Shampooing Locs

Shampooing locs can be quite a daunting task if you're not sure how to do it correctly. With the right information, you can shampoo your locs at home with confidence. Read on...

Baby Locs

In general, when you are in the "baby loc" stage your locs are most susceptible to unraveling. Many people opt to do scalp cleansing instead of shampooing during this stage in order to avoid this. Scalp cleansing is simple to do at home, with a couple of easy to find items.

Scalp Cleansing

To cleanse your scalp, you need 1) a cleansing agent and 2) an applicator.

To cleanse, you can use witch hazel, however it does contain about 40% alcohol. Sea Breeze is also used for scalp cleansing, but it is also alcohol based which can dry your scalp and hair. Tea tree oil is another alternative, and mixed with water can be a gentle antiseptic for your scalp. Add a little bit of vitamin E, which also has antiseptic properties, if you are concerned about the drying effects on your scalp.

To apply the product to your scalp, you can use make up sponges. These are great because they are soft, pliable, and typically triangular which will allow you to really get between the rows of locs. They are also better than cotton swabs or balls because they don't leave lint behind.

Moisten the makeup pad with your cleanser. Gently massage your scalp between each loc. Your hair may get damp at the roots, but should not be soaking in the product. Cleansing your scalp in this manner helps remove excess sebum and dead skin from the scalp, and alleviates the unbearable itching many new loc wearers experience.

Shampooing

If you do want to shampoo your baby locs, and you are concerned about a neat appearance, it is best to do so right before a retightening. This way it doesn't matter if your locs unravel a bit in the process.

Mature Locs

As your locs mature, you will be able to shampoo them more vigorously. However, this may be much more hair than you are used to working with; here a few tricks that make the process easier.

Tip #1: Separate your locs into sections

When shampooing all of your locs at once, you sometimes end up washing just the front and/or back - you tilt your head back in the shower or lean over in the sink. It can be difficult to make sure the crown is as clean as the rest of your hair. Separating your hair into four sections and working through each one will ensure that every nook and cranny has been shampooed thouroughly.

Tip #2: Use a shampoo bar

Shampoo bars are very easy to work with, and prevent pouring shampoo all over the tub instead of in your hair. It allows you to work through each section and each row of locs. You can also use the bar to gently rub your scalp, making sure to loosen up any dead skin and condition your scalp.