How often should you wash starter locs?

Hi everyone! As mentioned in my advice on how often should you wash starter locs, people with starter locs shouldn’t be washing their hair too often. However, this doesn’t mean that you don’t wash it at all. You just have to be very careful when you do.

Doing the wrong thing can cause them to unravel and slow down the locking process. Here is a step by step guide to washing your hair with starter locs in mind.

The best thing you can do for healthy locs is to use a residue-free shampoo that does not strip your hair of moisture or make it hard to maintain. A dry scalp will also be affected, either taking longer to dry or preventing any growth at all.

The first few days of your starter loc installation, rinse them with water and condition with extra virgin olive oil or vitamin E. Washing your hair regularly to keep them clean will also prevent itchiness.

If you don’t use products that might cause buildup, wait two weeks before washing again, but it’s important to wash your scalp every day.

How to wash starter locs without unraveling

You can wash them over a stocking cap. A lot of people are transitioning to the coil method. You may have to use it as well.

Many people feel self-conscious about their locs, which they’ve been growing for a while. One of the reasons is because it’s difficult to keep your locs healthy and neat without unravelling them. Washing your hair can cause unravelling, and wearing a cap helps with this.

I’ll give you a few tips that will help you with the washing process of starter locs without unraveling.

It’s best to put on a mesh cap before washing your hair to protect the locs. A Dream lover fishnet wig cap is a great option since it’s made of durable material.

Plus, it has large holes so it can hold your coils in place while you wash and give your scalp a good scrub.

Use a shampoo like Dolly Locks or Neutrogena Anti-Residue Clarifying Shampoo, and pour some soap into your hair. Cover it with a mesh cap. Lather up through the stocking cap.

The shampoos I mentioned above will not lather up as natural products. Remember not to over-apply shampoo to your hair.

Make sure you wash out all the shampoo from your dreads, and dry your hair thoroughly. This can be with a dryer or air dry.

After your hair is completely dry, add natural oils to your scalp even more, like avocado and coconut oil. Rose water is also a great way to moisturize after washing!

if your locs are at risk of unraveling and you can’t maintain them with traditional techniques, try a different method such as braids or two-strand twist. These techniques can hold up to washing without unravelling.

How to wash two strand twist starter locs

1. Make sure to massage your scalp before washing for better hair care

This will lift all dirt and any dandruff from your scalp. Use the tips of your fingers and lightly scrape the scalp. If you have a hair pick with rounded edges, you can also use that.

2. Section out your locks 

You can use small rubber bands or hair ties. The number of sections depend upon how thick your hair is. When I had starter locs, I used about 15, but the model on the photo below combined with thinner hair used around 10.

3. Dilute your shampoo 

You need to blend enough shampoo and water to achieve the right consistency for your hair. If you’re not sure how much shampoo you should be using, experiment to figure out how much shampoo will be effective for your scalp. And use an applicator bottle if you want the best visibility.

4. Wash your scalp, section by section

Note that the first time you wash, your hair won’t suds as much due to buildup. Gently rub the scalp of each section and rinse it well.

5. Shampoo a second time and apply some to the shaft of your locks

After shampooing your scalp for a second time, use soap to wash the hair and apply a gentle lather. Then run your fingers gently from the roots to the ends of your hair.

Remember to move the rubber bands down a little so that the shampoo covers your whole head. Then rinse. You can then remove the rubber bands and let the washing machine run through your hair one last time

6. Dab your locks with a clean towel to soak up the excess water.

Accomplish a thorough clean by drying the towel well and using a hair dryer on low to air it out afterwards.

Can I wet my starter locs everyday?

Yes, wetting your dreadlocks with a spritz is safe, but it will not moisturize them. You need to shampoo your hair and do special moisturizing treatments afterwards for attaining the best results.

Wetting your starter locs every day is not a good idea, as you may train your hair to over-produce oils and dry out your hair strand.

Don’t over-wash your starter locs.

Your starter locs might be more prone to odors and buildup, but over-washing can dry out your scalp and lead to flaking, itchiness, breakage, and thinning locks. We recommend only washing locs once every 1-2 weeks & don’t wash them right after you take them out of the pack.

What should you not do with starter locs?

• Avoid Build Up at All Cost.
• Waxing your dreadlocks causes hair to break off.
• Never Retwist Dry Locs.
• Over Maintenance Is Damaging.
• Avoid Tight Styling.
• You should avoid bleaching dreads as it will damage them over time.

How do I keep my starter locs moisturized?

1. Use wax less frequently when your locs are two to six months old. At this time, locs should start to hold together without defraying
2. It is important to remember to moisturize your dreads even after you’ve stop using wax, because dry hair can lead to breakage.
3. Gently massage your scalp for five minutes before bed with your fingertips

Conclusion

It takes two to three weeks for a starter locs to fully mature. Once that happens, you need to wash your locs once every week. I started to realize how much time it was taking me to wash my hair until I got locs. When getting locs you have to let your natural oils do their thing.