7 Ways to Moisturize Dry Locs

Your locs must be moisturized to be healthy— and you cannot have healthy locs if you have dry locs. To better understand why you must properly moisturize your locs, let’s imagine a box of spaghetti noodles. If you try to bend (read: manipulate) dry noodles what happens? They break. Now, think about the spaghetti noodles after they’ve been soaked in water. What happens if you try to bend them? They remain intact and strong.

This is a great example of how the elasticity (also known as hair’s flexibility) works. When hair is hydrated it is stronger but when it is dry it is in its weakest state. 

Thinning Locs Caused By Dryness

Now, I’m sure you do not want your locs to be weak, so I’m going to share with you a few amazing ways to add moisture to dry locs.

7 Ways to Moisturize Dry Locs

I’m going to share with you 7 amazing ways to add moisture to your hair and get rid of dry locs. These are in no particular order, so try each one and see which works best for you!

1. Always Clarify Your Hair. The first step to moisturized locs begins with your shampoo. Don’t make the mistake of only using “moisturizing shampoo” when you’re experiencing dryness. You need to clarify (or remove) all of the old products from your hair to allow any future products to effectively work.

2. Use a Water-Based Moisturizer AND an Emollient Oil. Contrary to popular belief, oil DOES NOT moisturize your hair and there is no such thing as a “moisturizing oil”.  To add moisture to your locs, you need water. So, first you apply a water-based moisturizer and then you apply an emollient oil (emollient means it will retain moisture). My favorite hair moisturizing duo for locs are the rosewater-based  Moisture Infusion and Mane Radiance oil.

3. Get Regular Salon Hydration Treatments. Steam is one of the best moisturizing treatments for your hair. You should visit your hair care professional at least once every 3 months for a Hydration Treatment— it works wonders (especially in the colder months)!

RELATED ARTICLE: Preventing Dry Hair in Colder Climates 

4. Increase Your Water Intake. Every day you should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day, minimum. Your body needs that much water to properly lubricant your organs, muscles, and hair because you’re made of 60% water!

5. Ditch the Shower Cap. Unless you’re trying to preserve a curly set, don’t worry about wearing a shower cap. Simply pin your hair up and allow some of the residual steam to penetrate your locs. You can see how I refreshen the moisture in my locs in my post, “How I Hydrate My Locs In The Shower“.

(NOTE: You should not wet or dampen your locs at night to avoid mildew and/or flattening your locs).

6. Wear a Satin Scarf. Did you know cotton pillowcases and sheets are one of the biggest culprits for dryness and lint?! To avoid these issues, it is best to always wear a satin scarf and/or sleep on a satin pillowcase.

RELATED ARTICLE: How To Protect Your Locs At Night

7. Use Aloe Vera. An aloe plant is made up of over 80% water which makes it one of the most effective ways to hydrate your hair naturally. Personally, I only use all natural aloe vera locking gel on my locs and my clients’ locs because of its amazing properties to help the hair lock while nourishing the scalp.