Are raw oils, like coconut oil, truly a miracle solution for hair care, or are they more myth than reality? In this post, we delve into the truth behind common misconceptions surrounding oils in their raw form and their impact on the health of your hair.
It’s a common belief that raw oils, such as those from the grocery aisle, offer a natural remedy for various hair concerns. However, the reality is far more complex. These oils may seem nourishing at first glance because they can lubricate and add shine, but they are actually be detrimental to your hair’s health in the long run by causing damage to your hair and skin’s protective lipid layer, protein loss, and even exacerbating heat damage.
Historical Insights:
The use of oils in hair care dates back decades, with practices tracing as far back as the 1920s. Those with super curly and coily hair used oils frequently during this time period, but the reasons behind this usage were not as beneficial as they may seem. “Growing Oils”, a popular product and routine of the time, did not actually stimulate hair growth. Instead, it altered the curl pattern of the hair, making it less springy. Additionally, oils were used to dry out the hair, reducing its elasticity—a practice born out of necessity1 rather than genuine care for hair health.
pH Puzzle:
Ever realized that coconut oil is alkaline, while your skin and hair carry an acidic pH? Coconut oil treads at pH 7-8, creating a stark contrast2 to your beloved tresses! Preserving that all-important pH balance is key.
Saturated Fat Fiasco:
High in saturated fat (around 90%), coconut oil may be a foe to sensitive skin conditions like perioral dermatitis. Its application can create a block, akin to a plastic bag, smothering your hair and skin while blocking pores and follicles. Let your skin and hair thrive naturally! Plus, saturated fats can induce heat in the body.3 Think it’s hot now? Imagine turning up the temperature!
Microbiome Mayhem:
Maintaining a healthy microbiome is fundamental for your skin and hair. Sure, coconut oil’s antimicrobial properties can tackle bacteria, viruses, and fungi. But frequent use might throw off that delicate balance. A dab here and there could work, but full-blown application? Not so much.
In fact: RAW oils (oils in their raw form like those from the kitchen section or anything outside of a conditioner specifically formulated for hair) will always do more harm than good. Eggs alone don’t make a cake, and the dose makes the poison.
Better Options Await:
There’s a whole universe of alternatives that can cater more specifically to your skin and hair needs! Cutting-edge science offers us a plethora of solutions, extracting the finest properties from an array of ingredients for optimal effect.
It’s like baking a cake:
- eggs, alone, makes for a terrible cake, (that’s just raw eggs),
- boiled eggs makes for a terrible cake, (and pretty questionable deviled eggs),
- replacing the carrots in carrot cake with kale makes for a terrible cake (even with the eggs)
- and all the right ingredients in the right amounts in the right order but at the wrong temperature and time still can make for a terrible cake! (That’s possibly inedible)
Hair care is a whole chemistry, much like baking. We much prefer to use scientifically formulated products designed for hair in our hair.
- Furniture Restorer Finds 200-Year-Old Chair Filled With ‘Human Hair’ https://www.newsweek.com/furniture-restorer-finds-200-year-old-chair-filled-human-hair-slave-1622452 ↩︎
- How pH affects hair https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158629/ ↩︎
- Coconut Oil, Good for Frying Foods https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/2009/04/coconut-oil-good-or-bad ↩︎
