What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Relaxed Afro Hair?
African-American or Afro hair that has been relaxed needs help restoring its strength and moisture balance. Many African-Americans with relaxed hair have been turning to natural substances that will nourish their tresses and leave them with a pleasant scent. Coconut oil is one of these substances that African-Americans with relaxed Afro hair are finding beneficial. Does this Spark an idea?
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Afro Hair
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African-American hair contains the same cellular makeup as the hair of other ethnicities. The only difference lies in the structure of the hair. Typically, Afro hair is curly hair that is tightly coiled. The curls are formed by bends in the hair shaft. These bends are stress points that are prone to breakage. The tight coil of an Afro makes it drier than straight hair, because the natural oils of the scalp cannot travel down the coils, as they can with straight hair. These two aspects of Afro hair make it fragile.
Hair Relaxers
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Chemical relaxers are a haircare product that chemically relaxes the curl pattern of the hair. During the relaxing process, the bonds that create the curl in Afro hair are broken down so the hair can be made straighter. However, relaxers often cause dryness and weaken Afro hair after relaxers have been applied to the hair on a frequent basis.
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Coconut Oil
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Contrary to what many believe, coconut oil in its raw form is a fatty solid. The oil that is seen in many health and alternative retailers is the fractionated form, meaning the fatty solids were removed so that the liquid oil is left. Virgin coconut oil is the fresh oil obtained from the fatty solid and still retains the aromatic characteristics of the coconut fruit.
Protein Protector
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Coconut oil applied topically to relaxed Afro hair moisturizes the hair, leaving it smoother, with added sheen and a pleasant scent. Research performed by Marico Industries Ltd. indicates that coconut oil reduces the loss of protein in the hair in both damaged and undamaged hair by penetrating the hair shaft. The protein in Afro hair is what gives it strength and prevents breakage.
Moisturizer
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Coconut oil can be used as a pre-shampoo hot oil scalp massage treatment for Afro relaxed hair to restore moisture and strength. Conditioners containing coconut oil provide added moisture that makes hair manageable. Pouring a drop or two of coconut oil in your hands, rubbing them together and smoothing your ends between your hands to apply the coconut oil to your ends relieves dry, damaged ends.
Considerations
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With scientific evidence of coconut benefits for hair, there may be hope for those with fragile tresses. This means the loss of strength hair endures as a result of frequent relaxer applications can be minimized with the use of coconut oil. It is advisable that if you have a nut or milk allergy, consult your doctor before using coconut oil, as it may irritate your scalp.
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