The LOC vs LCO Method: Which One Does Your Hair Love?
Natural hair is easy to love, but sometimes it just needs that extra attention and care. One of the main concerns associated with natural hair is maintaining moisture, as dryness cannot only make your hair difficult to style, but it can also cause breakage, and even increase the risk of hair loss.
Now, when it comes to ensuring your coils and curls stay moisturized, there are two methods that have gained popularity: LOC and LCO.
At Be Beautiful Hair, we understand that healthy hair is the foundation of any protective hairstyle you choose to wear, be it the classic Gold Braids, the voluminous Gossip Curls, or the long Wendy Wonder braids. So, with that, we’re breaking down the two moisture-locking techniques to help you keep your hair hydrated, healthy and thriving under every style.
What Do LOC and LCO Mean?
Both LOC and LCO focus on locking in moisture by layering three key products. However, it’s the order that changes everything.
- LOC Method: Liquid, Oil, Cream
- LCO Method: Liquid, Cream, Oil
The LOC Method (Liquid → Oil → Cream)
This method is best for hair that loses moisture quickly, also known as high-porosity.
With the LOC method, products are layered in a way that locks in moisture, and improved manageability.
Using the LOC
Method
- Liquid/Leave-In: This can be in the form of water or a water-based leave-in
conditioner. The liquid provides the needed moisture, boosts elasticity,
and softens the hair. - Oil: The oil acts like a barrier, sealing in the moisture, and also
providing nutrients that help to nourish the scalp. For high porosity
hair, heavier oils like olive, coconut, avocado and Jamaican black castor
oil work to seal better. - Cream: As the final step, the cream helps to seal in both the liquid and
oil, which ensures that your hair is hydrated for longer. For high
porosity hair, the best cream to use are thick, buttery moisturizers that
contain heavy emollients. These emollients, such as shea
butter, and cocoa butter, help trap moisture and prevent water loss.
2Photo by PNW Production/Pexels
Method 2: The LCO Method (Liquid → Cream → Oil)
This method is best for hair that struggles with absorbing moisture, also known as low-porosity. Also, this hair gets weighed down easily. The LCO helps to soften the hair cuticle first before sealing everything in with a lightweight oil, which then allows moisture to better penetrate the hair strand before being sealed in.
Using the LCO Method
- Liquid/Leave-In: This is the foundation for this method as it hydrates the strands and softens the cuticles. Additionally, it also allows for better penetration as without it, the other two products will sit on top of your hair, leaving it heavy greasy.
- Cream: The inclusion of cream ensuring that your hair stays hydrated and soft. For low porosity hair, light to medium-thick cream that’s either water-based, free of heavy waxes/mineral oils and feature ingredients like or aloe vera for added moisture can help nourish and smooth the hair cuticle.
- Oil: The most crucial step, the seals in both the
moisture and hydration provided by the cream and liquid. Also, thanks to the
host of ingredients found in argan, grapeseed, or jojoba (which are great for
low porosity) the oil promotes a healthy scalp.
3Photo by Kampus Production/Pexels
LOC or LCO — Which One Is Right
For You?
There’s no
one-size-fits-all, but there are a few factors that can help you decide. The
first is your hair porosity. To figure this out, pluck a single strand
of your clean hair and place it in a glass of water, and wait 3-5 minutes. If
it floats, low porosity, if it sinks slowly, normal porosity and
if it sinks quickly, high porosity.
LOC Is Best For:
·
High porosity hair
·
Very dry or damaged hair
·
Cold or dry climates
LCO Is Best For:
·
Low porosity hair
·
Fine or less dense textures
·
Warmer, humid climates
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which
method you choose, make sure not to use too much product and to let the
products absorb. Also, be selective of the oil you choose as not all oils will
work for everyone.
Also, LOC and LCO
isn’t about choosing sides – it’s about listening to your hair and deciding
what works for it.
At Be Beautiful Hair,
we understand that healthy hair means happy hair and happy hair means a
healthier and happier you.
