In order for your locs to thrive, you will need to have a game plan. By following these tips, you will be on your way to healthy well cared for “baby locs”.
Once your sisterlocks/microlocks are installed, they are in the most sensitive stage. Here are the things you should do to nurture them as they slowly mature.
Do:
- Wear a shower cap, every time you shower.
This will protect your locs from excess moisture which often causes new locs to unravel (especially the shorter length locs!)
2. Use a clarifying shampoo and avoid moisturizing shampoos.
This will allow the cuticles of your locs to remain slightly “rougher” than usual, and encourages your hair strands to joine together and stay together. This aids in the locking process by preventing slippage
3. Braid and band before washing.
By braiding your locs in small sections (at least 10, possibly more if your locs are short) you are keeping your ends sealed and in place. When you wash, your locs are not likely to come undone because you have secured them.
4. Remove braids only after 80-90% dry.
If you remove the braids too soon after washing, the moisture from the water will encourage your curly hair to shrink and curl, and therefore escape the interlocking pattern at the ends of your locs.
5. Separate at the roots/loc popping after every wash.
This is essential for locs at any size. Our curly hair wants to intertwine, and that’s fine! Just guide your hair so that it intertwines with order (within the loc).
6. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase.
This will allow your locs to retain its oils and moisture, compared to cotton pillow cases that absorb it and can cause dryness/brittleness.
7. Spritz Rosewater on scalp and hair if experiencing dryness.
Rosewater is known for its ability to reduce dandruff and oil on the scalp. It is a mild astringent and can relieve any itching as well.
Do NOT:
- Moisturize/Condition Locs
This screams slippage! Slip slip slip slip. When your locs are new, you want to avoid products that encourage slippage, and that is what moisturizers/conditioners do.
2. Color/Dye Locs
This can lead to a married of issues if done prematurely. This can lead to excessive bunching, due to the hair composition being altered (especially with bleach). Bunching can make retightening very difficult and sometimes painful because of the bulging of the locs caused by the bleach.
3. Cut Locs
By cutting your locs, you leave your ends open and vulnerable. Just don’t do it.
4. Wear Tight Styles/Ponytails
Low manipulating styles are great, but you need to ensure that the styles are not too tight. If they are, the tension placed on the locs can cause the hairs to break and the locs to weaken.
And once your microlocks/sisterlocks have matured, and you are no longer in the “Newbie” stage, I recommend you follow these tips:
Continue to:
- Separate at the roots/loc popping after every wash
- Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase
- Avoid wearing tight styles or tight ponytails
Be cautious of the following:
- Scarves, these are lint magnets
- Sweaters, these are also lint magnets
- Friction when wearing and removing your shirt – this on/off action often contributes to more lint
- Wearing tight bonnets to sleep or around the house, the tension of these bonnets (or scarves/headbands) can stress the hairs at the perimeter of your head. These hairs are most fragile.They need to be treated with care.
These are all of the tips that I have for now! Did I miss any? Feel free to share tips you have found helpful while caring for your new locs.