Probably the next most appealing thing about the coconut oil hair treatment is that it is a natural treatment that is free of silicones, alcohols, and other chemicals that can aggravate sensitive skin and hair. And, given that we absorb a lot of things through our skin, we can be happy knowing this is one less toxic cocktail that we are putting on our bodies.

Having used the coconut oil hair treatment myself, I can tell you it really does work, and your hair feels wonderful afterwards. It feels thicker, and has more body. Coconut oil is great for shine, dry and damaged hair, chemical treated hair, and normal hair as well! Unlike most oils, it doesn't just sit on the outside of hair. It actually penetrates the shaft. This is due to the medium-chain triglycerides that make up most of it.

Coconut oil hair treatments have been used traditionally in the Philippines and India for a long time - and look how beautiful their hair is! By reducing protein loss, coconut oil hair treatments guard against the thinning and deterioration of hair that can occur as we age. It may even help prevent hair loss. Indeed some people have found that by massaging the oil into their scalp during coconut oil hair treatments they have new hair growth. This is good news for men and women plagued by hair loss.

Because coconut oil is absorbed into the hair shaft, it is fairly easy to wash out. Coconut oil hair treatments have been successfully use by people who use the conditioner only method and the water only method to wash their hair. If using the water only method, you probably would want to use only a small amount of coconut oil in your hair.

Coconut Oil Hair Treatment Instructions

You'll need:

* about 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil for shoulder length hair. You will probably need a tablespoon more or less if your hair is shorter or longer.

* 2 bowels, one smaller than the other; or a mug/teacup and a bowel

* some hot water

* a small towel to wrap around your head

1. Measure out the coconut oil into the smaller bowel or mug/teacup.

2. Fill the larger bowel with hot water.

3. Place the mug/teacup/smaller bowel with the coconut oil inside it into the larger bowel with hot water. It will melt into a liquid. If you live in a hot area and the coconut oil is already liquid, you can skip this step, though you should have a small bowel of warm water handy so you can soak the towel in it later.

4. Dampen your hair slightly with a water mister if you have one. If not, just run wet fingers through your hair until it is damp.

5. Using a teaspoon, or even your fingers, drip some of the coconut oil onto a section of your scalp where your hair is parted, gently massaging your scalp as you go. Move that section of your hair over to the side, so you expose a different part of your scalp that hasn't had oil applied. Then apply oil here in the same way. Keep sectioning your hair until you have applied coconut oil to all of your scalp. You should still have some left at the end, but if you don't just add some more coconut oil to the bowel and let it melt. You only need a few drops for each part.

6. Now, put some of the coconut oil into your palms and rub your hands together. Then, run your hands through the lengths of your hair so that you coat all of it. Repeat this process until all of your hair is oiled.

7. Give your scalp a gentle massage for a few minutes. This promotes blood circulation. Ben gentle though. Some people find that when they start massaging their head, they shed a lot of hair. Over time, this will reduce as your scalp becomes stronger. But if it bothers you, skip this step.

8. Test the water in the bowel that was warming the coconut oil. If it's too hot to the touch, add a bit of cool water until the temperature is right. It should be fine though. Now, soak the small towel in warm water, then wring it out so that it is only damp. Wrap your hair in the towel like a turban. You can get special small towels that are designed for this purpose, they are much easier to work with!

9. You'll leave the coconut oil on for 1 hour, although you can leave it on overnight. When the towel starts to cool, you can remove it and put a shower cap or cling wrap on your head instead.

10. Wash hair thoroughly afterwards using whatever method you prefer. You can add a teaspoon/tablespoon of coconut oil to the ends of your hair after you wash it as well, as a kind of leave in conditioning treatment. This is best to do on wet hair. Just don't overdo it - you don't want to end up with oily looking hair! You should not add any to the roots if you do this, just the mid-section to the ends.

The towel provides a steaming effect similar to what you experience in a spa. The towel and the massage promote blood flow, and really help when you're trying to grow healthy, strong hair! And of course, the coconut oil hair treatment prevents protein loss and builds up strong hair that is not prone to breakage and thinning.

Do this twice a week and you'll really notice a big difference to your hair. Who knows - you may even be one of the lucky ones that have noticed their graying hair is being restored to its natural color. Can't promise that, though it has been reported by some people. But you should notice an improvement in the condition of your hair, and there's a good chance you'll notice your hair growing back thicker.

You must use virgin coconut oil in your coconut oil hair treatments. Regular coconut oil is chemically different to virgin coconut oil because of the way it is made. Virgin coconut oil contains antioxidants and medium chain triglycerides that are important in the coconut oil hair treatment. You really don't use a lot in each treatment, so if you compare it to the cost of those salon treatments that aren't half as effective, you'll find it works out better. You can get a good quality, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil here for a 16% discount.