Easy Ways to Moisturize Your Dry Dreadlocks!
Locs are beautiful when healthy and well cared for. A major part of that health is keeping your locs well moisturized so I thought that I would give you my top seven ways to keep your tresses moisturized and looking like perfection. These ways include moisturizing both from within and without.
One thing that you can do to moisturize your dry dreadlocks is to pay attention to your diet. Eating the right food is essential for keeping your locs naturally moisturized. Foods high in protein, Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D not only promote healthy skin and hair but helps specifically to increase the health of your scalp and hair shaft by keeping them both hydrated and thereby contributing to keeping your locs naturally moisturized. A great source of all three is salmon.
We all know that we need water, not only to survive, but to be healthy. Well here's another reason to have those eight glasses of water daily; it helps to keep your dreadlocks naturally moisturized. Consuming the recommended daily intake of water helps to keep our glands healthy, including our sebaceous gland which produces sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that naturally moisturizes our skin and locs.
Third on my list is an item that can be used both within and without to moisturize your locs; aloe vera. Aloe vera is a cactus-like plant that people have been using for centuries for its therapeutic properties. It is high in water content and filled with loads of vitamins and minerals. Though bitter when ingested, you may cut the plant and eat its inside to take advantage of its ability to moisturize your dry dreadlocks. You may also apply its juices to your hair directly to achieve the same effect.
Another simple way to keep locs moisturized is to cover them with a satin cap or wrap at nights before going to bed. Unlike most other fabrics, satin has been proven to maintain the moisture in your locs. Avoid wrapping your hair in materials such as cotton and wool as they strip your hair's moisture.
Number five on my list is the use of hot oil treatments. Due to the nature of locs, regular hot oil treatments are one of the best ways to moisturize dry locs. Warming the oil helps the oil to bond with your strands and deposit back into your hair.
Use deep conditioners with natural and/or organic ingredients. Try to stay away from products that contain silicone and sulfates. Silicone creates an insoluble coating on your hair that doesn't allow hydration into the shaft of the hair and sulfates strip your locs of its natural oils.
Finally, keep your locs clean. Washing your hair with your chosen shampoo is not enough as these shampoos themselves may leave a residue on your locs. It is recommended that you occasionally replace your shampoo with baking soda and/or apple cider vinegar which helps to wash away the build-up left from the products you use to keep your hair looking healthy.
To have truly beautifully moisturized dreadlocks is a combination of eating the right foods and maintaining healthy hair practices. You have lots of choices to moisturize your mane so take your pick and stick with the ones that work for you.
Love your locs, embrace your journey and let us know how it goes in the comments below.