Coconut milk is rich in beneficial nutrients like zinc, fat, proteins, and vitamins B12, C, and E (1). Vitamin E is proven to protect and combat the damage by free radicals (2). You can prepare coconut milk easily at home and add it to your hair care regimen to witness the visible results. Keep reading to know more.
How To Make Coconut Milk
Although coconut milk is available in canned and powdered forms, studies have shown that volatiles in canned coconut milk change over time (3). Hence, it is best to opt for homemade coconut milk. Coconut milk is extracted from the flesh of mature coconuts. The extraction process is easy and can be done by following these simple steps: You can use this coconut milk in any of the hair care treatments listed below.
9 Best Coconut Milk Treatments For Hair Growth
1. Coconut Milk For Hair Growth
This coconut milk hair treatment penetrates your scalp to nourish and condition the hair follicles. It moisturizes your hair and makes it healthy. You Will Need
1/4 cup of coconut milk Shower cap
Prep Time: 2 minutes Processing Time: 1 hour Directions
2. Coconut Milk And Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C (4). It helps reduce dandruff and cleanses the scalp thoroughly. You Will Need
4 tablespoons of coconut milk 2 teaspoons of lemon juice Shower cap
Prep Time: 4 hours Processing Time: 45 minutes Directions Note: The coconut milk might curdle a bit. This does not mean it has perished or its effectiveness has reduced.
3. Coconut Milk And Honey For Deep Conditioning
Honey has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It is an excellent emollient that helps seal moisture and condition your hair (5). Honey can also heal scalp wounds and burns. When used in combination with coconut milk, it amplifies the milk’s positive effects on your hair by sealing in moisture and nutrients. You Will Need
4 tablespoons of coconut milk 2 teaspoons of honey Shower cap
Prep Time: 2 minutes Processing Time: 1-2 hours Directions
4. Coconut Milk And Olive Oil
This deep conditioning hair pack makes the hair soft and frizz-free. Olive oil contains oleuropein, which was found to induce hair growth in mice (6). You Will Need
4 tablespoons of coconut milk 1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 tablespoon of honey Shower cap
Prep Time: 5 minutes Processing Time: 1 hour Directions
5. Coconut Milk And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can help prevent hair loss and boost hair growth (7) (8). It also maintains scalp health and treats dandruff and irritation. You Will Need
3 tablespoons of coconut milk 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel A bunch of tulsi (holy basil) leaves Shower cap
Prep Time: 5 minutes Processing Time: 30 minutes Directions
6. Coconut Milk, Camphor, And Yogurt For Hair Growth
Camphor can help reduce hair loss. When used with coconut extracts, it can help treat dandruff, head lice, and an itchy scalp (9). Yogurt is rich in probiotics. A study showed that probiotic bacteria induced shiny hair growth in aged mice (10). You Will Need
5 tablespoons of coconut milk 1 tablespoon of yogurt 1/4 teaspoon of crushed camphor Shower cap
Prep Time: 2 minutes Processing Time: 1-2 hours Directions
7. Coconut Milk And Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a popular hair care ingredient. It is rich in protein and helps reduce hair thinning, balding, and hair fall. It also contains lecithin, which strengthens and moisturizes the hair (11). Studies showed that fenugreek extracts could boost hair growth in mice (12). You Will Need
2 tablespoons of fenugreek seed powder 2 tablespoons of coconut milk
Prep Time: 5 minutes Processing Time: 30 minutes Directions
8. Coconut Milk And Gram Flour
Gram flour or besan is an excellent cleansing agent. Anecdotal evidence suggests that gram flour adds shine to the hair and keeps the scalp clean and fresh. You Will Need
1/2 cup of coconut milk Juice of half a lemon 1/2 cup of gram flour
Prep Time: 5 minutes Processing Time: 15 minutes Directions Note: The mixture should have a thick consistency. If it gets too thick, add more coconut milk.
9. Coconut Milk And Egg
Eggs are loaded with vitamins E, C, and B12 (13). The deficiency of these nutrients has a connection with hair loss (2). This egg white hair mask is highly effective, especially for oily and combination hair types. You Will Need
1 egg white 5 tablespoons of coconut milk 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil Shower cap
Prep Time: 5 minutes Processing Time: 20 minutes Directions These are the 9 best coconut milk hair masks that you can easily make at home. Apply them once a week for a few months, and you will reap the following benefits.
Benefits Of Coconut Milk For The Hair
Read on to find if there are any side effects of using coconut milk for the hair.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Coconut Milk For The Hair?
Not much research has been done on the risks of coconut milk’s topical application. However, excessive consumption of coconut milk can lead to allergies, weight gain, and constipation. How long should I leave coconut milk on my hair? You can leave coconut milk on your hair for 20 minutes to absorb its goodness. Lastly, rinse it out thoroughly. How often should you use coconut milk in your hair? Coconut milk acts as a good conditioner for your hair, and you can use it in your hair once every week for best results. Can I use coconut milk as a leave-in conditioner? Yes. You can use coconut milk as a leave-in conditioner as it is less oily when compared with coconut oil and helps add volume to your hair. Is coconut milk good for black hair? Yes. Coconut milk is rich in a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and works great on black hair. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that the application of hair products rich in coconut milk helps promote growth of black hair.
