Tag: deep conditioning locs

Natural Hair: Quick Wash & Go Routine For Locs

Wash day no retwist locsYour locs wash and go routine gets easier as they get more mature. Now that you’re out of the delicate stages of baby locs or the budding stage, washing your hair becomes much more enjoyable. I am past my 3 year anniversary mark of having dreads, and find it much easier to wash and maintain them.

Fun Wash Day for Locs

Washing your locs doesn’t have to be something you fear doing, especially when your dreads get longer. Now that my hair is fully locked, for years now, and it’s grown so much longer, I look forward to wash days. I don’t find myself worrying about retwisting so much like I used to in the beginning.

My Wash and Go Locs Strategy

Before washing my dreads, I like to add some Jamaican Black Castor Oil with extra virgin coconut oil to my hair, starting from my scalp.

I will then massage it thoroughly into my hair, then apply heat to it by using a cordless heat cap to help my hair cuticles open up, so that the hot oils can penetrate my locs. The cordless heat cap helps me to keep multi-tasking chores, since I don’t have time to sit in one place for long.

Dreads Wash Day Routine

I start the washing process by applying shampoo to my hair. To remove the excess oils from your hair, you should use warm water to wash. Gently scrub your scalp with the balls of your fingers to remove any grease or build up from the scalp.

The Right Way to Wash Dreadlocks

I know this might sound really simple to most of you, but there is a right and a wrong way to wash dreads. We cannot wash them the exact same way we do loose hair, whether natural or chemically treated.

Remember that each loc consists of intertwined strands of hair, so since we can’t literally touch those hidden strands, we have to use the squeeze and release technique.

Sectioning Locs on Wash Day

Dirt and buildup can get trapped in these areas, so in order to allow the shampoo to dissolve those buildup, you have to wash your locs a certain way. The best way to wash your locs is to separate your hair in sections and firmly hold a section, while squeezing and releasing the section of dreads.

This is similar to how you would wash a piece of sponge. This squeeze and release motion forces the shampoo through your locs, which helps it to attack dirt and grime.

No to Wringing Wet Locs

I know it is tempting to just wring/twist out the water from your hair, so that it can dry quicker, but if you want healthy, strong locs, please do not wring your locs. The best way to remove the water out of your hair, is to squeeze it out using the above method, rather than wringing it out.

Conditioner for Locs or Not

I love to put conditioner in my dreads after washing it. When I just started my locs journey, I was scared to put conditioner in my hair because I heard that it was not good for locs, but eventually I realize that nothing was wrong with conditioning your dreads, especially deep conditioning. This helps my hair to retain moisture, keeping it soft and beautiful.

 

Natural Hair: Dreadlocks Care Routine

Thick healthy dreadlocksIf you have natural hair and/or have dreadlocks, it’s best to put in place a care routine for daily maintenance of your locs. This will keep your hair in tip-top condition. Being consistent with this hair care routine will come easy within a few days.

Natural Locs Wash Routine

Before anything else, when it comes to taking care of your natural hair, washing it is one of the most important steps. Choose your shampoo carefully. Find out which shampoos are best for dreads. Keep it simple. Shampoos with natural ingredients are less harsh on your natural hair.

Use the technique you would use when washing a piece of sponge, by squeezing and releasing your hands, so that the shampoo can work its way into each strand of loc.

Get to the Root of the Dirt

When washing your dreadlocks, although massaging your scalp with your fingertips is effective, using a shampoo scalp massaging brush  is even  better. It is specifically designed to target build-up on the scalp, while increasing your scalp’s blood flow, which is great if you are looking to grow your hair longer at a faster rate.

Daily Moisturizing Tips for Dreads

Washing your  natural hair and keeping it clean is important, but also keeping it moisturized throughout the day is just as important. To prevent dry locs, use natural oils or a deep conditioner with natural organic ingredients. This will help to retain moisture, leaving your dreads feeling soft and shiny.

Protecting Your Locs During Bath Time

Another important dreadlocks hair care routine, is covering your hair with a X-Large shower cap while taking a shower/bath. Although spritzing your locs on  a daily basis is healthy, leaving your hair soaked repeatedly can cause mold or mildew to grow inside the strands of your dreads.

Although dreadlocks is still considered to be natural hair, it differs in a few ways. For example, regular natural hair is easier to dry because the strands are not intertwined like locs. Therefore, you have to make sure that while taking a bath, water doesn’t soak your hair and stays there without completely drying.

Night Time Hair Care for Natural Hair and Locs

Whether you have traditional natural hair or dreadlocks, it is recommended that you cover your hair at nights. When we sleep, a lot of us toss and turn during the night. This can cause hair breakage on the already delicate strands of hair.

Natural Hair Protective Styles for Sleep Time

Protective styles for dreadlocksBefore you cover your hair, you can do a basic protective style for your natural hair or dreadlocks. This could be as simple as plaiting your hair in two or four big plaits. Don’t do them too tight because you don’t want to put any strain on the roots or the strands of your hair.