One of my regulars came in a few months ago and asked for something different. She had been to the hairdressers and insisted they do a straightening treatment for her even though they strongly advised her against it, as her hair was too thin. She’s a tiny lady but very emphatic and it’s hard to change her mind once she’s made it up and they lost their battle.
As a result of the treatment her hair had started to “break”, the strands snapping when brushed or even just with sleeping. Not to mention the falling out. Her sister in law had been having scalp massages regularly to help stimulate hair growth and so she wanted to try it to see if she could rescue her locks.
Scalp massage
Photo courtesy google images, http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles13/images/scalp-massage.jpg
So we started weekly sessions of 15 minute scalp massages using coconut oil (followed by 15 minutes massage for her shoulders which are chronically tight). About every third week we sneak in a full hour so I can do 45 minutes on her back as well as the usual scalp massage. We’ve been doing this almost weekly now for four months and she is sporting a thicker, healthier head of hair. The shiny patches that were visible in May are no longer an issue and she’s been able to grow it out a bit without it looking straggly.
I credit the coconut oil as much as the massage for the improvement in the condition of her hair. Did you know that:
- coconut oil has lauric acid which is a fatty acid that can bind hair proteins
- coconut oil seals in hair moisture as it possesses the ability of penetrating the hair shaft and thus conditions your hair from within
- coconut oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties give the oil the ability of protecting your scalp against dandruff and lice, both of which can hinder hair growth
- coconut oil is a rich source of nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K and iron. These nutrients are essential for maintaining your hair’s shine and softness. Vitamin E is particularly effective in eradicating dandruff, which is a major cause of hair fall and hindered hair growth
- massaging your scalp with coconut oil stimulates blood circulation ensuring that your hair follicles receive the required amount of essential nutrients and oxygen
Using coconut oil in the hair was something I grew up with as I come from a tropical island. Coconuts grew in my back yard, not that we pressed them to make oil, but my mother did grate the dried coconuts to make ice-cream which we took turns churning in the old fashioned bucket with ice and salt and a handle. Coconut water was part of our lives. Now you pay a fortune for it in cafes and it’s seen as the “it” health drink.
Ah, the many benefits of coconut … how many can you think of?