Below is a complete guide on how to use avocado oil on your dreads.
Is Avocado oil good for dreadlocks? Avocado oil is good for both dreadlock grooming and promoting growth. Applying avocado oil on your dreads will moisturize them, prevent dandruff and breakage, prevent frizz and split ends, and protect your locs from environmental damage. Avocado oil will also keep your scalp well moisturized.
Related: Peppermint oil for dreadlocks
Table of Contents
What is Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is derived from the avocado fruit through cold pressing the fresh, the avocado pit contains only about 2% oil. Avocado oil contains a high concentration of monounsaturated fats and oleic acids.
However, during the processing process, vitamins B and C are lost in water since they are water-soluble. Other vitamins such as A, D, and E are retained in the oil together with potassium and lecithin. The only way to enjoy the benefits of the vitamins leached in water is to use fresh fruit. But this would not be a good option as washing it out of your dreads can be close to impossible.
Benefits of Avocado Oil for Dreads
Dread Moisturizer and Conditioner
If you are looking to get your hair locked into dreads, you should know that keeping your hair and scalp moisturized will be very crucial to maintaining healthy locs. If you already have dreadlocks you will agree with me when I say that keeping them moisturized should be at the top of your list.
When choosing products to use on your dreads, you should be very careful since some products may end causing build-up. Build-up or dirt in your dreadlocks may lead to hair loss due to clogging your hair follicles.
Before choosing the right oil to use on your dreads you should first determine the porosity of your hair. Porosity is generally the ability of your hair to absorb moisture and is classified into three categories; low, high, and medium porosity.
Fortunately, avocado oil can be used on all hair porosity. The lightweight nature of avocado oil makes it easy to penetrate into your dreads and scalp moisturizing it from inside out.
However, to ensure that this moisture is locked in your dreads and scalp you should use a sealing oil after applying avocado oil such as grapeseed oil, shea butter, castor oil, argan oil, or Moroccan oil, and olive oil.
Add Strength to Your Dreads
Weak, dry, and brittle hair breaks easily, weak hair ends up breaking leading to loss of length which leads to disappointments.
When starting the dreadlocks or sisterlocks journey, we all want our dreads to be lustrous and long. When you are in the initial stage of locking your dreads you may notice that your hair is breaking a lot due to it being weak.
Avocado oil is loaded with vitamins A, B, D, and E. These vitamins penetrate through hair cuticles and strengthen your hair from the inside out. While avocado oil will not undo severe damage, including it in your dreads care regime will help prevent it from getting to an extent that cannot be reversed.
Protect Dreads from Damage
We all like showing off our dreadlocks especially when they long and lustrous. However, to show of means we will not be covering our heads, as a result, our dreads will be exposed to the environment.
Some of the forces in the environment that will cause damage to your dreads are pollution, sunlight, chlorine, seawater which will dry your dreads.
Apply avocado oil in your dreads as a daily moisturizing agent, if you will be swimming in the ocean or sea water make sure to apply avocado oil before swimming. If the water you use has chlorine in it make sure to apply avocado oil in your dreads before you clean them.
Prevent Dandruff
Dandruff can be quite embarrassing and having white stuff coming from your head when you want to show off your dreads can be disturbing. Most dreadlocks wearers will face this challenge at one point in their dreads journey.
Dandruff is caused by several factors such as fungi and bacteria and dry and flaky skin. Ensuring that your dreads and scalp are well moisturized protects you from dandruff. What better than to use an oil that will penetrate into both your skin and dreads.
How to Use Avocado Oil on Your Dreadlocks
Scalp Massage
Scalp massage is a great option for dread wearers who have a dry scalp. If done well and consistently scalp massage can help treat dandruff caused by dry scalp.
What you need:
- Avocado oil
- Coconut oil
- Grapeseed oil or castor oil/olive oil
Here is how to use avocado oil for reads scalp massage:
- Warm small amount of avocado oil in spoon againts a candle
- Seperate your dreads into small portions and massage avocado oil into your scalp in circular motions
- leave it in your scalp for a few hours
- You can follow it up with a sealing oil such as grapeseed oil
Dreads Conditioner
When retouching your dreads or after washing them with a good dreadlocks shampoo. Dump dry your dreads and apply avocado oil to your dreads and scalp. As usual, follow it up with a good sealing oil to seal in the moisture such as grapeseed oil, olive oil, and castor oil. Always remember to make sure your dreads dry out to avoid developing dread rots or molds.
Daily Moisturizer
Avocado oil like most other natural oils is not water-soluble, making it hard to use in a spritz bottle to apply like rosewater. Instead, you can just grab a small amount in your palm and quickly massage it to your scalp in the morning before leaving for work. Be careful not to overdo it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you leave avocado oil in your hair overnight? You can leave avocado oil into your dreads or hair overnight as a deep conditioning agent.
Does avocado oil make hair grow faster? When combined with other natural oils avocado oil will promote hair growth, but will not increase how fast your hair grows.
Conclusion
Avocado oil is a great scalp and dread moisturizer. Its moisturizing properties can help you deal with dandruff caused by the dry and flaky scalp. Its ability to penetrate your skin and hair easily does not leave you looking or feeling greasy. Always remember to follow it up with a sealing oil such as castor oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, or shea butter.
