Locks also known as (AKA) dreadlocks but known as (BKA) locs is curly, textured hair that have been interwind and meshed together. Additionally, hair locking is achieved without the use of chemicals. However, in the beginning of your hair locking journey frequent professional hair shaping and grooming are necessary to ensure a good outcome. Seek out a loctician, professional hair stylist who specializes in styling and caring for dreads. In addition, you can consult a hair stylist specializes in the early stages of dreadlocks care and maintenance. Furthermore, locks are a service to be completed on damp hair.
Coil out styles are used when no permanent locking is desired. Coils and coil out styles can easily start locking if the hair isn’t combed out before 4 weeks. In addition, shaping and grooming locks takes commitment and patience. Also be careful not to retwist to often as re-twisting too often my cause breakage. As a result, how long, you go between re-twisting after locs have matured is your choice.
Additionally, the more often you wash your dreads the more you get them wet causing you to need a retwist sooner. Therefore, making the locs unfurl faster. Keep locs dry after contact with rain, sweat and water. Use a towel to squeeze dry immediately. The inner part of locs can be damp. Finally, hair locks in slow phases that can take from 6 months to 1 year. Depending on length, density and coil pattern. With the beginner phases lasting 3-6 months.
Locking Phases and Techniques
Phase 1 Beginner locks
- Shiny or a glossy texture
- Glossy and smooth.
Phase 2 Pre-Lock Stage
- Hair begins to interlace and mesh
- No longer glossy and smooth
Phase 3 Sprouting Stage
- A bulb can be felt at the end of each lock
Phase 4 Growing Stage
- Hair begins to regain length
- Lock may still be frizzy but also solid in some areas
Phase 5 Maturation Stage
- Locks are closed at the ends, dense and dull. Doesn’t reflect light.
Locking Techniques
- Comb Technique
Effective during the early stages of locking. Excellent on short (1 inch to 3 inches) hair.
Beginner locs and retwisting
- Palm Roll
Gentlest on the hair
Works through all natural stages of locking
- Braids or Extensions
After hair grows out palm roll new growth
- Sister Locks
Interlocking method that instantly locks any texture using a special tool
