Curly girls and guys have the world as their oyster filled with information, products, celebrities and stylists boasting about their beauties. Locs, well, we get love too… sort of. But in all honesty since this curly, coily and kinky movement began I’m starting to feel a little like the step-child in the natural hair industry kinda-sorta-but-not-really acknowledges.

Anyone else rocking locs feel a little neglected? Before I began my journey into loc’d-dom, I was an under-educated loc-star. I washed my hair with whatever was under the bathroom sink, greased my scalp and palm-rolled my hair until my scalp turned white. The sins against my locs have been washed away with a little bit of know-how and deep diving into the thoughts of stylists who have yet to focus solely on the loc wearer.

Those secrets were a mystery until now. Loc rockers, get ready! Here’s a no filter guide on the proper way to wash your locs:

  1. If you’re locs are in the starting phase or still in their youth-state, avoid heavy washing for a few weeks and instead opt for a dry shampoo that cleanses without affecting the ability of your locs to form.
  2. Choose a low-lather shampoo without harsh chemicals like sodium laureth sulfates that give shampoo that sudsy feel. Some people rinse first with an apple cider vinegar to cleanse the hair followed by shampoo. Avoid using water that’s too hot and opt for mild and tepid water.
  3. Avoid “scratching” your scalp which can cause irritation, inflammation and snagging. Instead, gently massage the scalp and gently work your way around and through your locs from top to bottom to remove the hair of residue.
  4. Don’t pull, squeeze or twist your locs too often or too tight after your shampoo. You don’t want to encourage thinning or breaking. Instead, gently squeeze excess water from your locs section by section.

What are your tips for properly washing your locs?

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3 Comments

  1. Thank you I definitely have been feeling like a step child. Lucky for me i have already learned how to wash my locks which i might add are beautiful and healthy. I’d love more care guides about sleeping, tying hair down, exercise care etc. So keep up the great articles I’m not ready to chop my locs off and start the curly change.

  2. I certainly feel like locs are neglected and ignored among the natural hair community, so I was rather shocked to even see this article. After 8 years of having locs, I have learned how to wash and care for my locs, but I wish there’d be more articles and lessons for those who are new to locs and full of questions. I know I could’ve benefitted from such a thing when I started caring for my own locs.

  3. I, Before washing, bring a pot of water to boil, remove from heat and add baking soda stir till dissolved. (surely you know this only works for Loc’s that are more than shoulder length.) Dip sections of your Loc’s into the water/soda mixture while hot. being very careful of course, use a towel to wrap each section, to pull excess water. still being very careful not to burn yourself. This will remove any odor as well as pull any excess oil embedded in the Locs.

    Than I shampoo with Castle soaps, Peppermint or lavender in the summer is great. After, I condition using a spray bottle mixed with 2 part Olive oil 2 part Jojoba oil, 1 part Navratna oil (a mixture of:Sesame oil, Menthol, Amla, Camphor, Thyme and Rosemary Oil) . It can be used as a treatment rinse after 5mins or spray in lightly as a leave-in. My Loc’s are given Great compliments.

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