No, coconut oil does not remove keratin, but it can affect its interaction with hair.
Coconut Oil and Keratin Treatments: A Complex Relationship
The relationship between coconut oil and keratin is nuanced. While coconut oil itself doesn't remove keratin, its properties influence how keratin treatments and naturally occurring keratin in hair behave.
Coconut Oil's Role in Keratin-Treated Hair
Several sources suggest that coconut oil can help reduce keratin loss during washing after a keratin treatment. The oil binds to the hair, creating a protective layer that helps retain the keratin. [Reference: "Can coconut oil be used on keratin treated hair? Yes. Virgin coconut oil binds to the hair and can reduce keratin loss during wash cycles." 15-Dec-2023]
However, the timing of coconut oil application is crucial. Applying it too soon after a keratin treatment may interfere with the treatment's bonding process. [Reference: "Will adding coconut oil before three days after keratin treatment ... No. Keratin treatments set right away if done properly. We recommend to wait 48 hours after any chem service to do anything to the hair. The oil…"]
Furthermore, some sources mention using coconut oil to soften keratin bonds in hair extensions, aiding in their removal. This doesn't mean removing the keratin itself, but rather weakening the bond between the extension and natural hair. [Reference: "Coconut oil is suitable for the gradual softening of bonds. Over time, they will begin to slide off a little (depending on the quality of…"] This process is often done in conjunction with soaking the hair and should not be attempted at home without professional guidance. [Reference: "You can soak in coconut oil or something to help them slide easier but def don't do it yourself."]
Conversely, some experiences show that coconut oil can lead to undesirable effects when used with keratin treatments or even existing keratin in the hair, making the hair feel crunchy or frizzy. [Reference: "Coconut Oil Making my Hair Super Crunchy and Frizzy?"] This suggests a potential interaction, but not a removal of keratin.
Coconut Oil and Natural Keratin
Coconut oil's effect on naturally occurring keratin in hair is less directly addressed in the provided sources. While it might help moisturize and condition the hair, containing existing keratin, it's not presented as a keratin-removing agent. There is mention of using coconut oil in conjunction with salt and yogurt to remove keratin treatment, but this is a specific application and not an inherent property of coconut oil alone [Reference: "I will keep using salt (ocean water) and coconut oil masks until this treatment is gone. ... What it does is, salt removes the keratin layer while yogurt …"].
In summary, coconut oil doesn't directly remove keratin, but its interaction with keratin treatments and hair can vary depending on the application and context.
