Easy Coconut Oil Hair Treatment

I can always count on my grandma to be honest - careful with her words, but definitely honest. While visiting her last weekend she told me my hair looked dull. I realized that earlier that same weekend, my mom also made an attempt at telling me this, but was a little less direct. I appreciated the feedback and will not deny my grandmother’s observation was correct. I do, however, know why my hair was looking so drab. Up until a few months ago, I was a daily shampooer - like an addict. I realize now how much damage that was causing my hair - thinning, shedding, stripping of oils. But the amount of oil my scalp was producing required a daily wash, which is exactly what was causing the excessive oil production to begin with. It’s a vicious cycle.

After testing different methods and hunting for the perfect dry shampoo (that’s another post, altogether), I entered a brand new phase in my life in which I only wash my hair every 3 or so days. By day 3 of my wash cycle, I require some dry shampoo, and the dullness my grandmother was referring to was likely the dry shampoo I had just applied an hour before, it being cycle day 3.

Even knowing the cause for the dullness, I took her words to heart. The woman is 80 years old and doesn’t look a day over 70. She takes serious care of herself so her comment struck a chord. That same night I tried my first coconut oil treatment, per the advice of one of my favorite beauty bloggers (and beauty editor at Cosmo for Latinas!), Milly Almodovar Thomson of Beauty Logic Blog (follow her Instagram for tons of great tips @beautylogicblog). All the treatment requires is about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, a tad bit melted so it’s easier to work with, and a plastic shower cap. See below:

I started with a small amount of the coconut oil and applied it to the tips of my hair with my fingers and worked my way upward. I also worked the oil in between my fingers and combed my hands through my hair until I reached my scalp, being less generous up top. Side note: if you actually happen to have dandruff, a thorough coconut oil scalp massage is supposed to work wonders. I initially thought 2 tablespoons wouldn’t  be enough because I have such long hair, but it ended up being the perfect amount. Once my hair was fully coated, I picked it up into a braid and coiled it into a bun at the top of my head. Shower cap went over that, followed by a towel for some extra heat. I slept in it and the following morning, shampooed the oil out. Twice is supposed to do the trick, but because I used to have such naturally oily hair, paranoia set in and I shampooed three times. In retrospect, I overdid it. For my next treatment, I’m definitely going with two washes, but even at that, I still noticed a huge difference.

My hair was easier to style and was noticeably softer and shiner. I was very happy with the results and found it really difficult to not touch my hair all day. I went through my full 3-day cycle and my hair remained shiny throughout, even after dry shampoo. And after the following wash, I still noticed increased shine in my hair. Milly does weekly treatments, and it’s advised not to do more than that to avoid excessively oily hair. I’m starting with biweekly treatments and depending on results, I will work my way up or down from there. I’ll report back soon!