Rehydrate your scalp: How to use coconut oil for dry scalp in six simple steps

Coconut oil is a wonderful product and can be used in so many ways to deliver health and wellbeing benefits. When you apply it to your hair and scalp, it can reduce dryness and itchiness while delivering a host of other benefits. 

If you’re new to the wonders of coconut oil and want to use it on your scalp, read on to discover why coconut oil is great for the health of your hair and scalp, and discover six simple steps that will help you apply this product for impressive benefits. 

What causes dry scalp? 

There are numerous potential causes of dry scalp, including: 

• Overdrying: Using a hair dryer on its hottest setting can cause your scalp to dry out. Therefore, switching to an ionic dryer like the Laifen Swift Special, which has adjustable heat settings, can prevent your hair from drying out in the future. 
• Hair products: If you use harsh hair products with ingredients like alcohol and sulfates, they can cause your scalp to dry out. Switching to organic, natural products can make a big difference. Review some recommeneded leave-in conditioners now.
• Weather: When the temperature is cold and there’s little moisture in the air, your scalp and hair might dry out more than usual. 
• General lack of moisture: If your hair and scalp lack moisture in general, they’re much more likely to be dry and flaky. This can occur when your hair produces insufficient sebum (oil) to keep it naturally hydrated and healthy.

Is coconut oil good for a dry scalp? 

Coconut oil is one of the best remedies for a dry, itchy scalp. It’s widely available, affordable, and has numerous benefits for your dry scalp, including: 

• Coconut oil has deep moisturizing properties thanks to its high-fat content. Once applied, it deeply nourishes your scalp with fatty acids, which help to alleviate and prevent future dryness and itchiness. 
• When you use coconut oil to nourish your hair, you can be confident in its natural properties and the fact it’s free from harmful chemicals and ingredients. The best coconut oil products are cold-pressed and certified as organic, but they also command a higher price tag. 
• Another significant benefit of using coconut oil for your dry scalp is that it creates a barrier when applied, which prevents harmful bacteria and environmental issues causing your scalp to try out. This can help to prevent moisture loss caused by the weather. 
• Coconut oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which is great for soothing your scalp and preventing dandruff. Equally, coconut oil is anti-fungal, which can reduce fungal overgrowth on your scalp, which is another potential cause of dryness. 

How to use coconut oil for a dry, itchy scalp?

One of the reasons coconut oil is so popular for a dry, flaky scalp is that it’s extremely easy to apply. Here are the simple steps to follow if you’re using coconut oil for the first time: 

There are lots of coconut oil hair products out there, but we recommend a product that is cold-pressed and certified organic. This will ensure you use a natural, chemical-free coconut oil to treat your hair.

Brush your hair and detangle it to make it easy to apply the coconut oil evenly. Your hair should be dry for the best results.

As coconut oil is hard in the tub or jar, you should scrape out a small amount of oil and warm it in your hands until it becomes liquid.

You’re now ready to apply the oil to your hair. Work it evenly into all strands and massage your scalp gently to let the coconut oil work its magic.

At the very least, you should leave the coconut oil in your hair for 30 minutes, but you can even allow it to soak into your hair overnight for the best results.

The final step is to wash the coconut oil out of your hair. You should use a sulfate-free shampoo to do this, and always use your Laifen hair dryer on its low or medium heat setting when drying your hair, to prevent damage to the scalp.

How often to use coconut oil for dry scalp?

You don’t need to treat your scalp with coconut oil every day. Doing so can make your hair look greasy or excessively oily, so you should be mindful of how frequently you add the oil to your hair. 

If you have a particularly dry and itchy scalp, we advise you to use coconut oil treatments a couple of times each week. If possible, leave the oil in your hair overnight so it can deeply nourish and heal your hair and scalp. 

After a few weeks, you should notice significant improvements, and you can reduce the frequency to once a week to keep benefiting from the added hydration and nourishment that coconut oil brings to your scalp. 

The verdict: How to use coconut oil for dry, flaky scalp 

While there are many oils and products you can apply to a dry, flaky scalp, coconut oil is one of the best. It has many potential benefits, such as rehydrating and nourishing your scalp to prevent itchiness and dandruff. 

We recommend applying coconut oil to your hair a couple of times a week if you have an itchy scalp, and when you start seeing results, you can reduce the frequency to once a week.