Rosewater for Locs: Benefits and How to Use

Rosewater was very popular among the ancient Egyptians for taking care of their skin and hair. Are you wondering if rosewater is good for dreadlocks? If so, read on.

Rosewater is good for both locs grooming and promoting growth. Rosewater will hydrate both your dreadlocks and scalp, soften and condition, prevent dandruff, cleanse your dreads and scalp, and promote the growth of your locs. Rosewater will also give you a calming scent.

Related: Avocado oil for dreadlocks

What is rosewater?

Rosewater is generally water that has been flavored using rose petals steeped in water. Ten to fifty percent of rosewater is rose oil, rosewater comes in the following forms.

Rose oil

Rose oil is obtained after distilling rose flowers. The rose oil can be produced in a large amount in a factory that has the right machinery.

The oil comes in the following colors, yellow, pale, and semisolid. The fact that rose oil is highly concentrated, its price is also a bit high.

Dried flowers

The petals and buds of the rose flower are dried and packed for use in the following ways, they can be consumed with yogurt, and have tons of digestive benefits.

Benefits of rosewater for dreadlocks

Have you been wondering how you can use rose water on your hair or locs, here is a list of ways you can use rosewater?

Controls oil in the locs

When used as toner rosewater removes excess oil from your skin. Our sebaceous glands are responsible for producing sebum oil only that in some people sebaceous glands produce too much sebum at the hair root.

As a result, their hair becomes oily and greasy making it easy to attract dirt and lead to a smelling scalp, which will result in dirty and smelly dreads.

Rosewater has the same PH as the scalp, consequently, it can be used to reduce the production of sebum oil.

All you need is a cotton ball to apply rose water on your scalp or a spritz bottle. This will help in eliminating excess oil from your locs.

Compared to the shampoo that is made for this purpose, rosewater leaves your hair moisturized and prevents frizz.

Reduces dryness of your scalp and dreads

Is rosewater good for dry scalp? Definitely yes. Rosewater helps in preventing dry scalp and frizzy hair due to its hydrating and moisturizing properties.

It soothes and moisturizes the scalp. Dry hair is a result of dry scalp, to moisturize your scalp mix rosewater with glycerin or coconut oil, avocado oil, aloe vera, or vitamin E oil.

Mix rosewater and glycerin in equal measures. Apply the mixture into the hair and let it sit for about fifteen minutes before rinsing it off. Rosewater can be used to moisturize your locs every day.

Conditioning dreadlocks

Some of the shampoos used to clean dreadlocks are full of residues and additives which strip hair the much-needed oil and make it crunchy.

After using shampoo on your locs use rosewater for the final rinse. It will condition and hydrate your hair and make it shiny for the whole day.

Rosewater will also give you locs a sweet-smelling scent the whole day. To make your own conditioner at home, use rose essential oil, and mix it with coconut oil.

Apply the mixture on your scalp and hair, do not use too much, and do not rinse it off.

Repairing damaged hair

Damaged hair leads to damaged locs, rosewater combined with Jojoba essential oil and vitamin E will help in reversing damaged hair.

Although it will depend on the extent of the damage. If your hair is not highly damaged rosewater will help in its repair.

To make this mixture at home, take a cup of rosewater, four tablets of vitamin E, and about 5ml of Jojoba oil.

After mixing the three ingredients apply thoroughly on your scalp and leave the mixture for the whole night, rinse in the morning with a residue-free dreadlock shampoo.

Promotes the growth of your locs

Despite the fact that scientifically rosewater has not been proven to promote hair growth.

Rosewater contains vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, E, and B3, which have been scientifically found to boost the growth of hair.

To rip the hair growth-promoting benefits of rosewater apply it after applying oils such as peppermint oils that have been scientifically proven to help grow hair.

Prevents and treats dandruff

One of the most annoying challenges when growing dreads is dandruff. Instead of turning to shampoos loaded with several non-organic ingredients to fight dandruff.

Keep your scalp and dreads moisturized and you will prevent this problem of dandruff once and for all.

The hydrating properties of rosewater keep your scalp well hydrated hence preventing dandruff caused by the dry and flaky scalp.

Rosewater is also great for fighting and preventing dandruff caused by fungi and bacteria. Its antimicrobial properties when combined with lemon will help you deal with dandruff.

Improves the health of your scalp

The fact that rosewater helps in balancing the PH of your scalp, helps in improving the circulation of blood in the scalp, and helps in fighting off dandruff, and excess oil production.

Rosewater ends up improving the health of the scalp, rosewater antifungal properties aids in fighting fungal and bacterial infections in your scalp.

How to make rose water at home for your dreadlocks

To prepare rosewater at home for your daily use, you will need several rose petals. And not just any rose petals but the ones which do not have pesticides. Follow these steps:

How to use rosewater for the dreadlocks

• After shampooing and conditioning your locs, use rosewater to rinse your dreads. It is advisable to do this at night so that you can leave rosewater in your locs overnight and rinse it in the morning
• Another way you can use rosewater for your locs is by mixing it with your conditioner or shampoo
• Put rose water in a spray bottle to produce rose mist, this will help you acquire the rosewater scent and help in decreasing frizz
• Lastly, you can use cotton swabs to directly apply rosewater to the scalp. It will help in reducing itching and dandruff. After that shampoo, your hair with the right dreads shampoo and then rinse.

What to look out for when using rose water for your dreadlocks

Despite the fact that rosewater has no known side effects, some people could still be allergic to it. Here are a few tips if you are using rosewater:

• The best rosewater is the organic one, one which has been prepared through a steam distillation process
• When buying rosewater from the market buy one that is additives free such as Sulphur and paraben among others as this will leave additives in your locs
• If you are preparing DIY rosewater for your dreads make sure to use organic roses
• Before using rosewater on your locs make sure you perform the patch test

Side effects of rosewater

Though rare, rosewater may have the following side effects on a person

• Burning
• Redness
• Irritation
• Stinging

In case you experience these side effects after using rosewater you should discontinue its use and seek medical advice from a qualified physician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you leave rosewater in your hair?: yes you can leave rosewater in your hair. Your hair will be able to rip more benefits from rosewater. Leave rosewater in your hair overnight and shampoo in the morning with a residue-free shampoo.

Is rosewater good for African American hair? Yes, rosewater is good for African American hair and any type of hair for that matter. All hair types and skins can benefit from using rosewater regularly.

How long does rosewater last in the fridge? Rosewater lasts for about 6 months in the fridge when stored in a glass jar.

Can you buy rosewater? Yes, you can buy readymade rosewater and then refrigerate it. Click here to check the prices of rosewater at Amazon.

Is rosewater good for sisterlocks? Yes, rosewater is good for all types of locs including sisterlocks. Rosewater will help moisturize, dandruff, treat the oily scalp, prevent scalp inflammation, prevent frizz and its fragrance will give your sisterlocks a calming effect all day long.

Conclusion

Rosewater is probably one of the best daily dreadlocks moisturizers out there. The ease of making it makes rosewater economical compared to the other loc moisturizers. Applying it in the morning will also leave you smelling nice and lift your mood the whole day.