One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to having locs is you can just leave the locs alone and they will grow healthy. Hair, like our bodies, needs water to thrive. Water is an important element of moisture. When the locs are moisturized, they are stronger. If locs are dry they are fragile and susceptible to damage. You need to implement a healthy loc care routine in your loc journey to keep your locs hydrated.
1. Wash Your Locs
The best way to keep locs moisturized is by washing them. When cleaning locs, you need to use a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any product build-up, oil, dead skin cells, dirt, or environmental pollutants that are stuck in the locs. Hair is porous, meaning it will only allow a limited amount of water and products in the hair strands. If your hair is full of gunk, it is unable to adequately take and keep moisture. Locs are left dry and fragile. Clean locs provide a great canvas for optimum absorption and moisture retention.
Don’t overwash your locs. Washing locs too often can cause dryness as the shampoo will strip the locs dry. For mature locs, opt to wash hair every 1-2 weeks. Starter locs should be washed after a month or as recommended by a loctician.
2. Water-Based Moisturizers
You can amplify the moisture levels of water by incorporating natural ingredients. Aloe vera and rose water are amazing water-based moisturizers that will keep locs moisturized. Aloe vera is a plant largely made of water and has effective moisturizing properties to hydrate locs. Aloe vera has the ability to condition hair, prevent damage, and lock in moisture. Rosewater will moisturize the locs and keep them hydrated.
3. Oils
Sebum is the natural oil produced by the scalp’s oil glands and is essential for healthy moisturized locs. With hair loc’d hair, sebum will struggle to travel down individual hair strands to nourish, lubricate and lock in the moisture. The use of oils is beneficial to implement into your loc routine. They should be used on your hair to seal in the moisture and prevent dryness. Opt for light oils such as jojoba, avocado, or argan oil.
4. Loctician Recommended Products
A loctician can recommend loc-friendly formulated products to keep your locs hydrated. Locticians can do steam treatments and moisturizing treatments that can penetrate the hair to hydrate and strengthen it. This will keep locs well moisturized for a long period.
5. Keep it Silk or Satin
A lot of friction can happen when your clothes rub against furniture, especially when sleeping at night. If you use cotton pillowcases, they will absorb moisture and cause your locs to dry out. A silk or satin pillowcase, bonnet, or scarf is great in protecting the hair and retain moisture in the locs.
Retaining moisture is the ultimate way to retain and grow strong and healthy locs. Remember a little goes a long way so simplicity is key. Focusing on a consistent regimen is a guaranteed way in keeping your locs moisturized.
