Washing, brushing, coloring and styling hair can disrupt its structure by damaging the cuticle (the outer most part of the hair), making it unable to protect the central parts of the hair shaft. When this happens, you lose the proteins that make up the hair cortex causing it to thin and become prone to breakage.
A 2003 study compared coconut oil to other oils and showed that it was the best oil to reduce hair protein loss and keep it looking healthy. The medium chain fatty acid structure of lauric acid in coconut oil makes its absorption into the hair shaft superior to other oils, thereby protecting it and decreasing protein loss. This was true in the following hair types: Undamaged hair, bleached, chemically treated and UV overexposed hair.
The ability to grow long, sleek, and shiny hair is at the top of the self-care beauty list but so many of us are unable to attain a glorious mane. Moisturizing the hair with coconut oil can help protect it from environmental and grooming damage, nourishing the hair from cuticle to cortex, making it easier to grow longer hair.
The amount of coconut oil you’ll need varies depending upon your hair length, type and condition. Start with a minimal amount at first and increase the amount as your hair demands. A good rule of thumb is to use enough to cover the midsection to the ends of the hair to avoid too much oil build up on the scalp and roots.