For many years coconut oil had a negative image, but after further research, it is now one of the most versatile and sought after oils on the market today. The coconut palm (also known as cocos nucifera) is grown in popular warm climates such as Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Thailand, Hawaii, and more.
Asian and other cultures have been using coconut oil for thousands of years. They eat with it, cook with it, bathe or shower with it, and use it for health reasons on a daily basis. They process it from the naturally grown coconut palm. They have healthy and beautiful hair and skin because they use coconut oil as a natural resource.
It is an oil that breaks down slowly and resists going rancid and has a long shelf life (even up to about two years without spoiling or oxidizing). It has a sweet, refreshing aroma with a high melting point of 76 degrees Fahrenheit. It also contains lauric acid, which is a good saturated fatty acid.
It also contains small amounts of vitamin E, which is good for hair growth, hair healing, and hail loss. It is also beneficial for the hair by keeping it hydrated, adding strength and shine to the hair shaft. There are many types, but only a few can be used on your hair to be effective and keep your hair healthy.
Some types of coconut oil are listed below.
1. Crude, pure, unrefined or virgin oil is made from the meat of fresh raw coconut. It can be ingested depending on the process. This type is also used to make coconut milk and has a different way of processing. Unrefined or virgin oil is best used for hair and scalp because no chemicals are used to process it.
2. Refined oil is generally used for cooking and baking and is processed using the dried meat of the coconut.
3. Organic oil is grown in organic soil. No pesticides or chemicals are used. This oil is used in organic products for ingestion and external use.
4. Fractionated Coconut Oil is good for cooking, as a moisturizer in beauty products like lotion, soap, or shampoo. It is also used as a carrier oil because it is easily absorbed into the skin.
5. Hydrogenated coconut oil is chemically processed and should be avoided because it is changed during processing and is unhealthy for the body due to the fats that are changed or transformed.
Coconut oil for hair can be applied directly to the hair shaft, scalp, hair roots, or hair ends. Whether you use it for a particular part of the hair or for general hair health, it is an enriching additive to improve your hair.
