Did you know that you can deep condition your locs using steam?
It’s okay if you have never heard of a steamer or debate whether you should even condition to your locs. Most people, don’t even know that deep conditioning locs is a real thing! In fact, yesterday, during the “Q&A With A Loctician” session, I took a poll and 90% of the viewers had never deep conditioned their locs. 90 percent! So you’re not alone. But, that changes today!
Today, I am sharing with you a few simple steps that you can use to deep condition your locs and transform your hair care experience!
6 Steps to Deep Condition Your Locs Using A Hooded Steamer
Step 1: Thoroughly clarify your locs. It is so important that you cleanse your locs of products and unnoticeable buildup. A lot of people skip this step and go straight to Step #2 but your locs will receive moisture better if you don’t skip this!
Step 2: Follow with a gently detoxifying or softening shampoo. I am particularly averse to lint and buildup in my locs, so I always use detoxifying shampoo. However, if you do not have detoxifying shampoo, you can use your favorite moisturizing shampoo. The goal at this step is to begin to replenish.
Step 3: Apply a restorative herbal rinse to the hair (DO NOT RINSE OUT). I am often shocked at how many people don’t end their cleansing experience with an herbal treatment. Herbs are plant-powered strengthening treatments that do not cause any buildup. If you are not using herbal rinses at home, get some ASAP!
Step 4: Towel-dry your locs & fill hooded steamer with distilled water. The key here is to use a microfiber towel to dry your locs so that you absorb the dampness from your locs. This is especially important if you do not have a filter on your faucet. It is very common for tap water to dry your hair out. And by using distilled water in your steamer, this ensures that you’re getting pure hydration.
Step 5: Spray your locs with an Herbal or Conditioning Moisturizer. You are applying a moisturizer at this step instead of after the steam treatment because while you’re under the hooded steamer the moisturizer will penetrate deeper and have lasting benefits.
Step 6: Sit under the hooded steamer for 20-30 minutes. Please don’t make the mistake I used to make, which was to think if I did a “good thing” for a longer amount of time it would be “much better”. Your hair is like a sponge and so 30 minutes is the maximum amount of time it can swell— beyond that you’re wasting your time. (So many nights of sleeping in deep-conditioner for nothing 🤦🏾♀️!)
On the other side of this deep conditioning treatment my locs feel softer, look enriched and you’ll notice more bounce and body! I’ll link a few steamers below (full post coming soon!) that work great for at-home usage or you can take these steps to your Loctician and treat yourself!
Please note that a handheld steamer and “steam in the shower” do not have the same effects! You can learn why in the recent “Q&A With A Loctician” discussion.
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Blog Comments
LaTasha
October 26, 2020 at 9:42 am
So wait!!! I thought I was doing everything right. I either clarify or detox (shampoo). Doing both won’t dry my hair out??? I must have missed that. So I do maybe one wash of clarifying and then do one or two of the detox? My mind is blown. You never cease to amaze!
Jocelyn Reneé
October 26, 2020 at 10:00 am
A detoxifying shampoo brings embedded buildup to the surface to be rinsed away. Clarifying shampoo will attract buildup/oils/product and remove it from the hair. Similar functions but subtle differences.
LaTasha
October 26, 2020 at 10:59 am
Thank you!!!! I will be adding that step.