The benefit of using coconut oil on your hair

Hair follows a specific growth cycle with three phases:

1. Anagen – This is the growth phase. The longer a hair remains in the Anagen phase the longer it will grow – this depends on genetics but it can last 2-6 years.
   
2. Catagen – This is a transitional phase that hair goes into once Anagen phase has ended. The hair follicle will shrink, the papilla detaches and the hair is no longer attached to its ‘life supply’ of nutrients. Hair is no longer growing.
   
3. Telogen – Also known as the resting phase. The follicle remains dormant and the hair will be anchored in place. Depending on the strength of the follicle, it will eventually soften and the hair will eventually break free and shed.
   

The phases run simultaneously so some hairs on your head will be in the Anagen phase and others in Telogen. For each hair strand, the Anagen phase should start again once the Telogen phase is complete, but some people may experience a longer Telogen phase meaning hair is shedding but no new hair is growing. This may result in thinning of the hair, so what we want to do is effectively ‘jump-start’ the Anagen phase and encourage the growth phase to begin.
Hot water strips the hair of moisture and weakens hair strands making it more perceptible to breakage.

Make sure you are washing your hair with lukewarm water and not hot water. You want to open the hair cuticles to clean your scalp which lukewarm water will do, then close the cuticles which will help reduce hair loss and frizz so ensure you finish washing your hair with a blast of cold water.

Cut down using a hair dryer or heating tongs every day. Heat can weaken your hair so even just going an extra day without using a hairdryer or tongs can dramatically improve the condition of your hair. Ideally gently towel-dry your hair until it is around 60% dry and then use the hairdryer on a medium setting.

Coconut Oil
Comprised mainly of smaller medium-chain fatty acids, this 100% natural oil is able to penetrate more deeply and faster than other conditioners. A tub of coconut oil which can be bought at your local pharmacy will last you a few months and it is packed with vitamins and fatty acids to help nourish your hair.

The numerous benefits of using coconut oil on your hair include:
• Stimulates hair growth by penetrating deep into the follicles
• Provides amazing moisturisation for dry hair
• Adds shine to hair
• Reduces protein loss in your hair – the only oil to do this
• Contains anti-bacterial properties to soothe an itchy or flaky scalp