Many people have asked me what I use in my hair after I shampoo. I have been using either a few drops of emu oil or macadamia oil. I think they both are good - much better than mineral oil or other preparations that you can get at a drug store. But there might be a better grooming agent. I just looked through many articles on coconutoil.com. This might be a great hair product, pre-wash or post-wash, for many reasons.
If you apply coconut oil to your hair before you wash it, there might be less breakage to the cuticle, the outer layer of the hair shaft. This is because the oil inhibits the penetration of water into the cuticle, thus making damage less likely. A very small amount of the oil, however, does penetrate into the cuticle which might be therapeutic.
If you apply coconut oil to your hair after you wash it, the hair will look healthy and will be easy to comb. This is because of the high content of lauric acid and capric acid, two health-promoting fatty acids, found only in coconut oil.
Ray Peat, Ph.D. who wrote several of the articles on the Coconut Oil website, says that these fatty acids are powerful antioxidants, giving the skin resistance to oxidation and free radical damage. He says that the oil also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Coconut oil is definitely a good skin care option that has been used in many cultures for many centuries. Because it is an anti-inflammatory agent it might help people with skin problems too. You can see a large selection of coconut oils at Whole Foods or any health food store.
Another helpful resource for people researching coconut oil is Cognitune. Read through the pages of this website for a thorough understanding of the chemical properties of this tropical oil and the health benefits it may have.
