47 Unique Useful Properties of Coconut Oil

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Coconut oil is a natural product, obtained without the use of artificial additives: flavors, flavor enhancers, odors, fragrances and preservatives. This is one of the most ancient, but very effective cosmetics. It is also used in cooking. It can be actively used to maintain the health and treatment of various diseases, but unfortunately these properties are little known and almost never used. How to apply the oil for the benefit of themselves, their loved ones and our smaller brothers will tell in this article.

The composition of the oil

Coconut oil is one of those few foods that have a large amount of saturated fatty acids in it, but, unlike meat, milk, etc., it is a vegetable fats. We list these acids. These are oleic, lauric, arachidonic, palmitic, linoleic, myristic, etc. Thanks to this rich composition, one can speak of the great health benefits of coconut oil. Below we tell about 46 unique beneficial properties of coconut oil.

Beneficial features

1. Massage oil. Coconut oil relieves fatigue and tension in the body, relaxes muscles. It has a pleasant smell and gently envelops the skin, creating a thin protective film. In addition, using this oil removes the internal heat of the body. To achieve greater effect, you can add a few drops of various essential oils.

Men who regularly use coconut oil for massage, note that it improves sperm quality, improves skin tone and prevents premature ejaculation.

2. Fungal diseases

The powerful antifungal properties of coconut oil make it ideal for fighting fungal infection. It can be used for fungal infections of the skin and its derivatives - nails and hair, for mycosis, dermatophytosis. It helps oil and yeast infections (such as Candida), both on the skin and inside the body.
Coconut oil, evenly applied with a thin layer to the surface of the body, protects against external irritants and infections.
To enhance the antifungal effect, you can add a few drops of oregano or tea tree oil.

3. Skin infectious diseases (lichen, including ringworm). Coconut oil should be applied to the lichen site to kill the fungus or the virus that caused the disease. When you add tea tree oil, you can quickly destroy the infection.

4. Acne, chicken pox, insect bites. Coconut oil gently fights bacteria that cause acne (acne), helps to quickly heal wounds after acne, reduces itching and speeds up the healing of sores with chickenpox. It is also successfully used to heal wounds formed from prickles or when a poisonous plant juice gets on the skin, when mosquitoes and other insects bite. Oil should be applied directly to problem areas and a positive effect will not take long.

5. Herpes. Coconut oil has antiviral properties that help get rid of the herpes virus. If necessary, apply oil to the place of manifestation of herpes, to speed up healing, you can add a drop of oregano oil.

6. Cosmetology. It is used as the basis of cosmetics and soap.

7. Means for cleansing the skin. Coconut oil is an effective and gentle makeup remover - easily removes evening and day make-up, including mascara from eyelashes, and is suitable just for cleansing the skin after a hard day. Suitable for all skin types. With a cotton swab or a disc dipped in oil, to wipe the face, it cleanses, moisturizes the skin.

8. Eye cream. The eyelids and dark circles under the eyes reduce puffiness, it is enough to apply oil on the skin several times.

9. Skin care, moisturizing effect. Coconut oil is an excellent way to soften and moisturize dry, rough skin. Restores damaged, cracked skin, reduces the painfulness of cracked nipples when feeding, promotes healing of wounds on the nipples.

Recipe. Coconut Oil Nourishing Cream

Mix 60 ml of coconut and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, add 1 drop of benzoin, and 10 drops of rosewood and palmarose oil (or sandalwood, if the cream is for men). Melt olive and coconut oils and add essential oils. Mixture to store no more than 15 days. This cream nourishes and moisturizes the skin of the neck and face.

10. Scrub for face and body. You can mix coconut oil with baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, ground coffee, oatmeal, etc. to get the perfect face and body scrub.

11. Lip balm. Coconut oil moisturizes and protects the lips, especially important in hot, sunny or freezing weather.

12. Tanning. Provides protection from harmful ultraviolet rays when exposed to the sun for a short time, its sun protection factor is SPF 4. It also contributes to the healing of sunburns as soon as it is impossible to apply oil directly to the burn, you must wait 24 to 72 hours until the temperature at the site of the burn subsides. .

Sunburn recipe

Mix 10 ml of olive and coconut oil, add 1 ml of lavender and German chamomile, 15 ml of calendula macerate and aloe. The mixture is applied to damaged skin 1-2 times a day.

13. Conditioner, hair products. Oil strengthens and restores hair, protects them from the harmful effects of the environment. To do this, apply a small amount of funds on the hair and scalp, make a light massage of the head, leave as a mask on the hair for 10-15 minutes (longer) and wash off.

Recipes hair masks are very diverse, they can be from a mixture of coconut oil and:

fermented milk products,
by adding aloe,
eggs - yolk and / or protein,
pepper tinctures on vodka,
burdock or castor oil, etc.

A small amount of oil can be rubbed into dry hair to facilitate styling curly hair.

14. Dandruff. Massage with coconut oil on the scalp will reduce dandruff symptoms such as itching and flaking.

15. Deodorant. To obtain a natural deodorant you need to mix coconut oil with cornstarch, soda and your favorite essential oil. Such a deodorant has a fantastic smell, acts gently and does not irritate the skin, and most importantly, perfectly deodorizes the skin.

16. Shaving cream. Coconut oil provides easy and smooth razor gliding, as a result, the skin becomes smooth and soft.

17. After shave cream. If unpleasant sensations, reddening and rash after shaving disturb, coconut oil will calm sensitive skin and will help healing.

18. Toothpaste. Refreshing, natural toothpaste can be obtained as follows: mix 1 part coconut oil with 1 part soda and add a couple of drops of peppermint oil.

This mixture whitens, cleans the teeth and the entire oral cavity. And this without the addition of preservatives, fluorine, sweeteners and other non-natural chemicals.

19. Fighting wrinkles. If you constantly rub the oil in the lines and folds of wrinkles, you can moisturize and soften the skin, which will help smooth out wrinkles.

20. Age pigmentation. This remedy has a beneficial effect on any skin defect. Due to the powerful antioxidant properties of this oil, age spots disappear.

21. Stretch marks. It prevents the formation and reduces stretch marks that appeared during pregnancy. It is enough to systematically lubricate the body with coconut oil to soften and increase skin elasticity.

22. The destruction of papillomas, warts and moles. Apply the oil on a mole, wart or papilloma and cover with a bandage. Apply fresh oil and change the bandage every day to the disappearance of the formation on the skin.

23. Lice (pediculosis). A useful property of coconut oil is its ability to kill lice, it successfully solves this annoying problem.

24. A means to curb appetite, weight loss, fitness. If you take this butter according to the dessert spoon before eating, you will be able to curb your appetite, and therefore you will not have to overeat. When used in food is ideal for people who want to lose weight, because it is not deposited in the form of fat. Moreover, it increases energy, increases metabolism, improves thyroid function and promotes healthy weight loss. This is a great addition to any workout or fitness regime.

25. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Coconut oil has a softening effect and a beneficial effect on the walls of the stomach and intestines, normalizes digestion, expels the parasites, kills the infection and speeds up healing, therefore it is used to treat inflammation of the mucous membrane and stomach ulcers, it helps with pathologies of the gall bladder. It is much tastier than the remedies in other treatments.

Treat this oil can and sores on the skin.

26. Sore throat. A spoonful of coke oil should be put in the mouth and dissolve so that the oil slowly rolls into the throat. It will cover and protect the larynx, heal the mucous membranes, and help fight any infection.

27. Inflammation, redness of the eyes during conjunctivitis, barley. Apply a small amount of coconut oil to barley or around the eye in the lower and upper eyelids; this will quickly eliminate these painful and irritating infections.

28. Pain in the ear. Ear pain, "swimmer's ear" and ear infections - these problems are quickly resolved if you mix a few drops of coconut oil with garlic oil and drip it into your ear.

29. Crusts on the head of a newborn. Coconut oil is safe for children, its gentle action helps relieve itching, pain, redness and peeling caused by seborrheic dermatitis. After several days of application of this oil, no trace is left of the seborrheic dermatitis of newborns.

30. Diaper rash in a baby. Coconut oil acts gently and effectively against diaper rash in a newborn baby; powders and baby creams can be replaced with this oil.

31. Bruises. The oil accelerates the healing and resorption of hematomas on the body, as a result of which bruises quickly disappear.

32. Lubricant (lubricant). Oil is a natural lubricant for intimate moments during sex, but it cannot be used with condoms, as oils, as a rule, violate the integrity of protection.

33. Eczema, psoriasis. Coconut oil reduces itching, pain, peeling, and dryness with eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

34. Hemorrhoids. Helps relieve pain and discomfort with hemorrhoids, contributes to the natural healing of fissures in the anus, both inside and outside.

35. Bleeding from the nose. When dry and weakened nasal mucosa, it should be lubricated with a small amount of oil to prevent the formation of cracks, which can lead to pain and bleeding from the nose.

36. Toothache. Oil relieves pain and strengthens teeth. You can mix it with a drop of clove oil, apply it to the gum, and the pain instantly recedes.

37. Acid reflux. To combat acid reflux, and such manifestation as heartburn, you need to swallow a teaspoon of this oil while eating.

38. Urinary tract infections. For the treatment of urinary tract infections you need to eat a spoonful of coconut oil while eating. It can even ease the painful movement of kidney stones.

39. Cardiovascular and cancer diseases. The beneficial properties of coconut oil also include its ability to increase immunity, reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis (normalizes blood cholesterol levels). All this thanks to the biologically active substances contained in this product. For example, lauric acid has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

40. Diabetes. Normalizes the general condition of diabetes, restores the thyroid gland.

41. Alzheimer's Disease. Some studies indicate that drinking coconut oil is a way to slow down age-related memory loss and brain deterioration, to prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (senile dementia).

42. Bone and Joint Health. Coconut oil helps the absorption of calcium and magnesium. Both minerals are important for strong bones and teeth, the use of oil in food prevents osteoporosis and joint pathology.

43. Epilepsy. This oil can reduce the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures.

44. Energy. Coconut oil is an excellent source of energy to increase stamina and maintain working capacity, it can give the necessary energy boost on a difficult day, with serious physical exertion.

45. Cooking. Using butter, you can bake, fry, simmer, bake foods, and this is a healthy alternative to using other vegetable oils or animal fats. Coconut oil does not form harmful by-products when heated. They can also replace butter or margarine for baking (coconut oil needs three-quarters of the amount of the recipe).

46. Pet health. Coconut oil can do a lot for the health of pets. It is used both externally and internally. It improves breathing, makes the animal's hair shiny, alleviates joint problems, cleans the ears, eliminates fleas and much more.

47. Polishing furniture. Coconut oil protects and adds shine to wooden furniture. You just need to check the effect of oil on a small area and make sure that you like the result.

The beneficial properties of coconut oil help both women and men, because the desire to be attractive does not depend on gender. It helps even animals! Naturally, striving to be healthy is one thing, even the most remarkable means will not help, one must also follow the rules and follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Use coconut oil - it will help you stay beautiful and healthy!

1. Massage oil

Coconut oil relieves fatigue and tension in the body, relaxes muscles. It has a pleasant smell and gently envelops the skin, creating a thin protective film. In addition, using this oil removes the internal heat of the body. To achieve greater effect, you can add a few drops of various essential oils.

Men who regularly use coconut oil for massage, note that it improves sperm quality, improves skin tone and prevents premature ejaculation.

2. Fungal diseases

The powerful antifungal properties of coconut oil make it ideal for fighting fungal infection. It can be used for fungal infections of the skin and its derivatives - nails and hair, for mycosis, dermatophytosis. It helps oil and yeast infections (such as Candida), both on the skin and inside the body.

Coconut oil, evenly applied with a thin layer to the surface of the body, protects against external irritants and infections.

To enhance the antifungal effect, you can add a few drops of oregano or tea tree oil.

4. Acne, chicken pox, insect bites

Coconut oil gently fights bacteria that cause acne (acne), helps to quickly heal wounds after acne, reduces itching and speeds up the healing of sores with chickenpox.It is also successfully used to heal wounds formed from prickles or when a poisonous plant juice gets on the skin, when mosquitoes and other insects bite. Oil should be applied directly to problem areas and a positive effect will not take long.

Coconut oil has antiviral properties that help get rid of the herpes virus. If necessary, apply oil to the place of manifestation of herpes, to speed up healing, you can add a drop of oregano oil.

7. Skin Cleanser

Coconut oil is an effective and gentle makeup remover - easily removes evening and day make-up, including mascara from eyelashes, and is suitable just for cleansing the skin after a hard day. Suitable for all skin types. With a cotton swab or a disc dipped in oil, to wipe the face, it cleanses, moisturizes the skin.

9. Skin care, moisturizing effect

Coconut oil is an excellent way to soften and moisturize dry, rough skin. Restores damaged, cracked skin, reduces the painfulness of cracked nipples when feeding, promotes healing of wounds on the nipples.

Coconut Oil Nutrition Cream Recipe

11. Lip balm

Coconut oil moisturizes and protects the lips, especially important in hot, sunny or freezing weather.

Provides protection from harmful ultraviolet rays when exposed to the sun for a short time, its sun protection factor is SPF 4. It also contributes to the healing of sunburns as soon as it is impossible to apply oil directly to the burn, you must wait 24 to 72 hours until the temperature at the site of the burn subsides. .

Sunburn recipe

Mix 10 ml of olive and coconut oil, add 1 ml of lavender and German chamomile, 15 ml of calendula macerate and aloe. The mixture is applied to damaged skin 1-2 times a day.

13. Conditioner, hair products

Oil strengthens and restores hair, protects them from the harmful effects of the environment. To do this, apply a small amount of funds on the hair and scalp, make a light massage of the head, leave as a mask on the hair for 10-15 minutes (longer) and wash off.

Recipes hair masks are very diverse, they can be from a mixture of coconut oil and:

fermented milk products,
by adding aloe,
eggs - yolk and / or protein,
pepper tinctures on vodka,
burdock or castor oil, etc.

A small amount of oil can be rubbed into dry hair to facilitate styling curly hair.

18. Toothpaste

Refreshing, natural toothpaste can be obtained as follows: mix 1 part coconut oil with 1 part soda and add a couple of drops of peppermint oil.

This mixture whitens, cleans the teeth and the entire oral cavity. And this without the addition of preservatives, fluorine, sweeteners and other non-natural chemicals.

24. A means to curb appetite, weight loss, fitness

If you take this butter according to the dessert spoon before eating, you will be able to curb your appetite, and therefore you will not have to overeat. When used in food is ideal for people who want to lose weight, because it is not deposited in the form of fat. Moreover, it increases energy, increases metabolism, improves thyroid function and promotes healthy weight loss. This is a great addition to any workout or fitness regime.

25. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Coconut oil has a softening effect and a beneficial effect on the walls of the stomach and intestines, normalizes digestion, expels the parasites, kills the infection and speeds up healing, therefore it is used to treat inflammation of the mucous membrane and stomach ulcers, it helps with pathologies of the gall bladder. It is much tastier than the remedies in other treatments.

Treat this oil can and sores on the skin.

39. Cardiovascular and cancer diseases

The beneficial properties of coconut oil also include its ability to increase immunity, reduce the risk of developing cancer and cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis (normalizes blood cholesterol levels). All this thanks to the biologically active substances contained in this product. For example, lauric acid has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is pressed oil obtained from the fruits of the coconut palm. Coconut oil is relatively unique as an ingredient, because it has both hydrating and antibacterial properties. When virgin coconut oil is heated just above room temperature, it softens and you can apply it topically to all hair and scalp with a comb or fingers.

Coconut oil can work, or better, than many commercial hair products while adding shine, smoothness and strength to your hair. The following benefits of coconut oil may make you consider replacing traditional hair products with this natural alternative.

Strengthening and repair

1. Strengthening and repair

Fatty acids stored in coconut oil, give it softness. This means that at the microscopic level coconut oil will fill the gaps in the hair bands that have been damaged. This is the goal of most hair conditioning products, which usually contain mineral oil. Research has shown that coconut oil works better than mineral oil, penetrating the hair follicle and making hair stronger. In one study, it was found that hair treated with coconut oil for 16 weeks experienced less damage from environmental damage.

2. Moisturizes hair and scalp.

A coconut plant stores an incredible amount of water in its fruit. When the fruit is distilled into oil, the oil retains its moisturizing ability. This means that coconut oil is an amazing moisturizer for dry skin. This moisturizing property means that coconut oil is applied to the hair follicles and skin, which it absorbs and leaves your skin cells plump and healthy.

3. Reduces dandruff

Dandruff includes white flakes of dull skin and itchy scalp. This can lead to a lot of things. Using coconut oil can affect almost all causes of dandruff, killing harmful bacteria that try to live on the scalp. Coconut oil also moisturizes the skin under your hair.

Deeply cleanses the scalp

4. Deeply cleanses the scalp

The antibacterial properties of coconut oil combat irritants that can hide on your skin. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which, as research has shown, can fight bacteria. This extends to protecting your scalp from bacteria such as Candida and Staphylococcus that can develop into an infection. Coconut oil can make your scalp a place where harmful bacteria are less likely to colonize. Some coconut oil-treated scalp infections are completely cleansed.

It accelerates hair faster

5. Thicken hair faster

Applying coconut oil to your hair can even help it grow faster. But there are no studies that demonstrate the direct effect of coconut oil on hair growth. Strengthening the hair, resistant to cracking, will contribute to the growth of your hair over time. By massaging coconut oil into your hair, you will direct increased blood flow to the head. According to researchers from Japan, it causes irritation and stimulates hair follicles, so the hair grows thicker.

Other uses

Coconut oil is becoming increasingly popular as cosmetics. It can be used as a skin cleanser and moisturizer, makeup remover and facial softener. Coconut oil even catches as a substitute for butter and fat in cooking, because it is a source of healthy saturated fat. It has also been proposed as a tool for weight loss, a means to reduce weight during pregnancy and as a supplement to health, which must be taken during chemotherapy.

Risks and warnings

Coconut Oil Risks and Warnings

Like all plant derivatives, some people are allergic to coconut oil. You should check coconut oil somewhere on your skin (“patch test”) before applying it on your hair or scalp. Coconut oil does not replace prescription procedures for eczema, psoriasis or other skin diseases. If you use coconut oil in your hair, be sure to wash your hair thoroughly and often. People who are prone to experiencing cysts or clogged pores on the scalp may be careful with using coconut oil. It leaves residue after its use.

If you use coconut oil as a health supplement in your diet, keep in mind that it is a source of saturated fat. This means that too much coconut oil can lead to higher levels of cholesterol (LDL) and obesity, like any source of fat. But it is interesting that coconut oil has the added advantage of increasing good cholesterol (HDL). Coconut oil is usually safe for topical use.

Medicinal properties of coconut oil for hair

Natural coconut oil It is distinguished by its unique composition, which includes vitamins, saturated fatty acids and other substances that have a complex effect on the structure of the hair and scalp. The use of such a tool helps to solve the following problems:

The main feature of the oil is that due to its dense texture it perfectly absorbed into the hair structure and envelops them with an invisible protective film, thereby protecting them from various negative factors.

How to apply a mask?

Many are used to the fact that hair masks are usually applied for about 30 minutes, but there are means that can act for 8 hours while the person is sleeping, because at this time the body is restored. So why not use this time for extra care? When deciding to put a mask on all night, you should observe a number of the following rules and recommendations:

Before use, coconut oil should be heated in a water bath to a temperature not higher than 30-40 degrees. In addition, it is easily heated in the hands - just rub it between the palms. To save all the useful components that make up the oil, you should not heat it in the microwave.

Experts advise to apply coconut extract mainly on the tips and middle of the hair. Do not rub abundant amounts of money into the scalp and on the roots, otherwise it will be difficult to wash off, and the strands will become heavy. For even distribution, you can use a comb with wide teeth or soft bristles, as well as rub oil with massage movements of hands for 20 minutes. At the very end of the procedure, the strands are braided into a pigtail, and the head is wrapped in a cellophane bag, after which it is wrapped with a towel and warmed with a special warming cap.

Coconut oil is applied before shampooing - on dry hair 1-2 times a week and only occasionally - on wet hair, and it can also have a beneficial effect on any type of hair.

For the treatment of brittle and dry curls with split ends, it is recommended to apply an oily substance on its entire length daily. The best effect can be achieved by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to the product. This will make the hair structure supple. If the problem does not affect the entire length of the strands, then a small amount of coconut oil is rubbed only in the tips. The procedure is done after shampooing, on wet hair or on dry, before going to bed.

Especially carefully apply the oil should be people with mixed type of hair. To improve the condition of such a head of hair, the tool is applied as follows:

Considering the fact that natural coconut oil different fatty texture, it must be properly washed off. Do not immediately try to rinse the hair with water, otherwise the task will become much more complicated. Initially, the palm is filled with shampoo and gently foams on the hair, after which everything is rinsed with warm water. Then you need to do the procedure again, applying the shampoo on wet hair.

Coconut oil improves the condition of the hair and heals them, but most often, to enhance the effect, it is mixed with other ingredients. It perfectly combines with food, essential oils and even herbal ingredients. In order not to harm the hair and not be disappointed in the results, cosmetologists advise not to disturb the recipe at the time of preparation of the mixtures.

It should be noted that the masks are made only in glass or enamelware. They are not stored for a long time, so it is better not to mix a large number of components.

Recipe means to strengthen hair

For a remedy you will need the following set:

The main component is heated to the desired temperature and mixed with the other components to a uniform consistency. The resulting mass is distributed on the scalp and the entire length of the hair, and washed off no sooner than 30 minutes. The procedure is done 1 time per week.

To eliminate breakage

Fragile hair will make the following composition elastic:

It is necessary to mix everything, and then apply to the ends of the hair using a special brush or brush. The remedy can be left overnight and then washed off. The procedure is carried out weekly, and the result will be noticeable after 5 sessions.

For the prevention of dandruff

Protect the skin from peeling can be a means of such components:

Oil and honey are preheated in a water bath, then kefir (room temperature) is introduced into them in a thin stream. The resulting mixture is rubbed into the scalp and roots. The exposure time of the mask is unlimited. The effect will be noticeable after 5-6 procedures.

To add shine

Dull hair will look better after applying a mixture of these components:

The mask is neatly distributed from top to bottom along the curls and is washed off in 1-1.5 hours. You can also safely leave the tool at night. If you apply such a mask once a week, the effect will be noticeable in a month. In particularly advanced cases, it is allowed to apply the treatment mixture 1 time in 3 days.

For greasy hair

The strands inclined to fat content need special care and a mask of 2 tbsp. Is perfect for them. l coconut oil and the same amount of sea salt. The components are mixed and placed in a water bath. The mass should be heated with constant stirring until the salt crystals are completely dissolved. Apply the product for 30-50 minutes.

For hair restoration

Damaged strands are recommended to be masked with the following products:

Oatmeal is added to the heated oil, after which the mixture should be set aside for 20 minutes in order for the flakes to swell. Then the yolk is injected into the mass, and the resulting mask is applied to dry hair for about 1-2 hours. If desired, it can not wash off until the morning.

How to apply coconut oil in combination with other oils?

Proper and effective hair care involves the proper use of a variety of natural products that contain substances necessary for health. And in order to apply to the skin and strands at the same time as many useful components as possible, cosmetologists advise to combine coconut oil with other types of oils. It is important to first get acquainted with the beneficial properties of each of the products and monitor the response of the body.

So, combinations with citrus essential oils (grapefruit, lemon, orange) will increase hair growth, and a few drops of tea tree will help get rid of unpleasant itching and dandruff. Enhance the moisturizing effect of such an additional ingredient as olive oil. Adding unrefined almond oil will help to bring back the natural vitality of a hair, and castor oil will prevent hair loss, stimulate growth, and is also ideal for oily hair. It goes well with coconut and burdock oil, which will restore deep layers of strands of any type.

Knowing how to properly apply natural coconut oil at home, you can achieve incredible success in an extremely short time and become the owner of a thick and healthy hair.

45. Cooking

Using butter, you can bake, fry, simmer, bake foods, and this is a healthy alternative to using other vegetable oils or animal fats. Coconut oil does not form harmful by-products when heated. They can also replace butter or margarine for baking (coconut oil needs three-quarters of the amount of the recipe).

47. Polishing furniture

Coconut oil protects and adds shine to wooden furniture. You just need to check the effect of oil on a small area and make sure that you like the result.

Secrets of the use of coconut oil for hair

Coconut oil has been used to maintain beauty for thousands of years as one of the most affordable products among the inhabitants of the tropics. Now this oil is available to everyone, but its price is low. But how to apply coconut oil for hair and what purpose it serves?

Coconut Oil Benefits

Coconut oil is actively used both in home and in professional cosmetology in a variety of types and methods, and in this article we will consider all aspects of using coconut oil for the beauty of our hairstyle. It has several useful properties:

Moisturizing - like any other oil, this product perfectly moisturizes dry hair, making it more docile and healthy looking. But owners of fat curls, do not rush to close the article, this tool is suitable for you.
Nutrition - natural oil has a large amount of nutrients, mainly omega fatty acids and various vitamins that will nourish your hair with the necessary components for health and growth.
Antiseptic and antibacterial properties - coconut oil can even be used as a means of rapid healing of wounds, and when applied to the hair and skin of the head it will help to cope with dandruff, seborrhea, irritation and other common problems of scalp health.
Protection of hair - it envelops every hair protecting them from sunlight and sea water, which is very important in the summer.

The use of coconut oil for hair is useful for everyone, because it allows you to immediately solve a set of problems with a haircut - and to heal, and stimulate growth, make them more docile, and a bonus is skin treatment.

How to choose coconut oil and how it happens

Coconut oil can be found in two forms - refined and unrefined. However, it may also differ by the type of spin, which is cold or hot. Compared with the usual table vegetable there is no difference. Initially, the coconut is squeezed out or cold, which allows you to save more nutrients in the final product, or pre-heat it, which increases the yield, but kills some of the components. It is clear that cold-pressed oil is healthier, but it costs more. And then it can be refined - additional purification.

There is no consensus about what kind of this product is better to use for cosmetic use, because in the refined guaranteed there is nothing superfluous and harmful, it is stored for a longer time, but in an unrefined cold pressed it is much more useful for us substances. It is often recommended to buy unrefined, the main thing is to make sure that it does not cause allergic reactions.

It is important that the oil does not contain other extra components, if we are not talking about any ready-made masks or preparations. You can buy everything you need separately and add them yourself, especially for various essential oils and other things.

Coconut oil has a low melting point, about twenty-five degrees Celsius. When stored in the refrigerator, it should harden to the state of a thick opaque paste, and with a little heat, even in the palms, the oil quickly melts and becomes sufficiently liquid. In the melted form, little is always transparent, and in the frozen form the refined should be white, and the unrefined can have various shades of brown or yellow. The unrefined product has a strong, pleasant smell of coconut, and the refined product is almost deprived of it, which can be another argument in favor of buying an unpurified product.

You can buy coconut oil in most cosmetic stores, but, as already mentioned, the main thing is to look at the composition - there should be only oil and nothing more. If such a product can not be found, then order it on the Internet, it is easy. Or cook the butter yourself.

How to cook coconut oil at home

You will need the usual coconut. The he is more ripe - the better, the output will be more. From the coconut you need to drain all the milk, and scrape off the flesh, grind in a blender or scroll in a meat grinder. Then it needs to be poured over with boiling water and a spoon, mash well and mix.

Let the mixture cool and place in the refrigerator overnight. By morning, on the surface of the pot, above a layer of water, a sufficiently large amount of oil will collect (in the pulp of coconut it is more than 60%). But do not rush to immediately spread it on your hair, this layer should be collected and filtered through a fine sieve or gauze, melted using warm water or waiting until it melts itself, if you do it in the summer. Even homemade coconut oil is stored for quite a long time, at least two weeks, but usually much longer.

The use of coconut oil at home

For cosmetic purposes, coconut oil for hair can be used both in pure form and as one of the constituent components of any product.

In order for the treatment product does not complicate the process of washing, you should correctly use coconut oil for hair. To do this, before applying the agent, first heat it up in a water bath.

To lubricate the entire surface of the strands, a minimum amount of an oily product corresponding to three grams is sufficient.

If you leave coconut oil for hair overnight, the result of the restoration of curls will not take long. Already in the morning, after washing off the mask, one can notice a significant improvement in the quality of the strands.

In order to wash the drug from the strands, you should use a shampoo with a high foaming property, the indicator of which depends on the content of surface-active substances in it.

How to use the drug from coconut as a mask for hair loss

When loosening curls and dropping them together with the bulbs will help mask for the hair of coconut oil.

Proper use of coconut oil for hair involves pre-processing it, which consists in placing the product in a small container, which should be placed in a pan with hot water.

After the product has dissolved and is ready for further use, you can add banana grinded in a blender and sour cream to the resulting mass. 20 minutes need to keep coconut oil on the hair for a visible effect.

Effectively used as components of the mask egg, wine vinegar and essential oils.

The preparation of the composition for hair growth

The use of coconut oil for hair in combination with vitamins A and E will provide enhanced growth of hair. The best components for making a mask are banana, cream and oil solutions of vitamins.

You can experiment by adding dry medicinal herbs in the form of marigold, chamomile and rosemary in an oily gruel.

For the preparation of such masks should protomit the mixture in a water bath for 30 minutes. Apply coconut oil to your hair at a temperature that can withstand the scalp.

Effective mask for the tips of the hair

It is useful to apply coconut oil for hair on dirty locks before each shampooing. The secret is to protect hair from leaching protein, aided by detergents.

Apply coconut oil for hair can be the entire length of the curls. On weekends, when you don’t have to hurry anywhere in the morning, you can allow yourself to leave a tool for the night. At the same time to ensure that the mask does not smeared on the bed, you should roll up your hair with a towel.

Getting crude oil

There are refined and unrefined coconut oil for hair.

Unrefined drug is obtained immediately after the production line. It contains various impurities, giving a specific smell and color. The process of refining allows you to clean the tool from excess impurities.

It is worth considering that in the process of refining products, some of the nutrients in it are lost, therefore, to preserve the health of the hair, it is better to use a crude preparation.

However, it has the ability to clog pores, so when applied directly to the skin, including the head, you should apply a cleansed agent.

Unrefined coconut oil for hair is produced by cold-pressing the purified pulp of the nut. Such a product is considered more useful than when it is obtained by hot pressing. However, the cold method gets only ten percent of the oil of the total production

The drug can be made independently of whole walnut. For this you need:

Open the coconut and drain the juice inside.
Remove the nuts from the shells.
Grind the contents of a blender.
Pour boiling water and, while stirring, try to crush the nut chips.
After cooling the mixture, place it in the refrigerator.
After eight hours, collect the frozen oil, which floated on the surface of the container.

How to choose in a pharmacy coconut oil for dry hair at an affordable price

When buying a drug, it is important to visually evaluate its characteristics:

consistency and color
the presence of chemical additives
smell,
method of cooking products
shelf life.

It is better to buy the drug in specialized stores or in pharmacies. When buying in supermarkets or in ordinary stores there is a high probability of acquiring clandestine oil.

In the pharmacy, you can purchase the product with the addition of flavors, thickeners or dyes. Therefore, if you want to purchase a pure product, you should pay attention to the annotation to it.

It is believed that the most useful unrefined product is cold pressed because of the preservation in it of a large number of useful vitamins and microelements.

High-quality drug has a natural not sharp coconut smell. When buying a refined product, the smell should be absent altogether.

It is better to purchase the product in a transparent container so that its color can be assessed, which should be from transparent to light yellow in color, depending on the degree of its purification. Darker shades are signs of poor oil cleaning.

The oil melts at a temperature in excess of 25 degrees. At lower temperatures, the product is in a solid state.

The average cost of 20 grams of a product is 50 rubles.

Parachute Reviews

Based on the reviews, coconut oil for hair loss helps a lot to cope with the disease. Parachute has wound-healing properties, treats burns, leaving no scars. Cracks on the heels go away after the first use. Small cuts and small wounds heal quickly.

Coconut oil is universal oil, so you should ensure its presence in your home.

The product is convenient to use for removing makeup from the face and eyes. For cosmetic purposes, it effectively regenerates the skin and restores the healthy appearance of the hair.

When applied to the body while sunbathing, it contributes to an even tanning of the body. And if the skin is affected by sunlight, it helps to quickly remove the irritated state.

Coconut Hair Mask Recipes

To enhance the benefits or achieve a complex effect, you can use coconut oil in the composition of masks for hair. If you are already doing any homemade masks, you can try to add some coconut oil to the composition or replace one of the components with it. But in order to be, why make a start, here are some simple recipes:

Coconut mask for dry and diseased hair

The main idea of such recipes is to make the composition even more bold in order to maximally moisten the dry strands, here are a few options:

Mix egg yolk (1-2 pieces) and a tablespoon of coconut oil,
Two tablespoons of the described means mix with a spoon of homemade sour cream or cream,
Mix olive and coconut in equal proportions,
Oil and glycerin.

All components, especially if you already have the oil itself, are available and may be familiar from other home cosmetology recipes. These masks are applied to the entire length of the hairstyle, held for several hours, and then washed off with shampoo.

Coconut for hair growth

Due to its absolutely natural origin, coconut oil perfectly stimulates hair growth. But it is better to use it in combination with other ingredients:

In melted butter pour a teaspoonful (half ampoule) of vitamins A and E,
Mix coconut oil with onion gruel,
Add coconut oil to pepper mask,
You can also use this tool in the composition of masks with cinnamon, mustard powder, ginger,
A natural vitamin mask will come out when melting in equal proportions of honey and coconut oil, to which you need to add a tablespoon of brandy (important: does not suit blondes).

It should be noted that all these masks are necessarily applied to the roots and scalp, otherwise they will not be able to affect the growth rate of hair. Burning masks, with onions or peppers, hold not too long, so as not to get burned skin and not burn hair.

Other uses of oil

In most cases, if you do not have very dry hair and do not make a mask for hair growth, apply coconut oil along the entire length of the hair, but a little receding from the roots. Otherwise, the effect may be hanging and dirty hair, as from there the oil is more difficult to wash.

Often the question arises, how to apply coconut oil to the hair.You can do it with your hands, taking a little thick oil and waiting until it melts, or you can use a comb to distribute it more evenly.

You can keep coconut oil on your hair for a long time, many leave it even for the night, but then in the morning it is harder to wash your hair and it can remain greasy. Standard oil hold 1.5-2 hours.

Rinse coconut oil from the hair is very simple, for this, use your regular shampoo, they all have the properties to wash off the fat, because for this we use them. At the same time you can wash your hair several times in a row, if they seem too fat to you.

It is believed that coconut oil is not capable of harming hair or skin. In the worst case, you will have to go through the day with oily hair, and then the oil will just be washed. It is simply impossible to damage your hair with such a drug!

Coconut soul

Coconut palm - a symbol of exotic tropics. Locals call it the tree of life and use it for a variety of household purposes. Particularly appreciated amazing fruit tree - coconuts.

Hard as a stone "hairy nut" is able to simultaneously feed and water a stray wanderer or a poor sailor who finds himself on an uninhabited island without a drop of fresh water. Coconut milk miraculously remains fresh and cool, even when the hot sun hangs at its zenith.

Since ancient times, women of fashion and beauty have appreciated the cosmetic properties of coconut - its benefits for the beauty of body, face and hair.

Long before the beginning of our era, beautiful Egyptian women knew the secret of luxurious hair. It is believed that they first began to use coconut oil. Since then, this wonderful product has gained immense popularity across the globe.

The most useful oil is obtained by cold pressing from coconut chips. Then the cake is heated until it becomes hot, and squeeze a second time. The resulting product is valued less, because the number and concentration of important elements for a person in it is much lower.

Secrets of effectiveness

On sale now it is easy to find coconut oil of two varieties - unrefined (solid) and refined (liquid). Refined, light oil suitable for hair and scalp. But there is less benefit from it, because many valuable elements of this product are lost in the cleaning process. But the incredibly saturated unrefined, solid and dense oil should be applied only to the hair, not rubbing it into its roots.

Nutritionists inject coconut oil into health-improving nutritional schemes; cosmetologists produce popular products based on it that effectively care for the body, hands, face, but the beneficial effect of this exotic product on hair is beyond any competition.

What is the use of oil

With the systemic application of exotic oil, the hair will become beautiful, well-groomed, shine health from root to tip. Due to its rich composition, coconut oil:

reanimates hair depleted in frequent coloring or perm, including melirovannye and discolored,
protects against environmental aggression: the scorching sun, heavy frost, sea water and wind,
supplies the necessary substances to restore weak and fragile hair,
makes the dried and curly hair obedient,
eliminates dermatological problems: dandruff, skin irritation and seborrhea.

Cooking oil at home

Everyone is able to make coconut oil on their own. You will have to spend some time on this, but you can be completely confident in the quality and naturalness of your cosmetic. In addition, the cost of the product will turn out much lower. Waste will also be used in business: milk and chips are used for both cosmetic and culinary purposes.

To make about 100 grams of the product, you need three medium-sized coconuts. Of these, you need to drain the milk, breaking two small holes in the shell, and only then split the nut. His white insides - copra - should be crushed, pour hot water and mix. The container with the cooled mixture must be placed for several hours in the refrigerator, on the lower shelf. The oil will float and harden on the surface; all that remains is to collect it.

Perhaps the only drawback of kitchen production - the resulting product can not be used for a long time. Even in the refrigerator “homemade butter” lasts no more than ten days.

Hair Loss Recipe

To strengthen weak hair follicles, only refined oil is used. The procedure will strengthen, make the hair elastic, with the result that they will remain in the hair and not on the comb. For this you need:

Heat the oil in a water bath to 50–55 o C.
Fingertips gain healing product.
Massaging into the roots of the hair for a quarter of an hour.
Spread the oil on all the hair, not missing dry areas.
Pay close attention to split and brittle ends of hair.
Shake the head with a cling film and wrap it up with something warm, for example, with a handkerchief.
For the first time, a treatment session can last two to three hours, the time should be gradually increased so that in the end you can leave the oil “work” on the hair for the whole night.
Thoroughly rinse hair from oil in the usual way.

The procedure should be repeated every three days during the month.

The use of oil with brittle hair and the tendency to split ends

Severed and damaged at the ends of the hair look untidy and cause a lot of trouble. No need to rush them to shear - this is only a temporary solution to the problem. A broken structure and improper care very soon will lead to the fact that the tips will have to be cut again and again. This can be a way out only if there is a willingness to wear a very short haircut, but for such an option it doesn’t hurt them at all. For such "reanimation" it is necessary:

Roughly a teaspoon of warm unrefined coconut oil to rub on the palms and within five minutes to actively rub it into the ends of the hair.
Leave the remedy overnight, then rinse.
If possible, do not remove the oil for a longer time (you can leave it on the hair for a day).

It is desirable to carry out the procedure weekly, necessarily combining it with the complete treatment of the entire structure of the hair and scalp. To heal the split ends, usually 4–5 sessions are enough.

Use for scalp problems

Dandruff, seborrhea, itching and excessive dry scalp - all these troubles can be not only cosmetic problems, but the result of some diseases, such as metabolic disorders (metabolic syndrome, diabetes and others). To eliminate the causes of these phenomena, you need the help of a doctor, but coconut oil will do just fine with the symptoms themselves. To eliminate unpleasant manifestations it is recommended:

Hold a tablespoon of liquid oil in your palms until it warms up to the temperature of your hands.
Gently distribute it over the scalp, paying particular attention to the problem areas.
For several minutes, rub the healing product into the skin and hair roots.
The movements should be soft, excessive activity in such a case will not lead to anything good.
Heat the head for 4–5 hours, then remove the oil with a therapeutic detergent.

The itch will go away after the first procedure, and with the rest of the problems you will have to fight longer - up to a month. Treatment should be carried out two or three times a week.

Refined coconut oil cares for hair and scalp

Growth Stimulator

The systematic use of coconut oil stimulates and nourishes the essential substances of the bulb, contributing to the strengthening and rapid growth of hair. The recipe is simple:

Heated liquid oil should evenly moisten the surface of the head.
Within 10-15 minutes, “drive” it into the roots of the hair, while massaging areas with hair follicles.
Spread the rest of the product all over the hair.
Flush oil can be after four hours.

The treatment sessions last at least a month with an interval of one day, then a two-week break is necessary, and the oil massage can be continued.

Use for shine and strength (achieve the effect of lamination)

Damaged in the process of dyeing or perming due to the careful impact of coconut oil hair regain silky shine and elasticity. The effect of a properly performed procedure in all parameters will exceed the lamination done in an expensive salon. The result is especially noticeable on gray hair and on naughty curls, which will soon be easy to fit into beautiful curls. The recipe is simple, like everyone else:

It will take about two tablespoons of unrefined oil - the amount is adjusted depending on the length and thickness of the hair.
It is necessary to gently distribute the oil, rubbing it from top to bottom on the curls.
Carefully, but without sudden movements, comb through the hair to nourish them with a nutrient.
After an hour and a half, cover your head with food film and, if desired, wrap up with a towel.
The treatment session is done in the evening, in the morning the oil is removed from the hair with two or three soaps with a mild shampoo.

Usually, one session per week is enough, but in advanced cases, treatment should be carried out more often - once every three days. Within a month, the effect will become noticeable to everyone.

Balsam after washing

Coconut oil is a worthy replacement for expensive balms. It envelops each hair with a thin protective film, protecting it from the harmful effects of a hot hair dryer or ironing. To do this:

Wash hair with shampoo.
Put a little bit of melted solid oil on the comb and thoroughly comb through slightly dried hair.
You do not need to wash your hair again.

In recipes masks

Oil masks for hair is a very pleasant and effective procedure. Do not limit yourself to work. Coconut oil successfully interacts with almost all components, it is especially well combined with other natural healing oils. Most suitable for this unrefined product. To enhance the healing effect in any of the masks you can add literally a couple of drops of coconut essential oil.

The formulation of the masks is calculated on the hair of medium length - you can adjust the number of components if necessary, without changing their proportions. Masks are usually made no longer than a month at intervals of one to two days. Next month you need to give your hair a rest, and then, if you wish, continue the procedure.

For damaged hair, including bleached and bleached

coconut oil - 3 tablespoons,
Curry leaves - 3 pieces.

Combine dry curry leaves with coconut oil and put in a water bath.
Warm up slowly until the leaves turn black.
Cool, remove the leaves, put a mask on your hair.
An hour later, wash off.

To strengthen

coconut oil - 2 tablespoons,
honey - 1 tsp,
favorite essential oil - 3-5 drops.

Melt the butter in a water bath.
Cool a little and, with constant stirring, add honey, add essential oil.
Mask applied over the entire length of the hair.
After half an hour, wash off.

For density and volume

coconut oil - 3 tablespoons,
rosemary and pharmaceutical chamomile flowers - 1 teaspoon,
lavender essential oil - 5 drops.

Grind dried herbs into powder and add them to coconut oil.
Heat the mixture in a water bath while stirring.
Cool to about 50 degrees.
Thickly smear hair and comb through.
Cover the head with plastic and wrap a towel for one hour, then rinse.

For hydration and nutrition

coconut oil - 2 tablespoons,
Avocado or overripe banana - 1 piece.

Mash fruit with a fork to a state of mashed potatoes.
Mix thoroughly with melted butter.
Spread the mixture wet hair and thoroughly comb it with a rare comb.
After 40 minutes, wash off.

For dry hair, it is recommended to use a fruit mask two to three times a week, for normal and oily hair - once every seven days.

Against hair loss

coconut oil - 2-3 tablespoons,
large clove of garlic,
ground chili pepper - 0.5 coffee spoons.

Grind the garlic and mix it with red pepper and softened warm oil.
Keep the mixture on the hair for no more than half an hour.
Wash off with shampoo.

The mask is used for two months: the first two weeks every other day, the next two weeks - two days later, and until the end of the course - once a week.

Garlic and pepper - unexpected hair benefits

For dry hair

coconut oil - 1 tablespoon,
castor oil - 1 tsp,
burdock oil - 1 tsp,
coconut milk - 2 tablespoons,
Rose essential oil - 3-5 drops.

Mix all the ingredients, constantly mixing them in a water bath.
In warm form, apply to dry hair in the evening.
Wash your hair in the morning.

After painting

coconut oil - 2 tablespoons,
ground oatmeal flakes - 2 tablespoons,
1 raw chicken egg yolk.

Add oatmeal to heated oil and set aside for a quarter of an hour.
Add the egg yolk to the mixture, mix.
The mask is applied to dry hair and not washed off for several hours, you can leave it overnight.

For straightening curly and too curly (African) hair

coconut oil - 2 tablespoons,
glycerin - 0.5 tablespoon,
egg yolk,
wine vinegar - 1 tsp,
lavender and rosemary essential oils - 2 drops.

Heat the oil in a water bath and mix it with the other components until homogeneous.
Apply the product to wet hair, evenly distributing and combing it over the entire length.
Wash off with shampoo in an hour.

Even the most curly "African" curls thanks to coconut oil will be smooth and shiny

With cosmetic products

You can regularly add coconut oil in cosmetics: your favorite shampoos and balms. But do not mix the whole bottle with oil at once; it is necessary to test this method for a while. For one wash for a medium-length hair, one coffee spoon of coconut oil will be quite enough. You don’t need to add more, otherwise your hair will look greasy and have a bad fit.

The effect of natural lamination, which creates such a simple technique, allows you to protect your hair from many of the factors that are detrimental to it, including mechanical damage and protein leaching.

On the basis of the healing product can be made at home shampoos, in the natural composition of which you can be absolutely sure. It is good to experiment with formulas and components, creating those care products that are ideal for hair. The only disadvantage is that such works should be stored in the refrigerator, so they should not be immediately prepared in large volumes.

In which cases oil may be harmful.

You need to buy coconut oil only proven manufacturers, so as not to doubt its natural composition and beneficial properties. Poor product may cause allergies. In addition, when purchasing funds from an unreliable seller, there is a risk of getting a banal fake - batches of counterfeit coconut oil from time to time come up in the market and on the Internet.

Be sure to make sure the expiration date is not expiring. This is especially important for unrefined oil. The product of industrial production is well stored, but still it is better to keep an open can in the refrigerator.

Contraindications

Coconut oil is not suitable for people who are prone to allergies. Therefore, before using this healing agent, one should carry out the usual test: put a few drops on the inside of the elbow from the evening. If by the morning this place does not turn red, then oil can be used. When buying a product from an unfamiliar manufacturer, you must repeat the test test.

It can also cause allergies and other active components of medical masks, such as honey, pepper or garlic. Such procedures can be done only if there is no individual intolerance to these ingredients.

As in any other application of folk remedies, it is important to feel the measure, using coconut oil. Excessive fascination with them can bring not benefit, but harm: the hair will become oily, will stray, badly comb and not keep the shape.

I tried once, hair became soft, they say, it helps very well with dry hair)

kristynochka

I use coconut hair for half a year. It is gorgeous. The hair is long to the waist, dyed, there is no cutting at all, the hair is soft and shiny. I also smear my face and body. I have been using face oils for 5 years already. What is my skin cream doesn’t know, I’m 34 years old with this chemistry I have several types of oils. Here is what I say to the note. For the face it is better to use refined oil. For the body, it doesn’t matter what, and for the hair, it’s best NOT refined (fatter). I found out through trial and error. Girls, be sure to take care of your hair, even smear sunflower, it will still be much better than nothing. Apply the oil warm, before applying the hair can be slightly moisturized, the hair should be without styling products. And always after applying the oil and rinse it off, use a balm-conditioner. Only on the roots do not apply.

Olka

For dry hair - this is salvation, the result quickly makes itself felt! I put it in the same way, on the roots I apply warmed burdock oil + nettle oil + almond, and the rest of the length is coconut oil. RESULT: Hair became stronger, a stunning shine appeared, and besides, it began to grow much faster.

Irinka

I have bad curly hair, dandelion is still talking about such, dry, brittle. I decided to try coconut oil. Just rubbed into the hair length. But not on the scalp. This is good! After 2 times the effect is visible. hair smoothed, stopped hanging around, began to shine. True, now I have to wash my head more often, but nothing) I am pleased with the result, try it!

Nakoukou

Do not wait, girls, a miracle from several procedures. If you already took up your hair, then systematically and consistently do the procedure. Here the main thing is regularity and patience) I think that if your hair was not in such a deplorable state as mine, the results will be faster and better. In my case, it took about six months to the first visible results.

akuna matata

For a positive effect, it is quite enough to keep the mask with coconut oil on the hair for 2-3 hours, but to achieve the maximum result, it is advisable to make a mask for the night - good, the aroma of refined coconut oil is completely absent.

Result: hair becomes smooth, soft, shiny - very pleasant to the touch and attractive in appearance. As for the prevention of fragility of hair, as the main function of coconut oil, it is definitely difficult to judge: dry sliced ends after any oil masks look more neat, and coconut oil is not an exception in this respect.

Tann4ig

Coconut oil is an exotic product that has become indispensable for our women who have tried using it to care for their hair at least once. The unique composition of the oil gives amazing results and guarantees a luxurious hairstyle. The procedure, simple and accessible to every woman, allows to achieve an effect that in many ways surpasses the trip to an expensive salon. The main thing is to know a few secrets and correctly apply them in practice.