How often you steam your locks depends on you and your hair. I noticed a while back that my locks had become extremely dry. So dry that they were causing my neck to become irritated. My neck burned and I could barely stand for my hair to touch the back of my neck. To me healthy hair is soft hair, locks or no locks! So, I began a mission to correct this problem.
I realized that I had just gotten way too busy and way too lazy with my hair. I rushed through shampoos and re-twists and had not been taking the time to deep condition and deep moisturize my hair. When my neck became irritated from my hair I knew the struggle had just got real and it was time for a change.
To heal the skin on the back of my neck I gently used a skin Buff Pad to exfoliate the dry skin and then I applied Aquafor Healing Ointment regularly...which to me is glorified Vaseline. I am old school and Vaseline is one of my go to products for keeping my skin healthy. I could have used this instead.
Then I worked on my hair. I shampooed my hair and applied a generous amount of my oil mixture. I put on a plastic cap and sit under my heated cap for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Oh my goodness, this is just what my hair and my scalp needed. I decided then that my life could not get too busy for me to treat myself to this much needed luxury.
The best way to steam your dreadlocks is with an actual steamer. I have not made this purchase yet however, but it is definitely on my wish list. So in the mean time I use two ways to steam. The first way is how I explained above. Basically, after you shampoo adding the oils to your wet hair and covering with a plastic cap. I have a heat cap that I sit under but if you don't have one you can use a hair dryer. The second steam method is what I call the quick steam. I have used this method in between shampoos when I have noticed my hair and scalp felt dry. I do use a daily moisturizing spray, however this does not give enough moisture after so long. Locks are like sponges so it can take a lot to keep them moisturized. So a quick steam helps with this problem.
For the quick steam method, I spray my locks with oils. (Oils are the key to making steaming most beneficial). Then, I heat some water and soak a t shirt (I don't use towels on my hair). I then wrap the wet t shirt around my head. I put a plastic cap on and sit under my heat cap for at least 30 minutes. Again, a dryer can be used instead. After I get finished I just let my locks air dry.
The hot steam will help penetrate and melt the oils into your hair. This helps to make locks shiny. And your locks will be refreshed.
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