconut oil is also sometimes used to improve volume or shine, but the experts recommend not getting carried away as applying too much may leave one's hair feeling greasy. And because coconut oil is a natural product with no additives, it's considered safe and rarely causes scalp irritation − though it can cause an allergic reaction in anyone allergic to coconuts.
It's also been shown to reduce symptoms of scalp psoriasis − an inflammatory skin condition that causes itching and flaking.
Does coconut oil help hair growth?
Uma Naidoo, MD, director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and the author of “This is Your Brain on Food," says that in hers and other South Asian and African cultures, coconut oil is thought to help with hair growth and is "frequently applied to the scalp with that purpose in mind." But she says robust science hasn't yet backed up the substance being used for hair growth. Still, she cites research that shows that at the very least coconut oil strengthens brittle hair and makes it healthier, longer, and thicker.
Beyond such benefits, additional research shows that coconut oil may also slow down hair loss because it is deeply absorbed. "One study showed virgin coconut oil prevented protein loss from the hair because it can penetrate the hair shaft unlike other oils," says Koman. But again, "this too needs more research."
More hair care tips: Googling how to get your tresses thickened? A primer on how to get thicker hair.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is coconut oil good for your hair? The answer may surprise you.