The Best Way To Prevent Your Hair From Getting So Dry

Among the various techniques for moisturizing your hair, you may have come across the LCO method. It’s an acronym that stands for Liquid, Cream, Oil, a 3-step technique for moisturizing various hair types, especially curly, coily, or afro hair textures. What you probably didn’t know is just how effective it is at preventing your hair from drying out. This popular technique is perfect for maintaining hydration and preventing moisture loss, which is a common problem for people with natural hair types like 4C, which have tight curls that prevent moisture from effectively penetrating. We’ve broken down the technique for you:

1. Liquid (L):
   • The liquid step involves applying water itself or a water-based product to dampen the hair. Water is the best moisturizer. By incorporating the moisture from water into your hair, you’re providing maximum hydration to it before sealing in that moisture with the other products that follow.
   • Use water, a water-based leave-in conditioner (very good option if your hair is dry and in need of a deep moisture boost), or a water-based hair moisturizing spray.
2. Cream (C):
   • Moving on to the cream step, this step typically involves the application of a styling cream or butter to seal in moisture while adding another layer of moisturization as well. Hair creams and butters like our Emerald Hair Food usually contain moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and oils like argan and avocado that add moisture and nourishment to the hair while sealing in the added moisture. Styling creams and butters might have thicker or lighter textures, so be sure the product you choose works with your hair and doesn’t weigh it down.
   • Look for creamy hair products with ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, oils like argan, olive and avocado, or glycerin that add moisture and seal it in.
3. Oil (O):
   • Finally, apply an oil to seal in all the moisture from the previous steps. This extra sealing helps to prevent the evaporation of moisture from your hair, effectively locking in the moisture.
   • Choose lightweight plant-based oils such as argan oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. The choice of oil will depend on your individual preferences and hair porosity. Otherwise, if you’re looking for a convenient product to use for this last step, we know you’ll love our Tanzanite Hair Oil.

A step-by-step guide

• Start with hair that’s clean and damp. For the products to properly penetrate, ensure your hair and scalp are clean by shampooing and conditioning as normal, then towel or t-shirt drying till the hair is just damp. If your hair is already clean, you can move on to the next step. For a more successful process, section off your hair for even application of the products that follow.
• Liquid (L): Spray some water or moisturizer or apply a water-based leave-in conditioner to your strands.
• Cream (C): Evenly distribute the cream through your hair. Use your palms and fingers to massage the product through. During this process, you can detangle your hair using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
• Oil (O): Apply the oil to your strands and scalp as well. Make sure to apply a little more at the ends of your hair, where dryness tends to be more pronounced.

The LCO method is easily the best way to effectively moisturize curly and coily hair types that tend to naturally have low porosity. You can adapt the technique to meet your individual hair needs; however, you shouldn’t be doing it more frequently than every 4–7 days. Over-moisturizing is a thing, and it can result in hygral fatigue. Otherwise, this hair technique is amazing for your curls and will no doubt prevent them from drying out.