Saturday, March 28, 2015

How You Can Do Natural Loc Grooming

By Lena Stephenson


The natural hair trend has been growing in popularity in recent years. Dreadlocks, one of the oldest hairstyles known to man, are one of the most popular choices for a natural hairstyle. Loc grooming is actually quite simple and very necessary to keeping the hair clean and healthy.

Washing dreadlocks is the same as with natural hair. Once a week is generally enough but more than once a week is acceptable if an individual has a particularly itchy scalp. Tepid water is best for washing and the focus should be the scalp, with any excess lather running down the locs. Natural shampoos are always best for this type of hairstyle and shampoo bars are particularly popular. Shampooing helps to keep dreads tight and also promotes growth, but newly twisted locs should get a couple of weeks to set before being shampooed.

Rinsing is one of the most important steps that must be carried out after shampooing. Mix water with apple cider vinegar and use this mixture as a after-shampoo rinse. The mixture will rid the hair of any shampoo residue, which could make the scalp itch and also affect the strength of the hair itself.

Conditioning your locs is easily done with natural products, of course. Shea butter, jojoba oil, rosemary oil and olive oil are all options you can use to condition. You should condition your hair right after shampooing and then again after about three days.

Making sure that the hair is completely dry is absolutely crucial. Locs that have not dried properly can get musty and also acquire mildew, which will make the hair smell after some time. The locs themselves will also get weaker if left damp. Normal towels leave behind lint, and so it is important to use a microfiber towel for drying. Air drying can be a lengthy process, so it is fine to sit under a dryer as well.

Your scalp needs special care and attention as part of your grooming routine. Massage it 3 times per week, using a hydrating oil that will not weigh down your hair. Massaging your scalp will help increase the blood flow and promote the hair to grow faster. You can also spritz your locs occasionally with some salt water in a spray bottle, which keeps them clean until the next shampoo and also helps keep them tight.

New growth should be twisted into already existing locs to keep the hairstyle neat. Other ways to treat new growth are by doing the palm roll or by using a latch hook which will tighten up the roots. You should always sleep with a headscarf on to protect your locs, preferably silk.

Hairdressers skilled in the grooming and maintenance of dreadlocks are called locticians. There are many of them located in Brooklyn, NY. Shaquora R'Bey has catered to stars with locs like Stevie Wonder. She can be easily contacted for an appointment.




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