Choosing the Best Hair Steamer for Locs

I am so proud of you for clicking on this article and making the decision that you deserve hydrated locs— good for you! One of, if not THE best way to combat dry hair and brittle locs is with steam. Steam helps to reduce frizz, promote hair growth, soften and add moisture to the hair, as well as combat dry scalp. With that said, I highly recommend indulging in a steam treatment at least 4 times a year. But you may be asking yourself where do I get a steamer that’s for locs? Or how is the steam treatment done? No worries, I have the answers for you! 

Types of Steamers

When seeking the best steamer for your locs I am sure you will stumble upon various types of steamers. There are standing/floor steamers, table top steamers, handheld steamers, and good ol’ facial steamers. For our goal, let’s classify handheld steamers and facial steamers as free-flow steamers and table-top steamers and standing steamers as dome-hooded steamers. To receive all of the aforementioned benefits for your locs, you want to opt for a dome-hooded steamer (i.e a table-top or standing model). Unfortunately, the handheld and facial steamers (much like using the steam from the shower) are just not concentrated enough to see (or feel) drastic changes in your locs.

So now we have narrowed our list to a table-top steamer or a standing steamer because remember our goal is the most hydrated and healthy locs! The decision of choosing between the two is going to take some introspective searching and pondering. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, so let’s get into some of the things you should consider. 

Important Factors to Consider

Cost of the Steamer. 
  A standing steamer— a quality standing steamer— ranges from $90 – $200 depending on where you are purchasing it from and the features it has (more on that later). On the other hand, you can get a table top steamer for about $50 – $80. So you have to ask yourself how much are you willing to invest in yourself. 

Convenience of the Steamer.  You have to decide how much space you have available for this new contraption. While the standing steamer is more powerful, the table top steamer is much easier to store away when not in use. I have also found that the reservoir on the standing steamer is much larger than the desktop steamers. This will give you a longer hydration treatment. However, if you know your time for self-care is limited you may find the table top steamer to be more beneficial. 

Functionality of the Steamer. Here is where I believe the biggest difference lies— the features. The most obvious feature which has the biggest impact is the size of the dome. You will notice that the standing steamer has a deep hood that allows for all of your locs— nape and all— to enjoy the benefits of the steam.  Whereas the tabletop steamer cuts the hood in half, making it difficult to steam the lower half of your locs – especially if they’re long.  Standing steamers also have more power, which you will notice in the wattage.  This is not a huge deal, but if you have really dry locs the power can make all the difference.  I believe both steamers have an auto shut off feature, but be mindful when choosing your model to ensure that it has this feature. 

Where To Purchase Your Steamer.Of course you could just search for steamers on google, amazon or eBay.  However, you want to make sure that what you see is what you will need.  I have made the mistake of ordering steamers from random online sellers only to be disappointed when they break or don’t have all the functionality I was anticipating.  One way that you can avoid this is by ordering your steamer from a professional salon retailer.  Below, you will find a list of my favorite places to purchase steamers.

After your steamer arrives be sure to check out this article— 6 Steps for Conditioning Your Locs With a Steamer —and enjoy!