To Loc or Not To Loc? That is question

To Loc or Not To Loc? That is question

Dreadlocs and sister locs are essentially another way of styling your hair simply by having little to no manipulation of the strands. The concept of locking hair became popular in urban culture by Rastafarians from Jamaica, though it had its origins elsewhere.

Mainstream locs are generally not considered to be as symbolic as their more rugged predecessors which stood as a statement of rebellion; today locs tend to be more refined and worn as just another style. This style is very unique as it is semi-permanent and therefore when making a decision to loc or not to loc you should think about it carefully.

Here are some benefits, disadvantages and tips that you should consider when deciding if you should loc your hair.

Benefits of Locs

The first benefit of locing your hair is that it can be much more economical than other hair decisions. As opposed to having processed hair, it normally turns out to be way more affordable to sport natural locs. This is obvious when we contrast the frequency of salon visits to maintain a perm versus taking care of your own locs.

Alongside this benefit is the perk of not having harmful chemicals constantly in contact with your hair and scalp. The chemical ingredients in solutions like relaxers and curls activators can be very harsh and often result in long-term damage such as breakage and the thinning of hair.

Another benefit of having locs is that they usually encourage your hair to grow really quickly. This fast growth is in part due to the lack of manipulation of your hair. Less manipulation such as combing hair, when combined with drastically reduced exposure to chemicals often leads to fuller, longer and stronger hair follicles.

Locs are also easier to maintain the processed hair. You can expect to spend a lot less time thinking about which style to wear, as your locs will always be sufficient enough to be a style on their own. When you do decide on styling however, there are a myriad of options to choose from ranging from formal up do’s to relaxed pony tails. 

Finally, another benefit to consider before locking your hair is that although locs are normally tightly interwoven strands of hair and are widely considered to be a permanent decision, it is in fact possible to reverse the locing process in most cases. It may take a while but it has been done and therefore it is possible.

Disadvantages Involved In Doing Locs

One issue you may face in the initial stages of your loc journey is the awkwardness of the baby stage. If you had started with really low hair, you may not feel as comfortable with your baby locs. It may take some time to adjust as your locs grow and become more flexible.

Locs are increasingly becoming more popular but there are still people who stigmatize this style and label it negatively. You will need to have a thick skin if you are to ignore the ramblings of naysayers are continue on your journey anyway. Just remember the reasons you chose to loc your hair in the first place and focus on them.

If locs are done too small, they face the danger of simply just falling off, because of strain, leaving a gap where your loc once was. To avoid this make sure that enough hair is allocated to each loc in the initial stages. Doing so will allow your locs to grow strong with just the right amount of thickness.

Another disadvantage that should be considered is the fact that products, lint and other things might build up in your hair more often than before. This however shouldn’t be a big issue if you practice to clean your locs properly and regularly.

Methods Of Locking Your Hair

Here is something else to consider in choosing whether to loc or not: the method you will use. This is a very important step in this journey and is dependent on the size, your current length and hair type. Here are some ways of starting:

1.Starting with two strand twists or braids

2. Starting with comb coils (twisting hair around a comb to create uniform locs, with a sort of wax to hold it in place)

3. Interlocking or sister locking (essentially having your roots knotted with a special needle)

4. Freeform (leaving your hair to grow how it wants to without combing or detangling)

All the best with your decision and please make sure to take into consideration your hair type, lifestyle and preferences.

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity

Zunammie