If you have coily or curly hair, you already understand the struggle of keeping your hair hydrated. Natural textured Type 4 hair is prone to being drier and more brittle than other hair types, so you need a system for moisturizing your hair. The LOC method is a tried and proven method for hydrating curly and coily hair and keeping it healthy and manageable. Here’s what you need to do, the LOC method and the order of steps in the process.
What is the LOC Method?
The LOC method is an abbreviation of: Leave-in, oil, cream. This is a process for moisturizing your hair, and each letter stands for the type of product used in each step. These three steps hydrate curly or coily hair naturally, reducing frizz, sealing in moisture.
Your hair shaft is porous, and these products penetrate the hair shaft through the cuticle layer, helping repair and hydrate the cortex of the hair shaft.
The leave-in hydrates the hair – opening the follicles, preparing them for extra hydration. The oil penetrates the hair shaft and holds the moisture in. The cream seals the hair shaft, laying the scales of the hair cuticle flat, preventing further moisture loss.
The LOC method helps hydrate the hair, allowing it to absorb and retain moisture, then sealing the hair to keep it moisturized and healthy.
A Variation of LOC – the LCO Method
There is another popular variation of the LOC method, the LCO method, which is the same process with a different order. In this process, the order is leave-in, cream, and oil.
The LCO method works best with hair types 4A and 4B, medium density, and high porosity hair. The higher porosity means the hair follicle absorbs moisture from the surface of the hair strand. The oil seals in hydration to the hair strand, giving your curls a lighter feel. The LOC method is usually good for 4A, 4B, and 4C hair, thinner hair, and all porosity types.
For people using the LCO method, use lightweight oil on your roots to midsection, like coconut oil or hemp seed oil. For the ends to the midsection, use a heavier oil such as castor oil or grapeseed oil. Periodically, use a clarifying agent to reduce buildup.
How to Do the LOC Method
You’ll need at least one each of the following: a leave-in conditioner; a multi-use hair oil or natural oil; and a moisturizer cream or styling butter. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Leave in Conditioner.
Wash your hair as you normally would. Apply the leave-in conditioner to damp hair. For thick curly or coily textured hair, you can apply the leave-in conditioner from roots to ends. Don’t rinse. If necessary, you can pat the hair with a microfiber towel. Brush hair.
Step 2: Oil
Apply a multi-use hair oil to your hair, using your hands. Apply oil to the lengths of your hair, ends to roots. You can add more to areas that feel dry. Add more oil as needed, bit by bit. Hair oils with natural ingredients are best. You may brush your hair to distribute the oil evenly.
Step 3: Cream
Use a hydrating hair cream or butter to your hair, little by little as needed to cover the dry areas. Apply the cream over the full length of your hair. Brush your hair thoroughly to distribute the cream evenly. Use your hands to work the product through your hair. You may pat your hair dry with a towel – don’t rub your hair with the towel. Optional: If necessary, you may blow dry your hair on low heat with a diffuser.
LCO Method Variation
For the LCO method, switch the order of oil and cream. You may use a cream or gel in the second step and an oil in the third step.
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