Coconut Oil For Dandruff? What The Science Really Says
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Pure virgin coconut oil is delicious to the senses, with a light, tropical fragrance and rich, soft feel on the skin. These qualities - along with its myriad of storied health and beauty benefits - mean coconut oil is cropping up almost everywhere in natural personal and skin care products as well as health food recipes.
This curious oil is often solid at room temperature, but melts down once you start heating it up. Advocates and some dietitians and nutritionists tout coconut oil consumption's power to boost energy, lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol levels, raise “good” HDL cholesterol, salve wounds, treat acne, lower obesity and fat content, nourish dry skin, and more. The benefits of coconut oil are even said to include health effects such as weight loss, heart disease prevention, and overall heart health. There’s even an ancient technique called oil pulling that involves swishing coconut oil around the mouth to support the health of your teeth. It’s no wonder people everywhere are flocking to this superfood.
But what if you use coconut oil to help with dandruff? If you struggle with dandruff - the flaking that results when your scalp gets irritated - you may have heard that coconut oil can offer some assistance, given its purported health benefits for skin and hair care. So what does the science really say? Is there an effective way to capture this natural ingredient’s beneficial powers to soothe your head in every sense (mind and scalp alike)?
We’ve got answers! But first, let’s take a step back to talk about itching, flaking, scaling scalps and what causes them. Then we’ll discuss effective relief - and how coconut oil can help.
What is Dandruff, Exactly?
Dandruff is most associated with flakes: skin flakes that peel from your irritated scalp and can show up places they’re not invited. Like the shoulders of your clothing, and floating in an otherwise snazzy hairdo.
Dandruff isn’t just a cosmetic problem, though. The notorious flaking associated with this condition is generally accompanied by itching and irritation. You deserve better!
But why is your scalp so irritated in the first place? And what can you do to smooth over the situation?
Root Causes of Dandruff
Many different underlying conditions can trigger the irritation that lead to dandruff flakes. Seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis can all be root culprits of flaking, as can many other conditions. Your flakes might even be caused by a combination of these factors.
Other factors thought to play a role in making people susceptible to dandruff include pollution exposure, humidity levels, stress, genetics, and dietary habits (including levels of zinc and certain antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, food allergies and more).
Many Causes, Same Outcome
With so many potential root causes, you may be wondering whether you need a specific diagnosis in order to treat your dandruff effectively. Fortunately, the answer is likely no.
While you should certainly consult a doctor or dermatologist if you have healthcare questions or concerning symptoms, dandruff can usually be treated safely and effectively without a prescription. That’s because dandruff - whatever its root cause - always involves the same runaway process of scalp irritation and flaking. It also seems to involve an overgrowth of Malassezia, a fungus that naturally occurs as part of your skin’s microbiome, and activity of the sebaceous glands (this study offers more technical info than you probably need on that subject!).
Basically, the sebaceous glands are connected to your hair follicles and produce sebum, a secretion that moisturizes your hair and skin. Malassezia fungus feeds on sebum normally - but when an imbalance occurs, the fungus can leave behind excess waste products that make your scalp irritated and inflamed.
What does this mean for you? It means that a dandruff treatment is effective when it interrupts this process. If you stop inflammation, Malassezia overgrowth, and sebum buildup - whatever the original cause - you’ll stop the dandruff.
The Coconut Oil Cure?
Dandruff can’t be cured. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it can be managed so effectively you’ll never think of flakes again. It’s just a matter of keeping the right personal care routine, using proven anti-dandruff products, and possibly making a few lifestyle tweaks. Much more on all of that in a moment.
But first: you already have a jar of organic coconut oil sitting in your pantry. Does that stuff you’ve been using as a cooking oil belong on your scalp or not?