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Loc Care
by Ms SNIPS
Ever wonder why you have trouble finding information on dreadlocking our hair when so many people are sporting this beautiful and unique style? So did we, especially since we get this question from our readers daily. And up until now, we have not had much information because there has not been an established method for either dreadlocking the hair or maintaining it. Many people rely on trial and error or if you find a good loctician to help you lock your hair, they are not always willing to share their techniques with the public at large.
For many, dreadlocks (locs) represent hairstyling freedom, choice and dedication. People groom them with the care and concern most hairstyles never engender. Although they are carefree, they will require you to change your styling routines, but once you have the basics, they will give you years of pleasure as they grow and mature. The most important thing to know and remember about locs is they get better with time. The longer you wear them, the better they'll get.
Common Questions
What kind of hair should you have to get locs?
Basically anyone can get locs. If you have fine straight hair, we'll usually suggest getting smaller, thinner locs so you'll have a lot of them. Curly/nappy hair of course is the easiest to locs, as those curly/nappy heads of you know, by not combing your hair for one day.
Ok, how is a loc made?
Locs can be made with many methods, the easiest being the freeform style. Freeform locs are produced by simply not combing your hair ever again. Depending on your hair texture and beginning length, your hair will take 3 to 6 months to loc. Straight and finer hair can take up to a full year.
Because you allow the locs to form with cultivating them, you may end up with one huge locs, or several smaller ones or ones of different sizes and shapes. This is the more common style seen among the Rastafarians in the islands.
Another way of beginning your locs is by twisting the hair in either a 2-strand twist (click here for a How To on 2-stand twists) or a 3 strand braid. You can either grab random hair sections, or part the hair carefully in a pattern for a more precise look.
To maintain the loc while it matures, the root section is retwisted to tighten it. Depending on how well your hair holds up day to day, this may have to be done on a weekly basis, or more frequently. Most locticians will use a cream, oil or wax to help hold the loc in place until the hair begins to loc on its own, however, avoid allowing the use of beeswax as it attracts dirt, lint and at worst bugs.
Do I have to shave my head when I don't want them anymore?
No you don't. You do have to cut your hair short and then (with a lot of conditioner) you can save quite a bit of hair on your head. However, for some it is quite emotional separating yourselves from the locs you have loved for so long.
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