Coconut oil for 4c hair – Benefits and uses

Repairing and caring for your natural hair is often more complicated than you think.

Fortunately, you don’t always have to use expensive products or equipment! You can simply use coconut oil to tame your 4c hair.

Let’s take a look at the effects of coconut oil on afro hair as well as the different ways to use it.

What are the benefits of coconut oil on natural hair?

The composition of coconut oil offers many benefits for natural hair:

• Deeply nourishes the hair with monounsaturated fatty acids
• Strengthens the hair and makes it silky because of its nutrient content
• Brings shine and suppleness thanks to vitamin A
• Promotes blood circulation and therefore better hair growth with the help of vitamin E
• Recommended against dry hair because of the lauric acid it contains
• Moisturizes the hair in depth and thus reduces frizz and breakage
• Protects the hair against heat. Coconut oil can be used as a protector before using a hair straightener for example

The many compounds of coconut oil make it a partner of choice for taking care of your afro hair on a daily basis.

How to use coconut oil on 4c hair?

Coconut oil can help afro hair in a thousand and one ways.

Coconut oil mask for natural hair

The coconut oil mask allows you to take full advantage of its multiple benefits. It is applied after shampooing or any other treatment.

Coconut oil is particularly recommended for afro hair, which is more prone to dryness.

By providing better hydration, the mask prevents hair breakage, but also against frizz and flyaways.

Moreover, the regular application of a coconut oil mask also helps prevent hair loss. Indeed, the mask mask is the best way to take full advantage of the many nutrients and unsaturated fats present in this oil.

Coconut oil bath for natural hair

Unlike the mask, the oil bath is applied before shampooing and can be worn overnight.

It allows to nourish the hair in depth, and thus to look after it. The oil bath is particularly recommended to thicken the hair and give it volume.

Use it as a protective pre-shampoo

Here’s a particularly useful tip for people with dry hair: cover dry hair with a little coconut oil an hour or so before you shower.

The oil keeps the hair from drying out during the shower. Then apply your usual conditioner.

Use it to boost your moisturizer

This is a handy solution for people with thick, dry hair.

After cleansing your hair, apply a moisturizer all over your hair.

If you don’t want to buy a cream from a store, there are ways to make your own solution. Flaxseed gel for natural hair, for example, gives great results without having to break the bank.

Next, layer a little coconut oil on top of the lotion. Then blow dry your hair as usual. The oil will lock in the cream and help your hair stay hydrated longer.

Make it easy to detangle

Does your hair have a tendency to knot? Run coconut oil over the segments that need a little help. The oil gives a supportive “glide” that makes brushing easier.

Make your hair shinier

Spray a little coconut oil solution on your hair to immediately bring back its shine.

Which coconut oil to choose?

To take full advantage of its beneficial properties, consider the following when buying coconut oil.

Authenticity: Look for important claims such as virgin and non-hydrogenated. These attributes are the first clues to consider in order to steer you toward a quality coconut oil.

Cold extraction or pressing: Choosing a cold-pressed coconut oil ensures that no synthetic compounds or artificial treatments are used in the process. The oil then keeps its precious properties.

Observe its color: avoid a coconut oil with a dull or yellowish tint. This denotes a lower quality

👉🏾 See the best oils for dry natural hair.

Does coconut oil dry out the hair?

Coconut oil may not be recommended for hair that has been badly damaged by treatments or coloring. However, it is one of the best natural hair care products for 4c hair.

By infiltrating the hair fibers, it can take up all the space and prevent water from penetrating. And while your hair may look healthier in the moment, it may not be a long-term solution.

Does coconut oil lighten hair?

Depending on the color of your hair, it can make it lighter. However, when you wash your hair again after using it, it quickly returns to its natural shade.

On the other hand, coconut oil tends to make hair coloring last longer. This is due to its ability to close the hair cuticles and thus prevent the color compounds from fading.

In any case, coconut oil alone does not change the color of the hair, whether it is colored or natural.

How to remove coconut oil from the hair?

There are several methods to remove coconut oil from the hair:

Dry shampoo

Probably the easiest way to get rid of coconut oil is to use a dry shampoo.

This will absorb the oil and restore your strands to full strength. When applying, focus on the bases and apply evenly throughout your hair. Then, just brush your strands.

Conditioner

For this method, nothing could be easier either. Grab your favorite conditioner and apply twice the amount you normally use. Then apply it from root to tip in a balanced fashion.

Other methods to remove coconut oil from kinky hair

If dry shampoo and conditioner aren’t enough, you can also use other products:

• Add a teaspoon of Aloe Vera to your shampoo dose. Its moisturizing power will reinforce the effect of the shampoo and allow the oil to be removed even more effectively.
• Add a few quarts of lemon juice to your shampoo. Its acidity will help break down the oil molecules and make them go away more easily