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Fact or Fiction: Can You Use Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice for Grey Hair?

October 4, 2023

OK, let’s get this out of the way now: coconut oil and lemon juice isn’t an effective remedy for grey hair.

But, this doesn’t mean that you should give up on this combination just yet – it can still be your secret hair weapon for preventing greys from cropping up in the first place!

I’ll explain the benefits of these ingredients below…

So, why should you trust why I have to say on the matter? Well, believe it or not applying food to your skin and hair can have just as much as an impact as eating them.

And, as a nutritionist, I have greater insight into how this all works.

Now, let’s go ahead and breakdown the real impact of coconut oil and lemon juice for grey hair:

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Understanding the Facts and Hype Behind Coconut Oil

Does Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice Work for Grey Hair?

Now, let’s get down to the crux of the issue: can this combination of ingredients reduce or reverse grey hair?

The Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice for Grey Hair Myth

Unfortunately, this is a myth.

This is largely because the greying process can’t be reversed.

As I'll explain below, once a hair follicle stops producing melatonin, this halt is permanent.

Coconut oil can improve the health of your scalp and your hair, but coconut oil can’t reverse grey hairs – nothing really can.

Lemon juice certainly can’t help either. In fact, lemon juice has a lightening effect on your hair! 

While coconut oil and lemon juice won't reverse the greying process, they can do something just as important. 

This combination can actually prevent your hair from going grey in the first place. 

The next section will explain this in greater detail...

The Benefit of Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice for Hair

Nevertheless, these ingredients can still benefit your hair health.

Sure, coconut oil and lemon juice can’t reverse grey hairs, but they may be able to help your strands in another way.

Premature greying can set in due to oxidative stress caused by environmental damage and pollution. More on that below.

Well, coconut oil can protect your strands from this.

In addition to protecting your hair from damage, coconut oil can reverse previous damage as well. In doing so, this oil can cut down on the risk of premature greying.

Lemon juice can help to maintain a healthy scalp, preventing future follicle problems.

grey hair

How to Use Coconut Oil and Lemon Juice for Hair Growth and Protection

For the best results, make a mask from coconut oil and lemon juice.

It is up to you to decide how often to apply the mask. If you are at greater risk of oxidative stress, then you may want to apply this mask twice a week.

It should be noted that UV light can accelerate the lightening effect of lemon juice. Thus, you should stay out of the sun while this mask is on.

Here is your guide to this mask:

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No products found.

What You Will Need

lemon squeezer

The Method

Ingredients

  • 3 tbs. coconut oil
  • 1 tbs. lemon juice

Method

Step 1: Warm the Coconut Oil

Place the coconut oil in a heatproof bowl and heat it just until it melts in the microwave.

Step 2: Add the Lemon juice

Add the lemon juice to the coconut oil and stir well until it is fully combined.

Step 3: Apply to Hair

Work the mask into your hair starting from your scalp down to your ends. Make sure that your hair is thoroughly coated.

Leave the mask on for an hour.

Step 4: Wash Out the Mask

You can wash out the mask using clarifying shampoo or conditioner.

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What is Grey Hair?

Once you understand this phenomenon, you will find it easier to grasp the real impact on these ingredients on your grey hair.

The pigment cells in your hair follicles produce melatonin. This is what gives your hair its color.

As you get older, though, the pigment cells begin to die off. When this happens, newer hair strands begin to grow in without color.

Once a particular strand stops producing melatonin, the process can’t be reversed. From that point on, it will only produce grey or white hair.

What Causes Grey Hair?

There are many different opinions about why hair goes grey.

The most common culprits are stress, hair bleaching, and heating tools.

Here's the truth, though: genetics is the main determining factor for grey hair.

So, if your parents only started going grey when they were much older, then there is a good chance that you will as well.

On the other hand, if premature greying does run in the family, you may be a target as well.

Your race can also play a role in the greying game. Caucasians tend to go grey in their mid-30s, while Asians may only experience it in their late 30s.

People of African heritage may not see any changes in their hair color until they are well into their 40s! 

The External Factors

That being said, certain external factors can accelerate the greying process.

For instance, some research shows that oxidative stress can lead to premature grey hair.

Oxidative stress can result in an accumulation of hydrogen peroxide among the hair follicles. This, in turn, can cause reduced pigmentation.

Some of the causes of this stress can be UV rays, pollution, or inflammation.

This is what you need to know about coconut oil and lemon juice for grey hair. Unfortunately, it cannot reverse the greying process.

However, all hope is not lost. Coconut oil and lemon juice may be able to help keep premature greying at bay. This is especially true if you are out in the sun a lot or live in an area with a lot of air pollution.

While there is no guarantee, it may be a helpful remedy for some people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
antonio
An Important Disclaimer
The information on this page should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a doctor if you wish to consume any kind of tea regularly for the purpose of treating any condition or illness.
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