Certain Oils Don't Penetrate???

**CavyQueen** · August 1st, 2009, 12:09 AM

Hi ktani! It seems the more research I do, the more confusing it becomes. According to this http://www.medicinenet.com/script/ma...ticlekey=23820 monounsaturated oils have double bonds. I'm going to figure this out

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 03:01 AM

It is interesting!!!!!

Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond, while polyunsaturated fatty acids have many double bonds, like those in sunflower oil.

Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds.

Coconut oil is "92.1%" saturated fatty acids approximately.

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by CavyQueen

Hi! I e-mailed L'anza, Ojon, Amazonia Nutrients, and Sephora (for Rene Furterer's Carthame-safflower oil conditioner) and asked about the penetration of carrier oils such as safflower, kukui nut, broccoli seed, passion flower, and brazil nut oils. I also asked how these oils benefit the hair if they do not penetrate the hair shaft. IF and when I can any responses, I will post them.

Claims can be made for certain oils penetrating hair and they would not be incorrect. It is a matter of the degree of penetration and whether like coconut oil, the fatty acids they contain have that "connection" to proteins. I think that coconut oil is unique in that.

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 03:53 AM

While coconut oil and palm oil are said to be similar in composition (not sure who says that, lol) from this, not so much.

**CavyQueen** · August 1st, 2009, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by ktani

Claims can be made for certain oils penetrating hair and they would not be incorrect. It is a matter of the degree of penetration and whether like coconut oil, the fatty acids they contain have that "connection" to proteins. I think that coconut oil is unique in that.

Very smart point! I'll keep that in mind if I get a response from them and they say "Oh yes! Of course they penetrate the shaft." They are not lying, but it's not the type of penetration I'm looking for (like coconut oil). We will just have to wait for their explaination. Thank you ktani!

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by CavyQueen

Very smart point! I'll keep that in mind if I get a response from them and they say "Oh yes! Of course they penetrate the shaft." They are not lying, but it's not the type of penetration I'm looking for (like coconut oil). We will just have to wait for their explaination. Thank you ktani!

You are most welcome!

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 01:57 PM

I knew that this would not be easy, lol. There is of course, more than one type of fractionated coconut oil.

Based on the other research and the lauric acid having that special affinity to protein, fractionated coconut oil with lauric acid still in it, would be the one to buy.

"Fractionated coconut oil is a fraction of the whole oil, in which the long-chain fatty acids are removed so that only medium chain saturated fatty acids remain. Lauric acid, a 12 carbon chain fatty acid, is often removed as well because of its high value for industrial and medical purposes."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil

**Elettaria** · August 1st, 2009, 02:18 PM

Does it make a difference how the oils are used, e.g. deep oiling/leave-in oiling/ingredient in another product? My conditioner has sunflower oil as one of the biggest ingredients, for instance.

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Elettaria

Does it make a difference how the oils are used, e.g. deep oiling/leave-in oiling/ingredient in another product? My conditioner has sunflower oil as one of the biggest ingredients, for instance.

The longer an oil is left on the hair, the more it will penetrate, if it can, logically. But limitations still remain, with the oil used.

**ktani** · August 1st, 2009, 02:39 PM

What has become clear to me, in looking into this is not just the penetrating abilities of an oil, but what happens when it penetrates hair. Coconut oil has the ability to "connect" with hair proteins, and prevent protein loss.

".... Among three oils, coconut oil was the only oil found to reduce the protein loss remarkably for both undamaged and damaged hair when used as a pre-wash and post-wash grooming product. Both sunflower and mineral oils do not help at all in reducing the protein loss from hair."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...t=AbstractPlus