Locs 101 | Winter Care for Thirsty Locs
Forget the desert. Winter’s cold temperatures create the driest of conditions for locs. Yet there are some things you can do to keep them supple. Read on for these tips…
- Drink water. Moisturize from within. Drink the correct amount that your body needs.
- Use shea butter. The quickest leave-in conditioner is shea butter. No time to use a conditioner? Shampoo as usual. Towel dry, then apply shea butter throughout. When you let your locs air dry (which will take longer in the winter), they will be soft to the touch.
- Use a hair spritz. Get a spray bottle that mists (not squirts, so it drenches your locs). Fill halfway with water and add ½ cup of your favorite oil like avocado, olive, jojoba or coconut. Add a scent with some scented oil. Shake to mix and mist daily.
- Deep condition regularly. You can do this with a hot oil treatment or a deep-treatment conditioner. You can apply before your shampoo to ensure you rinse your locs completely.
Find a good product. One to try: Carol’s Daughter Sugar-Dipped Vanilla All-Over Sheen. It’s mineral oil-, paraben-, petroleum-, and silicone-free. Another product: Shea Moisture’s Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner. Use as a rinse-out or leave- in conditioner.- Use a satin scarf at night. Cotton pillowcases soak up oil and cause friction—which leads to breakage. No matter how tired you are, tie your locs up each and every night.
- Avoid wool. Wool scarves and hats will eventually act like razors against locs, resulting in weak spots and breakage points. Check the nape of your hairline regularly to see what areas need the most attention. Also avoid fuzzy sweaters, blankets—anything that could cause lint.
Follow these tips, and your locs will make it through a cold, long winter. Remember, spring is just around the corner!