How You Can Do Natural Loc Grooming

By Lena Stephenson


Many people are jumping on the natural hair trend, which is a wonderful thing. Dreadlocks have been around since the beginning of time and are actually the oldest known hairstyle in the history of mankind. Loc grooming is not as difficult as it may seem and the following tips will help for the various stages of growth.

You should wash your locs at least once a week, the same as you would with any other hair style. You may find that once a week is not enough, particularly if your scalp itches. The temperature of the water should be between warm and cool and you should shampoo at the scalp alone, allowing the soapy suds to run down the length of the locs. This is all that is necessary to wash them. Try to use a natural shampoo for the best results or look into getting a shampoo bar, which is very popular for this type of hair. Shampooing your locs will help to keep them tight, as well as encourage the hair to grow. If you have just twisted your hair into a dreadlock style, wait at least one to two weeks before you go ahead and wash.

Rinsing is one of the most important steps that must be carried out after shampooing. Mix water with apple cider vinegar and use this mixture as a after-shampoo rinse. The mixture will rid the hair of any shampoo residue, which could make the scalp itch and also affect the strength of the hair itself.

To condition one's locs, natural products are always recommended. Oils and butters should be applied after shampooing and then again after a few days. Some examples of good products to use on this type of hair are jojoba oil, olive oil, shea butter and rosemary oil.

Making sure that the hair is completely dry is absolutely crucial. Locs that have not dried properly can get musty and also acquire mildew, which will make the hair smell after some time. The locs themselves will also get weaker if left damp. Normal towels leave behind lint, and so it is important to use a microfiber towel for drying. Air drying can be a lengthy process, so it is fine to sit under a dryer as well.

Your scalp needs special care and attention as part of your grooming routine. Massage it 3 times per week, using a hydrating oil that will not weigh down your hair. Massaging your scalp will help increase the blood flow and promote the hair to grow faster. You can also spritz your locs occasionally with some salt water in a spray bottle, which keeps them clean until the next shampoo and also helps keep them tight.

New growth requires special attention and maintenance. Keep new growth neat by twisting hairs that are loose into locs that already exist. This will help the loose hairs to integrate well into the hairstyle. New growth can also be treated by palm rolling or by using a latch hook to tighten the roots. Use a headscarf at bedtime to protect the hair and keep the style neat.

There are many experts in this hairstyle, known as locticians, who can help with styling and maintaining one's locs. Shaquora R'Bey is known as Loctician to the Stars having worked on celebrities like Stevie Wonder, known for his locs. Shaquora is located in Brooklyn, NY and can be contacted for a personal consultation.




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