Everyone must agree that for many people, having starter locs is a significant and memorable aspect of their lives, but it can also raise anxiety and fear. If you’re thinking about getting locs, you probably already know that there are several different techniques to select from, and each one has pros and pitfalls.
You must consider what is most essential to you or your personality type when you initially decide to start locs. If you’re more outgoing, freeform locs could be for you. If you’re more reserved and high maintenance, sister locks, tiny, or medium-sized locs would be ideal.
What Are Starter Locs?
Starter locs, commonly referred to as “baby locs,” are the first stage of hair locking. Depending on the texture and rate of hair growth, this period might last anywhere between three and six months.
You will need to be very patient and take good care of your initial locs before your hair entirely locs. The hair becomes tangled while being locked. This leads to the strands coiling into fused structures called locs around themselves. Depending on your hair type and the method employed, the journey from starting locs to rooted locs typically takes between 12 and 24 months.
How To Begin Having Locs?
You should be prepared for a long journey if you’re wondering how to start locs. However, don’t let that discourage you because maintenance will become simpler with time. There are several options for starting.
Using DIY methods or going to a local loc stylist are the two primary options. Your hair should be at least 2 to 5 inches long in each case. This normally suffices to initiate the starter loc procedure.
Tips To Maintain Starter Locs
When you haven’t done any research or don’t know what to anticipate, maintaining locs may be difficult. The loc world might seem intimidating to a newcomer. But with the right direction, your starting locs may grow. People can be afraid of making the plunge since starting your new adventure involves so many unknowns.
Let’s know about some of the tips to maintain starter locs:
• Commit to monthly retwists
Although you don’t need to shower your hair as frequently when you have locs, it is still advised that you deep cleanse and retwist your locs once a month to maintain them clean and on the path to maturity. Monthly maintenance is equally as vital as in-home care since locs may readily develop.
• Weekly scalp oiling
You shouldn’t over-oil your scalp. Just once or twice a week is a plenty. Imagine that the soil on your head requires nutrients to continue to produce new growth. Do not apply excessive amounts of oils to your scalp. Learn everything you can about the workings of the oils you use.
• Keep your locs clear of lint and other debris
After your locs have grown a little, you may buy a lint brush. Have someone assist you in removing debris from your hair once a week in the meantime to prevent build-up.
• Refrain from wearing tight hairstyles
Don’t subject your scalp to undue strain. Good advice even for people without locs. Breakage results from constant stress.
Starter locs cost may vary from person to person, as everyone has a different type of hair. To get an estimate, may range from $50 to $150.
Stages For Getting Starter Locs
Your Locs will progress through 5 levels in total. A lot of patience is needed for this process. You should be aware of what to anticipate from each step and how to properly take care of your hair because locs can take anywhere from one to two years to fully form.
Keep in mind that everyone’s hair will grow at a different rate. Avoid comparing your journey to that of others. Concentrate on your development and relish each step.
• Budding (6-12 months)
The sprouting stage, often known as the six-month starter locs. When your hair begins to mat and thicken, it is sometimes referred to as the “sprouting” stage. Your recent growth will be frizzy or puffy.
• 12 to 15-month-old teen
Your starter locs may seem to be growing in various directions when you enter the adolescent years. Keep going and persevering, and you’ll soon start to notice your locs take shape. For a more put-together appearance, now is a wonderful time to experiment with accessories like head wraps, hair cuffs, and beads.
• 15 to 18 months of age
You’ve reached the adult stage now! You should have some weight in your dreads, which will encourage them to fall rather than stand out. However, you still need to keep up a decent washing and conditioning regimen because any new growth will usually grow straight into the lock rather than blowing up.
• 18 to 24 months of rooting
You have reached the rooted stage after your initial locs is securely in place. Due to the slower rate of new growth, your hair will have moved into the lower maintenance stage. As your locs get longer, you could notice that they become thinner, but that is entirely natural. Retwist them as necessary, and don’t forget to keep them hydrated.
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Top Starter Locs Techniques to Know
There are several ways to start your locs. They can be implemented at various degrees of difficulty. How much, what kind, and how fast you desire lengthy locs will also influence the method you pick. You must divide your hair into parts before using any treatment.
How big or tiny your portions are will depend on the thickness and length of your hair. Thinner hair produces more slender locs in smaller areas whereas higher-density hair may produce thicker locs in greater sections.
• Palm Rolled Locs
This technique involves rolling a length of hair between your palms to form starter locs, just as the name says. The hair may be compressed and tightened by rolling it between your palms, giving it a lovely cylindrical shape. Palm rolling is another popular method for keeping locs in place.
• Braided or Twisted Locs
These starter locs would be started with braids, plaits, or twists, as the name would imply. If you’re thinking about using this technique, keep in mind that hair could take some time for the braided or twisted pattern to “disappear,” and your locs might appear flatter rather than cylindrical. Also, take aware that the braid or twist pattern may not completely “disappear” if you pick this option while your hair is longer.
• Adaptive Locs
Freeform starter locs, also referred to as organic locs, are locs that develop naturally without being styled or altered. The name and look of these locs vary depending on the hair texture because they are allowed to develop however they like.
• Sisterlocks/Brotherlocks
The Sisterlocks/Brotherlocks procedure was developed in 1993 by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell. Sisterlocs or Brotherlocs are professionally installed by consultants who have received training in this loc method and are often significantly smaller than standard locs. The intricate weaving of the locs is accomplished with a tool, so if you’re interested in this method, be ready to put in a lot of time.
• Interlocked starter locs
In this technique, the loc is made using a crochet instrument or latch hook. The instrument is used to twist or weave the hair, and the outcomes are frequently quite consistent. They frequently use this technique to keep their locs in place.
• Two Strand twist
Two-strand twists are a type of hairstyle made by wrapping two sections of hair around one another till the ends, also known as two-strand twists. Hair can be divided into big or tiny sections.
Although creating this style might take some time, it usually lasts between two and six weeks. Twists will look longer and maintain healthy hair if you wash, condition, and deep condition the style.
How To Wash Your Starter Locs?
One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make early on is whether and how frequently to wash your starting locs. This is because your still-forming locs may be easily undone if you wash your hair too soon in the process.
So, you should hold off on shampooing your hair for at least four weeks. You can use witch hazel and a cotton ball to clean your scalp if it’s irritating before then. Simply apply witch hazel to your parts to make your scalp feel clean without messing with your locs.
Take caution when shampooing your hair. Avoid disturbing your locs and concentrate on the roots. Once your locs are fully established, you can wash them every four weeks. Every four weeks should be okay as long as you’re only using mild, water-soluble products on your hair.
Interlocking Is More Durable
You might find that your retwists aren’t holding for very long at the start of your Loc adventure. Interlocking can be advantageous in this situation. Using the interlocking technique, you draw the end of your Locs back through the roots. This helps to thicken your new hair growth and might make it easier for your locs to develop smoothly rather than lumpily.
Compared to palm rolling, this technique lengthens the duration of your retwists. As opposed to performing it once a month, you could be able to wait up to 8 weeks before needing a fresh retwist.
If you have to wash your hair regularly, interlocking is ideal since you won’t have to worry about them unraveling or becoming frizzy. Since it could take longer for the hair to properly lock, it’s also excellent for people with finer hair textures.
Conditioning In Depth
It’s not a good idea to deep condition baby locs, even if you may have enjoyed doing so while your hair was loose. Creme conditioners soften your hair as their name implies. However, your locs will unravel if they are too soft. If you must, choose something lightweight because moisture is necessary. An excellent choice is a rosewater spritz.
Retwisting
You should frequently maintain your locs unless you’re opting for the freeform style to help them grow. Every time you wash your hair or once a month, you can retwist or palm roll. Avoid over-twisting your starter locs as this can eventually damage the roots.
The Bottom Line
Simply told, you need to hydrate your starter locs, grease your scalp, and protect your locs to take good care of them. Keep in mind that your locs are a part of you and that you are them, so love them. Your locs serve as a visible depiction of the spiritual progress you have already accomplished. Create a goal at the start of your loc adventure, and revisit it after each check-in with your locs.
