LOC CARE BASICS

By Qhemet Biologics  

The Basics of Caring for Sisterlocs, Microlocs & Freeform Locs

Contrary to popular belief, locs are not a low-maintenance hairstyle. Here's what you need to know to keep your locs healthy and looking their best, whether you're rocking sisterlocs, microlocs or freeform locs.

It's an exciting moment when you decide to loc your hair, since this protective hairstyle opens up a world of styling possibilities, from eye-catching beads and accessories to gorgeous updos.

As you enter this new and versatile world, it's important to do your research so that you know how to care for your locs to keep them healthy, manageable and maybe most important of all, moisturized.

So just what goes into a good hair care regimen for locs?

Read on to learn more about the basics of caring for sisterlocs, microlocs and freeform locs.

Creating A Shampoo Routine

Just like with any other hairstyle, locs will naturally collect dirt, product buildup and other bits of stuff, so regular washing is definitely a must. Once every two to three weeks is best. You want to be careful not to overwash your locs since that can throw off the balance of your scalp and cause itching and breakage.

Pro tip: If your locs are brand spanking new, hold off on shampooing for at least three weeks, until they've had time to mature.

Because locs are prone to dryness, you'll want to choose a shampoo that won't zap the natural oils from your hair. Look for shampoos that are sulfate-free, like our Egyptian Wheatgrass Cleansing Tea, since they are formulated to give your hair a deep and thorough cleansing while still leaving it soft.

Follow up with a leave-in conditioner that's silicone free and super moisturizing like our Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee or Moringa Tree Conditioning Ghee. These are formulated for either high or low porosity hair and contain ingredients like cocoa butter, moringa oil and coconut oil that will fortify your locs and protect them against breakage.

After shampooing and conditioning, depending on your hair's porosity, apply either our Castor & Moringa Softening Serum or Coconut & Green Tea Softening Serum to keep them soft and pliable as they dry. You can also dry them using a blowdryer on low heat.

Don't Forget That Your Scalp Needs Love, Too!

The health of your locs isn't just about your hair, it's about your scalp, too. If you want strong, healthy locs that can stand up to anything and grow to any length you want, then it's absolutely essential to keep your scalp in tip top shape. Oils are your best friend for this.

Castor oil is the classic choice for scalp care, and just like with shampooing, you'll want to use it with a light hand to avoid buildup. We combined traditional African castor oil with traditional Ayurvedic amla oil in our Castor & Amla Nourishing Pomade to create a 100% vegan and mineral oil-free alternative to hair grease that will not only promote growth, strengthen follicles and help reduce shedding, it'll keep your new growth super soft and healthy. Apply this to your scalp twice a week.

If you experience tender, itchy and flaky scalp, you'll need to use a medicinal pomade that contains therapeutic essential oils with analgesic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties like Tea Tree and Lavender. Our Tea Tree & Lavender Therapeutic Pomade contains these essential oils in a base of anti-microbial coconut oil to soothe irritation and keep the flakes at bay. This 100% vegan and mineral oil-free pomade will keep your scalp clean, healthy and fresh between washes.

Keep Your Locs Soft & Moisturized

In addition to using the right products to clean and moisturize your locs, it's also important to keep the wrong stuff away from your locs to prevent unnecessary damage and dryness. Here are a few ways to make sure your locs stay soft, strong and moisturized:

• Wrap your hair in a satin scarf or bonnet before going to bed to protect your locs from dryness and frizzing while you sleep.

• Don't absent-mindedly twist or tug on your locs as this can weaken them and cause them to fall out.

• Wait at least a few months before going to get your locs retwisted or loc'ed to give your hair follicles a chance to recover.

Styling Your Loc'ed Hair To Perfection

With your locs looking healthy and stunning, you have the freedom and flexibility to explore a ton of amazing hairstyles. Here are three simple hair do's that you can try right away:

Simple low ponytail: For an everyday look you can create in seconds, gather your locs in a bunch at the nape of your neck and secure them loosely with a hair tie or band. Gently pull out a few locs on either side of your head to frame your face.

High wrapped ponytail: When you want a little more drama and pizzazz, sweep your locs into a high ponytail that sits at the crown of your head. Tie it with an elastic and then grab two or three locs and wrap them around the base of the ponytail to hide the elastic, using a hairpin to secure the ends while wrapping the locs in place.

Curls: Yes, you can curl your locs! To create a dramatic curl cascade for a different look or a special occasion, grab a small bunch of locs, smooth on a dime sized amount of our Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter and roll them up using either flexi-rods or perm-rods. Leave them in overnight and remove the next day for super defined, super soft curly locs that you can wear either up or down!

Now that you're a bonafide loc star, commit to keeping your scalp healthy and your locs in tip top shape with the products recommended above and on our product guide here:  https://qhemetbiologics.com/pages/product-guide