5 Tips For Locs Maintenance
How To Take Care and Maintain Locs?
Having locs has it's benefits but there are many myths and misconceptions that can damage your hair in the worst way.
How about we debunk some of the noise and take a look at these 5 simple tips to care, grow, nurture and maintain beautiful healthy looking locs.
Tip #1 - Locs Can Be "Undone"
Locs are not permanent. They can be undone without cutting. If you are unfamiliar with the process, I encourage you to reach out to a loc specialist, like myself, or a salon that offers Take-Down services. There’s a “healthy hair regimen” that’s necessary to maintain your locs hairstyle and to assure a healthy head of hair during this transition.
HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE: Faux locs.
If you're on the fence, getting faux locs is a perfect way to get the look without the commitment...like a "test drive". If you're in need loc care, go here for more information or get in touch here.
Tip #2 - Maintain Your Locs - Dreadlocks
Here are a couple of things you can do to keep your locs healthy and fresh. Wash and Detox.
You must do more than washing and moisturizing your locs. Sure, it helps to keep your locs healthy, but how do you protect them? I’m glad you asked…as I mentioned earlier, wash and detox.
Washing and detoxing your hair regularly is key to removing removing hair products that causes build-up.
When you wash and detox your locs, take an extra moment or two to soak them from time to time.
Soaking them not only removes lint and product build up, but it restores your pH balance which is necessary for healthy growth and healthy looking locs.
Tip #3 - Dry or Cry
If you do NOT adhere to any other tips…PLEASE adhere to this one.
Dry your locs…PROPERLY and COMPLETELY. Or else…
DO NOT USE HEAT. Direct heat on locs causes damage just like with any other hair style. It dries it out and makes your hair brittle.
So, how DO you dry them? Simply…Air dry. Let your locs hang loose and dry naturally.
NOTE: If you do NOT let your locs dry completely, they WILL get moldy and smelly. Hence, cry. Who wants that?
With that said, be sure your hair is completely dry before tying, wrapping or using any head covering.
Tip #4 - Twist More 4 More – Myth or Truth
Twisting your locs protects new hair growth as well as prevent breakage from styling and manipulation, especially if you twist and style on a daily basis.
Twisting more often for more…longer and faster is a misconception. Truth of the matter-the more you twist the more risk you take to cause damage and breakage.
That damage includes hair thinning or hair loss in the worst possible way…alopecia.
Tip #5 - Long Hair = Long Locs…Misconception or Nawwwwwt
Nawwwwwt, No, Never. This too is a misconception. As of a matter of fact, this tip was more of a debunk than an advice.
Here's the thing...your locs are either twisted or crocheted to form the lock, right?
So, depending on the thickness and method used, your locs will be at least a quarter of the length of your hair when stretched out.
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