How to maintain your locs in between retwists PT 1
— There are two different scenarios here. In part 1 I’ll discuss what to do right after your hair is freshly retwisted and styled. In part 2 I will discuss what to do after you’re ready to take your style down and/or shampoo.
1. You JUST got your hair done—
A) Keep your hair wrapped/ covered at night and while lounging. Use satin and silk materials to keep your hair moisturized longer.
B) If you don’t know how to fix it, avoid playing in your hair. The less manipulation, the better.
C) Avoid tight-squeezing styles and ties. Excess tension on your hair and scalp can lead to major issues that cause hair loss, scalp damage, and emotional distress 🥴
D) If your hair is too tight to sleep, take a warm towel and blot your scalp to loosen it up, and inform your loctician or stylist of the issue, because it is an issue.
E) If your scalp is itching nonstop, mist your scalp with warm water and apply your favorite mint oil.
F) If your scalp is dry or flaky, mist your scalp with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizing oil.
Bonus:
• To aid with itchiness, the best oils will be organic (1 ingredient) and be of the mint family; peppermint, tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, spearmint, basil, thyme, patchouli..
• To aid with dryness/ moisture retention, the best oils will be organic (1 ingredient). Oils that lock in moisture are olive oil, black castor oil, grape seed oil, whipped shea butter (a little goes a way), and argon oil.
• Swap your cotton pillowcases for satin ones. Thank me later.
• If your loctician/ stylist continues to style your hair too tight (signs of this would be discomfort, redness far long after your appointment, tiny bumps that can sometimes have pus), please find a new one 😅
Save this post for later and stay loc’d for part 2 🔒💚
#locmaintenance #locmoisture #locmethods #locstyles #lemon8locdiary
Building on the initial tips for post-retwist care, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into some questions I often get, especially about making that fresh retwist last and keeping your locs looking their best. We all want our locs to look salon-fresh for as long as possible, right? One of the most common questions is 'how long does a retwist last?' Honestly, it varies depending on your hair type, growth rate, and how you care for your locs. For me, a retwist typically looks crisp for about 2-4 weeks. After that, new growth starts to show, and the roots might not be as defined. But here’s the secret: your at-home loc maintenance routine plays a HUGE role in extending that 'fresh' look. By following the tips I shared earlier, like wrapping your hair at night and minimizing manipulation, you're actively working to preserve your retwist. Think of it as a partnership between you and your loctician! Speaking of keeping things fresh, let's talk a bit more about those amazing oils for itchiness and dryness. I've found that applying oils when your scalp is slightly damp from a warm water mist helps them penetrate better. For dryness, after misting, I usually put a few drops of olive oil or black castor oil directly onto my scalp sections, gently massaging it in. For itchiness, a diluted peppermint or tea tree oil blend does wonders – it gives this refreshing tingle that just calms everything down. Remember, less is more to avoid product build-up, which can lead to its own set of problems. And always, always go for organic, single-ingredient oils when you can. It makes a huge difference! The original post touched on finding a good loctician, and I can't stress this enough – a good foundation is key! If you consistently feel pain or see redness after your retwists, it's a sign to explore other options. Your loctician sets the stage for healthy loc growth. Now, what about styling those freshly retwisted beauties? While the article advises against excessive manipulation, I know we all want to show off our locs! For those 'medium length half up half down loc styles' or similar looks, I recommend waiting a few days after your retwist for your roots to settle a bit. When you do style, choose loose, gentle styles. Avoid anything that pulls too tightly on your roots or edges. Bobby pins or soft scrunchies are your friends, not elastic bands that can cause breakage. The goal is to highlight your fresh locs without undoing all that hard work or stressing your hair and scalp. My go-to is usually a simple high bun or a loose ponytail for the first week, just to keep things light and airy while they set. Remember, loc maintenance between retwists isn't just about appearance; it's about the health of your scalp and locs in the long run. These 'do it at home' tips are designed to empower you to take control of your loc journey. Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share my routine for when it’s time to take down styles and prepare for shampoo day!
