The Power of Coconut Oil

Unlocking the Secret to Luscious Locks: The Power of Coconut Oil

In the ever-evolving world of hair care, natural remedies continue to captivate enthusiasts and professionals alike. Among the myriad of natural solutions, coconut oil has emerged as a versatile and powerful elixir for promoting hair growth and enhancing hair health. With a rich history rooted in traditional medicine, this tropical treasure offers a multitude of benefits that have been celebrated for centuries. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the science behind coconut oil, its myriad benefits, and practical ways to incorporate it into your hair care routine to achieve the luscious locks you desire.

 

The Science Behind Coconut Oil: Understanding Its Unique Composition

Coconut oil's efficacy as a hair care remedy lies in its unique chemical composition. Extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts, this oil is rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), with lauric acid being the most prominent. Lauric acid, known for its antimicrobial properties, is highly beneficial for both scalp and hair health. Additionally, coconut oil contains capric acid and caprylic acid, which contribute to its overall antimicrobial profile.

The presence of these fatty acids allows coconut oil to penetrate the hair shaft more effectively than other oils. Unlike long-chain fatty acids found in other vegetable oils, the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil are able to penetrate deep into the hair shaft, providing nutrients and moisture from within. This conditioning effect helps to reduce protein loss, reverse hair damage, and promote healthier hair. Best of all, it does all this naturally.

Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

1. Deep Conditioning and Moisturizing

One of the primary benefits of coconut oil is its ability to deeply condition and moisturize. Dry hair is more prone to breakage, which can impede hair growth. Coconut oil's moisturizing properties help to keep the hair shaft hydrated, reducing dryness and brittleness. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with curly or coarse hair, which tends to be more prone to dryness.

2. Preventing Protein Loss

Hair is primarily composed of a protein called keratin. Regular exposure to environmental stressors, chemical treatments, and heat styling can lead to protein loss, weakening the hair and making it more susceptible to breakage. Studies have shown that coconut oil can help prevent protein loss in both damaged and undamaged hair. By preserving the hair's protein structure, coconut oil contributes to stronger, more resilient hair growth. 

3. Scalp Health

A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair growth. Coconut oil's antimicrobial properties help to combat scalp infections and conditions, such as dandruff. Its anti-inflammatory properties also soothe scalp irritation and inflammation, creating an optimal environment for hair follicles to thrive.

 4. Improved Blood Circulation

Massaging coconut oil into the scalp can improve blood circulation, enhancing the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen to your hair follicles. Improved circulation not only promotes hair growth but also strengthens the hair roots, reducing hair fall and promoting thicker, fuller hair.

5. Protection from Environmental Damage

Coconut oil acts as a protective barrier against environmental damage caused by UV, pollution, and so on. By shielding the hair from these external stressors, coconut oil helps to maintain the integrity of the hair shaft and prevent damage that can impede hair growth. The simple coconut can almost do it all, on top of everything we've mentioned, you can also eat and/or drink a coconut. Amazing!

How to Incorporate Coconut Oil into Your Hair Care Routine

Incorporating coconut oil into your hair care routine is simple and can be tailored to suit your specific needs and preferences. Here are some effective ways to harness the benefits of coconut oil for hair growth:

1. Pre-Shampoo Treatment

Using coconut oil as a pre-shampoo treatment is a great way to protect your hair from the harsh effects of shampooing. 

You can maximize the benefits with just a few simple steps:

1. Warm the Oil: Gently warm a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a microwave or over a bowl of hot water until it becomes liquid. I find that leaving it in a heated room or even a bathroom is enough to melt a large percentage of solidified oil.

2. Apply to Hair and Scalp: Massage the warm oil into your scalp and work it through the lengths of your hair, ensuring even coverage.

3. Leave On: Leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes, or for a more intensive treatment, it is safe to leave it overnight. But be aware, you will get coconut oil all over your pillows if you decide to sleep with it in.

4. Shampoo and Condition: Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and follow with your regular conditioner.

2. Leave-In Conditioner

Coconut oil can be used as a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated and frizz-free throughout the day. 

1. Apply a Small Amount: After washing and conditioning your hair, take a small amount of coconut oil and rub it between your palms.

2. Distribute Evenly: Run your hands through the lengths and ends of your damp hair, avoiding the roots to prevent excess greasiness.

3. Style as Usual: Style your hair as you normally would. The oil will help to lock in moisture and add a natural shine.

3. Scalp Massage

A regular scalp massage with coconut oil can stimulate hair growth by improving blood circulation and relaxing the scalp. This is one of the therapeutic treatments I have been trying to improve my hairline, we dove deeper into this subject in this post.

1. Warm the Oil: Warm a few tablespoons of coconut oil using whatever method you prefer until it becomes liquid.

2. Massage the Scalp: Using your fingertips, gently massage the oil into your scalp in circular motions for about 5-10 minutes.

3. Leave On: Leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes before washing it out with a mild shampoo.

4. Regular Use: Repeat this process 1-2 times a week for best results. 

 4. DIY Hair Masks

Create nourishing hair masks using coconut oil as a base. Here are a few recipes to try:

Coconut Oil and Honey Mask:

- Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing thoroughly and shampooing. 

Coconut Oil and Avocado Mask:

- Mash half an avocado and mix it with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Apply the mixture to your hair, concentrating on dry or damaged areas.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing and shampooing. 

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

While coconut oil is generally safe for most people, it's important to consider a few potential side effects and precautions:

1. Allergic Reactions:

Although rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions to coconut oil. If you have sensitive skin or a known coconut allergy, perform a patch test before using coconut oil on your hair and scalp.

2. Greasy Hair: 

Applying too much coconut oil can make your hair appear greasy and heavy. Start by using a small amount then adjust based on your hair type and needs. I recommend being conservative the first couple sessions then adding more or using less after getting a feel for it. 

3. Clogged Pores: 

If you have an oily scalp, using coconut oil excessively may clog pores and exacerbate scalp issues. Use sparingly and make sure you do a thorough cleansing to get all the excess oils out.

Conclusion

Embrace the Natural Power of Coconut Oil!

In a world where synthetic hair care products often promise quick fixes, coconut oil stands out as a natural, time-tested remedy with a multitude of benefits. From deep conditioning and preventing protein loss to promoting scalp health and protecting against environmental damage, coconut oil offers a comprehensive solution for those seeking to enhance their hair growth and overall hair health.

How To Make Topical Finasteride Using Minoxidil

I chose the topical route to minimize any side effects. I took Finasteride orally for about two days before making the switch. I don't know if reading all those horror-stories imprinted something in my mind... but it made me hyper aware of any changes going on in my body.

Either way, I am terrible when it comes to remembering to take my pills. So combining as many routines together as I can is better for my long term consistency.

Making Your Own Topical Finasteride

Finasteride pills are very easy to crush, I simply used a small bowl with a metal spoon, at first. Later I hit Amazon for a more official tool to do the job.

Combining Finasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor; with Minoxidil, a vasodilator, is a strategy some people consider more effective at combating hair loss. Finasteride works by reducing the production of dihydrotestosterone, while minoxidil works by widening blood vessels in the scalp. The idea behind combining these two medications is to hit hair loss from two different angles at the same time.

However, creating a homemade topical solution by combining these two medications involves significant considerations regarding dosage, solubility, efficacy, safety, and legality. Of course, we are making it for ourselves. So the main thing you need to be aware of is how much Finasteride we are mixing together.

Understanding The Ingredients

• Finasteride: A prescription medication primarily used to treat male pattern baldness and benign prostatic hyperplasia at the oral dose. It inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, responsible for converting testosterone to DHT.
• Minoxidil: An over-the-counter medication used to treat hair loss, which promotes hair growth by widening blood vessels in the scalp and increasing blood flow to hair follicles.

Thoughts About Combining Finasteride With Minoxidil

• Dosage and concentration: Determining the correct dosage of each medication for topical use is challenging. Too little may be ineffective, while too much could increase the risk of side effects.
• Solubility: Finasteride and Minoxidil have different solubility profiles, which can complicate the creation of a stable solution.
  
• Efficacy: While each medication has proven efficacy on its own, the effectiveness of a combined topical solution is less mainstream and understood. So results will vary depending on a multitude of factors, which you may or may not know.
  
• Safety: The risk of systemic absorption and side effects may be altered when these medications are applied topically, especially in a homemade mixture. While safe, you are still taking a risk that you must accept.
  

Steps To Making Your Own Finasteride + Minoxidil Solution

1. Consultation with a Healthcare Professional

It's crucial to discuss any plans with a healthcare provider, if you want to go about this in a way which is as close to 100% safe as possible. They can provide guidance on the safety, potential effectiveness, and legal aspects of using prescription medication in this way.

2. Acquiring the Ingredients

Finasteride is a prescription medication, and using it without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions. But getting a prescription is so easy, you don't even need to leave the house! Here is a post where I describe in detail how I got my Finasteride prescription at home. They come as tiny white 1mg tablets, with the official dosage being one pill a day.

Minoxidil is available over the counter in various concentrations, I got mine from Amazon because I was lazy. I chose the Kirkland Signature brand because I automatically trust anything from Costco, but there are many brands to choose from. They all come pretty much the same way, in little 60ml bottles with a dropper that dispenses in 1ml increments. The bottle says to apply it twice a day, but I do it just once.

3. Preparation

Finasteride tablets need to be crushed, then dissolved in a suitable solvent such as Minoxidil. Though more "official" sources will tell you to melt the Finasteride in a separate solvent first, then mix THAT into your bottle of Minoxidil. But I just toss it straight in with the Minoxidil.

Now the big question is, how many pills do I throw in this bad boi? During my initial experiment I mixed 30 pills into a 60ml bottle, then on my next bottle, I lowered that to 15 pills. I noticed the same if not better results, so I continued with that lower concentration.

4. Application

A dropper or another applicator can be used to apply the solution to the scalp. It's important to apply it consistently as part of your daily routine. Remember to give it time to absorb before doing anything that could wash or rub it away.

Conclusion

While the prospect of combining Finasteride and Minoxidil into a single topical treatment for hair loss might seem appealing, it's fraught with challenges and risks. At the end of the day, we are still using a medication in a way it wasn't intended. Like how Minoxidil was only meant for the crown, but people use it all over the place, like your face. Overall, my personal experiences are just that, my own experience. But if you decide to give it a shot, just be aware your results are not guaranteed.

Hair Update: May 1, 2024

I've been using the new regiment for some time now; the Minoxidil + Finasteride mix and micro-needling.

I do not feel any systemic changes which was a huge relief, I lowered my Finasteride dose for the second bottle of Minoxidil from 30 pills to 15 pills. And I noticed just as good if not better results, my recession on both temples got new hairs popping up and slowly getting thicker... like young grass.

Seeing the results, I am pretty confident that if I started this sooner, I would have saved a lot of my hairline. Going from nothing to my previous pretty boy hairline probably won't ever happen, but we will see.

In these series of photos, you can see the new hairs in my frontal area. These hairs were super tiny and fine a couple months ago. I took a snap before I cut my hair and two more after the cut, you have the most honest results with your hair short.

Results are painfully slow, but thankfully, I did not notice a shedding. You know how everyone says things will get worse before it gets better? Either I skipped that phase or there wasn't anything there to get worse!