This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details..
Locs can be a relatively low maintenance hair choice, and some may even say they are easy to take care of. But, if you are not careful, they can easily become brittle, broken, or just straight up unhealthy! So to help you avoid any of that, here are 5 common loc mistakes.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. View my full disclosure policy here.
Common Loc Mistake #1: Sleeping with wet hair
Personally, I don’t even know how people sleep with wet hair! It’s so uncomfortable! But with locs, it’s even worse than that. Sleeping with wet locs can cause moisture to build up inside of the loc, causing mildew and odor. (And I’ve been around someone with this before–it is beyond unpleasant to smell). So, PLEASE make sure your locs are completely dry before putting your head on your pillow at night. To do this, either air dry for a few hours or sit under a hooded dryer. (Air drying is my favorite.)
Common Loc Mistake #2: Using oil as a moisturizer
I’ve said it to my loose naturals, and I’ll say it again: OIL IS NOT A MOISTURIZER. Oil is great for keeping in moisture, but it does not add any additional moisture. And contrary to what some believe, locs still need to be moisturized. I recommend things like rosewater, aloe vera juice, and spray leave-ins to moisturize locs. We want moisture, not build-up, so light products are best. And after applying that moisturizer, add your oils! What oils are your favorite for sealing moisture into your locs? Tell me in the comments!
Common Loc Mistake #3: Retwisting too often
I’ve seen so many people affected by retwisting too often. They have thin, and sometimes even broken off, locs! And we don’t want that! Overmanipulating any type of hair causes breakage, and locs are no different. I would say to retwist no more than once every 4 weeks, and stretch it out if you can. Also, be aware of when your hands are in your hair. Oftentimes, we can be twisting our locs while watching TV without even realizing it! And one last thing, especially be careful with retwisting the edges. We all know how fragile and sensitive they can be, so handle with care.
Common Loc Mistake #4: Using gels for retwists
I didn’t know this when I first started my locs, but gel is not required for retwists. Did you know this? And a lot of the gels targeted for locs can actually cause buildup, as product can get trapped inside of the loc! So, you do not need gels. Trust me. Now, I do my rewists with rosewater, aloe vera, and oil. And honestly, you can really just use water and oil. I just need the extra moisture because my hair is dyed. Bur, if you don’t believe me, try it for yourself. If you’ve always used a gel, you will be mind blown!
Common Loc Mistake #5: Wearing too tight styles/updos
Loc styles and updos are really cute, and they can be used as a type of protective style. But just as with traditional protective styles, make sure they are not too tight, and rest your scalp in between styles. I know a lot of people that didn’t do those two things, and they have receding hairlines and thin, spacey locs. (Yikes!) So, if a style hurts, take it down! In this case, beauty is NOT pain. And if you notice scalp redness, scalp tenderness, shedding, thinning, or breakage, take a break from the styles, updos, and retwist. I would hate for you to hurt your scalp over a simple solution.
That’s it for my 5 Common Loc Mistakes! If you have any to add to the list, leave them in the comments, and they could be featured in a Part 2!
