Locs are one of the easiest, most care free hairstyles there is.  Similar to plants, locs will sprout and continue to grow with very little help. I’ve worn locs for three years now and find that my hair responds best when I don’t manipulate it a whole lot or use an excessive amount of products. 

Below I’ve included some simple loc care techniques that I follow to ensure my tresses flourish and look their absolute best! All of these tips are good to incorporate in the beginning stages of your loc journey and will also help if you’ve worn locs for some time now and want to revitalize your mane. 

1. ACV rinse / soak

Do you suffer from an itchy scalp? Do your locs feel dry or brittle at times? Locs are like a sponge to the outside elements – dirt, lint, smoke smells, you name it, your locs will take it in. Organic, raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is great for lifting out this buildup, cleansing the scalp and restoring the natural moisture (pH) level in locs. I do an ACV soak at least once a month. I typically don’t measure out any of these ingredients, plus the amount of water / ACV needed will vary depending on the length of your hair. Just make sure you dilute the ACV with a good amount of water since ACV is pretty acidic. The water should have a light, brownish, white wine like tint to it.

2. Rinse hair longer after a wash

The longer your locs, the more time needed to rinse them after a wash. Makes sense, right? Locs are thicker than loose hair, therefore it takes more time for water to saturate your strands and flush out all the shampoo and product build up. This little switch up to my routine made ALL the difference, particularly in the smell department! Now that my locs are a little past shoulder length, I take an extra 10 minutes to rinse my hair, lifting the thicker locs up and holding them directly under the shower head. Not only do my locs smell better after a rinse but they feel softer and look shiner. Try this out and your locs will surely thank you!

3. Use a spritz throughout the day

I recently started using a homemade spritz, a mixture of water and a few drops of rosemary oil to help combat the intense Florida heat. Spritzing your locs is a great way to add moisture back to your hair during the day and in between washes. Any essential oil mixed with water will do the trick. I just happen to love the scent of rosemary.

4. Sleep on a satin pillow case / Cover your locs at night

Always, always, tie your locs up at night or sleep on a satin pillow case. Cotton sheets dry out locs (no breakage please!) and contributes to the lint problem. I find that using a satin scarf helps to keep my hair moisturized during the night and reduces frizz!

5. Re-twist less often

Healthy roots equal strong, healthy locs. The tension that comes along with re-twists can be damaging to locs over time. I’ve gone the freeform route and choose not to re-twist my new growth. Freeforms may not be for everyone but if you want to thicken up your roots and maintain healthy locs, try re-twisting less often, maybe once every 3 to 4 months or so. That way your roots have time to grow out. You’ll also be amazed at how smart your little loc friends are! If you’re more than say, a year into the game, your loose hair will be sort of trained to grow into nearby locs, so your roots won’t look as crazy as you might think if you extend the time in between retwists. 

Let me know if this helps. Are you newly locked or have you been growing you locs for awhile now? Whats been working for you? I’d love to hear from you 🙂 

Peace