New year, new hair loss remedy. Coconut oil has long been touted as the healthiest oil around. Natural health gurus have expounded its benefits for mind, body and soul. But did you know that coconut oil is now being presented as a possible hair loss treatment?
The science
While new must-have natural hair loss remedies are ten a penny, this one does have some basis in scientific fact: coconut oil contains a high level of lauric acid – an essential fatty acid that helps to bind proteins in the hair, keeping them strong and preventing breakage.
Now this is starting to sound suspiciously like another treatment that improves the health of your hair. But it can’t prevent hair loss from conditions like androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).
EXCEPT, another benefit of lauric acid, along with the other essential fatty acids present in coconut oil, is that it has been shown to block the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – the hormone that is responsible for androgenetic alopecia.
How can I use coconut oil to prevent hair loss?
More research really needs to be done into the actual efficacy of coconut oil as a hair loss treatment. MCTs present in the oil have been shown to have an effect on DHT production. But no one has performed a thorough study into the use of coconut oil itself to treat hair loss.
Some experts suggest massaging the oil into the scalp daily, to stimulate the hair follicles and coat them in coconut oil. However, it seems just as likely that including coconut oil in your diet would be beneficial in blocking DHT production. Perhaps try using it in the place your usual cooking oil.
What if my hair loss is too advanced?
While coconut oil does seem to hold some promise as a preventative measure for hair loss treatment, if you are already experiencing severe hair loss, it is unlikely to do much to reverse the problem.
Before any hair loss problem can be treated effectively, it is important to identify the root cause. Whilst the majority of hair loss issues in the UK are related to male or female pattern baldness, there are other conditions that can lead to hair loss, including:
- alopecia areata
- telogen effluvium
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other hormonal fluctuations – particularly in women
It is a good idea to rule out any of these conditions before commencing hair loss treatment. The best first step is to book a consultation with a hair loss expert.
An expert can diagnose the cause of your hair loss and present a balanced look at all the treatment options available.
For more information or to book an appointment, please contact us.
