Via Terez Howard

Dry locs. This problem plagues many happily locked ladies. First, make sure that you actually have dry locs. Natural hair doesn’t usually have a shine, but rather exhibits a slight sheen. This sheen comes from the way light reflects of our locs. For some, this sheen is greatly noticeable. For others, sheen might seem virtually nonexistent.
A lack of sheen does not mean you have dry locs. Your locked natural hair becomes too dry when you use certain products or don’t properly care for your locs. It will feel brittle to the touch and will be susceptible to breakage. You might also have a naturally dry hair texture and need to give your dreadlocks extra attention.
Read: 3 Products That Can Help Your Dry Locs
The following recommendations are for mature locs only.
Healthy Locs Daily Conditioning Mist
Created by the Video Locktician, this conditioning mist is meant to be a daily moisturizer to dry locs, especially color-treated locs. It makes separating locs easy and doubles as a setting lotion for curls. It contains no drying ingredients, like petroleum, mineral oil or alcohol.
Naani’s Naturals Locked Down Dreadlocks Butter
This product for locked hair gives your hair luster and creates strong, yet flexible locs. It includes moisture-rich ingredients, like jojoba oil, olive oil and Vitamin E. These moisturizing ingredients, combined with its great aroma, makes it wonderful for dry locs.
Knotty Boy’s Dreadlock Conditioning Spray
This product claims to smooth, soften and strengthen dry locs. This light conditioner will not loosen mature locs. Reviewers say that it reduces frizz and absorbs quickly. It can be applied directly to problem locs without having to immerse your hair in product.
4 At-Home Remedies
Hot Oil Treatment
Do a hot oil treatment once per month. This will infuse moisture into your locs without unraveling them. You can massage heated coconut oil or jojoba oil into your scalp for 5 minutes before sitting under a hooded dryer for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly once complete. More about Hot Oil Treatment
Pure aloe vera gel
Aloe vera contains proteins, amino acids, enzymes and other vitamins that moisturize your hair without nasty build-up. You can use this gel on its own, or you can buy the plant and extract the gel yourself for maximum effectiveness. You can also use aloe vera gel as part of a natural hair conditioner. Buy Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil, which is structurally similar to sebum, moisturizes the scalp while cleansing it at the same time. It works as a wonderful natural hair moisturizer. Apply this pure oil to your scalp and driest locs. Avoid your roots because its consistency will hinder your new growth from locking. Buy Jojoba Oil
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is known to slow hair thinning and nourish dry locs. It can be massaged into your scalp to rid yourself of dandruff. Naturals have noticed stronger, softer locs after using coconut oil. Buy Coconut Oil
4 Things You Can Start Today To Make Dry Locs A Thing Of The Past
- Check your product labels. Products that leave a lot of residue will build up on your dreadlocks over the course of time and make your look grayish and become dry. Steer clear of drying ingredients like mineral oil, petroleum and alcohol. If you see these ingredients near the beginning of your product label ingredients, that means there is a high concentration of these ingredients. Toss them out today! Opt for gentler conditioners, like the ones highlighted above.
- Cut out waxes from your hair care regimen. Wax that contains petrolatum, such as is found in petroleum jelly or Vaseline, paraffin wax and beeswax are detrimental to locs. A petrolatum-ridden wax has a gooey, thick consistency, while paraffin wax and beeswax are extremely stiff and thick.
- When you apply these waxes into your dreadlocks, they build up and are nearly impossible to shampoo out. Dirt and odor become trapped in them, thus creating dryness. Use a clarifying shampoo to cleanse your locs of waxy build-up.
- Include a daily moisturizer in your maintenance routine. If you have especially dry locs, a daily moisturizers will help. You can purchase a conditioning spray, like Healthy Locs Daily Conditioning Mist. A simple spritz of water mixed with a few drops of essential oil can go a long way. I suggest rosemary or lavender oil.
- Give the color a break. Color might look cute, but the chemicals in coloring agents could be zapping your hair of all its moisture. All locked ladies have different types of hair. While color might not affect one head, it can be detrimental to another. Challenge yourself to go 6 months without color. Then, compare the new growth with your older locs. Feel if there’s a difference. If you decide to keep coloring, make sure you rinse it thoroughly.
I just started my loc journey this year in October and I’m trying not cause build up of product in my locs so I’m washing my hair once a month while they are still baby locs and spraying them every morning with water mixed with vitamin e and castor oil mixed in the btl I have increased my water intake and taking the hair, skin and nail vitamins each day 1) am I doing to much? My first set of locs was perfect except when I spotted lint build up in the back of my locs so I cut them out and gave my hair a break for a few years before locking up again. I am completely excited about this set for some reason I’m so proud of my hair so far, although they are baby locs right now. 2). So am I doin to much sometimes they just feel dry and stiff.
Is Rosewater mixed with vitamin e oil a good moisturizer for locs? I started my loc journey March of this year.