Benefits of using coconut oil in hair care regimen

Remember how our grandmoms used to make coconut oil massages an absolute must in our weekly hair care routine? Well, this wonder oil has held a spot not just in our kitchens, but also in our beauty care regimen. And now, even the western world has been embracing it – several celebrities vouch for its multi-faceted benefits.

Varsha Nair, a senior hairstylist with a multi-chain salon brand, says, “Coconut oil has often been used by women as a hair care product. It’s beneficial in reducing protein loss in hair and gives it that healthy shine. While some oil their hair every day, others use it before shampooing.” Talking about how studies have documented benefits of this versatile oil, she says, “When you use a lot of grooming products on your hair, it can damage the cuticles, leading to loss of fibrous proteins. To figure out which oil worked best to prevent this damage, researchers measured the protein loss in hair after such treatments and the effect of various oils in preventing much damage. They found coconut oil was better equipped to strengthen the hair shafts.”

While almond oil, olive oil, argan oil and jojoba oil equally have great benefits for hair, Varsha Murthy, a certified hair stylist, says, “Coconut oil is easily affordable, and available. Apart from adding shine, it also moisturizes your hair and controls fizz.”

While stylists and experts vouch for the benefits of coconut oil, our celebrities are not behind. Tamannaah has admitted to using a mix of coconut oil and onion juice to reduce hair fall, and Deepika Padukone has said she uses it for regular oiling and head massage. Kareena Kapoor Khan is believed to use coconut oil, castor oil, almond oil or olive oil at least once a month for a good hair massage. Anushka Shetty, too, uses olive oil, castor oil, coconut oil and mustard oil regularly for massages. Nayanthara and Shruti Haasan reportedly use this desi oil in their hair care routine. In the west, too, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kourtney Kardashian, Mindy Kaling, Miranda Kerr and Emma Stone have admitted to using coconut oil.