Everyone knows the benefits of coconut oil on hair, but what most of us may not know is that coconut water has been used for beauty purposes over the centuries around the world. Today, I decided to explore how well coconut water would go with your low porosity hair.
If you don’t know what low porosity hair is, check out this previous article that answers what is low porosity hair and how to know if you have low porosity hair.
Back to the business at hand, coconut water is the clear fluid found inside a coconut, we all know it’s healthy and nutritious enough to drink, but what about for our hair? Read on…
So, is coconut water good for low porosity hair? Yes, coconut water will hydrate hair, thicken and soften it, treat alopecia, fight infections/dandruff, preventing breaking and falling, and balance your scalp pH.
I decided to do comprehensive research with journal articles and other beauty gurus out there, so I can give you a summary of the information.
I struggled with the research so that you don’t have to. Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly packed and overlap with each other, making it difficult for water to enter, how does coconut water fit in all this?
My friends with low porosity hair will find that coconut water gives you hydration without weight or stickiness. Unlike most products that just sit on low porosity hair, coconut water will go through the cuticles and keep your hair hydrated.
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How to Use Coconut Water
First of all, the best coconut water for use is the one taken from young coconuts, the ones that are still green on the outside. This is the one scientifically proven to have nutritional value and beauty applications. Because coconut water is light and is not heavy on proteins, it will not weigh down your low porosity hair.
You can buy coconut water from a most beauty shops or order it online. However, if you want to make your own coconut water you can follow this process from Garnier’s website.
- Make sure you have pure coconut water from the green coconuts with no added preservatives, sugars, or flavor (additions might affect how it works and make it sticky).
- Mix half a cup of coconut water with 4 table spoons of jojoba oil or avocado oil.
- Shake well to mix
- Use as a scalp treatment before shampooing or as a leave-in conditioner after your wash routine
- You can use for up to two times a week
BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER ON LOW POROSITY HAIR
Treatment for Alopecia and Thinning Hair
If you are struggling with thinning hair or alopecia, you may have just found the right therapy for yourself. Journal research shows that coconut water has been used as a hair nutrient in alopecia, especially in the sub-continent of India.
Coconut water, especially from young coconuts has been shown to increase the thickness of hair follicles within 14 days of treatment, according to research published by BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies journal.
This data also shows that coconut juice from young coconuts can facilitate the healing of wounds on the skin, which can strengthen hair follicles and help hair to grow back. If you have damage or wounds on your scalp, say from too much scratching or other causes, then coconut water is for you, it will heal your wounds fast, and with added advantages of better hair.
Thicker and Silkier Hair (Glowing Mane)
Research by the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies journal shows that coconut water from young coconuts will heal any skin wounds, thicken your hair, soften your hair, enhance the shine of your hair, and increase the volume or amount of hair in that area.
Coconut water will tame frizz, condition dry strands, soften the hair and coat it with sleeking and smoothing properties.
All within two weeks of using, I mean talk of one stone many birds. This sounds too good to be true, I know, this research was conducted on rats first, but that’s where all research starts before it is applied to humans.
Prevention and Treatment of Scalp Infections
Coconut water contains antibacterial, antifungal, antidermatophytic, and antioxidant properties, according to research by Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. Therefore, its application on your scalp could help you grow and maintain healthy hair.
The antioxidant abilities of coconut water help in reduce the generation of free radicals in your hair and scalp, which maintains a healthy head.
Just like its counterpart, coconut oil, coconut water also has antibacterial properties that can keep bacterial infections away when applied.
Fighting Dandruffs and Flaky Scalp (Clean and Healthy Scalp/hair)
Due to its antifungal and hydrating properties, coconut water has the ability to keep your skin free from the yeast-like fungi that cause dandruff.
This water will also keep your skin hydrated and prevent itchy dry scalp that is associated with dandruff and flaky scalps.
Therefore, if you have been struggling with dry and itchy scalp, go ahead and try using coconut water for a few weeks.
(Stronger Hair)
Given the benefits of hair that we have already mentioned, it is not surprising that coconut hair can help to prevent hair loss and breakage.
Research shows that freeze-dried coconut has multiple micronutrients and growth promoters that enhance hair growth and strength, which prevents it from breaking or falling off.
Also, according to this research, coconut water helps to condition your hair, reduce frizz, prevent split ends, prevent dandruff, and control flaky scalp. These are all factors linked to hair loss and breakage, and if you can get them under control, then you can prevent hair loss.
Hydrating Hair (Moisturizing and Conditioning)
Picture yourself walking along the beach on a tropical island, most of us will see ourselves holding a refreshing coconut juice in this fantasy. That is because we know the power of coconut water in hydrating our thirst. The same goes for hair, coconut water has amazing hydrating effects for moisture-starved hair.
Even Garnier recommends the use of coconut water to treat the dry, itchy, or flaky scalp. Using coconut water as a leave-in conditioner and carefully massaging it in your hair can stimulate growth. Also, because coconut water contains lauric acid, it helps your hair to retain moisture for longer and helps to balance your scalp pH.
Conclusion
Yes, coconut water is good for low porosity hair. It is not heavy with proteins, which makes it an ideal option for hydrating and conditioning this kind of hair because instead of sitting on your hair like most products, it will seep in beneath the cuticles. The documented benefits of using coconut water on your hair include preventing hair loss and breakage by strengthening your hair), properly hydrating hair by moisturizing and conditioning it, maintaining a healthy and clean scalp by fighting dandruff, and flaky scalp. Also, coconut water will prevent and treat scalp infections, thicken and silken your hair to give you a glowing mane while treating alopecia and thinning hair.
So go ahead and enjoy this newfound nugget.
Goodluck!!!