Detoxing your locs is essential to keep them clean and healthier. We all love locs due to their low maintenance and ability to last longer than other hairstyles. You might wonder if your locs need a detox and how to do it.
There are several ways to detox your locs, but our preferred method is applying apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Mix your apple cider vinegar with warm water and wash your hair slowly. After, cover your hair with a towel to wait for a few minutes and then rewash it with baking soda.
After learning how to detox your locs and how to do it, you are at the right place. The article will talk about all you need to know on how to detox your dreads, ways to do it, when you should do it, how long it takes to detox your locs, and other crucial information. Read below to learn more on how to detox your locs.
Ways To Detox Locs
There are several ways you can use it to detox your locs. Some ways include using apple cider vinegar, baking soda, or combining both, among other methods. Let us see how to detox your locs using these methods:
a) Apple Cider Vinegar Locs Detox
Apple cider vinegar is among the best ways you can use to detox your locs. The method gives your locs a deep clean leaving your locs shiny and hair healthy after a thorough rinse. How does apple cider vinegar work to detox your locs?
Apple cider vinegar works by killing the microbes that cause the foul smell on your locs with its antibacterial and antifungal abilities. It also clears the mold in the locs that appear as whitish specks. Apple cider vinegar also contains acetic acid that works on bacteria and fungus that causes dandruff causing an itchy scalp.
Apple cider vinegar can penetrate your locs to remove oil, dead skin, microbes, and product build-ups like shampoos and oils. It will also ensure your locs are stronger and hair grows faster. The PH of Apple Cider Vinegar is low; hence it won’t damage your locs, reducing any breakage during the detox.
b) Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and Baking Soda Locs detox
Another method is combining apple cider vinegar with baking soda to detox your locs. It is a popular method since it ensures a full detox to clean your locs.
It will certainly leave your locs refreshed and clean, removing dirt, microbes, dead skin cells, oil, and that stubborn stinky smell. So how does this method work?
Adding baking soda to your detox solution will clarify your locs since it is a strong base. The strong soda base will clear any acidic sediment, such as oil, shampoo, and any product build-up in your locs.
The baking soda will remove the natural oil, water, and product build-ups, such as shampoos that create a conducive environment for microbes and bacteria. The microbes are responsible for the foul smell from your locs. This combo ensures all the dirt, oils, and microbes are cleared from your locs.
However, soda might leave your locs cleaner than apple cider vinegar alone, but it comes with a cost. Baking soda has a high PH making it not the most suitable product on your air.
The high PH will leave your hair at risk of breakage and drier. To curb this, rinse your locs with apple cider vinegar after completing the detox. Apple cider vinegar has a low PH that will neutralize the high PH of baking soda.
When Should You Detox Your Locs?
Let’s talk about when you should detox your locs. After telling you ways to detox your locs, the question remains about the perfect time to detox your locs. Take into consideration the following factors to know if your locs need a detox:
Itchy scalp and feels greasy – an itchy scalp indicates your locs need a detox. The build-up of sebum, the oily substance on your scalp, will lead to an itchy and greasy scalp. However, sebum should not be confused with dandruff.
Sticky dreads – sticky dreads are caused by oil and product build-up, such as hair shampoos. After washing your hair with shampoo or any other product that feels sticky, it indicates that you should do a detox.
Bad smell – the bad smell is caused by microbes or bacteria and fungi in your air. An odor that never goes away after the regular cleaning indicates that your locs need a detox.
Dull and dry locs – dull locs appear discolored and dry from the original color. Your locs are not getting old; they need a deep detox to restore your locs to a shiny and clean look.
How Long Do You Detox Your Locs?
How long should you detox your locs for deep cleaning and avoid any damage to your locs? Detoxing your locs should take 20 – 30 minutes of soaking in the detoxing solution and a thorough rinsing to remove any traces of the detoxing solution.
Detoxing your longer for longer might damage your hair, making it brittle and risking breakage. Under-detoxing your locs will only worsen it since the dirt will not fully dissolve, creating a good environment for microbes to build up.
It would be best to detox your locs at least once or twice a year, depending on your job or exposure to your locs.
Can You Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Detox Yours Locs?
YES, Apple cider is among the best products you can use to detox your locs. Apple cider has many benefits compared to other detoxing products.
Some benefits are: penetrating deep into the locs to dissolve dirt and kill microbes, low PH hence does not damage your hair and scalp, clarifying agent and ensures fast hair growth and stronger hair.
Is It Good To Detox Your Locs?
YES, it is good to detox your locs does to the numerous benefits it has to your locs and hair. However, it would help if you were mindful of the products you use to detox your locs and the process of detoxing your locs; some of the benefits are:
- It ensures a deep clean to your locs
- Promotes scalp health
- Prevents dry hair and breakages
- It helps prevent hair loss by encouraging the growth of strong hair
- It prevents damage to your locs compared to using other products to clean your locs.