Is coconut oil good for dreads? Coconut oil is ideal for dreadlocks. Due to its Linoleic acid content, coconut oil hydrates dreadlocked hair and prevents breakage and excessive hair loss. It might be a good idea to postpone its use in the winter if you live in a cold climate.
It is beneficial to use coconut oil both for grooming and for promoting the growth of your dreadlocks. Your hair strands will absorb coconut oil, which moisturizes your dreadlocks and scalp, adds softness, shine, and strength, prevents dandruff, repairs damaged hair, and promotes scalp health.
Also Read: How Often Should You Oil Your Scalp Black Hair?
You should use coconut oil on your dreadlocks considering where you live and where it is applied. Virgin coconut oil solidifies at low temperatures, which can make your hair stiff and attract lint when applied to dreads.
Thus, although coconut oil is a popular choice for dreads, it may not be the ideal choice for people in colder climates.
Also Read: 12 Best Oil for Dreads You Can Trust!
What’s the Best Way To Use Coconut Oil In Dreads?
It is best to apply coconut oil directly to your scalp and avoid your dreads. It will then be possible for the heat from your scalp to keep the coconut oil in a liquid state continuously. While applying coconut oil to your dreads will make them appear white, the heat from your body will cause the coconut oil on your scalp to melt.
Body heat is an excellent way to raise the temperature of coconut oil. Coconut oil may solidify when applied to your dreads, but there’s nothing to be concerned about. You should wash your hair with Clarify shampoo and rosewater or jojoba oil. As soon as you do this, the residue will disappear.
How To Apply Coconut Oil To Your Scalp?
Spray coconut oil and water directly on the scalp for added benefits, or mix the coconut water with other oils. One of the greatest methods for moisturizing and softening dreads is a blend of rosewater.
Having said that, coconut oil has some incredible advantages for your hair. Below, I go over the significant benefits.
Benefits of coconut oil to dreadlocks
1. Creates a protective layer around the hair
Coconut oil forms a barrier of defense around your dreadlocks because it is hydrophobic. Your dreadlocks will stay smooth, soft, and shiny if you apply coconut oil to them. This seals in the moisture of the hair.
2. Moisturize your dreads
Coconut oil can permeate the hair strands, which gives it excellent hydrating qualities. Like avocado oil, coconut oil’s molecular structure makes it simple to permeate hair strands. Coconut oil will also maintain moisture on your scalp. Poor hair development and even hair loss are both caused by a dry scalp and hair.
Coconut oil has been known to induce build-up when used excessively, so it should be used sparingly. If you have oily skin, you should probably use coconut oil sparingly or as a pre-shampoo oil.
3. Restores protein to hair
Your hair loses proteins when you wash your dreads. When you dry it with a blow dryer or any other machine, hair loses more protein. Coconut oil is useful in this situation. Applying coconut oil before shampooing or cleaning will aid in preventing protein loss. After washing your dreads, apply coconut oil before drying them to further minimize protein loss due to heat.
4. Deeply penetrates dry hair
The light weight of coconut oil allows it to penetrate the hair deeply while still absorbing it sufficiently. The hair protein readily bonds to it, strengthening and improving the hair.
5. Promote Growth
Coconut oil has fatty acids that interact with the protein in your hair and strengthen the roots to reduce breaking.
The vitamins and medium-chain fatty acids (also called lauric acids) included in the coconut oil help to maintain the health of your hair follicles. By enhancing scalp circulation, coconut oil gives your scalp the nutrients and oxygen it needs to produce hair.
Vitamin K, which is also present in coconut oil, helps your hair follicles receive oxygen and grow by allowing them to do so. Another component of coconut oil, vitamin E, is used to alleviate inflammation and repair damaged hair follicles to promote hair growth. Adding coconut oil to an essential oil, such as peppermint or castor, encourages hair growth.
6. Prevent dreads From Environment Damage
You’ll want to flaunt your healthy, well-maintained dreads, especially if they are long and lustrous.
Unfortunately, flaunting them also puts them at risk of environmental harm. The sunscreen qualities of coconut oil, thankfully, will shield your dreads from UV harm.
It also makes your dreads look better. If you want your dreads to shine more, simply add some coconut oil to them.
7. Prevents hair loss
Your hair’s keratin and coconut oil combine wonderfully. Your hair’s protein is called keratin.
Keratin loss occurs when you wash your dreadlocks more frequently than necessary or use harsh hair products.
As a result, your dreads can’t develop into long, strong locks since they are fragile and prone to breaking.
In a study comparing coconut oil to sunflower and mineral oils, the findings revealed that coconut oil significantly improved hair absorption and minimized protein loss both before and after washing.
Starting a coconut oil hair treatment will help you manage any harm those chemicals may have done to your hair if you have bleached, chemically treated, or coloured it in the past and don’t want to fear it afterwards. You can develop lengthy dreads if you follow the maintenance instructions in addition to using coconut oil to prevent breakage.
8. Prevent Dandruff
Coconut oil prevents dandruff and has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Both mature and beginning locs may find dandruff bothersome. You could come to despise this haircut if you do not know how to address the root of the issue. Regardless of whether you want to weave or braid your hair, this is a serious issue that affects both men and women.
Fungi, bacteria, and dry skin are the three factors that cause dandruff. Coconut oil is useful in this situation.
A fantastic moisturizer is coconut oil. It will help you treat and prevent dandruff brought on by dryness by keeping your scalp and dreads both appropriately moisturized.
Coconut oil has antibacterial qualities that can be used to treat dandruff that is caused by fungi and bacteria. If you have oily skin, in particular, be sure to massage just the right amount of coconut oil into your scalp to prevent it from blocking your facial hair follicles.
Why do dreadlocks turn dry?
The cuticles of dreadlocks frequently break apart as a result of things like friction against clothing, bedding, and sun damage. This makes it difficult for your hair to maintain moisture and causes dry, brittle dreads as it causes them to grow longer.
Dry dreads not only appear unattractive but also itch and pollute your scalp. Simply said, having dry dreadlocks makes them appear lifeless and unattractive. Thus, oils like coconut oil enter the picture.
Can treat your dreadlocks with warm Oil Treatment?
You may treat your dreadlocks with warm coconut oil, unlike conventional hair and scalp treatments where you apply the oil to the scalp to hydrate the roots and encourage healthy hair development. Apply warm coconut oil to your locks’ length and ends—not the scalp—for this specific treatment.
After that, for a minimum of ten hours, wrap your dreads safely in a shower cap or plastic bag. Applying this treatment before bed allows your dreads to absorb the oil as you sleep, making the most efficient use of your time and yielding the best results. The next morning, wash your hair.
Guide to Maintaining Healthy Dreadlocks
1. Wash weekly
Weekly washings with a residue-free shampoo are required for healthy dreadlocks. Pour one part shampoo and ten parts water onto your scalp. After that, gently massage your scalp and run the soap through your dreads.
2. Dreadlock Pre-wash
You are well aware that washing your dreads once a week is necessary. Apply coconut oil to your hair before and after washing to hydrate and maintain the strength of your dreads while ensuring that the shampoo you use doesn’t harm it.
3. Dread Conditioner and Moisturizer
To prevent dandruff and a dry scalp, which can lead to hair loss, you need to keep your dreadlocks. Your scalp and dreads will stay well-hydrated if you apply coconut oil. However, you should exercise caution because some people have claimed that coconut oil closes their pores and causes build-up.
How to Make Coconut Oil for Your Dreadlocks?
While you can buy pure coconut oil for your dreads, did you know you can make some of your own? Yep! You can follow the instructions below to DIY.
You will need:
- Three coconuts.
- A blender, or food processor.
- Cheesecloth.
- A large pot.
Instructions on how to make coconut oil at home
- Remove the husk from the three coconuts.
- Cut the coconuts into small pieces and add them to the food processor.
- Add 1-3 cups of water to the minced-up coconuts and squeeze the milk out with the cheesecloth.
- Put the milk in a large pot, warm it up, and turn off the heat.
- Do not let it boil or stir the mixture.
- Let it cool.
- When the mixture is cool, skim out all of the fat.
- In a stainless steel pot, heat the mixture again, but this time let it come to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and let the “custard” simmer for at least 45 minutes.
- You will notice the oil separating from the coconut custard.
- Strain the oil and allow it to cool.
- When the coconut oil is cool you can store them in an applicator bottle or combine it with additional growth oils.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does coconut oil help grow dreadlocks?
Absolutely. Coconut oil has several vitamins and fatty acids known as medium-chain fatty acids or lauric acids that promote the health of your hair follicles.
Does coconut oil make dreads grow faster?
Yes. Use castor oil or coconut oil in your hair. This may result in your dreads growing faster in a couple of weeks.
Does coconut oil help lock hair?
Adding coconut oil to your hair care routine can literally transform your hair. This is because coconut oil acts as a sealant locking in moisture from products and protecting it from split ends.
How often should I oil my dreadlocks?
Once your locs are mature, we recommend you deep condition every 1-2 weeks to keep your locs healthy, strong and moisturized.
Is it better to oil hair wet or dry?
Applying the oil while the hair is wet will nourish and protect it from frizz and pollution as it dries into a subtly shiny version of its natural texture. Once the hair is dry, you may pump a touch more oil into your palm, rub it between your hands and smooth it over your lengths and ends.
It’s your turn…
In warm climates, coconut oil remains liquid, so those who live there shouldn’t worry about it. The benefits of coconut oil extend beyond its vitamins and can be used to moisturize your scalp and manage dandruff, which is commonly associated with dried scalps (such as those found in dreadlocks).
Coconut oil is ideal for treating dreadlocks, either directly on the scalp or warmed up. Combining it with oils like jojoba oil makes it even more effective.
How does coconut oil work for your dreadlocks?
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