So you’ve started your locs, now what? This was a question I asked myself on July 15, 2015. I left the salon beaming and so excited about this new journey. A few weeks later, as the new growth began to sprout, I realize I had no clue what to do to keep up the look. I had so many questions.
Can I wash my baby
Will they unravel if I do?
How long before they actually start to
All the years I desired to loc my hair, I never actually took the time to research what to do afterward. I reached out to a good friend and she referred me to her loctician. A few weeks later
Upon my initial visit, I learned she was the loctician for a few other friends and college classmates of mine. Since that day, she has been an integral part of my loc journey. My first retwist,
Raushanah Rolle is CEO and master loctician of Locs on Lock V.I.P Loc shop in NC She specializes in locs and natural hair. Maintenance, repair,coloring and creative styling are some of her specialties. You can find her on Instagram @raudreadz.
Some things I have learned in these last 3 years are:
1. Patience is a virtue
Everyone’s hair is different, therefore everyone’s loc journey will be different. There will be times you don’t think your hair is growing at all and then it will seem to sprout overnight.
2. Find out what works best for your hair
As someone who has extremely dry hair, I had to find something that helped me. My stylist suggested Eden Bodyworks Peppermint Tea Tree Oil ($9.25). Since I began using it the itching and dryness of my scalp has decreased significantly. It may take some time to find what works best for your hair, but if you do use any products, read the ingredients so you’ll know what you’re putting in your hair.
Products with chemicals can be extremely unhealthy and strip your hair of its natural oils. One set of products I have found to do well with my hair is the Dr. Locs line. Each product is made with all natural ingredients and they were created by a loctician. From the pre-cleanse to the locking spray, they are all light and don’t weigh your hair down or cause buildup.
3. Dirty hair does not grow faster
Somehow people have the misconception that not washing your hair makes it grow faster. All that does is have you walking around with dirty locs. Please keep your locs clean. That is an important part of keeping them healthy. Just make sure you thoroughly rinse any product you use out as to not cause buildup.
4. Don’t retwist too much
Some people love to have their locs as neat as possible and some love them with the new growth out and proud. The tension of retwisting can eventually cause your locs to weaken at the root. My suggestion is to hold off as long as possible. I’ve gotten to the point where I will go 3 or 4 months before I go get a retwist. One product that works well is Taliah Waajid Tight Hold because it holds my locs without causing flakes or drying out my hair. On another note, you don’t have to retwist every time to wash your hair.
5. Love your journey
It may not always be pretty or easy, but embrace it all. I was never someone who knew what to do with my hair that’s why I got help. In 3 years my locs have made their way past my shoulders come to the middle of my chest. The only thing I would change about my loc journey is possible starting it sooner.
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