loc journey before and after

Loc Journey Photos From Day 1 to Year 15

Whether you have yet to start your loc journey or are a few years in, you’ve undoubtedly wondered, “what will my locs look like in the future?” At what point will you reach your “goal length?” Maybe even “Should my locs be budding yet?” Because everyone’s journey is different, there is no formula for where you’ll be in the future. But take a look to get inspired and see the possibilities with these yearly comparison loc journey photos.

Table of Contents

Year 1 & under loc journey photos, year 2 loc journey photos, year 3 loc journey photos, year 4 loc journey photos, year 5 & over loc journey photos.

That first year of locing your hair is filled with anticipation and wonder. Moreover, in your first year of locing, your hair will undergo many changes. You may experience a lot of shrinkage to the point where you think your hair is shorter than the beginning of the process! However, this is completely normal. During this stage, your locs will also start to bud and form baby locs.

1 Month Locd

6 Months Locd

7 Month Locd Journey

9 Month Loc Journey

1 Year Locd Journey

1 Year Loc Journey

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At 2 years in, your locs are still maturing. However, your hair will have taken on much more of a locd appearance. You may find your hair appears to grow faster. Likely what it is is reduced breakage and less shrinkage. 

2 Year Loc Journey

At three years in your locs journey, your hair is fully matured. If you started with under 2-3 inches of hair, your locs are likely shoulder length by now. You may start to notice some lighter colored locs. No worries. If so, you’re likely getting some natural hair dye by the sun.

3 Year Loc Journey

Year 3 Loc Journey

At 4 years locd you’ve probably hit your stride. You’ll be seeing increased growth from year 3. At this point, you’ve probably experimented with different care routines and styles. Maybe you’ve even considered cutting your locs . However, at four years in, there is still much more to come if you continue your journey.

4 Year Loc Journey

Over half a decade locd!

At this point, you’ve gone through a lot of changes with your locs. You’ve probably dealt with (and hopefully conquered) build up as well as developed good routines. What’s next from here is just a continuation of the journey.

5 Year Loc Journey

7 Year Loc Journey

10 Year Loc Journey

Almost 15 Year Loc Journey

Those are just some snapshots of loc journeys. Remember, everyone goes through their own journey. These photos just serve as a guide of what one can expect. But there are so many factors that’ll impact how your loc journey unfolds over time.

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Are Locs Bad for You & Your Hair Health?

Are Taliah Waajid Shampoos Good for Locs?

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The 5 Different Stages of Locs: Baby, Budding, Teenage, Mature, and Rooted

Making the decision to start locs is a big deal, especially in light of the challenges many that people face during their locs journey. You need to be aware of all of the loc stages before you start your locs, so you’ll be prepared for the journey.

In this article, we’ll inform you of the 5 different stages of locs, how long each stage lasts, and how to care for your locs throughout each stage.

Table of Contents

• 1 The 5 Different Stages of Locs
• 2.1 How Long Does it Last? 
• 2.2 How to Care for Baby Locs
• 3.1 How Long Does it Last? 
• 3.2 How to Care for Budding Locs
• 4.1 How Long Does It Last? 
• 4.2 How to Care for Locs in the Teenage Stage
• 5.1 How Long Does it Last?
• 5.2 Caring For Locs in the Mature Stage
• 6.1 How Long Does it Last? 
• 6.2 Caring for Locs in the Rooted Stage
• 6.3 Related Articles
• 7 Freeform Loc Stages

The 5 Different Stages of Locs

In this video, Alexis Harris describes the 5 different stages of locs, from starter locs to more mature locs, and includes several pictures.

Stage 1: Starter Locs/Baby Stage

The first stage is the starter stage (also called the baby stage or the starter phase). It starts right when you twist, comb coil, or interlock your hair for the first time.

Your locs are newborns, and depending on how you started them, they may be fragile. It’s in this stage that many people quit, and that’s because your locs may shrink up, frizz out, and require more care than you expected. 

How Long Does it Last? 

The starter loc stage lasts anywhere from a few months to 6 months on average. The length of time this stage will last for you may differ from the next person, depending on your hair type and how you care for your locs. 

How to Care for Baby Locs

Caring for baby locs can be challenging, especially if this is your first set of locs. If your locs are in the baby loc stage, you shouldn’t pass on these tips: 

• Try not to manipulate your locs too much. That means try not to touch them unless it’s necessary. Also, only retwist every 4 to 6 weeks (or interlock every eight weeks). 
• Wash your hair and scalp every couple of weeks or so with a natural shampoo. There’s no need to put off washing for months. If you use heavy gels or waxes (which we don’t recommend), make sure to use a clarifying shampoo to ward off buildup. Be gentle when washing so as not to unravel your locs. 
• Keep product usage to a minimum. When you retwist, use light oils, creams, and gels (or nothing but water). The less product, the better! This helps to minimize product buildup and weighed-down locs. 
• Avoid conditioner. Conditioning your starter locs could cause them to unravel. In some cases, they could leave buildup on your hair, which could become embedded in your locs.  

Stage 2: Budding Stage

Once you make it past the starter loc stage, your locs will enter the budding stage. The budding stage is characterized by frizziness, visible bumps on your locs, and a whole lot of unruliness.

Many don’t like their locs when they’re in the budding stage since they may look a bit unkempt at times, but it’s all part of the process!

The budding stage lasts anywhere from month 6 to month 12. You could experience budding at the ends, middle, or closer to the roots of your locs.

There’s no telling how long the budding stage will last for you since your hair care routine, hair length, and hair texture all play a role. If you have super long locs, your budding stage could last longer than six months – even closer to a year. 

How to Care for Budding Locs

Caring for budding locs is not too different from caring for baby locs, except for the fact that you don’t have to worry as much about unraveling. You’ll need to wash and maintain your locs as needed and be on the lookout for buildup.

You may be tempted to retwist or interlock your hair more often to make it look neater, but we urge you to stick to your regular loc maintenance routine.

Retwisting or interlocking too often could lead to scalp pain, abrasions, traction alopecia, and thinning at the roots of your locs . So, do your best to make peace with your locs in this stage. 

Stage 3: Teenage Stage

The teenage stage of locs is characterized by awkwardness. During this stage of loc maturation, your locs may act like teenagers, doing precisely what you don’t want them to.

But the positive part of the teenage stage is that your locs will begin to take shape, becoming thicker and rounder than they started. 

How Long Does It Last? 

The teenage stage lasts anywhere from month 12 to month 18. Just like the other stages, there’s no definitive amount of time this stage will last.

For some, the teenage stage only lasts a few months, while others will deal with it for closer to a year. If your locs have been in the teenage stage for what seems like forever, it’ll be over soon enough! 

How to Care for Locs in the Teenage Stage

By this point, you probably have a regular loc routine that works for you. Continue with your normal loc care routine, and you’ll get to the next stage soon.

You may be preoccupied with how your locs are looking in the teenage stage. One way to deal with this is to experiment with loc styles. Pull your locs up into a high ponytail, do a side braid, try loc petals – the options are endless.

Stage 4: Mature Stage

The mature stage of locs is a favorite of many. It’s the stage where your locs turn a corner and begin to look smoother and more cylindrical.

Your roots will not be as unruly, and you won’t need to retwist or interlock as often as you did in the previous stages. So, your loc maintenance routine will get much easier. 

How Long Does it Last?

The mature stage usually lasts from 15 months to 18 months. But, for some, it may start or end earlier or later. 

Caring For Locs in the Mature Stage

Caring for locs in the mature stage is easier than caring for teenage locs because your locs will behave much more during this stage. Keep your locs clean, conditioned, and moisturized so that they’ll continue to flourish.

Be careful about getting lax with your loc regimen – you may be tempted to do so since your locs have some hang time and are behaving. 

Stage 5: Rooted Stage

The final stage of locs is the Rooted stage, where your locs will take on a slightly skinnier profile and get a little more weighty. They’ll hang down and sway when you walk. Your used-to-be loc babies are now adults, and they behave as such. 

The rooted stage starts around 18 months and continues indefinitely. Once you hit this stage, you’re home-free! 

Caring for Locs in the Rooted Stage

In the rooted stage, you should continue doing what you were doing up until this point to care for your locs. So long as you do that, your locs will grow leaps and bounds. 

Note: Some locs may mature faster than others. You’re more likely to have locs in multiple stages at once if you have several different hair textures . Also, the looser your curls are, the longer they may take to loc (not in all cases). 

Related Articles

• Methods To Start Locs
• Palm Rolling and Interlocking
• Starting Locs with Two Strand Twists
• Sisterlocks Technique

Freeform Loc Stages

Freeform locs are allowed to mature freely without retwisting, interlocking, or otherwise maintaining the new growth. For this reason, some people think that freeform locs mature faster than other loc types.

But there is no concrete evidence that freeform locs mature at a different rate than locs maintained with retwisting or interlocking.

If you didn’t know before, now you know that there are several stages to locs, and every stage is marked by new and exciting changes.

If you’re in a problematic loc stage and wondering when it’s going to be over, you’ve now got some answers.

There will be failures and successes throughout your loc journey, but we guarantee it’ll all be worth it in the end! If you decide that you’re not ready for freeform locs, you can always try installing faux locs for a temporary style change. Good luck!

Kenneth Byrd , with a BS in Accounting and Management Information Systems and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has over 15 years of experience and is a recognized authority in hair care. Co-founder of Curl Centric® and Natural Hair Box, Kenneth has dedicated himself to promoting ethical and scientifically-backed hair care practices. Rigorous editorial guidelines , industry recognitions, and features in numerous media outlets evidence his expertise. Kenneth’s commitment to transparency, quality, and empowerment has positioned him as a trusted voice in the field, empowering readers to confidently embrace their natural beauty.

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Starting Locs 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started

Starting your loc journey requires several things, namely, a plan and lots of patience. Your journey begins before you even start twisting your first loc !

You need to understand that not every loc style works for everyone — what works best for you depends on various factors.

We’ll discuss what to know before starting your locs and the best ways to get started once you’ve decided to embrace the loc lifestyle!

Ready to start your loc journey? Learn more about starter locs and stock up on organic loc products here !

Related: Loc Stages Timeline

Consider These Factors Before Starting Your Loc Journey

Loc can look amazing on anyone, but different styles will work better for different people.

• Your lifestyle: Unfortunately, if you have a corporate job that requires you to maintain a certain appearance, free-form locs might not be the way to go. Or if you work in extreme climates, heavy locs might make your life more difficult. 

However, you’ll also want to consider your personality. For example, would it drive you crazy not to be able to wash your hair multiple times each week?

And no, we aren’t saying any of these are reasons not to get locs — they’re to help you determine which style of locs will work best for you and your lifestyle.

• Your hair texture: Most loc styles work best if you have kinky, coiled hair; it will lock together much more quickly and uniformly. It will be more challenging to get your hair to matte and lock if you have straight, fine hair.

Plus, people with straight hair tend to have more oil production, which can cause issues during the locking process. So if you have straight or fine hair, a braided loc style might work best, as it will keep your hair locked together better than other styles.

• The costs: L ocs require a time and money investment. You’ll either need to regularly visit a loctician to maintain them or learn to retwist locs yourself. Starting locs is the hard part for some people, but most people struggle the most with maintaining them and keeping their hair healthy.

Many people believe that locs are easy to maintain — you just let your hair do its things, right? Not quite; once you begin your loc journey, prepare to spend a decent amount of time on maintenance.

So You’re Ready to Start Your Loc Journey; Now What?

Now, let’s explore how to get started on your loc journey!

Choose how you want to start your locs

There are so many ways to start your locs, and looking into the above considerations is the best way to determine which method will work best for you and your hair. Common methods include:

• Two strand twists
• Braids or plaits
• Backcombing
• Sisterlocks

Start with your natural texture

A lmost any loc style will require you to have a minimum of ½ inch of new growth . So let it grow a bit, and don’t try to lock your relaxed hair — the result will be frustration, breakage, and wasted effort. So let some new growth happen before starting your loc journey! But don’t wait too long. While you need some new growth, you also want to start your locs while your hair is relatively short — over a few inches of hair will make maintaining your starter locs much more challenging! So start early and remember: There aren’t any shortcuts to starting amazing locs.

Related: How to Care for Your Locs

What to Know About Locs During Your Journey

By now, you should have an idea about what kind of locs you want to go for and what you’ll need to do before starting them.

But what comes next? Now we’ll cover a few things you should understand on your journey to mature locs!

• Appreciate each part of the journey. Your locs will go through several stages, and they’ll look different during each of them. What your locs look like today will be different than how they look a few weeks from now — enjoy each stage; don’t stress if you’re not the biggest fan of how they look right now.
• Starter locs need moisture. You might hear not to get your hair wet at all when you first start your locs — don’t listen to that advice. Yes, overwashing will disturb your parting and slow the locking process. However, you need to keep your locs hydrated to keep them healthy and strong. You can use a loc oil to seal that good moisture in your hair.
• Understand your parting pattern. Your initial parting pattern will determine what your locs will look like as they age and mature. For example, if you have thin hair , a diamond part can help make your locs look fuller as they grow. It also means that uneven parts and sections will lead to non-uniform locs.
• Be careful with the products you choose. Using low-quality products or products not designed for locs can do more harm than good. Caring for your new locs is a lot different than for natural hair — heavy products cause build-up, so stick to loc-specific ones that will hydrate your hair and scalp without leaving behind residue.
• Ignore your loc envy. Everyone’s locs will look different, and it’s not uncommon to be envious and wish your locs looked more like someone else’s. It can be challenging to be comfortable with your unique locs. However, all locs are amazing! Celebrate your uniqueness and enjoy each stage they go through — your locs won’t look the same in a few months!

Want your locs to look their best from day one? It starts with the right loc products .

10 Things You Should Know Before Starting Your Loc Journey

@morganalexisk

1. There Are Different Ways To Start Your Locs

There are several ways to start your locs. Traditionally, people do the comb coil method. This method involves sectioning the hair and using the fine teeth of a comb to twist the hair into a tight coil. You can also do mini twists or braids and leave the hair to loc that way. Yet another method is instant locing. This method involves sectioning the hair and then using a steel crochet tool to tangle the hair into a semi mature looking loc. Each of these methods have their pros and cons. You could consult with a loctician to determine what would work the best for you and your hair.

2. Your Parting Pattern Matters

@thenappsquad

The parting pattern you choose can influence the look of your locs when matured. Most people go for a square, brick lay pattern. Some people with thinner hair go for diamond parts because it can give the appearance of having a fuller head of locs. 

Section size also influences the size of your locs. Smaller sections will produce smaller locs, and larger sections will produce larger locs, relative to the density of your hair. If your parts are irregular, your locs will also be irregular in size. It all depends on what you would like your end product to look like.  

3. They Sometimes Get Thicker Over Time

No matter what your locs look like when you install them, they’ll most likely look radically different in a couple years time. A lot of the time, the locs will thicken up as they mature. This is why many people with locs urge you to appreciate each stage in your journey. It can change very much over time. 

4. Developing Locs Need Water

You may have heard that you aren’t supposed to get your hair wet at all for months on end when starting locs. This is untrue! The advice to avoid washing your hair for the first six months is in an effort to keep you from disturbing the parting. However, you should be giving your locs water regularly. It’ll not only keep your hair moisturized, it will also aid in the locing process by causing your hair to shrink, leading to the loc becoming stronger. Just make sure you’re sealing that moisture with a dissolvable butter or oil.  We recommend our POLISHED Hair & Scalp Oil . 

5. Your Hair Density Determines The Fullness Of Your Locs

This is something that tends to surprise people when they don’t go into their journey with this information. If you have low density hair, you will have thinner locs, and if you have higher density hair, you will have thicker locs. This can not be changed by any installation technique. 

6. Locs Can Take A Long Time To Mature

Depending on your hair texture, locs can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to fully mature. 

7. Look Out Product Buildup 

This is another one that may surprise people who don’t know it going in. You can not care for locs the way you care for loose natural hair. Locs are very prone to buildup. So you should avoid using any heavy products. Try to stick to dissolvable butters, oils, lightweight moisturizers, and water. 

8. Watch Out For Breakage At The Root

The biggest threat to the health of your locs is breakage at the root or thinning in your locs. This can cause them to break and fall off. You can avoid this by keeping your locs moisturized and not manipulating them too much. 

9. Beware Of Loc Envy

Everyone’s hair is different, so everyone’s locs are different. Loc envy can make it difficult for people to become comfortable with their locs as they are. So be sure to spend lots of time admiring your locs as they mature. Fall in love with every stage of growth. Take tons of pictures. Celebrate your hair as much as you can.

10. Enjoy The Journey! 

At the end of the day, this is a new journey, and new journeys are meant to be fun! So don’t forget to enjoy the whole journey.

Are you thinking about starting your loc journey? Let us know in the comments.

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Starter Locs 101- An Expert Guide To Beautiful Locs

When you are starting your locs, there are several things you should consider. One of the first decisions you must make about your starter locs is how you will start your locs. The way you start your locs impacts the appearance and the ease of your loc journey. In this article we will discuss each choice you will make. We will explore how to start locs and loc types. Then we will discuss loc parting and loc stages.

Jump to Sections in the Article

Starter Loc Methods

Loc Parting

How to start locs?

The best way to start locs is to:

• Explore all loc types and decide what type of locs you would like to have. You can choose among six loc types that include Sisterlocks, microlocks, traditional locs, semi-free form locs, freeform locs, and wicks. 
• Select a starter loc method. There are eight starter loc methods that include free form, backcombing, interlocking, braids, two strand twists, comb coils, loc extensions, and rubber band method.
• Select a parting style.
• Learn the loc phases to understand how your locs will mature. 

What are Starter Locs?

Starter locs are the first stage of the loc process, where hair is grouped together to form locs. In the beginning of the starter loc process, the locs are not fully loc’d. As time passes, the ends of the loc will begin to matt and form the start of the loc.

What Kind of Locs Do You Want?

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Each loc type has its own way to start locs. Your hair texture and hair condition also determine how you start your locs. Consider which loc type you prefer and the suggested starter method for that loc type.

Number of Starter Locs per Loc Type

Each loc type has a range of loc counts. You should consider the number of locs you want when starting your loc journey. Your loc count determines the level of maintenance and time commitments you may have to make to maintain your locs. Root maintenance for interlocking or re-twisting are impacted the most by loc counts. Having 400 locs and needing a retwist every three weeks is higher maintenance than having 20 locs and never retwisting. 

How Do You Want to Start Your Locs?

Once you have selected your loc type, you have to select a starter method. You should select a starter method that is best for your loc type and your hair texture to ensure an easy loc’ing process. Every loc’ing method has its own characteristics and time it takes to fully loc. Locticians and loc care providers often suggests a starter loc method based on their experience of how your hair may behave over time.

Method 1- Free form

When locs are started without hair parting or styling interventions we describe this as freeform. Free form describes a method to start locs and a loc type (freeform). Many people often free form by accident as the spiraling of curls matt together. This matting is referred to as budding, where tiny pieces of matted hair form at the ends of the loc. These small pieces of matted hair eventually form locs. Starting your locs using the free form method usually occurs with natural hair rather than chemically relaxed hair. We recommend you to start your locs with natural hair because curly hair locs better than relaxed hair.

Freeform locs have a unique look. The final look depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Freeform locs are generally medium to large-sized. Some celebrities with freeform locs are Bob Marley, Jay Cole, and Cam Newton. We identified these three as having freeform locs by examining the progress of their locs through time. We noticed that they all developed their hair into locs without any styling interventions. This allowed their hair to free form into a distinctive set of locs different from traditional locs.

How long does it take?

The time it takes to loc varies depending on your hair type. Hair usually locs (or matts) with three to six months. Freeform locs continue to develop and take shape over time. Locs oftentimes combine at the root to create large locs. As a result, your locs will change as your hair continues to grow.

Method 2- Backcombing

Backcombing is a technique where knots are created on the hair shaft to encourage tangling and knots. These knots form locs. The backcombing method works with straight hair and curly hair. This starter loc method results in a version of instant locs. These backcombed, starter locs can unravel once you wash your hair. This happens because the loc has not loc’d. Over time, the ends of the loc will matt and form.

Locs started with backcombing have a uniform look. The final look generally looks like traditional locs. The final look of backcombed locs depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Backcombed locs are generally medium to large-sized. They can develop and grow into traditional locs or semi-free form locs.

The time it takes to loc varies depending on your hair type. Backcombing results in less unraveling than other methods. For some locs hold after installation. For others unraveling can happen. Hair usually locs (or matts) with three to six months.

Hair that is not kinky takes longer to lock. Backcombing helps certain hair types loc easier. Unlike starting from twists, or braids, the backcombed locs look like fully loc’d locs. For example, two strand twists and braids form with the twist/braid pattern in the loc.

Disadvantage

There are some disadvantages to using the backcombing method. Backcombing may cause more stress and/or breakage to hair than other methods. Depending on the condition of the hair, backcombing may not be the best option. You should consider factors such as hair health, length, and if the hair has been chemically treated. We suggest you start your locs with virgin, chemical free hair. This helps you form a strong foundation for healthy locs.

Method 3- Interlocking

The interlocking method is a technique where locs are threaded through the root of the section of the individual loc. This weaving of the loc through the new growth binds the loose new growth hairs together.  This method of root maintenance incorporates new growth to each loc. It is also known as “root flipping” or “latch hooking.”

Locs started with interlocking are uniform and generally look like traditional locs. The final look of interlocked locs depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Interlocked locs are generally small to medium-sized.  They are usually associated with Sisterlocks , microlocs, and traditional locs. 

The time it takes to loc varies depending on your hair type. Hair typically locs (or matts) with three to six months.

Interlocking helps loc wearers maintain neat roots longer. If you prefer a fro-free, appearance, interlocking is a great starter loc method. We also recommend interlocking for people who may have an active life like athletes. Interlocking provides a neat look for longer time than other loc methods. Be aware that certain loc types like microlocs and Sisterlocks require interlocking.

We recommend that anyone considering interlocking exercise caution when selecting your hair care professional. Interlocking is a specialized technique. A professional with bad technique will damage your hair and scalp. We would like to share a few warnings and good signs to help you select the best hair care professional for your interlocking needs.

• Beware of interlocking that is too tight. Locs that are pulled too tight can cause traction alopecia resulting in balding. If you observe bumps or white dots on your scalp or thinning hair, discontinue your service with that professional.
• Do not interlock too often. Allow the proper amount of time to pass before interlocking your roots. You need to have enough new growth to properly interlock.   
• Only interlock wet hair.
• Make sure that the same pattern and technique used to interlock remains the same. Inconsistencies may result in size inconsistencies within the same loc. You may also notice your locs look shorter due to pattern inconsistencies.

Good Signs of a Professional

• There is consistency in interlocking technique.
• They communicate a clear maintenance schedule based on your locs growth and needs.
• Locs have proper tension for interlocking but not painful.
• The hair care professional has neat work. They use clips and good parting to keep roots separated.

Method 4- Braids

The braiding method is a technique where loose hairs are styled in braids. These starter loc twists can unravel with during a wash. Usually this happens because the loc has not loc’d. Over time, the ends of the loc will matt to form the loc.

Locs started with braids have the braid pattern in the loc. The pattern is visible if you inspect the loc. With time, the new growth moves the braid pattern of the loc to the ends of the hair. In mature locs, you may spot at the braiding pattern at the ends the hair. Overall, locs started with braids have a uniform look and resemble traditional locs. The final look of locs started with braids depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Locs started with braids are usually small to medium-sized. Braids are usually used to start Sisterlocks or microlocs. 

Method 5- Two strand twists

The two-strand twist method is a technique where loose hairs are styled in two strand twists to loc hair. Often these starter loc twists can unravel with during a wash. This happens because the loc has not loc’d. Over time, the ends of the loc will matt to help the entire loc form.

Locs have a uniform appearance and resemble traditional locs. Locs started with two strand twists have the twist pattern in the loc. The pattern is visible if you inspect the loc. With time, the new growth moves the twist pattern of the loc to the ends of the hair. In mature locs, you may spot at the twist pattern at the ends the hair. With time, the pattern disappears. The final look of two strand twisted locs depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Locs started with two strand twist are generally medium to large-sized. They can develop and grow into traditional locs or semi-free form locs. 

Method 6- Comb Coils

Comb coils is a loc starter method where hair is twisted into coils. This method results in coil curls. These coil curls can unravel with during a wash. This happens because the loc has not loc’d. Over time, the ends of the loc will matt to help the entire loc form. Comb coils are usually used for short hair (less than two inches). We recommend this method for very short hair.

Locs started with comb coils looks like typical locs. The final look of comb coil locs depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Typically stylists usually use comb coil locs for medium to large-sized locs rather than Sisterlocks or microlocs. They can develop and grow into traditional locs or semi-free form locs. 

Method 7- Loc Extensions

The method is a technique where extensions (human hair or synthetic) are crocheted into hair to create locs. Starting your locs using the loc extension method results in instant locs. These starter locs will not unravel with during a wash. However, as your hair grows, the roots will take time to loc.

Look Locs started with extensions have a uniform look. The final look generally looks like traditional locs. The final look of loc extensions depends on the person’s hair texture, density, and other factors. Loc extension locs are generally medium to large-sized. They can develop and grow into traditional locs or semi-free form locs. This method also starts traditional and wicks locs.

Methods 8- Rubber Band Method

This is a starter loc method where loose curl hairs are gathered with rubber bands to encourage matting over time. The rubber band method creates the wicks loc type.

This section of this article is a stub. Loc Genius writers are researching this method. We will update this section once we have more information.

Consider Parting for Your Starter Locs

Loc parts create sections of hair that combine to create locs. Loc parting determines the size of locs and appearance of certain hairstyles. Some loc types are less flexible and require a specific parting type. For instance, Sisterlocks require square parting. The following chart details the common parting methods for each loc type.

This section of this article is a stub. Loc Genius writers are researching parting for wicks. We will update this section once we have more information.

Understand the Stages of Your Loc Journey

As locs develop and grow, you will notice changes. This list describes the changes you will see as your locs mature.

• Starter Locs (Month 1-2) The first two months of the loc process. Hair grows from the starter locs and begins to have a fro-fuzz look. Locs may unravel after washing. If locs do not unravel, the loc is matted.  
• Budding Locs (Month 3-23) The first two years of the loc process. The inside of the loc begins to take shape. The frizzing from the new growth and loose hairs of the loc begin to condense. Locs bud (matt) at the ends of each loc and form the entire locs.     
• Teen Locs (Year 2-3) Locs show a solid, consistent structure. Shedding happens in the form of hair balls at the end of the loc.
• Mature Locs (Year 3) Locs maintain solid structure but may show shedding or breakage toward the ends. Like loose hair, locs require trimming where weak points exist. Keep in mind, trimming is not mandatory. Weak points in locs eventually shed.

Final Thoughts about Starter Locs

Starting your loc journey is an adventure filled with excitement and questions. This guide was created to answer all the questions beginners have about locs. Although the amount of information provided in this article can seem overwhelming at first, we encourage you to use as much information as you need to make a sound decision. Your locs are unique to your hair, so the advice we provide is general. This guide should not be used to substitute the advice of a hair care professional. Instead this article is intended to help inform you about the wide array of options you have when choosing to loc your hair.

Complete Guide to Starter Locs

Posted on Last updated: September 12, 2023

These pictures are all sourced online. To be credited for your personal picture, please contact me with the exact picture, and I’ll be sure to credit you. This post also contains affiliate links which means that I earn a small commission if you make a purchase with my link, at no additional cost to you.

Instead of browsing through thousands of online videos about starter locs, here’s a simple guide about starting your loc journey.

Photo by Kory Williams

Are you done paying $300+ for knotless/box braids? Are you ready to stop wearing weaves and wigs? Starter locs are the way to go! 

No matter what has sparked your interest in getting starter locs, you’ve made it to the right place. Starter locs are the first step in growing mature locs. However, there’s a lot you need to be aware of before starting your loc journey. Keep reading to find out more about the benefits of starter locs, how to pick a starter loc method, how to find a loctician, and how to maintain locs once you get them. 

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What Are Starter Locs? Can I Do Them Myself?

Starter locs are the early stages of dreadlocks, where the hair is sectioned and begins to form into individual locks. They require a specific technique and careful maintenance to develop them into mature, well-formed locs.

Please take note that starting your own starter locs may not yield the same results as having them done by a professional loctician. These locticians have years of experience and expertise in creating uniformity, maintaining scalp health, and ensuring that each lock forms properly.

If you’re 100% confident in your ability to follow instructions carefully and have some experience with hairstyling techniques, doing starter locs on your own can be a rewarding journey. This gives you complete control over the process and gives you the opportunity to experiment with different methods. If you have any doubt whatsoever, find a loctician near you. You’ll never regret professionally done starter locs. 

Why Everyone Should Try Starter Locs 

Starting your loc journey is not just about a hairstyle change, but a lifestyle change. Locs have been embraced by people from various cultures for centuries and offer numerous benefits beyond their aesthetic appeal.

One of the greatest benefits of starting your loc journey is the low maintenance aspect. Unlike other hairstyles (such as weaves and wigs) that require constant styling and grooming, locs are pretty easy to care for. Once your hair has loc’d, you can simply wash and retwist them periodically to maintain their neatness! This saves you valuable time and energy that can be redirected towards other aspects of your life.

Another advantage of having locs is their versatility . Locs can be styled in various ways to suit different occasions or personal preferences. Starting your loc journey also promotes hair health .

By letting your hair naturally lock and grow without excessive manipulation or chemical treatments, you allow it to flourish in its natural state. This reduces the risk of damage caused by heat styling tools or harsh chemicals often used in traditional hair styling methods.

You’ll find that embarking on a loc journey fosters personal growth and self-discovery. The process of growing and nurturing your own set of unique locs requires patience and dedication – qualities that often translate into other areas of life as well. 

Getting loc’d becomes more than just a hairstyle, it becomes an empowering symbol of inner strength and resilience. Check out the loc community on Instagram or Facebook to connect with others going through their loc journeys!

Picking Your Starter Loc Method

There’s more than one way to do starter locs! You can get…

• Two Strand Twists:  

Involves dividing the hair into two sections and twisting each section around the other, creating a beautifully intertwined look.

@Pstyles 

• Interlocking:

Involves using a tool, such as a crochet hook, to weave the hair together at the roots.

• Freeform : 

Involves allowing the hair to form locs by itself. 

@ poemajones

• Comb Coils:  

Involves sections of hair that are twisted using a comb.

@ Kiara Russell – ThriftyChic

It’s best to have a loctician help you choose which starter loc method is best for you. Everyone has different hair textures. Locticians will know the best way to start your starter locs. This is why booking a consultation is so important!

The Different Stages of Starter Locs

From the budding stage to the mature stage, each phase brings its own unique beauty and requires specific care. Let’s explore these stages in detail to give you a clear understanding of what to anticipate as your starter locs evolve into a beautifully formed locs.

***Note: It takes anywhere from 10 months to 2 years to form matured locs.

• The first stage of locs is often referred to as the “starter” stage, hence the name starter locs. During this phase, your hair will be sectioned off and twisted or coiled into small sections to encourage the formation of individual locs. This initial step sets the foundation for your locs to develop over time.
• As your journey progresses, you’ll enter what’s known as the “budding” stage . This is when your coiled or twisted sections begin to take shape and form baby-sized bumps at their roots. It’s an exciting phase that signifies progress in your loc formation process.
• Moving forward, you’ll enter the “teenage” stage , which can last several months or even up to a year depending on how fast your hair grows. During this period, your budding locks will continue to thicken and mature as they grow longer. You may notice increased volume and texture as well.
• Finally, after patience and care throughout these stages comes the highly anticipated fourth and final stage: the “mature” or “rooted” stage, AKA fully-formed matured locs ! Your dedication will pay off when you witness beautiful well-established locs that showcase both your strength and character.

Once you finally decide to start your loc journey, fully embrace every stage with excitement while appreciating the beauty of growing your own locs! Make a social media account specifically for recording your loc journey.

Choosing a Loctician

Picking a good loctician will take you far on your loc journey. You’re not alone if you don’t know how to find a loctician. A good loctician will have experience, good reviews, happy loc’d clients, and a quality, professional salon area.  StyleSeat is a great resource for finding a loctician.

Don’t skimp out on research – look thoroughly at their socials/websites. 

• Do they have long-term loc clients? 
• How long have they been a loctician? 
• What there’s availability like? 
• What kind of loc methods are they an expert at?
• Are their prices reasonable (or maybe too reasonable)? 
• What does their location look like? 
• Are they nice and willing to answer any questions? 

Different locticians will have different ways of going about your locs. Some locticians won’t want you getting your hair wet or washing it by yourself in between appointments. Other locticians may recommend washing them on your own before your retwist appointment. 

Whatever your loctician says – follow it, seriously. Your loctician knows you and your hair better than a random person on Instagram. Many locticians will even give you their personal number in case you have any questions!

Average Pricing on Starter Locs

For starter locs , prices can range from $100 to $180 on average . This cost covers the initial consultation or appointment fee along with basic maintenance instructions.

Ultimately, determining an exact price for your preferred type of starter locs will depend on several factors like your location, loctician expertise level, and salon reputation.

Retwist Appointments for Your Starter Locs

Retwist appointments are part of maintaining and nurturing your starter locs. Not only do they help to keep your locs looking neat and tidy, but they also promote healthy loc growth and prevent tangling. So, how much do retwist appointments cost?

Retwists can range anywhere from $60 to $80. Again, this cost may vary depending on various factors such as the length and thickness of your locs, the expertise of the loctician, and the location of their salon.

Some of you may feel that this price is a little much, but you have to consider the expertise and time required for a quality retwist appointment. Experienced locticians invest their time and knowledge into ensuring that each loc is properly twisted without causing damage or breakage. They use high-quality products to enhance the health and appearance of your starter locs. Always be wary of cheaper than usual retwist appointments.

Things to Keep in Mind When Starting Your Loc Journey

Starting your loc journey is incredibly exciting and amazing! You may have already booked your appointment, or are considering booking your starter loc appointment. Keep the following things in mind:

Get a consultation first and foremost. Book a consultation with a loctician! Consultations are almost always required by locticians to get a good idea of what kind of loc method works best for your hair texture. 

Matured locs takes time. This is the hardest fact to accept. Your locs won’t magically grow to your butt overnight (*sigh* if only), but they will grow. It can be discouraging to see pictures of other people’s longer locs and wish yours were that long. Everyone has had to start with short starter locs! It’s called a loc journey after all. 

Don’t get lazy about your satin bonnet/scarf . Your satin bonnet/scarf is going to become your best friend. It’s crucial for maintaining starter locs and preventing frizziness/lint. If you sleep wild and tend to lose your bonnet/scarf, putting on a wig cap underneath your bonnet can help with that. 

Retwists are a must (unless you’re doing freeform). As long as you’re not choosing freeform locs, you’ll need retwists 1-2 times a month at the minimum. On the flip side, refrain from getting retwists too often. 

Best Accessories for Starter Loc Maintenance

Maintaining your locs is essential for their health and longevity. Luckily, there are a plethora of accessories available that can make the process easier and more efficient.

• Tight Shower Cap

Don’t make the mistake of getting the cheapest shower cap you can find. Cheap shower caps aren’t very tight and will let steam/water inside. That’s the last thing you want to happen, especially after a retwist appointment.

When it comes to protecting your starter locs from water damage, you’ll need a non-slip shower cap . Your locs should be completely dry after showering. If they’re not, switch brands immediately. You don’t want your locs to mat up!

• Adjustable Satin Bonnet or Scarf

If you’re going to bed or lounging around the house, make sure your satin bonnet is on. Satin is known for its smooth texture and ability to retain moisture in the hair. 

Satin bonnets or scarfs help seal in the natural oils produced by your scalp. This means less frizz, less dryness, and ultimately healthier-looking starter locs. There’s a big difference between healthy and unhealthy locs. 

• Wig Cap 

Fact of the matter is that your locs need to stay down. Even if you do wear a satin bonnet, you can wake up to locs that are standing up in different directions because of how you sleep. 

Wearing a wig cap can keep your locs in place and shield them from further damage if your bonnet or scarf somehow slides off while sleeping or lounging around. 

• Gel, Heating Bonnet, and Clips for Retwists (if you do them yourself)

With the help of gel , heating bonnets , and clips , you can now achieve professional-looking retwists from the comfort of your own bedroom. These three essential tools are a total game-changer for anyone who prefers to do their own retwists. 

Doing your own retwists saves a ton of cash, but they also ensure that your locs stay neat and well-maintained between salon visits! Don’t attempt retwisting your locs until you are confident and comfortable with the retwist process. 

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Don’t Forget – You Must Trust The Process!

Photo by Larry George II on Unsplash

This is where faith comes in handy. The truth is your locs are not going to be long at first. They will be short, but they will grow. You have to trust the process ! You’ll hear that so often during your loc journey. Try your hardest to not compare your loc journey to another person’s on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or Twitter. 

Your loc journey is your own. Take pictures of your starter locs every 6 months to 1 year as a way of recording your loc journey. You’d be surprised how much growth can happen in a short amount of time. 

Embracing the beauty of natural hair through locs can inspire others around you. Your decision to start this journey could serve as an example for those who may be hesitant about embracing their own natural hair texture or cultural heritage. By proudly wearing your locs with confidence, you become part of a larger movement towards self-acceptance and diversity.

Stages of Locs: How Locs Evolve From Beginning to Maturity

• By Jocelyn Reneé

Curious how your locs will change during the locking process? The easiest way to see how your locs will evolve is by looking at the stages that locs grow through.The 4 stages of locs that you experience as you grow through the hair locking process are the starter lock stage, the baby lock stage, the teenage stage, and the adult stage . On average, moving through all these stages can take upwards of 18-24 months; but depending on your texture, density, product usage, and hair care regimen, your hair may move quicker or slower throughout the locking process.

What Happens In The Starter Locs Stage?

With your starter locs, you are establishing your parting system and the ideal starting method that works best for your hair texture to achieve your desired result. No matter which starting method that you choose, even loc extensions, you will still experience the 4 stages of locs. In the starter locs stage, you’re waiting for your hair to form buds; and these buds can essentially form anywhere in the hair. On average, you can stay in the starter locs stage from 3 to 6 months .

Starter Locs With Diamond Parts

Characteristics of Starter Locs:

• Small in size
• Clean Parts

  RELATED ARTICLE : Why Loc Jewelry Is Dangerous In The First 6 Months

What Happens During the Baby Locs Stage?

Once the majority of your hair has begun to bud you will be in the baby locs stage. In this stage, your hair is characterized with a lot of frizziness and swelling— think “pregnant locs”. It is very important in this stage for you to make sure that you are thoroughly cleansing your hair and properly cultivating it on a regular basis to avoid lumps, bumps and weak spots. You will also notice in this stage, if you choose to start your locs with twists or braids, that your starting patterns (those lines in your hair) will start to diminish. On average, you can be in the baby locs stage from 3-9 months .

Buds Forming In Locs

Characteristics of Baby Locs:

• Swelling in size

  RELATED ARTICLE : How Long Does It Take For Locs to Start Budding?  

The Teenage Stage or “Ugly Stage” of Locs

Once your hair has fully budded, across the entire length of the locs, and they’ve swelled up to almost twice their original size , you have entered the teenage stage. In the teenage stage, a few characteristics are unruly hair, and you may feel like your hair is shrinking or not growing lengthwise. The illusion of the lack of growth is because, during the teenage stage, your locs are becoming denser and they are tangling on the inside.

As you can see here in this video, there is an internal structure to locs that naturally happens in which all the hairs tangle together. During this stage it is a good time for you to start experimenting with pressure styles, such as rope twists and curly sets, to help control some of the swelling. On average, you can expect to be in teenage stage anywhere from 6 to 18 months .

Locs In the Teenage Stage

• Double Original Size

Adult Stage of Locs

When you’ve reached the adult stage, your hair will have gotten really dense and you will start to notice your hair growing lengthwise. Your locs will also begin to normalize in size. From the beginning size when they were really skinny to swelling up to almost twice their size, they will now start constricting and be a lot more dense rather than puffy.

Locs In the Adult Phase

Characteristics of Adult Locs:

• Sealed Ends
• Growing exponentially
• Minimal / No Frizz

As you can see, it can take anywhere from 12 to almost 36 months to enter the adult stage of locs, which is why patience is key. You also want to ensure that you’re using the right products, to prevent buildup and unraveling; and that you’re properly retwisting your hair to avoid weak locs and excessive frizz once they’re mature.

What stage of the locking process are you in?

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Jocelyn Reneé

Jocelyn Reneé is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Loctician and Textured Hair Educator. She was born and raised in the Washington DC area and is a graduate of the Aveda Institute Cosmetology Science program. With over 14 years in the Hair Care Industry, from Salon Assistant to Natural Hair Blogger to Professional; Jocelyn is passionate about cultivating healthy hair.

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Blog comments.

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March 14, 2017 at 11:58 am

[…] Related Articles: Stages of Hair Locking […]

April 11, 2017 at 8:46 am

Thank you for sharing this knowledge! I started my 9 year old son love by twists 11 days ago. I notice frizz and it flattening out due to wearing a durag at night. Is it ok to wash or rinse his hair yet? If it’s ok to wash, do I need to retwist or palm roll yet? His hair is about 2.5 to 3 inches in some area and 1in in others.

January 13, 2024 at 6:46 am

Nope, no retwisting yet but you can definitely shampoo the hair now.

October 8, 2017 at 7:51 pm

I interlock my hair and I moisturize it every other day at least I try too. But my hair is still frizzy no matter what. My roots are soft so my question is what can I do because my hair is sooooo frizzy a the root it’s making me unhappy with my locs now?

Wanda wilson

November 19, 2017 at 2:26 pm

I have soft fine hair. How long before my hair start budding

January 13, 2018 at 2:56 pm

Thanks for providing such an informative article!

January 29, 2018 at 9:57 pm

So glad to find this site and your help. I’m “Only” 30 days in with the loc journey. However, I settled for the free -form locking process. Any advice? Does other locking do’s and don’t’s still apply? Thanks ,

March 9, 2018 at 6:48 pm

Are the stages different when comparing locs maintained with interlocking and locs maintained with palm rolling (how each stage looks, length of time each stage lasts, one stage with one method that might not be present in the other method, etc.)?

May 18, 2018 at 5:08 pm

I’m 2wks in so I’m in the starter stage. I love them and look forward to the various stages. I enjoyed reading the post and watching the video. Thanks for sharing.

September 6, 2020 at 3:03 pm

I’m in the baby locs stage….it’s slowly budding out ATM…I’m 14 n this is all so new

August 7, 2018 at 2:50 pm

Thank you so much for this! This has helped me.

January 22, 2019 at 1:03 am

Happy to help!

November 4, 2019 at 9:30 am

Thank you so much!! This was so helpful.

tiffany welch

August 7, 2020 at 9:31 am

Im 1 year in. I have had a fairly easy time. But now im experiencing frizz and loose ends. Any good tips to tame the frizz and sealing ends?

August 17, 2020 at 8:14 am

I started my locs a little over a year ago with gel twist. I have really soft curly hair it took forever for my hair to start to lock. They have started to lock now however my roots are so fizzy I hate it I can get my hair retwisted and in about a week its back fizzy. I’m starting to think locs aren’t for me. It’s there anything I can do to help the fizz??? Or I’m I still in the beginning stage and need to just trust the process???

Tiara Williams

October 14, 2019 at 9:41 am

I am in the baby loc stage. I hv been natural for 5 years and decided 3 months ago that I want to loc my hair. What type of oil should I use on my scalp? My scalp has always been extremely dry. How many times a week should I oil it? Lastly, I go once a month to get maintenance.

July 14, 2020 at 5:13 pm

Hello and thank you for taken the time responding to my question (Concerns). Before making any appointment I always all ways well it be any trouble if I asked be able educated on how to take care of my hair…No problem she said. (Never did) I’m on my 4th week of starter locs. The first loc was 3wks. Then my appointment for the retwist. The stylish and looked at my hair with disappointment and asked what happened…I was puzzled because with her reaction and told her my hair has grown and I sweat a lot I have (hot flashes) she told me on the first appointment she would wash my hair and hand palm on the next visit. To my disappointment and frustration her did neither. Just used some kind a gel and solution and the comb for the new growth. Plus, she charged my more for doing less then the first time. Well not be returning. Very disappointed and upsetting. My husband, daughter and I have been watching tutorials so I don’t have to go through all that disappointment anymore. Thank you for your site for inspiration.

August 16, 2018 at 6:10 pm

Great article. I’m 12 months locked and would like to know what natural products to use in my hair. I retwist my locs every two months and only use sunflower oil and aloe gel. I have extremely curly hair, so most of my locs still have curls at the end, which I do not mind.

Looking for some helpful tips. I live in Baltimore.

September 6, 2018 at 1:15 am

I started my locs in diamond part when I get it retwisted would they be the same I always wait along time to get my hair done

September 20, 2018 at 10:32 am

My locs are palm rolled…I wash my hair twice a month. Is that to much stress my hair? Also, my scalp is irritated – I am having struggles with solving this issue…help!

October 20, 2018 at 6:00 am

I’ve had had buildup recently I’ve had my dreads since June on this year what do I do??

November 19, 2018 at 7:08 am

Halo, Joycelyn

The Texture of my hair is very tough and it coils thus managing it is very hard.

I wish to keep it natural without any relaxers, kindly advice how can i manage it but on a low cost budget.

Michelke Mojre

December 9, 2018 at 3:03 pm

I don’t believe that conditioners should be used on baby Locs .. especially wax’s balsam because the attract dirt lints n extra weight . . I believe that’s Locs should be properly cleansed as well scalp . N lightly oiled . Maintenance is contingent on hair texture

January 21, 2019 at 11:13 pm

I agree, no conditioner on baby locs!

March 18, 2021 at 1:19 pm

I got 2 months down and I’m using two strand twist method not all of my locs are the same size because I did it on my own. I use jel to resist and I also us coconut oil to oil my roots but I wanna know how often should I oil my scalp

May 9, 2020 at 12:28 pm

I’m at 9 months & started on a long tapered cut. The back where my hair was shortest have pretty much loc’d with the very ends not being dense. Overall I have experienced budding throughout most of my locs & they have started to become more dense, but where my hair was longest, towards the last inch to two inches, budding is still apparent. I’m wondering how long it can take ends to seal & if it’s safe to do loc sprinkles at this point or if I should wait longer.

May 12, 2020 at 11:19 am

I would definitely encourage you to wait until your locs are more mature so that you don’t disturb the budding process.

Janine cornelius

October 24, 2020 at 7:52 pm

Hi Jocelyn I am in my growth stage after my big chop and now I’m doing cornrows with fibre I will be taking it out next weekend. I also did the finger coils just to see how it will look as dreads so I am super excited to have the starting process and to Se how it will evolve thank you for your help and process guidelines.

Ellis Freed

September 29, 2021 at 8:52 pm

Rastafari dreadlocks way of life nah hairstyles.

July 9, 2021 at 9:30 pm

Thanks for the info on locs this is all new to me I just got my locs a week ago my hair is very short I was wondering is 8 weeks to long to wait for retwisting

Karen Onyeuma

December 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm

How do you wash and condition locs

January 7, 2019 at 10:47 pm

You shampoo locs using cleansing shampoos and I would recommend using an Herbal Hair Rinse for conditioning, not cream-based conditioner. Here is a digital download for shampooing locs that will help as well: “ Cleanse Your Locs ” Shampoo Reference Guide.

Ashleigh Noelle

January 7, 2019 at 9:08 am

I’m 2 weeks into my comb coils for my locs. This site is so helpful. Thank you!

January 7, 2019 at 10:28 pm

Congratulations on starting your new journey with locs Ashleigh! Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you were able to joining the mailing list so that you can get more helpful tips right to your inbox!

June 23, 2020 at 12:16 pm

Hello! My lock is just 2months and it was a crotchet method that was used for me and it’s kind of big because I love big dreads. But then I can’t stop applying products on it because it’s a little bit soft whenever I touch it. I just hope all is well.

June 23, 2020 at 10:48 pm

I have post (possibly a series) on maintaining locs with the crochet method. I hope you’re signed up for the mailing list! If not, you can subscribe here .

May 8, 2023 at 11:41 am

I’m 4 and a half months into my loc process. I’m loving them so far. They haven’t started to grow in length just yet but I’m waiting patiently lol. Thank you for this post.

October 6, 2020 at 12:44 pm

My locs are 3 weeks old and they are adorable. I’m very happy for this blog can’t wait for my babies to mature

March 15, 2021 at 8:52 pm

I have wanted locs for years,but am very skeptical bc my hair is fine amd 4c. O live in MD and am looking for a GREAT and patient sytlist. Are you in the DMZ area?

June 13, 2022 at 8:58 pm

Thank you for this information. I’m 2 weeks in and thought some was wrong with my locs

Beverly Sanchez

January 9, 2019 at 7:04 am

Starting micro locs today. Had a pass alopecia last all my sister locs. So I’m trying this praying i make it. My hair hasn’t grown much since the locs came out been 2yrs.

January 10, 2019 at 2:54 am

Wishing you luck on this new set Beverly! I hope you are under the care of a Dermatologist or Trichologist for the alopecia and are keeping up with the treatments to regrow your hair. If you are not, definitely wait on a new set of locs so that you can heal your follicles.

May 16, 2019 at 11:15 pm

How much washing do I need to do in the summer time? I exercise 5 ×’s a week

Glenda Austin

July 26, 2021 at 12:26 am

Can’t locate anyone to keep locs up

January 21, 2019 at 5:51 pm

Hi Jocelyn Renee, I want to start my locs soon and have been natural for a very long time. My hair has length and wanted to know if I should start my locs with coils or two strands? Will I still have that puffy/swollen and frizzy look with either methods? Thanks.

January 21, 2019 at 10:17 pm

With both methods you will experience the puffy/swollen (teenage) phase of locs but with coils it will be more drastic. I prefer two-strand twists for starting locs with longer hair.

December 3, 2019 at 8:05 am

I am six week into my loc journey, and feeling a little defeated. I started with coils and I have a lot of unraveling. I refuse to give up because I think I will love my locs once I get pass this stage. Any suggestion for unraveling locs? Your information was very helpful. Thank you!

October 8, 2019 at 1:59 pm

Im going into my 2nd week. Im so excited about the journey! Thanxs 4 the info

Robert Alexander

October 9, 2023 at 12:02 pm

Hey I have instant locs I’m 3 months in can you tell me when the stiffness goes away it does not shake I stated them at 7 inches of hair

November 13, 2023 at 3:12 pm

If they are still stiff it likely will not go away. Whomever did it probably over tightened them. Keep washing them and with more length it will blend better.

January 27, 2019 at 9:13 am

Which method is better for starting locs with neck length hair? Coils or two strand twist ?

January 28, 2019 at 5:08 am

My personal opinion— twists.

June 16, 2020 at 3:03 pm

Hello i am 12 months in on my journey and the ends of my locs are still frizzy and not sealed. I started my journey with the two strand twist method. Washing and retwisting every three weeks. What can i do for my ends?

June 17, 2020 at 1:50 am

You should be grooming the entire shaft of your locs/twists to encourage the ends to loc. If you haven’t been doing that up to this point, start now and just have more patience. I also teach a workshop on how to properly groom/retwist locs if you are interested, I’ll link it below: How to Retwist Locs At Home

June 26, 2020 at 3:56 pm

Hi, I’m a little over a year and my hair WAS in the adult stage, it was still very soft and poofed up when wet. While the pandemic happened I let a friend who I feel didn’t know what she was doing in my head and I think she twisted improperly which left lumps and bulges on the locs. Also i feel she twisted to hard cause after the fact, My locs got very firm and tight and they don’t seem to poof up when wet anymore. I understand this will happen with time but I honestly feel like she did something wrong because it wasn’t until after that, my hair was completely different. Is there away I can get the bulges out or it to soften back up? I was to the point where I thought about starting over but I put a lot of time in my hair and they were very beautiful before I let her touch my head. They still are beautiful just a little bumpy. When I finally got to my regular loctician, she assured me that they don’t look bad but I think she’s saying that out of guilt from not being able to do my hair for months which forced me to go to someone else. Any advice please?!!!

February 2, 2019 at 11:11 pm

Hi I’m a week in on my journey of dreads couldn’t be more excited to find and read this page thank you so much for the great information.

February 11, 2019 at 4:16 am

Which product should i use to re-twist my starter locs after I shampoo them?

February 12, 2019 at 4:09 am

Hi, I am one week in to having starter locs. I started them myself by finger coiling and then continued the coil into a Bantu knot so they are much, much tighter than the comb coil method. My natural hair is waist length and I see you suggest twist to start for long hair. What obstacles will I face since I started with coils?

Kearstin shanelle Williams

February 15, 2019 at 2:35 pm

yeah, I made the mistake of conditioning my starter locs and it untwisted some of them because it made my hair so soft. I am on week 6. I have done them myself and been studying hair heath oils. it has been a fun journey.

Molly Banks

February 19, 2019 at 1:27 pm

I’m a Loctician and have just started my second set of locs. Love to see how descriptive you are with the phases.

February 23, 2019 at 9:25 pm

Hello, I’ve had my locs for a year and a few months. I’m getting conflicted advice about the ends of my hair! The ends (about an inch or two at the bottom) are poufy and I just thought that it was because the ends took longer to lock! But some stylists have told me that they will never form and I need to cut them off. As an FYI I have really thick and kinky hair. Any thoughts or advice on this?

March 8, 2019 at 2:59 pm

I’m finding that my locs, in the adult stage, condensed more than I thought they would. Even after combining locs the two locks condensed to look like one of the smaller locs. I’m thinking of giving up and moving on to something like Senegalese twists. I have fine, non-dense hair and too much scalp showing. I don’t even think starting over with a diamond parts will prevent the extreme condensing that will occur.

March 10, 2019 at 5:59 pm

I’ve been suffering from dandruff for a while now, I am on natural hair a d wash my hair once a week. I want to start loc journey, please what’s your advice?

March 12, 2019 at 8:14 am

I started my locs this past August with coils. I have natural curly hair and it seems that when I go in for a retwist, they seem to unravel in the back. Any suggestions for my stylist? I’m trying not to give up because I love my hair. Any suggestions

March 12, 2019 at 4:59 pm

its been almost a year since i started my locs, and i am so happy of the progress. I am in the budding stage now.

March 26, 2019 at 11:32 am

I have fine soft hair my hair is long with dreadlocks one fell out and I’m thin and should I cut it all off and start again

Keshonda Pruitt

April 2, 2019 at 12:05 am

Hello, I’m 3 weeks in. My hair started budding the second week and now my hair is looking messy. My loctician told me not to do anything to it for the first month. I feel like I should be putting something on it especially my edges. My hair is looking crazy like it ain’t be done. I have a lot of new growth. I can’t wait for my first retwist. Is this normal?

April 2, 2019 at 3:43 pm

I’m have trouble keeping my hair oil. It’s always dry. What do you suggest?

April 10, 2019 at 8:21 pm

Thank you all I am a cosmetologist us to work with relax or straight hair I am now transitioning to my natural curly hair this has been very helpful for me because I started my cousin log with comb coil and it just a month but it is still straight so I was wandering what was rown. Thank you for the information I usually do all type of twist but I have never started a log process on hair and has never been interested in till now so thank you very much for chairing. Julia

April 22, 2019 at 6:15 pm

Good afternoon, I’m three weeks into my locs and I was wondering if you have any recommended products to help with growth and cleansing? Thanks for your expertise.

April 24, 2019 at 7:46 pm

I am in month three. Definitely entering teenager stage and I have been rocking a LOT of scarves lately. It sounds weird but I am totally falling in love with my locs. I originally was gonna start faux, but then I decided against it. I am glad… I’m in love with this journey… even though I want to cover up my head and run away some days. Thank you for this information, it reminds me to be patient in my journey.

Olwethu Masanabo

May 13, 2019 at 5:33 am

Hi Jocelyn Renee

My locs are about 21 months old ,so I think they might just be at the beginning of the mature stage. I twist them every 3 or 4 months, wash them once a week, and do hot-oil treatment every second weeks. I always sleep with my satin scarf.But my concern is that after washing my hair after twisting, hair comes out of the locs, as in there is loose hair on my head. Is this normal at this stage of the locs, or is it the way my loctician is twisting my hair? Or am I washing them too frequently, or not twisting frequently enough?

May 13, 2019 at 8:31 pm

Greetings Jocelyn! I’m considering starting a loc journey. My hair is currently about an 1-2 inches in length. I have been natural since 2012 and cut my hair a month ago to restart after back to back pregnancies. I do have coarse hair which I was told would loc well. Would you suggest coils or twists? Which parting system would you suggest?

July 5, 2019 at 12:29 pm

Great site! It had all the information I was looking for. Although the teenage stage video is no longer accessible. I’d love to see it. Question what are your thoughts on using the interlock method on shoulder length hair?

Shaundrea Riley

July 20, 2019 at 2:51 am

What if your hair isn’t parted perfectly

August 16, 2019 at 10:26 am

Hi, I’ve had my locs for close to 2 years and they are still budding. How do I get the buds out?

September 15, 2019 at 10:06 am

Hi Joceyln, I believe I am in the baby stage of my locs. I’m just wondering what kind of shampoo can I use to wash my hair.

September 16, 2019 at 8:48 pm

I’m starting my loc journey this weekend I’m so excited. I have shoulder length hair and I’m starting with two strand twist.

September 18, 2019 at 10:10 pm

Hello, I’m in my budding stage.I really cant afford to go to my beautician as I would like and as she wants me to so I wash and retwist myself at least twice before I see her again. Do you have any suggestions to me that would help.

September 20, 2019 at 10:41 am

I am in my 3rd week comb coil loc journey. Any suggestions for daily maintenance such as, light moisturizers, washing, retightening schedule? Love your site!

September 26, 2019 at 2:49 pm

I am a little over a month in and i’ve seen a little budding starting. I was wondering how often should I be oiling my hair? I’ve only done it once when i was two weeks in.

October 1, 2019 at 6:09 pm

I really like the locs but not sure if this is for me. Been natural for a long time my hair is gray all over but I love the style of love just unsure not at my age( 58) please help

jayda lewis

November 17, 2019 at 4:40 pm

im 15 in homeschool and im 1 and a half months in i started with 2 strand twist and also have a youtube channel Jayda Amari where i share my home school experience or anything else i want to share but i enjoyed this vlog cause recently i have been thinkjng about untwisting my locs but this has motivated me to just be patient and it will get better

December 9, 2019 at 12:41 am

Thank you for this this really helped me. Everyone keeps telling me patience but it kind of hard when you started from the really short stage of baby locs. Reading blogs and looking at YouTube videos on locs really helps reassure me that my hair is growing and changing the way it Should. This blog helped me realize that I am now in the baby loc stage, but I’m slowly turning to the teenage stage. So far I am 5 and a half months in.

December 9, 2019 at 4:42 am

I’m just few days in. So still at the infant stage of locs. I sure wanna enjoy the various stages. I would love to know how to maintain them as well.

January 6, 2020 at 8:03 pm

I’m 3 mos in with loc my hair only last 5 days after retwist then they coil up into little spirals help

January 22, 2020 at 9:50 pm

Yes, shrinkage still happens with the locking process. If you need more guidance and/or reassurance on your hair care practices with your new locs considering visiting my website and scheduling a “Virtual Consultation”: https://nugrowthsalon.as.me/virtual-consultations

April 16, 2020 at 3:12 pm

I’m 6 months in and my locs are not swelling. What can I do? I’m scar

Natalie Natalie Amedahe

July 15, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Thanks a ton for the education on locs. I’m from Ghana, west Africa, and six months into my locs journey. Want to know more on how to have neat and beautiful locs.

July 20, 2020 at 4:03 am

How amazing that this post reached you in Ghana! Congratulations on your new loc journey!

January 19, 2020 at 9:55 am

Thank you so much for this information. It answered all of my concerns about the loc process! Looking forward to started my loc journey next month!

January 22, 2020 at 9:42 pm

Thank you for reading! Wishing you all the best on your new journey as well!

May 16, 2020 at 6:04 pm

I understand budding, but sometimes I get little beads of hair which hang from the end of a loc by one or two hairs. Are these safe to cut?

May 17, 2020 at 3:20 am

Yes. They are like “split ends” for locs.

September 28, 2020 at 6:40 pm

Im 6 months into my loc start how do u keep them hydrated

curlynugrowth

February 12, 2021 at 5:26 am

Peace Cheryl,

Welcome to the loc journey, please refer to this video on youtube for a hydration treatment.

Jackie alexander

September 20, 2021 at 12:28 pm

How to retwist locks at home what type of mousse to use and moisturizer. Is it okay to keep a satin cap on your head most of the time?

January 13, 2024 at 8:52 am

This is a great beginner friendly workshop for retwisting locs at home: HOW TO RETWIST LOCS AT HOME

January 25, 2020 at 6:51 pm

Just got my two strand braids to start my journey. They are short, so definitely feeling self conscious, but I know I have to be patient.

Jalicia Cook

January 30, 2020 at 3:33 am

I was wondering if its okay to have braids on top of my locs

May 17, 2020 at 3:28 am

I would not advise it, but it has been done before. With braids over locs, you are more prone to buildup, lumpiness in the locs, and overall dryness.

February 8, 2020 at 5:17 pm

I’m having trouble figuring out what stage I’m in at 6 months. I started on a tapered cut & my locs started budding 2 weeks in. I already have areas that feel dense and some areas that have buds throughout the length of the loc but my locs haven’t really double in size.. at least not to me. I want to start experimenting with styling but I dont want to impede the process if it’s too early

May 17, 2020 at 3:29 am

I would suggest styles that don’t choke or slow up the locking process like bantu knots, curls, pin curls.

Judi Coleman-Bey

September 15, 2021 at 9:58 pm

I’m 3 mos into my journey. My problem is I’m 70 & have a few bald spots (from age & medication).basically in the center of my scalp. My hair has always been thin. My question is will my hair eventually cover my bald spots as it grows & thickens. Other than that I’m loving my hair. My Niece keeps telling me to stop worrying & let my hair do it’s thing.

February 19, 2020 at 9:59 am

Hello! Is it healthy to use water of guava leaves in locs?

August 26, 2020 at 10:31 pm

I’ve never heard of or tried, so I can’t advise on this.

February 27, 2020 at 4:26 am

Hello im just in 3 weeks and absolutely love my locks. I am allready seeing the puffiness and swelling i havnt yet washed my hair but am using a tightening spray and a refreshing spray by dollylocks. I was told to try and go a month before washing. I expireinced alot of discomfort after getting my dreads with bumps at the base of almost all my locks it has eased a bit as far as the soreness goes. Im sure it was just the process of hetting them to begin with. Thanks for your site it is a great place to come for answers. I didnt really ask many questions before. So ot has been a great help!

Sonya Renee Harris

March 6, 2020 at 10:20 pm

I’m in my 10th month of locs and loving it. I do have concerns of my hair unraveling just below the new growth. Is this normal? It seems to happen when I’m trying to put my hair up or different styles.

March 13, 2020 at 4:16 pm

Hiiii! So tomorrow will be my 3 week mark for my comb twist. I’ve been doing research on different stages and how they should look. I’ve asked around about how mine look because I think they are too spaced out, but everyone seems to think they are fine and that’s how they should be. So I’m trying to embrace this journey. My edges and my back became unraveled because of the line of work I’m in… But I may have to stay away from the hat. Also should I go to a loctitian only or a stylist that knows about locs?

May 17, 2020 at 3:27 am

heyyyyyyyy! My preference would be a Loctician that is well-educated in hair care.

Felicia Hardy

September 9, 2020 at 12:48 am

Hello your locs are beautiful! I have a question concerning my hair bring damp fromm sweat all the time. My hair is very soft but I sweat in my hair a lot. I did the comb twist one week ago and I had to go back because a lot of my twist came loose on the top. When she redid my twists, she said they looked good and that they would continue to lock with each retwisting. I asked her to leave the clips in this time bc she said I need to wait 3 weeks before I can retwist to avoid damaging my hair. How long can I leave the clips in bc the keep my hair in place when I’m working out and the twist are not unraveling at the top. I need guidance on my beginning journey! Thanks

Drea Denise

October 12, 2020 at 8:27 pm

I’m 2 weeks in 2 strand twist very glad to run across info like this

March 21, 2020 at 5:20 pm

I think a few of my locs are budding already but I’m only 5 days in my starter Loc but my natural hair will tangle quickly on its on. I have what looks like swelling in the middle of my Loc and close by the root. Some ppl tell me it’s unraveling but it’s still coil at the end and root of my Loc and some say it’s budding. Is it possible to start budding this soon?

May 17, 2020 at 3:26 am

It is highly doubtful. It was likely unraveling but that is totally normal at this stage.

March 29, 2020 at 6:16 pm

I’ve really been nervous for a while now about getting my locs. Mainly because of the starting length for my locs. I know they won’t be very long and I’m scared it will lower my confidence a lot. Also, I’m not sure what people at my school will think. I know .. It doesn’t matter what they think or I shouldn’t care but, I do and I’m really nervous. Since I don’t think I’ll be going back to school because of the virus problem, my om has really been trying to encourage me to go get them not, I was going to wait till summer so I wouldn’t have to go through the self-conscious stage at school but since I might not be going back, there is no sense in waiting. But I also don’t want to take the chance of going back and having to deal with it. Please give me some advice or something … I really want to do this for myself, I have wanted to for a really long time, but my low self-esteem is eating at me. It sucks.

March 30, 2020 at 9:34 pm

Hi, I started my journey February 7 n the stylist that did my retwist trim my fizz because it wasn’t neat for her, so I want to maintain my hair myself but feel that I will not twist the same as her, so will that affect my locing process

May 17, 2020 at 3:24 am

Yes, how you groom your locs does directly affect the outcome of your matured locs. However, if you are comfortable with simply achieving loc’d continue to retwist regularly and your hair will lock. Alternatively, if you are seeking uniform matured locs with minimal frizz I would suggest learning how to properly retwist at home. The workshop “ How to Retwist Locs At Home ” will guide you step-by-step.

April 24, 2020 at 8:19 am

I am starting locs on my 7 year old daughter’s hair with double strand twists any suggestions as to the product I should use to make them not coil back up. Is gel ok and if so your recommendation? Thank you.

April 24, 2020 at 10:26 am

Two-strand twists is definitely the method I would suggest for such a young child. The “Divine Hold” product is great to use on starter locs and for ongoing maintenance: https://nugrowthessentials.com/collections/products/products/divine-hold

Merlyn Mohammed

April 30, 2020 at 9:27 am

I smiled while reading the article 4 Staged of Locs. How enlightening! I am new to the process and the article and pictures really helped.

May 7, 2020 at 11:03 pm

Yay! I am glad that this post brought you joy! Congratulations on your new journey!

May 8, 2020 at 11:45 pm

I’m day 1 into my loc journey, because of my hair type I started with the instant loc method. Will my locs still double in size(teenage phase)? I’m hoping they do.

May 9, 2020 at 2:04 am

Peace Shakema! Congratulations on your new loc journey! With instant locs, started with the crochet method, they do not swell like traditional locs.

May 9, 2020 at 12:20 pm

Thanks so much for the response! What about instant locs started by backcombing?

September 15, 2020 at 12:19 pm

Did your locs swell any by now?

Grace Owusu-Ansah

May 16, 2020 at 8:22 pm

I want to lock my hair, which method do you think is the best.

May 17, 2020 at 3:19 am

There are so many factors to consider that are unique to you that I would suggest checking out the article— “” to learn more about the different methods and which would be best for you. 7 Methods to Start Locs: Drawbacks & What to Expect

August 2, 2020 at 11:30 pm

Hey I’m 2 weeks in the starter locs and want to no how to tell when my hair is transitioning

May 29, 2020 at 1:42 pm

One week starting my loc journey, this is also spiritual journey for me as well. I was going to put in extensions but something in me said trust this process. I enjoy your page. I am using Cantu ACV cleansing shampoo is that ok?

June 1, 2020 at 9:39 pm

Congratulations on starting your journey with locs! What an amazing time to cultivate the collective energy around you! I am not a huge fun of Cantu, but I honestly have not had any experience with their ACV Cleansing Shampoo. If you’re curious what shampoos I recommend, they are available in the “ Cleanse Your Locs ” e-Guide.

June 6, 2020 at 10:55 pm

Just started my locs a couple weeks ago I twisted then used a crochet needle to lock them a lil more. So they’re locked together but not tightly. I don’t like taking care of my hair so I’m going to let them free form and just wash every week or two

June 7, 2020 at 6:20 am

Congratulations on your new journey with locs!

Jokotade Abiola

June 25, 2020 at 6:21 pm

I started my loc journey couple of days ago. Still feeling conscious because my hair belong to the light hair category. Any recommendations on when to do the first washing and what product to use? I really can’t wait to explore with the journey.

Beverly Robinson

June 27, 2020 at 10:07 pm

Hi, I just started my loc’s a month ago. It is frustrating because some of my loc’s come completely loose, some are starting to lock with hair that is not twisted in middle, just loose hair, I have loose strands of hair all over that won’t stay on the dread. It is driving me crazy! I find my self retwisting often and I know I shouldn’t. Please help

June 27, 2020 at 10:14 pm

I know the beginning stages can be tough when you are unsure of what the process is suppose to be. If your starter locs are coming undone, you can simply put them back in. I am available for Virtual Consultations and/or you can learn how to properly retwist and care for your starter locs in the online academy by clicking here.

January 2, 2024 at 6:21 am

My dreadlocks are 13 months old and have not yet locked on the ends,please help me what to do

January 13, 2024 at 7:43 am

They may never loc at the ends if its been at least a year. Did you keep your hair styled when you first started? if so that may have stunted the budding from reaching the ends.

June 28, 2020 at 12:52 am

July 5, 2020 at 11:58 pm

This is A M A Z IIIIIIIIIII N G !!! Thank you so, SO MUCH!

July 10, 2020 at 11:16 pm

I do agree with all of the concepts you have offered on your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are very short for novices. May just you please lengthen them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.

July 13, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Two days ago i got my hair done in two strand twists and decided to let my hair loc up in this style. Can someone give me advice on how to maintain it and take care of it as this is my first time growing locs and I play football and am very active.

July 13, 2020 at 6:41 pm

Congratulations on beginning your journey with locs! You want to invest in this workshop that will teach you everything you need to know to maintain and retwist them at home: https://nugrowth-academy.teachable.com/p/retwisting-locs-at-home

Sonia Harris

July 15, 2020 at 6:12 pm

I have just started my locs this week but I started with instant locs as I have shoulder length natural 4b/4c hair. My hair is not very thick especially at the top and front so I have added 100% afro kinky human hair to the full length of my instant locs and crocheted it in. Will my hair still loc properly?

July 18, 2020 at 1:14 pm

Yes it should as long as the hair that was used is human hair.

July 18, 2020 at 1:15 pm

Yes, it should as long as the hair that was used in human hair. I will have a video and article about instant locs and the crochet method post within the next few weeks! Make sure you’re subscribed to the mailing list!

July 16, 2020 at 4:53 pm

You’re so kind share this information and For taking the time to reply to everyone. Thank you! I’m a day into micro locks and the ends are Extremely puffy. Can I tame them with wax?

July 18, 2020 at 1:13 pm

Of course! Please DO NOT use any wax on your hair. You can watch a recent video of mine, Is Hair Color Wax Safe For Locs? , that shows you what wax looks like inside of locs. It’s pretty gross!

August 21, 2020 at 7:55 pm

I’m 2 months plus on my locs, I started with coil and there were kinda thin. And I fear it make cut off and secondly at this stage do I need to apply wax to keep the locs together or gel?

July 23, 2020 at 3:55 pm

I’m 2 years and a couple of months into my loc journey and I’m super depressed about how my hair looks. When I initially got them twisted, I wanted thick locks, so the stylist had to do my hair twice because the first time, the parts were really small. 2 years later, I have like 34 locks that don’t seem very thick, with large parts in my head, making my hair not look full. Like it looks like I don’t have enough locs for my type of hair (very fine) and the size of my head. LOL!! I’ve been maintaining my hair myself for the past 2 years and I’ve made some mistakes throughout which I’m learning from. I’m trying to stick it out to see maybe the longer they get, the better they’ll look, but i feel very discouraged about how my hair looks 2 years in. Any advice?

August 1, 2020 at 7:11 pm

I love how thorough you explained everything. I also love the pictures you added along with your explanations and the bullet points with each phase. Love love love. I’m day 1 into my love journey and I’m ready for this ride! Thank you. God bless you.

August 17, 2020 at 4:25 pm

Hello! How often should I shampoo my locs??

August 18, 2020 at 11:40 pm

As often as you need to but definitely do not wait more than 4 weeks!

August 23, 2020 at 9:23 am

im a month into my loc journey, i have two different hair types. Is using cream of nature products good? How ofter should i wash my starter locs, and how?

August 26, 2020 at 10:30 pm

Congratulations! I would not recommend Creme of Nature products, they are mainly for loose natural hair. It is ideal to wash your locs every 2 weeks, but please do not go beyond 4 weeks. You can check out the post “HOW TO SHAMPOO & MAINTAIN STARTER LOCS” for tips!

August 26, 2020 at 12:15 pm

when should i start self twisting my hair ive had it done for about 2 two now so how long should I wait to do that?

October 4, 2020 at 1:24 am

Why do you say not to go beyond four weeks of not washing hair? I started my locs on 9/10/20 the two strand twist and I go back to salon for a touch up on 10/16. Was there something I should have been doing while I wait on my next appt? I have oiled my scalp with Jamaican Black Castor Oil Formula Hair Food with Jojoba Oil

October 5, 2020 at 6:29 pm

Hi! I’m about a month in. My dreads have blunted ends, but a few of those hairs get loose and hang at the end of my dread. Can I trim that off? Also what can I use as a substitute for dread wax when I don’t have any at the moment? And last thing, should I be scared of any locs falling apart when I wash them?

October 11, 2020 at 2:16 pm

Hi.Im from kenya.My locs are in the budding phase.I love them.However,my locs in the middle part are thicker while my hair on the front is really thin because of the way I was styled.Do you think I should stop styling it or they will also thicken with time?

November 2, 2020 at 11:09 am

How do u maintain loc while working out and they’re getting sweaty everyday will this affect anything?

November 11, 2020 at 9:30 am

Hello, I’m 5mos into my journey and my hair locked pretty fast. However, I have maybe 10 locs that refuse to lock! Will it be bad if i instalock those that are left since the rest of my hard is locked?

February 18, 2021 at 12:44 am

No, I wouldn’t say that is “bad”.

August 22, 2021 at 3:18 pm

I just locked my hair this week … am happy I stumble to this page

January 13, 2024 at 8:35 am

Welcome to the journey!

November 17, 2020 at 8:31 pm

How long should my hair be before starting my locs.

February 18, 2021 at 12:42 am

It depends on the method that you’re using to start.

Lesli Antaneda-Brown

January 14, 2021 at 3:25 pm

I just started my loc journey 2 days ago, and I did the coil method. Now they are short but I keep my head wrap all day around work and let it loose at home. Am I damaging the coils or affecting it from locing? Also, when do I register and wash my hair? I’m use to washing my hair once a week.

February 18, 2021 at 12:25 am

Welcome to the journey! You definitely don’t want to cover your new locs consistently like that because it will interfere with the locking process, but that is not to say they won’t loc if you continue to do so.

As far as washing, I am an advocate for washing as often as you need to so if you want to wash once a week, go for it! You should only retwist once per month though.

February 16, 2021 at 11:46 pm

I originally started with Microlocs but by the 8th month I combined them. I’m currently at 13 months and still aren’t satisfied with the size. If I were to combine again will they swell anymore then what they have?

February 18, 2021 at 12:09 am

I cannot say for sure whether your locs are beyond the teenage phase without a consultation, but I would question why you started microlocs and then started combining them? Did you really want them to be traditional locs? If so, why not restart with the size you’re desiring?

April 5, 2021 at 12:30 am

Hello! I am 13 months loc’d and I’m experiencing slight thinning at the root of my hair. Not sure if this is unhealthy or not. I teenage locs at the shaft of each loc but still in the budding stage at the ends of my locs. The very ends are sealed. What can I do to thicken the root of my locs ? I don’t style or do high updos because I get headaches so I leave my locs down all the time. Also what products can I use to detox and break down the buildup? Thank you !

April 5, 2021 at 12:33 am

Can I wet my hair everyday and not use any products to lessen build up ?

January 13, 2024 at 7:41 am

I would not recommed wetting your hair everyday but every few days should be okay.

Kulumbeka Mataa

June 11, 2021 at 4:03 am

I remember when I was in the teen stage and my aunts would make fun of me saying “my type of hair isn’t for locs…” and all that stuff. I’d be worried, but I found out later that it’s all a matter of time. Because now I’m in the adult stage and I love my locs.

Marella Young

June 16, 2021 at 3:58 pm

Hi, I am 10 months loc’d. I started with small 2 strand twists. My locs thicken a little bit, shrunk up. Now they hang but are very skinny to me. Skinnier than when I started.. what stage is that? I’ve been googling and haven’t heard of anyone complaining or commenting that their locs have done this similar thing.

January 13, 2024 at 8:24 am

Sounds like the adult stage or thinning. I have more questions though!

July 15, 2021 at 7:34 pm

I am 2 months into my loc journey and when i started I had some perm on the ends how long will I have to wait for my hair to bud and loc some already have started to bud

July 16, 2021 at 2:31 pm

Hi I started my locs few months ago, I started At the salon with gel and twist and style afterwards. I recently removed the style on my own and washed it on my own. My hair has now started locking but they are very soft and some not locked. I was considering switching to crotching my locs but I don’t know if it’s a good idea

July 26, 2021 at 5:22 am

Thank you very much. Am really helped because I wanted to give up am only 3 months old in my loc journey…

Laschochia Gaston

September 17, 2021 at 6:26 pm

Im on day 3 my locs are getting fat at the roots is this normal?

January 13, 2024 at 8:48 am

lol, yes that is normal!

September 29, 2021 at 8:54 pm

October 12, 2021 at 5:23 pm

I started my process 6 months ago and I’m currently in the Baby loc stage. Upon reading your website I never knew it was 4 stages. I wanna thank you for your website and being very informative.

December 5, 2021 at 5:01 pm

Hello..I just had my 5th retwist..my hair is a fine texture which I realize it will take longer for them to bud..got some budding going on. Not giving up and shampooed it for them first time since July.(scalp was shouting…lol). My hair gets so frizzy that I find myself covering at up causes to me it looks so bad…what should I do if anything???

Angela Wilson

December 6, 2021 at 11:52 am

Hi can you dye you hair with locs.Thank you..!

September 21, 2022 at 10:00 am

Hello, I have started my locs in June. It started to look really weird, so in August I did a retwist and the Loctician basically combed out the locs and restarted them over. I’m just having a hard time because it budding in spots and the shrinkage is to real. It’s unraveling I’m not sure it that is part of the process. I’m told so many different things about washing every six weeks to not washing for months. Little insight would help. I’m sorry if my post is all over the place.

September 27, 2022 at 9:43 am

You want to shampoo your hair every 2 weeks or at minimum once a month. Shrinkage is normal as is unraveling. If they come out just put them back in and keep going. If you are maintaining them yourself and need guidance, I do offer Virtual Consultations or you can enroll in the “ How to Retwist Locs At Home ” workshop that explains all the care and grooming practices.

July 23, 2023 at 1:57 pm

I’m in 9 months of loc mine are frizzy can’t Seem to get the sleek look I want because I sweat a lot in my head all my oils come out.

January 13, 2024 at 5:59 am

Locs have to be frizzy in order to lock. They will only look less frizzy after they mature, typically 18-24 months after they were started. Embrace the frizz!!

October 2, 2023 at 10:24 am

I’m 15 years old and I’ve had my locs 2 weeks before august 1st and it is currently October second is it ok that I’ve only been able to wash them or do you have and idea when I will be able to style them by tieing them up?

November 13, 2023 at 3:15 pm

Welcome to the journey! Definitely make sure you’re shampooing your locs every 2-3 weeks and wait to style closer to a year.

December 8, 2023 at 1:26 am

I just started micro locs using the interlocking method. I have no clue on how to maintain them. I loved reading your content, because right now my locs are so thin and not dense , not the look that attracted me and made me wanna do locs but since you said they will grow denser I’m relieved now.

January 13, 2024 at 7:45 am

I am excited for you! You definitely need to keep them healthy and get your retie on schedule to see that thickness you’re looking for! I invite you to join the Loc Goals Club so that I can support you along your DIY loc journey!

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Different Stages of Locs

February 05, 2023 2 min read

Have you ever wondered what a typical loc journey looks like? It's a common question that many people ask on social media, which is why I thought it would be a good idea to address it in a YouTube video and discuss it in this blog. (See the Youtube video for lots of photos at the various stages).

It's important to note that everyone's loc journey is unique, so any timeframes mention can and will vary from person to person.

Phase 1: Starter or Beginner Loc Phase (Timeframe 3-6 months+)

The first phase is known as the Starter or Beginner Loc Phase . This is when you get your locs installed, whether you use the comb coil, two-strand twists, or braid method. I like to combine this phase with the P re-loc Phase, as once you have your first wash, your hair will start to get frizzy, mat up, and shrink. From my perspective, the Starter Loc phase only lasts until your first or second wash and then you enter the Pre-loc phase.

Phase 2: Budding/Bulbing or Sprouting Stage (6-12 months+)

The next phase is known as the Budding, Bulbing, or Sprouting Stage. This is when you start to see your locs bulging in certain areas. Some people experience budding at the root, tip, middle, or the entire loc may start to bud at the same time. This is often considered one of the most exciting parts of the lock journey because you are finally seeing your locs start to form.

  Phase 3: Growing/Teenage Stage (12-15 months+)

The Growing or Teenage Stage is the next phase. Your locs have expanded to twice the size of the starter lock, and they have started to retain weight and thickness. However, you may find it difficult to get your locks to cooperate at times. They will still experience a lot of shrinkage and frizz in this stage.

Phase 4: Mature/Maturation State (15-18 months +)

The Mature or Maturation Stage is what we all look forward to. Not only do your locs retain length, but they also experience less frizz. If you started with two-strand twists or braids, the pattern is likely gone by this time. Your locs will become firmer, and you will start to see more length gradually.

Phase 5: Elder/Rooted Stage (18-21 months +)

The final stage is known as the Elder or Rooted Stage . Your lock are pretty much locked in, and their thickness should be permanent. You will not experience any shrinkage, contraction, or expansion once they reach the root stage. From month to month, you will see length that you didn't see in the previous stages. This stage is, in my opinion, the most fantastic stage of the loc journey, even though all stages are great.

In conclusion, a loc journey consists of different stages, and everyone's journey is unique. From the Starter or Beginner Lock Phase, to the Elder or Rooted Stage, each stage has its own challenges and rewards. Remember to be patient, use high quality loc products and enjoy the journey, as the end result is worth it!

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I Didn’t Have Another Twist-Out Left in Me… So I Loc’d My Hair

By Jailynn Taylor

From my earliest memories, I recall how vital it was to appear put together. Those Sunday mornings, sitting on the floor in between my mother's legs to get my hair done before school the next day. It was a painful, all-day process. I hated it. I played hard — as most kids did at school — and when I got home, my hair was never how my mother had left it, either from roughhousing or playing "beauty shop" with the other girls at recess. The difference, I learned, was that the white girls’ hair would fall effortlessly back into place while my hair looked "unkempt" or "a mess,” according to older family members.

A memory that sticks out from childhood was going to the pool. When my hair was done, I was to sit next to the pool or wear a swim cap but never fully submerge so I wouldn't ruin my hair. I would watch all the other little girls doing cannonballs and playing mermaids. Their hair would fall down their backs like in the movies. I remember thinking how unfair it was that my hair restricted me from the simple pleasures of my youth. But to appear with your hair out of place —  and the looks you would get in response — felt much worse.

A photograph of the author as a child.

Growing up, my father made it a point to take my best friends and me to get our hair done every two weeks. Then, I was thankful for it, but it quickly became a habit detrimental to my self-worth. I felt confident when my hair was done in my preferred style, a silk press. But when it wasn't done, I became reclusive. I would skip school if I couldn't get my hair to look how I wanted it to. So much so that I was almost held back a grade. I felt judged by my family, my peers, the world, and myself. This is where the cracks started to form.

Flash forward to adulthood: I am working my first corporate job. I am living in a new city and trying to maintain appearances — keeping up with the Joneses, as they say. And my hair was becoming harder to manage without my father's financial support every two weeks. Finding a new stylist in a new city was difficult and expensive. My hair, now more than ever, needed extra TLC. I would get braided styles back to back to avoid dealing with it. What used to be soft, easy-to-detangle curls became brittle and matted. I remember sitting on the shower floor crying as gobs of my thinning hair would come out on the comb. I stopped going out. I stopped taking pictures of myself. And my self-confidence was the lowest it had ever been. I wasn't alone in the sentiment. Many of my girlfriends had expressed the same frustrations with their hair.

I started looking at my options. Cut it short again? Too costly and requires a lot of maintenance. A relaxer? My hair was already thin, and the chemicals would further weaken my strands. While doing my daily scroll on TikTok, I came across  Imani Goodridge . I then went over to her Instagram and I fell in love with the versatility and creativity she was able to express with her locs. I started to wonder if that could be an option for me. Chlöe and Halle Bailey were breaking the stigma of what it meant to have locs. The only difference between Chlöe and Halle and me is that they had professionals that were able to manipulate their hair in unique ways I had never seen. Would I be able to care for and style my locs on my own?

I did a deep dive into different types of locs, what it took to maintain them, and the process of getting them installed. I eventually landed on microlocs, not to be confused with sisterlocs, which involve a unique loc’ing technique that doesn’t rely on twisting or rolling. Microlocs are created by using a special tool that builds the locs from the ends of hair to the root. They appear as small loose strands but are easier to style and, as they grow longer, aren't too heavy. The smaller locs are pricier than traditional locs, but for me, it fit my lifestyle, and I was willing to make the investment.

During my consultation, it was recommended to go for braid locs instead of twists. This is a more common way of starting locs, but due to the fine and soft nature of my hair, it made more sense for me to do the braids to prevent unraveling. It took three locticians a total of 12 hours of work. It was an exhausting and laborious process, but it was so worth it. When I stood up to look at my finished hair in the mirror, it felt like I had taken the weight of the last 24 years off my shoulders. 

The author with microlocs, which she says have given her more hair-confidence than ever.

I now can wake up and go. I don't have to fuss with slicking my hair back into a ponytail to look “presentable.” I don't have to keep up with the next hair trend, and I save hundreds by not having to test tons of new products. And I have gotten so much of my time back by not having to sit for hours in a hair salon every two weeks. Even without a fresh re-tie, I still feel like me. I am more confident in myself and my hair now than ever. The years of tying my self-worth to my hair were over. 

I'm not alone in this pursuit of hair freedom. Shortly after I loc'd my hair, my mother decided to loc hers. As locs grow in popularity and become more prominent in the media, more black women are opting for the permanent style.

Hairstylist  Camille Friend created the loc’d style for Lupita Nyong'o in  Black Panther: Wakanda Forever . She’s also behind the locs seen on Halle Bailey in the upcoming live-action version of  The Little Mermaid . "As the world celebrates Black culture, it is a natural progression for a resurgence in locs. Locs are a cultural celebration of Black hairstyling. They allow people to wear their natural hair and celebrate their Black heritage," says Friend. 

But outside the Black community, there’s still a stigma surrounding the style. For that reason, when TikTok’r  Levette Quammie transitioned to locs, it came with some reluctance: "At the beginning of my loc journey, I was afraid I'd be denied jobs because I wouldn't fit the traditional ‘clean, professional look.’ And because of the stereotypes that ‘locs are dirty and smelly.’ I had to ignore those stigmas and show the people around me that you can have locs and still look presentable, and having frizzy hair doesn't mean you are unkempt. Natural hair can be frizzy at times and should be accepted within society. Locs are a protective style to keep your kinks and coils healthy and strong." 

Quammie, a TikTok creator, says having locs has helped keep her hair healthy.

"I think it is ridiculous, the notion that locs are unprofessional. How do you equate professionalism with a hairstyle?” says Friend. “This stigma is based on people's fear and lack of education. The beauty of Black hair is about the freedom to wear your hair how you choose." Friend’s work on the big screen is helping society at large get comfortable with seeing people with locs move through spaces. 

With that in mind, says Friend, it's essential to have informed professionals on set, so they can accurately depict different styles of locs within these representations. “All hair requires maintenance; hair is alive and holds energy. Locs are simple to preserve and maintain with the correct technique and products," she says. “Clients and actors deserve a skilled professional caring for their hair.” 

Friend describes locs as "versatile" and having the ability "to be worn in many types of styles'' such as "twists, knots, braids, curls, and crimps." Like many, I found inspiration in styling my hair on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where creators demonstrate that with locs, the possibilities are endless.

Imani Goodridge was nine years old when she had her sisterlocs established. "I was allergic to braiding and human hair, which limited the number of styles I could comfortably do. I'd had smaller braids on my natural hair before and thought starter sisterlocs didn't look much different," says Goodridge. She was inspired by her mother's sisterlocs but said having the smaller locs as opposed to traditional locs worked better for her active lifestyle. "I swam competitively for about seven years. If I'd gotten traditional locs and used a palm rolling retwist method, my retwists would've unraveled as soon as my hair came in contact with water," she says.

TikTok content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

That’s just one example of how having locs has positively impacted Goodridge’s life."Sisterlocs have gifted me with freedom and given me back my time. Unlike those with loose natural hair, my daily activities aren't dictated by how my hair is styled,” she says. By sharing her own journey with locs, Goodridge hopes to empower others to try the style. All in all, her hope is to inspire others to "do what makes you happy and makes you feel beautiful. Life's too short to care about other people's opinions."

Like Goodridge,  Ragin Al-Nahdy was inspired by her mother when she loc’d her hair three and a half years ago. "[My mother and I] joined the other seven loc'd women in my family, and I transitioned with her. It was a beautiful moment to start a new hair journey with the person I had spent my whole life bonding with over hair,” says al-Nahdy “My mom passed shortly after we started that journey together, and my locs have been a huge part of my healing. They remind me of my connection with her and provide a reason for me to set aside time for self-care, even if it's just an hour or two spent retwisting or tending to my scalp. I'm glad she left me with such a beautiful parting gift."

When I was thinking of starting my own loc journey, Al-Nahdy was someone I looked to for inspiration and knowledge. As Friend said, it's important to see a positive representation of all stages of locs for it to become the norm. "It has always been my goal to empower people to embrace their natural selves and feel comfortable with every part of their loc journey no matter what stage they are in. When I started, so much of the content I was seeing was focused on an eventual ‘ugly stage,’” says Al-Nahdy. “That idea never sat right with me because there is nothing ugly about our natural hair, whether it is shrunken a little bit or whether you can still see the twist pattern. Hopefully, that not only makes the loc journey seem less intimidating but helps those who have already committed feel empowered. [Having locs] is a crash course on patience and true self-love."

Al-Nahdy began her loc journey alongside her mother, joining seven other loc'd women in their family.

Quammie started her loc journey for this reason — to reconnect with her natural beauty. Now, she’s been loc'd for a year and six months and started with medium-part comb coils to allow for easier self-maintenance. "My locs have helped me become more confident with my hair and to love my natural appearance more than ever. Having locs also helped me explore my creativity with different hairstyles on TikTok. And from that, I have grown a support system with people who love my loc journey as much as I do." 

And she has no plans for that journey to end anytime soon: "I don't plan on getting rid of my locs. My hair is a part of me. I've been watering my locs daily and feeding them positivity. I have never been happier. This is a journey of self-love, happiness, and confidence,” says Quammie. 

For my part, loc’ing my hair has not only impacted the relationship I have with myself, but in the way I move through the world. But while this has been a transformative change in my life and many others, I know locs aren’t for everyone. That said, I do challenge Black women to evaluate the relationship that they have with their hair and the power that it has over them. It’s not an overnight change, but a conversation that should be had with yourself and the women around you often. Make it a point to uplift their hair choices — and take pride in your own.

Read about more natural hairstyles:

• 11 Simple Protective Hairstyles For Natural Hair To Do At Home
• The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Glam Squad On Filming Underwater
• 17 Short Natural Hairstyles That Are Anything But Boring

Watch Chlöe Bailey try nine things she's never done before:

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Jump Ahead To

Your First Four Weeks of Locs : Stages of Loc Development 

Your first four weeks begin a transition that will change you forever. The Bible makes mention of locs in the book of Numbers.

Numbers 6:5 “All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, which separates himself unto Yahuah, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.”

God speaks to Moses and directs him to say to the children of Israel. This is a message to God’s people as an offer for anyone to separate or remove themselves to a vow of Nazir.

What is the Vow of Nazir?

The Nazirite vow was taken by Hebrews that voluntarily separate themselves and five of themselves completely into God. The Hebrew word nazir means “to be separated or consecrated” This word and vow mean that you voluntarily desire to vow to separate yourself and make yourself holy to God.

Your loc start is a big deal. Week 1 after your loc-start is clarifying. It is the week that you see yourself differently and accept yourself. It is also the week that so many people begin asking you about your locs . They begin with questions like, how long have you had your locs ? You should get used to this question because it is the most popular one to ask. 

Covering Your Locs When You Sleep

Covering your locs when you sleep the first four weeks are crucial to the development of your locs . During the night this is the time that your initial twist could unravel with friction from your pillow.

Your twists will appear fresh and newly done this week as well. It is important during this time to consider your habit and diet as your locs are the tree trunk rings that tell the story of your self-care. Many times the issues that people experience in their hair are merely a manifestation of our self-care that we can see.

You enter into a new realm and now all of a sudden everyone wants to talk about your locs and how long you have had them or you find yourself asking everyone you find with locs , what is your Loc story.

From this time forward you fantasize about how glorious and beautiful your locs are going to be.

Locs are still considered to be in the first stage, however, you may witness a dullness in your hair . This dullness is a normal part of the process and it means that the transition has begun. The closer you get to the fourth week the more you will see your locs developing areas of knitting and tangling. This is normal, in fact, deserves as this is you Segway into stage two of Loc development.

How Long will budding take?

Budding begins around this week and continues until you are in stage 3 of Loc development; you begin stage 3 once the budding is complete.

This week you may be saying it’s time for a shampoo. By this time most people that keep up regular activity may enjoy some water touching their scalp. Take note that it is important to massage your scalp.

How often should I massage my scalp for healthy locs to grow?

Massaging your scalp twice a week is ideal for hair growth. Movement around the hair follicle prompts the release of oil from the root down your hair shaft.

 Month 1: Loc Development

stages of loc development: Stage 1

Stage 1: Starter locs /Baby Loc stage

Characteristics of Baby Locs

• Baby locs are shiny and curls are defined in the hair texture
• Baby locs are small or slim, however, this does not indicate the final circumference the Loc will be once it matures.
• Locs in the baby stage are soft, light, and fragile. They hold absolutely no weight. People are often surprised at the end result of the locs once they have witnessed the beginning stage.
• Locs in the baby stage should not be disturbed for as much as possible. This will keep your parts and locs intact until the have an opportunity to form.

What is the reason you are instructed not to clean your hair ?

At your loc-start, you begin specialized training. This training requires the time it takes your hair to dry completely in position. This will give you the best possible results when beginning the starter lock process. Wetting your hair rather it is from sweat, showering, or cleaning restarts that process.  We require the entire month for this loc training to occur before we move on to the next stage. When the cleaning is done understand that a starter loc reset will be required, which prolongs the process.

How Often Should I Get My Starter locs Maintenance?

The key to loc maintenance is consistency. The locs will grow long and in that length just like the tree trunk tells its age and lifetime so do your locs ! They show how often they were serviced and if you skipped a time. They will even tell of a time when you were having a difficult or stressful period in your life. I have had clients come every two weeks for over a year and appointments are definitely catered to each person’s specific loc care needs. The hair growth cycle is specific to each person including diet rest and stress all play a role in the growth pattern and cell turnover. Most people decide that they want loc maintenance every 4-6 weeks. 

Blissful Month 2: Loc Development:

They still look fairly new. Most are still at stage 1 with the onset of stage 2  loc development. Once that knotting occurs at the root, the transition is taking place. This is the time that you can clean your locs . The reason it is okay is if you feel the first bud where your new growth and your loc meet, is because this is how you can ensure the parting is in place. That’s not to say you don’t have to be careful with your locs so as to clean but not to disturb them because you are technically still in stage 1 of the loc development process. 

Am I Ready For My First Loc Maintenance ?

Your first retwist can occur after the first bud appears. Waiting until this time ensures your loc parting pattern is secure. Carefully clean the scalp without disturbing the locs . Do your research to understand the loc maturing process. Your first 6 months does not have to be difficult. The difficulty occurs with not understanding of the maturing process. 

What are the Stages of Loc Development?

There are 5 Stages of Loc /Dreadlock Development

Stage 1: Loc Start

Your loc start can begin a few ways. Comb coils, two Strand Twists, or interlocking. People decide on a starter loc method based on their hair profile(texture, thickness, and density). It is discouraging for some at this stage patience is the key. Your hair has to learn how to be inside of the loc (dreadlock). This stage only lasts for 4-6 weeks and then you’re off to the budding stage.

Loc Stage 2: Baby locs /Budding

The budding loc stage varies for different hair profiles but lasts for the first 4-16 weeks. During this stage, your Locs will begin to bud (tangle or clump into knots.) The budding will begin at the root and after about 6 weeks you should be able to feel new growth and budding , where the root meets the loc (end of the new growth.) You may notice that your locs are fuzzy but there is a definite shape to them at this point.

Loc Stage 3: Teen Locs

Loc Stage 3: Teenage Stage

A characteristic of the teenage loc stage is the locs are very light in weight (as the budding continues throughout the loc ). This lightweight in the teenage loc contributes largely to the unruly stage people dread from the beginning to the end. This stage lasts for 8-24 Months

Loc Stage 4: Mature Loc

Your locs have began to mature and they are heavier. As the loc begins to bud process is close to completion. You now have budding through the loc and it feels firm and can consistently hold its diameter. People notice characteristics of this stage closer to the end of their 1st year. Congratulations are in order for you at this stage. Once that weight gets into your locs they hang lower and begin to go through the dropping process. During this time you notice the length in your locs increase. Everyone has now matured and mastered the art of working together! The ends of your locs are the last section that goes through the maturing process but this is where your antenna form.

Loc Stage 5: Beyond Mature

After year 2 all your locs will grow to the same length. Another indication that your locs are beyond mature is the feel of the loc . It is firm throughout and contains no frizz. This stage proves to be the magic seal for your loc ends relaying that your antenna has finally formed.

These first 6 months after you start your locs you will decide on your loc start method. The loc start method is totally up to you. Your part pattern will always be visible and is difficult to change once your locs have reached the stage of maturity. See also, Loc Start Parting Methods Explained.

Month number 2 Continued…

In your first 6 months, you will begin to transition into the budding stage. During this time you are now ready for your 1st loc retwist or loc maintenance . Once the budding has started you can be somewhat confident that wetting your locs wet for the first time will not be a complete reset. Do not worry if all of your locs have not started to bud, they will if you stick with it long enough. An easy way to tell if your locs have started the budding process is to locate a loc on your head and start to feel the root and then progress further down the loc . You should run into a ball or know of some sort and that is what you are looking for. That’s a great thing for you to find letting you know your hair is learning exactly what to do.

Month 3: Loc Development: Neat w/ Maintenance Frizz Noticeable

This month is pretty much a continuation of the last month and you may have gotten a second retwist by now but by this time people have resolved to wait it out. It puts so much peace into your life once you accept the fact that the process has a gestation time. You will notice that your root may look twisted and brand new but your ends are puffy and frizzy and that is understandable because as you are being Maintenance or retwisted that particular appointment is a focus on training your new growth to grow into the loc and your locs will continue to be frizzy until it gets beyond the teenage stage of loc development. There are some ways that you can contain your ends during this time without disrupting the process, however, it is still part of the process so accept the frizziness.

Month 4: Everything Begins to Become Routine 

Month 5 and 6:   loc development .

Final budding continues as your hair learns to grow into the loc . The good news is your length should have increased by 2-3 inches. Lock styles are now a possibility for you. Styles are amazing now that frizz is under control, for the first time in a year. The sense of accomplishment you feel can not be described. Your first 6 months of locs are going to point your attention inward, this time fosters the lesson of acceptance.  Your locs are literally making themselves invincible by banding together and forming the antenna to better serve your higher purpose.

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5 Important Things to Know Before Starting Your Locs

It has been one year since I started my Locs and the journey has been beautiful. I love watching my hair transform and the process has given me my freedom back!

Since I hit my one-year anniversary, I thought it would be great to do a post on important things to know before starting your Locs. If you’ve been considering this new path, these tips will help you prepare accordingly.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read  full disclosure  for more information.

What to Know Before Starting Locs

How will you start them.

One of the first things to know before starting your Locs is which method you want to begin your journey with.

There are a variety of ways to start Locs such as:

• Two-Strand Twists
• Loc Extensions
• Instant Locs

I chose the two-strand twists because I already knew how they would look on me and it seemed like the easiest option!

It’s important to figure out which method you want because it’ll determine how your Locs will mature in the future. This is the foundation of your journey and you want to weigh the pros and cons of each method before committing to it.

Locs Go Through 5 Stages

There are 5 different stages that your Locs will go through. This is a process that requires a lot of patience!

Locs can take anywhere from 1-2 years to fully form, therefore, you want to know what to expect from each stage and how to properly care for your hair.

Remember, everyone’s hair won’t progress at the same rate. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s! Focus on your growth and enjoy each stage.

Here are the stages for Locs:

Starter Locs (3-6 months)

This is the starter or “baby” stage of your journey. Your hair can easily unravel, therefore, low manipulation is key. You may notice that your hair will become frizzy and have a lot of shrinkage after washing it.

Budding (6-12 months)

Also known as the “sprouting” stage, this is when your hair starts to mat together and get thicker. Your new growth will be puffy and/or frizzy.

Teen (12-15 months)

Your Locs will start to expand in size and plump up. Some people refer to this as the “ugly stage” because your Locs may seem to go in every direction. If you experience this, it’s a great time to invest in headwraps and try different styles.

Mature (15-18 months)

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Locs are firm and denser. You may not have to get your new growth retwisted as often and won’t deal with as much frizz. If your Locs haven’t matured as much as you want them to, be patient! Looser hair textures may take longer to lock.

Rooted (18 months – forever)

The rooted stage is when your Locs are firmly in place, feel heavier, and hang differently. This is the last phase and will continue as long as you’re on this journey!

Related Post: Why I Decided to Loc My Natural Hair After 3 Years

Your Parts and Size Matters

Before starting your Locs, you want to choose your parting pattern and the size you want.

This will be the last time parting your hair, therefore, it’s important to choose a pattern that looks best for your texture.

Here are examples of parts you can get:

• Square – The most common pattern and easy to do
• Diamond – Advanced + best if you have thin/fine hair and want a fuller look
• Crescent or “C-Shaped” – Locs will fall in a way that frames your face
• Organic/Freestyle – Randomly sized + foundation for freeform Locs

For the size, you want to consider the final look you’re going for in the future. As your Locs mature, they’ll expand and get thicker. You want to ensure they aren’t too big or too small because they can end up breaking off.

The different sizes you can choose from are:

• Sisterlocks – The smallest size
• Microlocks – Bigger than sisterlocks
• Traditional Locs – You can choose small, medium, or thick

I decided to get medium-sized traditional Locs with square parts and have a total of 91. This is the perfect size and amount for me!

Locs Need Water to Thrive

I’ve heard some people say to not apply anything to your hair during the beginning stages, however, water is essential for your Locs to flourish.

They will begin to look dry and dull if they aren’t moisturized properly, and this can eventually lead to breakage. Since less is more when taking care of Locs, you only need a few products to keep them looking fresh.

I recommend using lightweight moisturizing sprays that won’t cause build-up and applying a nourishing oil to lock in moisture.

My favorite moisturizer is the Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin and I love using Jamaican Black Castor Oil after spraying it on my Locs and scalp. These have done an amazing job of keeping my hair shiny and hydrated while providing relief from a dry, itchy scalp.

Another product that I recommend is the Jamaican Mango & Lime No More Itch Spray . Not only does it smell amazing, but it also keeps my Locs moisturized and my scalp itch and flake-free!

Related Post: How to Combat an Itchy Scalp With Starter Locs

Interlocking Lasts Longer

During the beginning stages of your Loc journey, you may notice that your retwists aren’t lasting long. This is when interlocking can be beneficial.

Interlocking is a method that involves pulling the end of your Locs back through the roots. This helps to tighten your new growth and it can help your Locs form smoother without becoming lumpy.

This method helps your retwists last longer compared to palm rolling. You may be able to wait up to 8 weeks before needing a fresh retwist versus doing it once a month.

Interlocking is perfect if you have to wash your hair frequently because you won’t have to worry about them unraveling or getting frizzy. It’s also ideal for those who have a finer hair texture since it may take longer to lock fully.

I started interlocking when I reached the 4-month mark and I loved how long my retwists lasted. The frizz was minimal and I was able to manipulate my Locs more than usual. Even when it was time for a retwist, they still looked well-groomed!

Even if you’ve been using the palm rolling method to retwist, you can still start interlocking. I highly recommend it!

Of course, there are more things to know before starting your Locs, however, these are the most important that have helped me on my journey.

Keep these tips in mind so you can have a successful transition to mature Locs!

Check out these other posts!

• 19 of the Best Natural Hair Gift Ideas for Women
• 6 Amazing Sulfate-Free Shampoos for Natural Hair
• The Best Natural Gels to Use for a Wash and Go

Madisen is a Blogger and Content Creator based in Charlotte, NC. Naturally Madisen is a resource for women who want to learn how to take care of their natural hair and skin with the best beauty products. You’ll also learn how to make your mental health a priority and grow your Influencer business.

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Love this! I recently found a loctician close to my home they used the locsmithing method — and it’s everything! I’ve been loc’d about 6 months now and I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner.

Sis, I’m so happy for you! Time flies by when you decide to Loc your hair, it’s crazy. I’m glad you’re enjoying the journey so far and I can’t wait to watch how much your hair transforms!

I absolutely love these tips and stuff I want to start my locs journey but I can decide which is better to get comb coils or a two-strand twist

Thank you for reading! When I found my Loctician, she helped me choose the best method to install my Locs based on the length and thickness of my hair. Two-strand twists are the most common! I recommend doing some research to see which look you would feel the most comfortable with and you can get another opinion from a professional if it’s needed.

Much gratitude for sharing your journey. This journey read was everything. Reading about your journey has definitely giving me a lot of amazing tips and knowledge. Thank you for sharing.

Getting ready to start my loc journey. I’m nervous but this is what I want to do with my hair. I have been natural for 3 years and I just want a different look. I’m 54 years old is this a good decision??

Yes! You don’t know me but I’ve been on and off my loc journey. 16 years the first time. Cut them off and 50 and restarted again at 57. Locs gave me freedom and I love my hair and they will look great on you I’m sure.🫶🏽👍🏾

Hello Jacquelyn, why did you cut them?

I love this! I just hit the 4 month mark with my 2 strand twists and got a retwist for the first time, but it unraveled the day after😢 I thought about interlocking but from some other articles I read, it might cause thinning and eventual breakage of the loc and that got me scared. I’m thinking of getting it interlocked maybe once every 6 months and do the regular palm rolling the other times, is it something I can go back and forth with?

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A Swimmer's Guide To Locs

If you’re new to locs, or new to the pool, you may be wondering how your locs and the pool get along. With many things in life there are some do’s and don’ts to help guide you through your next Spring Break or Summer vacation. Allong with the Dr Locs Travel sized kit of course here are a few of the essentials for swimming with locs. 

Swim Cap.  Often the most obvious solutions are overlooked. The great news is they make swim caps for long locs too. So if you’re worried about your locs absorbing all that chlorine, losing all that necessary moisture and replacing it with a big mildewy risk factor, but you still want to get your swim on, then please please please rock the swim cap with confidence. Confidence is another one of those highly overlooked obvious solutions to many of life’s problems. Fake it if you have to, once you learn how to wear it (both the swim cap and the confidence) all will follow with natural ease. And as you must have guest it, at Dr Locs we love all (well most) dances of nature.

Natural Clarifying Shampoo or Pre Cleanse.  Try to visualize your locs after 5 days of deep chlorine exposure, right. You didn’t get this far for nothing! You really want to wash your hair well, and get rid of all that chlorine so none of it, and we mean none of it, is left lingering in your loose or loc’d hair. A Pre-Cleanser option is great if you’re afraid of over washing your hair, especially if you’ve been rockin new locs. With a natural  Pre-Cleanser  you don’t have to worry about stripping away all that good oil your hair needs to stay moisturized and neatly loc’d. They make natural shampoos out there to safely strip the chlorine, salt, etc from your locs, but they can get disturbingly pricey, which may not be the direction you’re shooting for.

Essential Oils.  Speaking of oils, it’s also a very good idea to pack one or two of your favorite lightweight oils. Maybe by now you’ve already made your own chamomile mixture, or maybe you’re loving Dr Locs Yaya Oil (we don’t put all that love in there for nothing), either way it should already be packed in your bag and ready to go, because dry brittle locs is no way to feel when you’re taking it easy under the sun (or just swimming in your local swimming pool).

Rinse before You Dip.  A simple little trick to prevent your locs from over indulging in chlorine is to wet your hair with pure water before you take the plunge. This trick will by no means save your life, or your locs, but can help reduce the damage chlorine may have on your locs.  

We’re going to leave behind the list of don’ts and leave that part up to you. The best advice we can give you is not to overlook the TLC your locs love and need in order to look and feel as good as you should on your next trip to the pool. Don’t be afraid to make a big splash.

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• Foods That Can Affect Your Loc Growth
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Locs 101: Everything You Need to Know

• Caring for Locs

Dreads, dreadlocks, locs, regardless of the name, you could call them the original hairstyle.

The origin of the term “dreadlock” has been widely discussed. Some say the term came from slavery, when slave ship owners would look at enslaved Africans’ matted hair and say they looked “dreadful.” However, etymologists say the word “dreadlock” didn’t show up until 1960; with some saying it originates from the Rastafarian culture. The rastafari grew their hair to mimic a lion’s mane as a religious nod to the Lion of Judah, the symbol of a powerful leader.

The earliest evidence of locs dates back to India in 1800BC. The first evidence of the style in Africa came around 500 BC. While locs have been around for millenia, in modern times the style saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1970s and we haven’t looked back since.

Unlike wash-and-gos, two-strand twists, cornrows, or any other natural style, locs take dedication, patience, and TIME. Ask any of your loc’d friends and they’ll talk about their “journey” and that’s exactly what it is. Making the decision to loc one’s hair can be cultural, spiritual, or purely for aesthetic reasons; either way there are a few things to know about locs, before you take the plunge.

• What are they?
• Four ways to start them
• How to care for them
• Palm roll vs Interlocking

[Oh by the way  👋🏾,  check out our short film, Pretty Shouldn’t Hurt , is a must-watch, even if you wear locs.]

What are locs?

Per Wikipedia , “locs are ropelike strands of hair formed by matting or braiding hair.” There are several different types of locs.

Traditional

Larger size locs, sometimes grown as freeform locs.

Sister Locs

A trademarked pattern style loc, about half the size of traditional locs.

Extremely small locs that resemble strands of hair, usually installed using two strand twists.

A temporary style, using braiding and marley hair.

Each one of these styles has a unique look and “feel” to them and depending on what you want, you’ll start the locs in different ways.

Starting Locs (traditional methods)

Aside from faux locs, many begin their locs on short to medium length natural hair and there are several ways to start the loc process. Here are the most common ways:

Organically/Freeform

This is the easiest way to start your locs, especially if you’re going for a freeform style (think J. Cole). You can start this process by not detangling your hair when you wash it. Simply, wash, condition, and moisturize but NEVER comb or brush your hair. Alternatively, if your hair is on the short side; you can use a curl sponge to create small free form locs that will begin to train your hair. The key to this method is PATIENCE.

Note: Those with tighter curls and coils will see their hair loc-up faster than those with looser curls.

The Queen Po walks us through the process.

Princess Platinumm shows us how to wash freeform locs.

Starting With Two Strand Twists

This method is probably one of the most popular and recommended ways to start your loc journey. Start by putting your hair in two strand twists but make sure you like the parting and size of the twists. One of the great things about starting locs this way is in the beginning you can change your mind. You can change the parting, change the sizing, or decide you don’t want locs and simply take out the twists. If you stay on it, the lines in your twists should disappear within one year.

Starting Locs With Braids

This method is similar to the two strand twist method with a few differences. Those that start with braids tend to have less shrinkage overall, also the loc is more flexible and less frizzy. However, the braiding pattern can remain very visible after years of wear.

Starting your locs with comb coils is almost always done by a loctician. Some will use gel and wax, while others suggest not using anything but moisturizer. The loctician will section your hair and use a rattail comb to tightly coil the hair, officially starting your journey.

How do you take care of locs?

Once you’ve started, you’ll need a few tips on taking care of your locs, especially in the beginning. You’ll often hear advice about not putting water on your locs for the first two weeks after they’re installed; however, depending on which method you used, you could use water sooner than later.

WestIndieRay used a mixture of salt water and regular water soon after beginning her loc journey with two-strand twists, claiming it caused her hair to loc up faster.

If you’re worried about your locs unraveling, especially if you have comb coils, Callmetoocute has a great way to wash your locs with minimal manipulation.

To moisturize your locs use leave-in conditioner spray or light oils; heavy products can cause build up and odor. Hallease has a great DIY loc moisturizer with ways to customize as the seasons change:

After a month or two it will be time to retwist your locs and you’ll be faced with another decision to make in your journey: palm rolling or interlocking.

Palm Rolling vs. Interlocking

Palm rolling is exactly what it sounds like; to retwist your locs you use moisturizer, locking spray (optional), banana clips, and your hands to roll them. The main thing to remember is to roll the hair in the same direction. (AKA: Don’t rub your palms like you would in front of a campfire, rub them in one direction) Braids By Rah has a great video of how its done:

• could potentially cause bald spots from over-manipulation
• tendency to frizz or unravel

Frequency: once a month

Interlocking is different; it’s basically like sewing your loc together. You need a lightweight moisturizer and a crochet hook or interlocking tool. To interlock your locs you’ll need to follow a pattern and never “sew” the same hole twice. Glamnaturallife has a really good tutorial on how to do interlocking:

• maintenance lasts longer
• will work with all hair textures
• better for smaller/thinner locs
• if done incorrectly could cause holes and loc damage

Frequency: 6-8 weeks

No matter which method you choose, the way you start, maintain, and grow your locs will be all your own. Like we said before, this is a journey that takes time and patience, but is very rewarding. Did we mention the style possibilities are endless?

Still not sure if you want to start your locs? Here are a few women that talk about why they started their locs.

Five Signs You’re Not Ready

Five signs You ARE Ready

What you Should Know Before Starting Locs With Two-Strand Twists

Are you going to start your journey? Or have you been on your loc journey for years and have tips to offer? Share your stories on our Instagram.

Photo Credit: @shiralbinah

Morgan gilliam, you might also like, hair story: khay muhammad, must reads (and watch): loc extensions, on the street: get lock’d up, 4 products that make washing locs and dry natural hair easier, leave a reply cancel reply.

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3 Years of my Braidlocs Journey in Pictures

• The Afro is and will always be my all time favorite hairstyle and I didn't know if I could part with it. 
• Locs, no matter what type, traditional locs, micro locs or Sisterlocks, require regular maintenance. Not only was I not used to going to a salon regularly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to depend on stylists again which brings me to the next point. 
• Maybe still traumatized from the relaxer experience and being let down by a braider one time too many, I know that as a backup you need to know how to do your own hair. 

I have given up on the last one though. I can't interlock my own hair to save my life and I think I came to peace with it. The pandemic taught me the value of a great loctitian even more. 

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11 comments

MICHELLE, $1400 is excessive for braids. The particular braider is not in there anymore but the shop still is. Awa Hair Braiding. 482 Tompkins Ave in Brooklyn. Phone: (646) 363-8138

Hello, I’m ready to have my braids installed and I’ve been given some crazy prices, like $1400. Would you be able to give me the information for the shop or Braider in Bed Stuy, that you used? Thank you

Thank you MICHELLE. To be honest I never counted my braids. My loctitian did do an estimate once after rolling my hair and it was around 200. Hope that helps.

I love your hair. I’ve decided to go with braid locs, also. Approximately how many braids did you start with?

Hey Rosalyn, they will become fuller. Look at how I started. It is part of the process. Good luck!

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17 Tips for Staying Patient During the Beginning Stages of Dreadlocks

If you’re new to the dreadlock tribe, welcome! 🙂

Getting dreads will change you— and I’m not just talking about your external look. 

Those who have never had dreads think that the process is much like getting a haircut. A little crocheting or styling and you can have perfect dreads in an instant. [LOL, I wish!!]

Adapting to this new hairstyle, especially during the beginning stages of locs, requires an unbelievable amount of time and patience. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and the good news is that it’s worth it! 

How to Stay Patient During the Early Stages of Dreads

When you feel like your starter locs are too crazy to handle, regain patience by remembering these tips:

1. Don’t expect them to look amazing at first.

Trust me, they won’t. Real talk here- during the first three to twelve months (or more) of this hair journey, you can expect them to look loopy, frizzy, messy, and wild. It is what it is. 

I documented my own loc journey here , and you’ll see how wild they looked during the ugly stage. The good thing is that it’s only a phase of the locking process and they didn’t stay that way forever.

2. Don’t listen to the negative talk coming from your friends and family members.

I’ve been told many times that my loose natural hair looked better before I had dreads. And I’ve heard people within the dreadlock community experiencing the same thing within their social circles, so I know I’m not an isolated case.

I appreciate it when people tell it like it is, but the problem is that when you start caring more about other people’s opinions when it comes to basic things like hairstyle choices, you eventually stop listening to your inner voice.

Let people say what they want, but stay true to yourself.

3. Don’t stress and learn to love the mess.

There will be many good days and perhaps many bad days, but smile regardless. I promise it’ll get better. 

Healthy locs go through many changes in their first year or two (depending on the texture of your hair). We will all have different timelines due to our hair type, the different types of locs methods used, and the condition of your hair.

Also, when you Google the different stages of locs, you’ll find a bunch of answers because they’re defined differently by different people. But in essence, the various stages of loc evolution go like this:

– The baby stage (or starter stage) is the time during the very beginning of your locs journey. With baby locs you’ll probably question if they’re even knotting.

Even if you have instant locs, they might look like they’re coming apart and you may have a lot of loose hair. But do not worry, this is just part of the process.

Palm rolling them won’t make a huge difference but it will encourage their round shape and the hairs to start matting.

– Teenage locs are a bit rebellious (hence the name… they’re in their “teenage stage”, get it?)

During this time, they’ll kind of have a mind of their own. Just remember to keep them clean (don’t skip wash days ), moisturize them as needed, and separate your roots regularly.

The budding phase is when your locs actually start to look like matted hair (finally!) but shrinkage also happens.

For some, this will still be considered the ugly phase because the locs are not as uniform. Depending on your personal preferences, you can maintain them every 6 to 8 weeks to make them look neater (or more professional for work) and tame the new hair growth.

Don’t overdo it with your re-twisting routine, especially when it comes to the new growth, because it’ll put too much stress on your scalp which can lead to traction alopecia, aka hair loss.

If you’re anything like me, this stage will last well past your first year of locs.

The adult stage is the final stage of your loc journey and is also the loc stage that will last the longest if you keep your locs for more than 3 years. At this point, you’ve obtained mature locs.

This is the most rewarding phase, and once you look back at all the progress your dreadlocks have made, you’ll realize that the whole locing process was worth it.

4. Wrap your locs loosely.

Wear a hat, satin scarf, headbands, head wraps, a silk-lined beanie, or anything that will cover up the roots.

Tight styling can be damaging to your locs long-term, so stick with loose styles and have fun with them.

There are different styles tutorials on YouTube where you can learn a bunch of different ways to style short and long locs. Get creative and find your new stylish normal. 

For special events and occasions, you can go get your locs styled at a hair salon (or barber shop). Find a loctician who specializes in this first.

5. Wear beads and fun accessories.

One of the reasons dreadlocks are so much fun (in my opinion) is that you can add cool beads and accessories to them.

You can find tons of options and designs on Etsy and Amazon, as well as at dreadlock shops and Facebook dreadlock groups.

If you’re into crafty things, you can learn to make your own and possibly even sell them for profit.

The style of your locs can be one hundred percent personalized to match your personality!

6. Don’t look in the mirror often, or for a long time.

The less time you spend staring at your hair in the mirror, the less you’ll remember what your messy locs actually look like.

During the starter loc phase, the health of your hair is more important than its wild appearance.

7. Take monthly progress pictures, especially on the good days.

The change your locs are making will not be evident when you’re looking at your hair every day that is why creating a photo timeline will help.

Seeing the change not only reminds you of how far your locs have come, but it’s also a way to keep you encouraged on the days when you feel like you’re making no progress at all.

8. Join dreadlock community groups.

Facebook has several loc community pages where people post their progress pictures all the time.

Seeing the before and after transformations in other people will help you keep up your faith in your own locs.

While your hair may go through a different transformation process, it’s cool to see how it evolves in general.

Here’s my dreadlock journey in photos. For your encouragement, look at the first few months of my journey compared to years 5 and 6!

9. Don’t compare your dreads to others.

Remember that your hair texture and maintenance method may be different than the person whose dreads you idolize on social media.

While your dreads may not look identical to someone else’s in the future, in due time, they’ll look amazing!

10. Remind yourself of the reason why you got dreads in the first place and hold on to that goal.

If you want dreadlocks, you have to accept that it comes at the price of patience and patience is a virtue. 

If you don’t want to wait, then consider faux locs (like butterfly locs ) or other types of loc extensions. This will give you nearly perfect locs while the rest of your hair matures.

11. Do occasional maintenance but don’t overdo it.

The best thing you can do to ensure a healthy scalp, no product buildup, and strong hair for long dreads is to take care of your dreadlocks properly.

Keep your hair clean, moisturize your locs as needed, separate the roots weekly, palm roll on occasion, and let them be!

Locs change constantly. It’s exciting to watch them mature.

Also, don’t overwhelm your hair with oils and products. Here are some ways to incorporate natural ingredients in your loc care routine.

– To moisturize your dreads , use a water-based product. My moisturizer is super easy to make. Simply blend distilled water and essential oils in a spray bottle and apply as needed.

– To cleanse your scalp post-workout , add witch hazel to your moisturizer spray and apply it to your scalp.

– For a dry scalp , moisturize your scalp with water and then massage a tiny amount of a carrier oil (like jojoba oil, olive oil, or coconut oil) for 5 to 10 minutes. Leave it on your scalp overnight and wash off the following morning.

– For an itchy scalp, make a scalp elixir gel with fresh aloe vera juice from the leaf plus a few drops of tea tree oil and apply it to your scalp. In this post, I teach you exactly how to make it.

– For softening your locs , try a rose water spray ( like this DIY one I make ) or rinse your hair with diluted apple cider vinegar.

The best products for your locs come from nature , not manufactured with chemicals.

12. Accept what you cannot change, such as the discomfort of messy hair.

Society is going to tell you that you have to be happy and perky all the time, but the reality is that we were born with a variety of emotions for a reason.

Be real with yourself.

It’s okay to be annoyed with your locs. It’s okay to feel uncomfortable, weird, or whatever you’re feeling. But the key is to accept it and move forward.

Don’t get stuck in those negative feelings.

Also, remember that society is constantly trying to define what is beautiful. Embrace your natural beauty during this new journey.

13. Learn what is triggering your impatience and seek ways to improve yourself in those areas.

In my case specifically, it was my self-esteem issues.

I have had low self-esteem ever since I can remember, and getting dreads helped me overcome some of those feelings, including a negative self-image.

I’m still a work in progress, but having messy hair allowed me to care less about other people’s perceptions of me.

14. Take deep breaths.

Learn to let go of control of the mentality that your hair needs to look perfect all the time. 

15. Practice mindfulness.

Be grateful for the progress you make each day. Move your focus away from any negative emotions or comments from others.

Pay attention to the present moment.

16. Find healthy distractions.

Pick a hand hobby, like knitting, crocheting, learning an instrument, painting, etc.

Perhaps in the time that it takes your locs to fully mature, you’ll discover a hidden talent within yourself too.

17. Remember that great things take a lot of time and dreadlocks are no exception.

Think about this:

• A healthy baby needs about 9 months to grow in the womb before it’s born. And it won’t be until after their first year that they’ll begin talking, walking, and becoming more independent.  
• It takes a coffee plant about 5 years to grow before it will reach full fruit production.
• An apple tree will take about 10 years to produce fruit after the seed has been planted.

Take off some of the pressure you’re feeling and allow yourself to enjoy the journey, no matter which stage you’re at. 

Do your locs need a natural pick-me-up? Check out these 39 DIY recipes to revitalize your dreads !

Download the 8 Dreadlock Moisturizer Spray Recipes!

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If there’s an error or the download doesn’t come through, send me a message at [email protected] and I will happily send it to you. 🙂

This article was originally published on August 10, 2020. It has since been updated and improved.

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14 comments

I started my loc journey this July, I have a 4c type hair and started with comb coils. Recently my locs have started to puff up a bit, but the roots are fin. Any advice on how to fix that?

Hi Asher, your locs will adjust as they mature, so it’s normal for them to puff up. Which part are you wanting to fix? Do you want to make the roots puffier or the locs themselves thinner?

Just got partial dreads very excited for this process. Enjoying reading all the info here learning a lot and glad to find your blog

Thank you for your kind words 🙂 So exited for you and your journey!!

I felt like I wrote this down myself and just re read it back to me. Everything you said helped me ❤️💯

🙂 So happy to hear that!!

Hey Nadia! I was wondering. What is semi freeforming? Does it mean that you don’t retwist that often?

I want to start semi freeform, But a lot of people say that it’s important to retwist your new growth frequently so that your dreads get trained.

So I don’t understand how to start my semi freeforming journey.

Sorry for all the questions I hope you have a great day!

Hi Daniela! Yes, semi free-forming requires a lot less professional maintenance.

If you want to keep your locs neat at the root, I recommend retwisting once every 6 to 8 weeks. Retwisting more often than that can cause a lot of strain on your scalp and lead to hair loss/ traction alopecia later on.

I get retwists only once a year but I maintain the new growth by separating my locs at the root about once a week. If you don’t separate your roots often, it will get very messy (I learned this the hard way, lol). I have some loose strands at the root and I leave those alone. Some have turned into ultra-thin locs over time, and other strands are too stubborn to knot. 😉

Either way, your locs will adjust over time. The main difference will be that the root won’t look as “tidy” if you don’t retwist often.

I hope that was helpful! If you have any other questions, let me know- I’m always happy to help 🙂

Nadia, thank you for this post. Just today, I was feeling some kind of way…not a good way about how my locs look today. I’ve had my locs for 16 months. It’s been 3 weeks since my last retwist so I gave them a wash and now the roots are looser. I have some locs around the perimeter of my head that have barely started to bud so those have some unraveling. Overall not very appealing. Thanks for the reminder that it’s part of the journey. Your suggestions have shifted my thoughts from negative to acceptance. You also reminded me to get back to the crochet project I have in progress. Thank you!!!

You’re welcome Lorna! Trust me, I have my fair share of bad loc days…but lots of good ones too. That’s part of what makes the journey so special and unique to the loc’d community. What type of crochet project are you working on? Sounds fun! 🙂

I just started my journey I have 144 locs. I used two strand twist. I can’t wait until the frizzy stage I love that look honestly but. I already had so much shrinkage. It’s got me wondering when will they drop back down or are they going to get shorter?

Hi Dree-Michele,

Yay, I’m excited for you starting your loc journey!

Since you mentioned that you used two-strand twists, I’m going to guess that your hair type is coarse. (Please correct me if I’m wrong) 😉 If that’s the case, you have an advantage in that your locs should mature within 6 to 12 months. After they’ve matured, your locs should stop shrinking.

They might go through a period of time where it seems they don’t grow at all, and then you’ll start noticing them gaining length.

I recommend you take progress pictures to help encourage you along the way. Often times you won’t notice your progress unless you have old pictures to compare what they looked like before versus what they look like now. (For sure that’s what has helped me!)

144?! i have about 80 and im struggling i cant imagine the the retwist, thats amazing!

What I’ve done is cut all my hair off it’s Curly and I’ve gotten Dreds but they keep coming undone so I’ve had my Dreds since Nov and Yesterday I twisted them they were so thin I took Two and twisted into one now my Question is can I continue with the twist and continue my Dred journey and if I do that how will I retwist when it’s time do I have to take the twist down or can I continue with the twist method on top of the Dreds? Robin

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