How to Wash Hair after Applying Coconut Oil: 7 Steps to Rescue!
I only recommend products I love and I think you will, too. If you click on links I provide, I may receive a little compensation. Learn more.
This is exactly how to wash hair after applying coconut oil to get softer, shinier locks!
I cannot count the number of times I have gone to a salon, and they’ve pointed out, ‘how long has it been since you washed your hair, ma’am,’ when I literally just washed them EARLIER THAT MORNING, ugh!
My Asian roots don’t allow me to wash my hair until and unless I have applied a generous amount of oil prior. But I know precisely how difficult it is to wash your hair after using it, especially coconut oil.
So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to wash hair after applying coconut oil so that you can skip days before your next wash.
Should I wash my hair after applying coconut oil?
Only if you don’t want your hair to smell bad, feel ultra-greasy, and attract even more dirt and grin after getting mixed with natural oils of your scalp will produce, you must wash your hair after applying coconut oil for 20-40 minutes.
Why doesn’t coconut oil wash out of your hair?
Here’s why this super-oil sometimes clings to your locks, even after a shampoo session:
- Low Poo Winner: Coconut oil is a gentle soul, less harsh than your everyday shampoo. The downside? It might not whip up those cloud-like suds you’re used to!
- Solid State: It’s a natural state for coconut oil to be solid at room temperature, making it a little tricky to spread around your hair, especially if it’s delicate. This might leave your hair feeling a little on the greasy side post-shampoo.
- Curvy Molecules: Science time! Unlike other slip-slide oils, coconut oil molecules are curvaceous, making them stubborn to wash away.
- Inner Power: Coconut oil has an amazing ability to penetrate deep into your hair shaft. It’s great for your hair’s health but can be a bit sticky, making it a little tougher to wash off.
Don’t despair, though! Here’s how you can get rid of coconut oil build-up:
- Reach for a clarifying shampoo
- Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute oil evenly before washing
- Double rinse cycle! Coconut oil sticks to your strands, so rinse thoroughly to make sure every bit of oil is out. And voila! Gorgeous, shiny, and healthy hair is yours!
how to wash hair after applying coconut oil
Step 1: do not leave the oil long enough
Oils have always been a major part of our haircare routine in our house. We’ve applied them daily, 7 days a week, for 15 years. Or else, how do you think I have such long hair? *Being shy here*
However, with time, I learned that hair oils are not meant to be kept for a long time in your hair.
Ideally, coconut oil has to be kept for 30 minutes to 1-hour max. 20-30 minutes are more than enough for greasy hair. But if you have normal to dry hair, 1-1.5 hours would be perfect. Extra dry hair types can even leave it for 2 hours. Sometimes people also like to use it as an overnight coconut oil hair treatment, but my hair expert does not recommend that, strictly for oily skin and hair.
He says your scalp absorbs as much oil as it needs in 30-45 minutes, and the rest is just lying over, attracting dirt and grin, which makes it really hard to wash off. Which makes sense!
Step 2: find the right shampoo
By this, I mean that coconut oil is a little tough to wash off in the first place. So when it gets mixed with the excess oil already on the scalp, your good ol’ shampoo won’t cut it.
Now, the right type of shampoo depends upon your hair type, texture, and needs, but the one that will obliterate coconut oil must have clarifying ingredients in it. As they are much stronger than traditional cleansers, they’ll ensure the best cleanse.
Clarifying shampoos are a no-no for me on an everyday basis, which is why I love love love these drugstore shampoos for oily hair. They remove not only excess oil from the scalp but also get rid of coconut oil after washing hair. This one is my absolute favorite!
Step 3: wash the scalp tWICE
If you are using your regular shampoos, you have to, HAVE TO wash your hair twice. This is exactly how to wash hair after applying coconut oil.
First, take some shampoo, lather it well, and apply it ONLY on the scalp thoroughly. Lather won’t be enough for the first time, but it will feel like washing. Massage for 1-2 minutes, and then wash off the shampoo. Now again, lather the shampoo on the scalp only. This time, it will lather well, and you’ll feel like things are getting cleaned. Also, your hair will feel a little lighter.
Gently massage for about 4-5 minutes. Don’t scrub, it won’t remove the coconut oil any better. And please don’t use your nails either. I have seen so many people do this that I genuinely feel bad. You need to use your fingertips only.
Step 4: Wash the ends of your hair now
Generally, you should use shampoo only on your scalp; I don’t recommend it any other way. Leftover shampoo from the scalp and the conditioner is for your hair strands.
However, when you’ve applied the oil on the hair shafts as well, bare leftover shampoo won’t cut it. So, use that leftover shampoo to clean the hair shafts as well. And then take just a little (1/2 tbsp) shampoo, lather it nicely, and rinse it off with cold water.
You’ll be done with the major part of the hair wash after applying coconut oil.
Step 5: use your regular conditioner
Finish the process with your favorite conditioner over the wet hair shaft. Leave it for as long as it recommends and then rinse off normally.
Step 6: Choose air-drying than blow drying
Pull out your tangle teezer and then let the hair air dry.
Air drying not only helps with less frizz and dryness, but it also doesn’t allow moisture to be trapped in the hair causing fungal infections or seborrheic dermatitis, which is excellent for your hair health in a long way.
Step 7: use dry shampoo after 2-3 days
Dry shampoo is an absolute godsend for oily and super long hair. I cannot wash them daily, so I must train them to skip days. It cannot wash off coconut oil (it is not that powerful), but it can help keep excess hair oil at bay.
conclusion to how to wash hair after applying coconut oil
Coconut oil is a miracle worker for hair, but it can be a little tricky to wash out. But after following these six steps, you can savor all the benefits of coconut oil treatment without leaving your hair feeling greasy or weighed down. Have you tried washing your hair with coconut oil with our method?
