1. Wash Regularly—With the Right Products
Clean hair is healthy hair. Despite popular myths, locs should absolutely be washed regularly. If you started your locs using the palm roll or comb coil method, be mindful that frequent washing early on may loosen them before they fully form. Still, all hair—loc’d or not—needs regular cleansing
Product Tip:
Avoid shampoos that are difficult to rinse out. A well-formulated shampoo made for natural hair typically works well for locs too. If you have a flaky scalp, wash your hair before flakes lift and get caught in your locs.
From our experience, products like black soap and cleansing clays (e.g., bentonite clay) don’t clean locs as effectively as traditional store-bought shampoos. Stick to a clarifying, residue-free shampoo (e.g Kimia Shampoo) for the best results.
2. Avoid Heavy Oils and Butters
Not every oil or butter is suitable for loc’d hair. One of the most common issues I see in clients is product buildup, which can dull your locs and clog your scalp.
Product Tip:
Thick oils like shea butter or castor oil will only coat your locs and make them greasy—not healthier. Similarly, ingredients like dried hemp leaves won’t make your hair loc faster or grow thicker.
Instead, opt for lightweight oils that nourish your scalp and rinse out easily. Olive oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil are great choices—they add shine and moisture without buildup (especially when paired with the right shampoo).
3. Choose the Right Locing Technique for Your Lifestyle
There are several ways to start your locs, but your choice should be based on your hair type, lifestyle, and environment.
For example, if you have type 4 hair, live in humid Nigeria, and work a demanding 9–5 job, you may want to consider starting your locs with braids, twists, or the interlocking method. These techniques are more secure and won’t unravel easily—meaning fewer trips to your loctician between appointments.
4. Avoid Tight Locing and Styling
Having locs doesn’t make you immune to hair loss. In fact, overly tight locing can lead to traction alopecia—a preventable condition caused by tension on the scalp.
Red Flag:
If you see white casts on your hair after a locing session, or if your scalp feels sore or tight, your locs may have been done too tightly. Also, avoid putting your hair into an updo right after a retwist—this is like styling your hair twice in one day, which puts unnecessary stress on your follicles.
Healthy locs require care, patience, and the right techniques. Start with these tips, and your journey to beautiful, strong locs will be much smoother. Stay tuned for the second and final part of this post.