Locs require specific care and attention, especially when the weather changes. From humid, rainy days to dry, cold winters, your locs need different forms of TLC to look and feel their best. In this guide, we’ll break down how to protect and maintain your locs in humid, dry, and cold climates.
How to Maintain Locs in Humid Climates
Humid climates, particularly during the rainy season, can make locs prone to frizz. Here are some tips to help you protect your locs and keep them looking fresh:
1. Prevent Frizz with a Satin Shower Cap
One of the biggest issues with humidity is frizz, which can cause your retwist to unravel. Regular plastic shower caps can exacerbate this by trapping moisture and making your hair steam, leading to a loss of your retwist.
We recommend using a shower cap with satin on the inside and a waterproof exterior. This type of cap will help protect your locs from moisture while maintaining your retwist and preventing frizz. Dr Locs will be coming out with a satin-lined shower cap, since there doesn't seem to be any great ones out there just yet for locs. You can even use this cap as a bonnet! We’ll be releasing our own version for pre-sale in February, specially designed for locs to prevent frizz in the shower and beyond. Keep your eyes peeled for this exciting release!
2. Cover Your Locs Outside
To protect your locs from rain, drizzle, or snow, always cover them with a scarf or hat. When moisture hits your locs, it can cause them to frizz. By keeping your locs covered, you can preserve your retwist and maintain a neat look.
3. Use the Right Products
In humid weather, you’ll need to avoid products that weigh your hair down or cause excess moisture retention. A light moisturizer, such as the Dr. Locs Amla Extract Conditioner, is great for hydrating without making your locs heavy.
Be sure to incorporate a good clarifying shampoo, like our Sweet Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo, to remove build-up and maintain a clean scalp every other wash. This will help your locs absorb all that yummy moisture from the Amla Extract Conditioner.
How to Maintain Locs in Dry Climates
In dry climates, the lack of moisture in the air can leave your locs feeling dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Here’s how you can lock in moisture and keep your locs hydrated:
1. Moisturize with Amla Extract and Jinan Moisture Mix
Dry climates demand extra moisture to prevent your locs from becoming brittle. the Amla Extract Conditioner and Jinan Moisture Mix are perfect products for sealing in moisture and keeping your locs hydrated. These formulas penetrate deeply into your locs, providing long-lasting moisture that will keep your hair soft and healthy without adding any buildup or harmful chemicals.
If you're wondering how oils work in moisturizing your locs, oils, like the Yaya Oil, is great for sealing in that moisture but doesn’t provide moisture on its own. The Yaya oil happens to be hydrating because it includes our favorite oils, like Argon oil Jojoba Oil, but in general oils isn't what you need to sustain long lasting moisture. We recommend using oils sparingly (as in not every day) to avoid clogging pores and weighing down your locs.
2. Avoid Over-Washing
In dry climates, it’s important not to overwash your locs, as this can strip your hair of its natural oils and lead to further dryness. Instead, focus on deep conditioning treatments like the Dr. Locs Amla Extract Conditioner to replenish moisture.
3. Protect Color-Treated Locs
If you have color-treated locs, dry air can cause the color to fade and the hair to become brittle. Use our Color-Treated Color Protecting Line to maintain the vibrancy of your color and keep your hair moisturized. The Rose Lavender Shampoo is perfect for enhancing and maintaining color, while the Amla Extract will keep moisture sealed in, preventing further damage.
How to Maintain Locs in Cold Climates
Cold weather can leave your locs feeling dry and lackluster, which is why it’s crucial to protect them during the winter months. Here's how to keep your locs healthy in colder temperatures:
1. Hydrate and Moisturize
Cold weather can dry out your hair, making it more susceptible to breakage and frizz. Steam treatments are excellent for adding moisture back into your hair. Use a steam treatment with Dr. Locs Amla Extract Conditioner for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water to seal in moisture. This treatment will help your hair retain hydration even in the harshest winter conditions.
2. Use Protective Styles
In the winter, opt for protective hairstyles that keep your locs tucked away and shielded from the cold. Updos, braids, and twists are perfect for keeping your locs safe from harsh winds and cold temperatures. Be careful not to make these styles too tight, as excessive tension can cause breakage.
3. Keep Your Locs Covered
Just like in humid climates, protecting your locs from the elements is key to maintaining healthy hair. Wrap your locs in a cute scarf or hat to shield them from the cold air. If your scalp is exposed to extreme cold, consider wearing a warm, breathable hat to prevent your scalp from becoming dry.
4. Try the Ocean Breeze Moisture Mix
For a unique winter treat, we recommend our Ocean Breeze Moisture Mix, which smells like the ocean with a light floral scent. It’s a perfect product to use during winter to keep your locs hydrated while giving you a refreshing, beachy scent.
General Tips for Maintaining Locs in Any Weather
Regardless of the weather, the following tips will help keep your locs healthy year-round:
- Clarify When Necessary: Clarifying your locs every other wash will ensure that any product build-up is removed, allowing your locs to absorb moisture more effectively.
- Avoid Over-Washing: Too much washing can strip your hair of natural oils. Aim to wash your locs once or twice a month, depending on your lifestyle.
- Seal in Moisture: Always follow up with a moisturizing product to seal in hydration after washing your locs. Look for natural oils or hydrating creams to lock in moisture without weighing down your locs.
- Use Satin or Silk: Protect your locs at night with a satin or silk scarf or bonnet to prevent breakage and maintain moisture.
Conclusion
Weather conditions play a significant role in the health of your locs, but with the right care and the right products, you can maintain healthy, beautiful locs year-round. Whether you’re dealing with the humidity of rainy seasons, the dryness of winter, or the chill of cold climates, the key is to protect, hydrate, and moisturize. With products like Dr. Locs Amla Extract Conditioner, Sweet Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo, and the Ocean Breeze Moisture Mix, you’ll have everything you need to keep your locs thriving, no matter the weather.
