How to Maintain Healthy Hair Under Braids and Locs
Braids and locs are more than just hairstyles—they’re a commitment to protecting your natural hair while rocking a stylish, low-maintenance look. But don’t get it twisted—just because your hair is tucked away doesn’t mean you can forget about care. To maintain healthy locs or keep your hair thriving under braids, a little upkeep goes a long way.
At Lucky Hair Braiding and Locs, we’ve helped thousands of clients in Aurora and across the Denver Metro area maintain strong, clean, and beautiful hair while wearing protective styles. Here’s how you can keep your hair and scalp in top shape while wearing braids or locs.
1. Keep Your Scalp Clean
No one wants buildup or itchy scalp under a fresh install. Whether you’re wearing box braids, cornrows, faux locs, or starter locs, it’s important to wash your scalp every 2 to 3 weeks.
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo or a diluted mix of shampoo and water in an applicator bottle. Focus on your scalp and let the suds rinse through the braids or locs without rough scrubbing.
Pro tip: Dry your hair thoroughly afterward to prevent mildew, especially if your braids or locs are thick or long.
2. Moisturize Regularly
Even though your hair is in a protective style, it still needs moisture to stay soft and healthy. A light leave-in spray or a DIY mix of water, aloe vera, and a few drops of essential oil can work wonders.
Spray your scalp and braids or locs every few days. Don’t drown your hair—just keep it hydrated enough to prevent dryness and breakage.
3. Oil Your Scalp (But Don’t Overdo It)
Oiling your scalp helps lock in moisture, reduce itchiness, and improve hair health. Use lightweight oils like jojoba, argan, or grapeseed oil to avoid clogged pores.
For locs maintenance tips, focus on applying oil only where needed and massage it in gently with your fingertips. Too much oil can attract dirt and cause buildup.
4. Protect Your Style at Night
Want to stretch the life of your braids or locs? Sleep with a satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase. These materials reduce friction that can cause frizz, thinning edges, or premature unraveling.
Wrap your hair snugly but not too tight. This simple step helps your style last longer and keeps your strands from drying out overnight.
5. Avoid Heavy Products
Stay away from thick creams, heavy gels, or waxes—especially with locs. These can cause buildup that’s hard to wash out and weigh your hair down.
Instead, stick to light sprays, natural oils, and water-based products that support your scalp and let your hair breathe.
6. Be Gentle With Your Hairline
Edges are sensitive. Whether you’re rocking cornrows or starter locs, don’t pull too tight when styling. Constant tension can lead to thinning or breakage around the hairline.
At Lucky Hair Braiding and Locs, we braid and install styles with care, but it’s up to you to maintain that gentleness at home. Avoid tight buns or ponytails and give your edges some love with castor oil or a lightweight edge treatment.
7. Retwist and Refresh as Needed
For clients with locs, regular retwisting is part of the process. Every 4 to 6 weeks is a solid timeline, but this can vary depending on your texture, lifestyle, and loc stage.
These locs maintenance tips also apply to touch-ups for braids. If the perimeter starts to get loose but the rest is fine, come in for a quick refresh instead of taking everything out.
8. Take Breaks Between Styles
After taking down braids or removing faux locs, give your hair a little breathing room before jumping into the next install. This helps prevent thinning and lets your scalp recover.
A week or two of rest, deep conditioning, and trimming split ends makes a huge difference in long-term hair health.
Why Clients Trust Lucky Hair Braiding and Locs
With over 20 years in the game, Lucky Hair Braiding and Locs is more than just a salon—it’s a space where your hair is treated with knowledge, care, and respect. From new installs to monthly maintenance, we’re here to guide you at every stage of your journey. Whether you’re booking at Lucky Braiding or visiting our loc specialists at Lucky Locs, our team is trained to help you maintain healthy locs and keep your protective style looking sharp.
We’re open Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 4 PM. All new loc installations require an in-person consultation, which must be booked before any appointment.
FAQs
Q: Can I oil my scalp every day while wearing braids or locs?
A: It’s better to oil every few days. Daily oiling can cause buildup and block your scalp from breathing.
Q: How often should I wash my hair with locs or braids?
A: Every 2 to 3 weeks works best. Just be sure to dry thoroughly afterward.
Q: What’s the best way to refresh frizzy braids or locs?
A: Use a light hold braid spray or gel on your roots, and smooth with your fingers or a soft brush.
Keep Your Hair Thriving at Lucky Hair Braiding and Locs
Healthy hair starts with proper care—on and off the chair. Book your appointment today, and let us help you protect, nourish, and style your natural hair with confidence.