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Scalp conditions range from something as common as dandruff to more severe flaky scalp conditions like psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. To manage the symptoms of a scalp condition, it is common practice to shampoo the hair frequently to soothe itching, flaking, or both.
Most scalp conditions cannot be cured but can be managed with medicated shampoos. The frequent need to shampoo the hair and scalp makes it necessary to invest in hairstyles that allow women to treat their symptoms while maintaining a groomed look that is easy to manage daily.
1. Maintaining Your Locs
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Once your locs are installed, maintenance of your scalp condition is simple. Depending on the severity of your scalp condition, I recommend using your medicated shampoo at least 2-3 times a week for one month. If the symptoms improve after a month, you can decrease the medicated shampoo to 1-2 times a week for another month.
If improvement continues, I suggest using the medicated shampoo at least once a week. If your symptoms flare up, you can always increase the use of the medicated shampoo to manage them. Locs are the perfect style for someone who has to shampoo their hair this often.
2. Using a Medicated Shampoo
The advantage of wearing locs is that you can access the scalp because of the parts, making it easier to apply medicated shampoos and ointments. When starting locs, I would first recommend a thorough scalp treatment or shampoo and conditioning treatment that removes all dirt, buildup, and flakes from the scalp.
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This is important because if you install your locs with residue or flakes in the hair or scalp, they will become very difficult to remove once they are installed. A good way to help remove any flaking is to use a medicated shampoo. These shampoos are formulated with active ingredients that penetrate the skin, exfoliate hardened skin cells (flakes) on the scalp, and soothe itchy symptoms.
Medicated shampoos are more effective when applied directly to the scalp, massaged in so that they completely cover the scalp, and allowed to sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Stay Moisturized
After rinsing the medicated shampoo, it is important to follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner that will infuse moisture back into the hair strands because medicated shampoos are very drying. Often, people with scalp conditions don’t use their medicated shampoos as frequently as they should because of how dry they leave the hair. Using a moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioner after applying a medicated shampoo is a crucial step to maintain the health of the hair without compromising the health of the scalp.
When replenishing moisture into the hair, I don’t recommend using cream deep conditioners on locs that are still in the early stages of the loc process.
When replenishing moisture in the hair, I don’t recommend using cream-deep conditioners on locs still in the early stages of the process. Conditioners soften the hair, prolonging the process. Instead, use essential oils to soften the hair and seal in moisture.
3. Conditioning
Once the locs mature and solidify, cream conditioners are okay to use occasionally; just make sure you are diligent in rinsing all of the conditioners from the locs so that it doesn’t cause buildup and residue.
Image Source: @dreadheadd
If you have a scalp condition, I think locs are one of the best styling options, especially because many flaky, itchy conditions don’t have cures. This means you have a lifetime of regularly shampooing your hair ahead of you. If you have a busy lifestyle or have difficulty styling and maintaining your loose natural curls, you may want to consider locking them up.
Locs will give you the freedom to cleanse your scalp as often as you need to, ease of styling, and a simplified hair care regimen that doesn’t require a lot of styling products.
