LOC Method- How to Keep Curls Healthy & Maximize Moisture

Have you heard of the LOC method? If you have coily, kinky, or curly hair, this simple three-step routine could be the secret to the bouncy, defined curls you’ve dreamed of.

There are a lot of hair care routines for curly hair, but the LOC method for natural hair is one of the most popular ones, and it really works. It’s ideal for high-porosity hair, chemically processed hair, and thick, tight, textured hair, but it can also benefit other hair types.

So here’s our ultimate guide to the LOC method for hair. We’ll explain how to LOC your hair, help you pick the right hair products for your curl pattern, and talk you through some of the issues you might encounter.

What Is the LOC Method?

This routine is simple because once you know what the letters stand for, you’ll easily remember which order to use the products. Basically, the letters LOC stand for Liquid/Leave-in Conditioner, Oil, and Cream, and you apply the products in that order – it’s simple!

Of course, there’s a little more to it than that because you need to carefully select the best products that will boost moisture retention for your hair type and porosity. 

The liquid will generally be a water-based leave-in conditioning spray that has a lightweight texture and adds as much moisture as possible. Then you’ll need an oil to seal in more moisture without leaving your hair feeling greasy, and a cream that smooths your cuticle, keeps frizz under control, and adds definition. 

Following the LOC order for these products will give you juicy, hydrated curls that look and feel amazing!

Who is the LOC Process For?

The LOC method will be perfect for your locks if you have natural hair that dries quickly and always feels dry. It’s ideal for high-porosity hair that has trouble retaining moisture.

That doesn’t mean it’s not suitable for low-porosity hair, but you might need to play around with different products and apply different amounts to find your ideal combination for healthy hair. You might also want to try a variation known as the LCO method – more on that later.

If you have fine hair or Type 2 wavy hair, your strands can easily get weighed down. So if you want to try this method, be sure to use very lightweight products and apply them carefully to avoid limp, greasy locks.

What You’ll Need for LOCing Hair

As well as your three main LOC products, you’ll need a few other tools to get the best results from the LOC method. 

So before you get started, gather together everything you will need:

• Paddle brush or wide tooth comb
• Clips for sectioning your hair
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Your choice of water-based leave-in conditioner
• Your choice of emulsifying hair oil
• Your choice of hydrating cream or hair butter

If you prefer to blow dry your hair, you will also need a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment, a heat protectant product and your usual styling products.

LOC Hair Method Steps

Adding the LOC method to your hair routine is easy because you probably already have most of the hair care products you need. You can check how the products will work together by mixing them on the back of your hand; they should layer up nicely without curdling.

If you aren’t sure which liquid, oil, and cream you need for your hair type, keep reading for our recommendations.

Once you’ve got your products and everything else you need, it’s best to cleanse your hair first. Detangle your locks while wet so they’re ready to receive all the luscious hydration you’re about to apply. 

Then you simply need to follow a few easy application steps:

1. Liquid or Leave In Conditioner

Divide your hair into four large sections and then part each of those into several smaller sections. It can be helpful to have a spray bottle of water handy to re wet your hair if needed.

Next, apply a water-based leave-in conditioner all along the hair shaft from root to tip, giving extra attention to your ends as they are usually the driest area. Spray-on formulas make application even easier, and you can use your fingers to work the product into your hair so that every strand is thoroughly drenched.

It’s all about finding the right blend of products for your hair’s individual needs. So if your hair is really dry, thick, or textured, you can apply extra conditioner or if your locks are easily weighed down by product, use a little less.

2. Oil

Next, it’s time to apply the oil. This stage isn’t designed to moisturize your hair but to seal in all the hydration you added in the first stage.

You don’t want to slather your locks with oil, just apply a thin layer to keep the hydration locked into the hair shaft. So apply small amounts to each section and then go back and add more if you need it.

The type of oil you choose will depend on your hair porosity and type. Low-porosity hair needs a lighter product like avocado or argan oil, while high-porosity locks will prefer a richer castor or olive oil. If you have thick textured hair, like type 4C, you could even apply a lighter oil first and then follow it up with a heavier one.

3. Cream

When you’ve conditioned and oiled your locks, you’re ready to apply a cream or butter-based moisturizing cream. The cream layer helps your hair stay moisturized and leaves it ready for styling.

As with the previous two stages, make sure you section your hair and apply your chosen cream evenly throughout every part. Don’t apply too much at once, you can always go back and apply more oil or cream if you need to, but you can’t take them off.

This will give you gorgeous, hydrated curls that are beautifully defined. You can repeat this process every wash day to keep your tresses looking fabulous.

LOC Method By Hair Type

Your hair type is one of the most important factors when deciding your routine hair care. Unsurprisingly, it also affects how you use the LOC method.

This method works best on dry high-porosity locks that suffer from moisture loss. If you have type 3 or type 4 hair, but your strands are low-porosity, you can still use this method but you might need to tweak your approach slightly. 

Not sure which you’ve got? Our guide to hair porosity will help you work it out!

So here are our LOC product recommendations for each of the six textured hair types to help you pick the perfect products to suit your curl pattern.

Type 3 Hair

Although type 3 locks can be dry, it’s essential to avoid weighing your curls down with LOC hair products that are too rich. Your hair products selection is partly down to personal preference, but here are some recommendations for your type 3 curls.

3A Hair

Avoid weighing down your 3A curls by choosing lightweight formulas that leave your curls bouncy. Apply a thin layer of a lighter oil such as avocado oil followed by a lightweight hair cream to seal moisture in and help you avoid frizz.

3B Hair

It’s essential not to overwhelm 3B curls, so look for a light leave-in conditioning product and follow up with lighter hair oils like avocado or grapeseed oil. Complete your LOC routine with a hair souffle or light hair butter for the final step.

3C Hair

Look for a creamy leave-in conditioner to provide the hydration your 3C curls need. Follow up with a blend of caster oil with coconut or almond oil, and finally add a styling cream or product based on shea butter.

Type 4 Hair

The LOC method works best on hair that is high porosity or always seems to feel dry. Type 4 hair tends to be very thirsty, but remember to check your hair porosity before you start.

4A Hair

Apply a creamy leave-in conditioner to pack moisture into your strands, followed by medium-weight oils like sweet almond oil or jojoba oil to seal moisture in. Apply a creamy hair butter to finish off the process.

4B Hair

Thicker products will give the best results on your 4B locks so try co-washing first and then applying a thick leave-in conditioner. Natural oils like castor oil, sesame oil, or coconut oil will keep moisture locked into your hair, and thick creams will make your densely packed strands more manageable.

4C Hair

Look for a heavy, creamy leave-in conditioning treatment that packs additional moisture into each hair strand. 4C hair will tolerate heavier oils like argan oil or olive oil, and a rich organic shea butter will be good for your dry, fragile locks.

LOC vs. LCO Methods

If your hair has low porosity or if you have very thick type 4 coils, you might get better results by switching up the order of the LOC method. 

The LCO method is a variation of the LOC method for low porosity hair. It uses leave-in conditioner followed by cream and finally oil to seal in additional hydration from the cream product, giving your locks better moisture retention.

Having Trouble? Common LOC Issues

This method works best when you give it time, so don’t give up if you don’t see amazing results after your first attempt. If you’re still unhappy with your results after three applications, you might be experiencing one of these common LOC problems.

Not Using Water-Based Conditioner

Using a water-based leave-in conditioner for the LOC method’s first stage will ensure your hair is drenched with plenty of essential moisture. Look for a conditioner that includes water as one of the first five items on the ingredients list to ensure it has a high water content.

Poor Water Quality

The calcium and other minerals in hard water can build up on your hair, making it impossible for the hair shaft to fully absorb and retain moisture. You can remove the mineral buildup with a chelating shampoo, but these can be harsh on dry curly locks. Installing a filter shower head will remove the minerals from your water before they ever get a chance to touch your locks!

Not Creating Enough Hair Sections

You might think you applied enough product, but if you didn’t section your hair enough, it’s easy to miss parts of it. Creating four main sections first and then parting it again into smaller sections will ensure you cover every last bit of your locks.

Not Choosing the Right Style

Wearing your hair down looks gorgeous, but it will also cause your locks to lose moisture faster than if you wear a protective style. Buns, twist outs, braids, Bantu knots, and other protective styles will help you get the best benefit from the LOC method.

FAQs

Still curious about the LOC method for curly hair? These frequently asked questions might help:

How Often Should I Use the LOC Method?

You can use the LOC method every wash day. If you want to repeat the process between wash sessions, you could try using lighter versions of your products or just use a tiny amount of each product to revive your curls.

Be careful about leaving longer periods between wash days, though, or you could develop product buildup on your strands. In this case, a clarifying shampoo will help cleanse your locks thoroughly before you begin LOCing your hair.

Do I Use the LOC Method on Wet or Dry Hair?

The LOC Method works best on hair that is soaking wet and thoroughly cleansed first. So always start your LOC treatment by washing and conditioning your locks as usual, leaving them thoroughly soaked before applying the first stage conditioner.

Does the LOC Method Help Hair Grow?

There’s no evidence that the LOC method will make your hair grow faster. But keeping your hair well moisturized will help to make it more flexible and reduce breakage so it looks as if it’s growing faster and healthier. 

LOC Method – The Bottom Line

If you have dry, curly hair that desperately needs more hydration, you should definitely try the LOC method. Layering products in this way will increase your hair’s moisture content to make it softer, more elastic, and easier to manage.

The LOC method is simple to follow, and you probably have everything you need on hand, so you can quickly incorporate it into your hair care routine. As with all natural hair care, it’s essential to use products that suit your hair’s porosity and type, and it might take a little time to find the right combination and amounts of each product.

But with a little trial and error, the LOC method can give you juicy, hydrated curls that look and feel fantastic!