I was really thinking about not blogging on both Clumps and LocRocker until the new year but nope...I can't NOT blog for that long. And I've got way too much going on to "schedule" posts so no blog vacay for me. And I don't mind one bit because blogging is a therapy/passion.
Holla!
Anywhoovers, before I went home for Christmas I washed the locs. Washing is becoming tricky these days. And here's why.
You see those white areas at the root of my locs? That's build-up! Oil, I suppose. This was after I washed my hair twice with Dr. Bronner's magic soap. I've been using this stuff for ages and it is GREAT at lifting build-up. But....apparently it can't tackle my year old locs. So I washed a third time....
And a forth time...
Do you see that? That white loc? I literally had to mash it out of my hair with a towel. It was insanely frustrating. Not to mention gross. And my locs were left drier/crunchier than normal. I can only imagine what would have happened if I used a conditioner.
And since I have color-treated hair, I REALLY need to be using a conditioner.
The only time I don't have build-up issues when washing is when I rinse with apple cider vinegar. But that can only happen once a month or so.
*sigh*
Let's hope I can rectify this problem sooner rather than later. Any loc'd folx deal with build-up issues? HELP!
...oh, and I have decided to not latch for at least a month. This will give my roots a break (I can be latch-happy sometimes) and I can start fresh with lots of new growth. OR--I may even go to my loctician for some much needed hair pampering. The latter is soundin' so good right now!
21 comments:
oh no...I am sorry to hear that you're having build up issues :(
there was a thread on NP where some were saying that if you soak them in ACV for a while, then rinse them with hot water, it might help...
build up! *shudders*
IMO It's the conditioner, hun. If you were a loose natural, conditioner would be fine b/c it would rinse out easily. But, with locs it's building up. Since your hair is color treated you need a good moisturizing agent . . . not necessarily a conditioner. You need something that will give you the benefits of a conditioner w/o the actual product to avoid the build up. But, that's just my opinion.
I've used conditioner a time or two w/ no issue but I noticed that my locs felt no different/better after conditioning than they did after my regular washing.
You may need to pic a shampoo that isn't as drying/more moisturizing than castile soap, so you can skip the conditioning step OR find a thinner, super liquid, kinda clear conditioner. I used to use Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo b/c it got my hair squeaky clean but it was just too drying so I had to switch to something else.
I pretty much stick to my water/olive oil spritz, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In, or Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries for mositure and my color treated hair feels fine.
Ok . . . so my 2 cents looks more like a dollar lol, my bad!
Good luck, sis!
Sorry about your buildup issues.
Try an apple cider vinegar rinse and see if that helps clear things up. I don't have color-treated hair, and have used that with success. Since your hair is color-treated, you may want to check with someone about how the cider vinegar would work.
For conditioning, I use only clear, liquid oils and stay away from creamy conditioners. It seems as if they always create build up that is difficult to scare away. This is my second set of locs and I think the creamy conditioners put too much buildup in my first set.
Good luck, and and happy new year!
First, I absolutely adore you and your blogs. You're such a sweet person and I'm glad you share so much with us. (feelin' a little sentimental)
Second, MeikMeika (lockanddontstop.blogspot.com) talked about using ACV to get rid of build-up. I haven't used it. I'm very careful about what I put on my locs and scalp 'cause I had such issues with build-up early on. I use cleansing shampoos and the Poo Bar twice a week and a conditioner and it seems to help with keeping build-up at bay.
Keep us updated on what you try and how it works.
Amina---> Yeah, I do ACV rinses pretty regularly. But only once a month or so.
B---> Ahhhh, you've helped a lot, sis! I do need to try a leave-in conditioner. I didn't even think about that. Hmmm...
Deb---> Okay, I'll work harder to avoid the creamy conditioners. Thanks!
Coop---> You are so wonderful. *hugs* I love Meikmeika's blog! I'm going to tweak my products and how I use them and work it out. Thanks!
Try good ole Infusium.
Your locs look great! I've been loc'd now for just over a year. I don't have the build up issue but I do have the dangblasted thinning issue.. right on the top of my head...(thanks dad for the thinning hair gene that my brothers somehow have escaped from having!! ) LOL! if you get a chance... take a look at my blog http://www.finallyfreetobeme.com. I can't seem to NOT blog either!! LOL have a good day/evening!
Okay, so I'm going to contradict what you've been told, but you might want to ease up on the Dr. Bronner's. It's stripping your hair. But almost anything you use to clarify will dry it a bit. To help get rid of some of that build up, try a diluted shampoo and baking soda solution. In a spray bottle, mix 2 parts water to 1 part liquid soap, add in a teaspoon (or two) of baking soda and shake well. Don't just lather it like normal, squeeze the solution through your locs and massage your scalp. Then let the solution sit a little before you rinse. Carole of www.coilsncurls.com gives a great how-to video for properly washing your locs on youtube. You will be amazed with what comes out. My disclaimer is to research baking soda first because I don't know what it does to color treated hair. It must also be used with softened or distilled/bottled water. Hard water might create a film.
To condition, try a hot oil treatment every week or other week--your hair and scalp will let you know how often you can get away with it. Your locs look mature enough to handle some warm olive oil, avocado oil or jojoba oil under a plastic cap/bag and warm towel without unravelling. I don't think that build-up is from oil. It may be from the Carol's Daughter loc butter (wax doesn't just dissolve or wash out, that's why they warn you to avoid it), creamy conditioner, or gel. Since you latch you can really avoid using products. Leave-ins (even those can leave film), light oils and spritzes are okay, but even with constant washing, don't feel pressure to use anything creamy or butter-like. If you feel like ACV rinses are drying, you can switch it up by infusing your rinse with herbs (like nettle, marigold, horsetail, etc.) or adding in a few drops of tea tree oil. Your scalp will SING.
Finally, although it seems as if you hair is really thick and grows really fast, latching more than once a month is too much. Try to wait at least four weeks between latchings.
You can also dry your hair with an old black or brown t-shirt to cut down on the link.
OK, I'm back lol . . . I found this old thread on NP about Build Up . . . give it a look-see! Folks shared some pretty good tips on causes/removal of buildup, including ACV and baking soda rinses.
http://www.nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=54
Also, I just realized that I didn't suggest how you should remove buildup, lol. I don't know if you're a sink or shower shampooer BUT I'd suggest using water to push the buildup out. Like putting your shower head on the most powerful setting or using the little spray nozzles attachment (on a sink) and concentrating on a loc (or section of locs) for a long time. Also, try Rubbing/rolling the area of the loc w/ the buildup to soften and loosen it while doing this.
Some folks also suggested putting the shampoo in your hair and rocking a plastic cap for a while, kind of like soaking a stained blouse, to loosen up the gunk. After a little while, you scrub your scalp and locs, rinse for a few minutes . . . and repeat as desired.
Warning, many of these "degunking" methods seem to be pretty drying but I think they're worth it. Once you're buildup free, you can find a regimen that doesn't lead to as much buildup and never have to do the "degunking" again *crosses fingers*.
Another long comment . . . geez louise lol . . . I just didn't want you to punk out like I did and pick a loc out b/c of build up *shudders at memmory*.
nineanais your comment was just so in-depth it makes me want to take note for when I get my locs.
i read this post before, but never commented, and i thought i'd add my two cents now. :-)
i ACV after every OTHER shampoo, and i wash once weekly. when i started getting buildup, it was definitely the quickest way to get rid of it. i also only use 1 part ACV to three parts water...
as for moisture, i have yet to condition my locs and it's been about a year now. i find the best way to hydrate is to mix a 2:1 solution of grapeseed or jojoba or carrot oil (find'em in health food stores) and glycerine, pour a little into your hand, and then spread it over your locs while they're damp. my locs are thicker than yours, and i use about two cupped-handsful. :-)
different things work for different people, i know, but i just wanted to offer perhaps a little bit of advice.
good luck!
Apple cider vinegar is the way to go! Soak your locs in it (pay special attention to the locs with buildup, work the ACV into the buildup) and then rinse with hot(as you can stand) water. Love your blog :-)
I was having buildup issues too, not so much with oil, but lint :-( First I tried plucking the lint out with tweezers, but had to go heavier duty with it and brought out the apple cider vinegar rinse. Had to retwist as the loc sort of fell apart, but it did work wonders. I blogged about it here.
Maybe its just me but I found that washing with aloe vera Head and Shoulders works for me. I also alternate with Jamaican mango and lime shampoo as well. Both shampoos cleaned the scalp, left the hair moisturized used just once or or every two weeks. I haven't ACVd for like 4 months still no build up. I will use a product called wild growth light moisturizing oil just to oil my a scalp but just after a wash. Lint is unstoppable but one thing that will keep your hair almost virtually lint free is to buy a silk bonnet and cover them when you are sleeping. I occasionally get lint where my winter hat rubs at the nape of the neck and a few spots throughout but I just pick them out when I see them. Your locs are very lovely by the way hope all is well :)
Naturigurl---> Thanks for the recs! I just purchased Heads and Shoulders and it worked well. No build-up!!
Hello, just reading your blog. I am loc wearer for 10 years and I have read everyones advise to you about you build up problems. Acv is the way to go (just let sit for about 30mins with a plastic cap), clear shampoo diluted, and oils are the way to go. Now for the creamy conditioners, I use them. I pile the stuff on. But it is very very very important to RINSE RINSE RINSE RINSE RINSE RINSE. I'm in the shower RINSING my hair for like a hour. I know it's sad. but locs luv some water. And I have no build up, just a problem with cat hair. but that another story lol :-). Hope this helps. God bless you in your journey.
L.---> So you use condish? Realllly? I'm going to play around with conditioners this summer and see how my locs take to them. I haven't used one in months. And maybe only 3-4 times since I've been loc'd! Thank you so much!
Yup, I also deep condition with the creamy stuff too, for like 30mins to an hour with a heating cap. And I try to remember to use a acv rinse every time I shampoo. Because it helps to soften and put the ph balance back into the hair. I add sage and rosemary oils to the acv which helps with a lot of other things too. check it out.
Hey Brittany, Dr. Bonners may be causing some of the build up. It is a castle soap so it is extremely concentrated and hard to rinse out. ACV should get the build up out. Be careful with that shampoo
Locks and Kee
love love love your blogs! and i know im oh so late, but def wanted to agree with the easing up on dr b's soap as a shampoo. ive had locs for 10 years (this is my 3d set) and have virtually no build up. i think dr b's soap might be contributing to your dry scalp also. castile is very very drying and stripping. i use only clear stuff on my locs and no conditioners every bc the top of my head is thinning so i didnt want to "soften" my hair too much.
anyway just my two cents...!
i have this same problem it occurred when i switched from organic root stimulator to organics by African sumthing......i forgot the exact name now but its in a green bottle and its very light and runny so i thought i was safe no such luck so now i am loaded with build up so I'm gonna try the acv rinse i hope you get all that stuff out....
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