About a year ago, I decided to cut all my hair off and try wearing it natural. I have been trying to perfect my hair care ever since.
A few weeks ago, I discovered max hydration methods. I know many may have heard of them; they have been around for quite a while. There are so many different mixtures of oils with varying benefits. This is what I decided to use:
I use the LCO method. The initials stand for Liquid, Cream, Oil.
Liquid- this is simple; water.
Cream- I use leave-in conditioner with shea butter in it.
Oil- In a spray bottle, I mix ¼ cup of water, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice, 2 tablespoons of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of jojoba. (I did this proportion twice because my spray bottle could hold it) (this mixture lasted about 3 weeks)
Mornings: I either wet my hair in the shower or, if I’m not showering in the morning, I use a spray bottle to wet my hair. Then I put about a quarter to a half dollar sized amount of leave-in conditioner in my hand, I rub my hands together then I rub the conditioner into my hair. I am sure to put conditioner at the root in the spots where my hair grows slower then I rub it everywhere else. I let that sit in my hair for a few minutes. For the final step, I shake the oil mixture, part my hair with my hand in several places, and spray the oil mixture all over my head. I use my fingers to massage everything into my scalp and hair.
Evenings: The trick to max hydration is that you want to keep your hair hydrated (not feeling dry) all the time. So at night, at least an hour before I go to bed, I repeat steps C and O. I don’t do the L step because my hair will be wet enough and I don’t want to soak my pillow. I sleep with my hair down and unwrapped with a satin pillowcase. You may want to use a satin hair wrap or to do some protective style.
My results: Since I’ve been doing this, my hair is moist and unmated in the morning. I’ve previously had very moist matted hair when I woke up. My hair is definitely healthier looking all day long. I love it!
For some people, their hair will hold this moisture for a couple days; maybe in time mine will too. In that case, I suggest quickly figuring out how long it takes for your hair to get dehydrated and repeating the LCO before that happens. Example: If your hair becomes dry on the third morning, do the LCO the second night.
**When discussing hair care, it’s important to acknowledge that all hair types are not the same. The treatments I’m doing are best for coarse, curly hair. They are definitely not for straight or thin hair. I have thick, curly, African American hair but I have often suggested moisturizing to some white friends with curly hair.
A few weeks ago, I discovered max hydration methods. I know many may have heard of them; they have been around for quite a while. There are so many different mixtures of oils with varying benefits. This is what I decided to use:
I use the LCO method. The initials stand for Liquid, Cream, Oil.
Liquid- this is simple; water.
Cream- I use leave-in conditioner with shea butter in it.
Oil- In a spray bottle, I mix ¼ cup of water, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice, 2 tablespoons of glycerin, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of jojoba. (I did this proportion twice because my spray bottle could hold it) (this mixture lasted about 3 weeks)
Mornings: I either wet my hair in the shower or, if I’m not showering in the morning, I use a spray bottle to wet my hair. Then I put about a quarter to a half dollar sized amount of leave-in conditioner in my hand, I rub my hands together then I rub the conditioner into my hair. I am sure to put conditioner at the root in the spots where my hair grows slower then I rub it everywhere else. I let that sit in my hair for a few minutes. For the final step, I shake the oil mixture, part my hair with my hand in several places, and spray the oil mixture all over my head. I use my fingers to massage everything into my scalp and hair.
Evenings: The trick to max hydration is that you want to keep your hair hydrated (not feeling dry) all the time. So at night, at least an hour before I go to bed, I repeat steps C and O. I don’t do the L step because my hair will be wet enough and I don’t want to soak my pillow. I sleep with my hair down and unwrapped with a satin pillowcase. You may want to use a satin hair wrap or to do some protective style.
My results: Since I’ve been doing this, my hair is moist and unmated in the morning. I’ve previously had very moist matted hair when I woke up. My hair is definitely healthier looking all day long. I love it!
For some people, their hair will hold this moisture for a couple days; maybe in time mine will too. In that case, I suggest quickly figuring out how long it takes for your hair to get dehydrated and repeating the LCO before that happens. Example: If your hair becomes dry on the third morning, do the LCO the second night.
**When discussing hair care, it’s important to acknowledge that all hair types are not the same. The treatments I’m doing are best for coarse, curly hair. They are definitely not for straight or thin hair. I have thick, curly, African American hair but I have often suggested moisturizing to some white friends with curly hair.