When I started my healthy hair journey, I didn’t know how to moisturize 4c hair. I used the oils and butters that other naturals raved about, but my hair would only feel hard and greasy. It wasn’t until sometime later that I stumbled upon the LOC method for moisturizing 4c hair. LOC provided me with a way for adding moisture to my naturally coily strands, however, I found that this method didn’t make my hair feel as moisturized as others claimed that it did for them. After changing the order of the products slightly, I found that the LCO method on 4c hair worked much better for my hair. In both cases, moisturizing natural 4c hair with LOC and LCO can make a big difference to how your hair retains moisture.
What is LOC Method?
One effective way of moisturizing textured hair is the LOC method. The LOC method uses three types of products to introduce, infuse, and lock moisture into the strands of your hair.
The process starts by moisturizing your hair with a liquid (L) — either water or a water-based spray. By introducing water to your hair, it becomes moist and pliable. Water, however, evaporates quickly. For this reason, the method then uses a liquid oil (O) or a butter (B) (i.e. solid oil) to seal this moisture in. Afterwards, a final layer consisting of a water-based cream (C) or lotion is applied on top of the layer of oil.
How Does the LCO Method Differ?
When moisturizing my hair I prefer to use LCO to introduce and seal moisture into my hair. As we know, water is the only source that provides our hair with moisture. For this reason, starting with water as the first level of hydration is important (L). Water revives your hair and increases any hydration that it may be lacking.
Next, you apply a moisturizing cream or lotion (C). Creams and lotions are emulsified blends of water and oil that mainly consist of water. Water based moisturizers hydrate the hair while coating the strands with a light barrier of oil and deposit nutrients into the hair.
Finally, you apply a layer of oil on top to create a barrier so that the hydrating properties of the first two layers remain intact for a long a possible (O).
How I Moisturize 4c Hair with LCO
I moisturize my hair using the LCO method after washing my hair and then daily or as needed, thereafter. If necessary, I will also moisturize twice per day. I make sure to use the LCO method while I wear my hair in protective styles so that my hair does not become dry or brittle. Often times, when I take my hair out of a protective style, it is extremely moisturized.
Variations of the LOC Method
There are no hard and fast rules to healthy hair care. Often times, we have to play around with products, frequency of usage, and ingredients in order increase their effectiveness. Many naturals have found success in variations of the LOC method including LC, LOCO, LCOB (butter), and LCG (gel). Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of products or to apply the same products, but in a different order in order to find what works for you.
Do you use LOC, LCO, or some other variation to moisturize your 4c hair?
Hi there! I was wondering if you have any tips for hair that has been damaged by henna and indigo over the years (to cover grays)? My hair is breaking, is high porosity, weak, and less voluminous, and tangles quickly. It is a mess, to be honest, and maybe it is time for a big chop! My hair is not quite 4C ( I am mixed-race, white and black). Thank you!
Hi Lydia, Unfortunately, I have very little experience using henna on my hair, though my mother used to hindigo hers. She is a fine haired, 4c. It used to dry her hair out, too. Since then, I’ve come to understand a little bit more about those herbs and have wondered if we 1) used to spend enough time washing the hindigo out. I feel like, rinsing it out like a regular hair product is not enough. It may need even more; 2) I don’t believe that we ever deep conditioned after. Some people that I’ve come across will DC for hours just to ensure that the moisture balance is in place. Eventually she stopped because it was too drying. That being said, please take a look at Henna Sooq’s Youtube channel. (https://www.youtube.com/user/HennaSooq) She is a wealth of information when it comes to using henna. You can also try reaching out to her via YouTube or even Instagram if you have access. She’s a wonderful lady and I’m sure she will have some guidance for you. Best of luck.