Locs
Many different names have been given to this hairstyle including dreadlocks, dreads, and locs, but no matter what name you use it usually refers to a ropelike strands of hair created by matted hair.
Over the last 5 year, locs have become an even more popular hairstyle in the natural hair community, but have a long history. Locs are reported to date back as early as 1800BC in India. They have been worn for cultural/religious reasons, such as in the Rastafarian culture where locs are worn as a dedication to the lion mane to represent the Lion of Judah and for esthetic reasons by people who love the look.
Not all locs are created equal and there are different types of locs usually characterized by their size and installation.
Loc Types:
- Freeform – allow hair to naturally matt without any particular pattern
- Traditional – larger locs
- Sisterlocs – trademark pattern to install small locs
- Microlocs – small and usually installed using two strand twists
Installation Methods (Starter locs):
- Freeform – locs form naturally by not detangling hair (especially textured hair).
- Insta locs – section the hair and backcomb sections then use crochet needle to weave in hair.
- Two strand method – easiest method and allows for revision on parts and sizes while the hair is in twists and has not locked yet.
- Braids – leave natural hair in braids – these tend to have less shrinkage and less frizz than two strand method, but braids could be visible in locs for years.
- Comb coils – hair is coiled in sections using a comb.
Stages:
- Starter locs: loc budding is when the loc starts to tangle/matt and form an internal matrix where shed hair is retained in the loc.
- Teen: thicker locs and they no longer unravel. Not heavy enough to hang.
- Mature: fully matted locs that are heavy enough to hang.
It can take anywhere from 1-2 years for the locs to mature (lock).
Maintenance
- Detox – usually involves an apple cider vinegar and baking soda mix. Can be used when locs are very dirty and have not been washed in a long time. This should not be done too often as this can dry out your hair.
- Wash/Condition
- Wash your hair with shampoo that has little residue. You want to remove build up, lint, and oil from locs. Wash your locs every 3-4 weeks depending on how much build up you have.
- Condition your locs after washing to keep moisture in your locs. Dryness leads to breakage.
- Make sure to properly dry locs. You may need to wring out excess water. Would use a microfiber towel over a cotton towel to avoid lint.
- Moisturize – use a leave in spray moisturizer and oil on your locs.
- Oil your scalp.
- Sleep with a silk/satin bonnet.
- Retwist – you will need to figure out a schedule that works for your hair needs. Make sure when you get your retwist and style that it is not too tight so as to avoid traction alopecia (hairline loss).
Products:
Bobby Fletcher
