Throughout the stages in which dreads mature, they will get thicker AND thinner. The thickness and length will fluctuate a lot during the first year or two because the hair is becoming matted. Healthy dreads should be a little bit thicker than when you started them once they're fully mature.
However, when dreads mature throughout the stages, they will get thinner and thicker at different points. In addition, the length and thickness will fluctuate during the first couple of years as your hair becomes matted. Healthy dreadlocks are typically a little thicker when they mature than when you started them.
With care and an avoidance of harmful practices, your locs could potentially grow up to six inches in one year. That's significant! And because mature dreadlocks hang straight down, your locs aren't likely to suffer from the shrinkage that most afro-textured hair does.
The dreads will generally phatten up a bit as they mature so you'll gain some thickness/fullness in the first 3/4 months. During tightening the tips draw up towards the roots making the dreads shorter and wider.
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.
When you retwist or palm roll the whole loc, you create tension at the roots and make the rest of your loc tighter. They may look neater, but they will become thinner.
That being said, a typical retwist should/could last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. But again, it will depend on how you take care of your locs. Your retwist can last longer, it can even last for months, if you make all the right moves to make your retwist last longer.
If you're waiting too long between twisting your dreads, you'll notice your locs becoming a lot thinner. Since new hair follicles need to be twisted into the deadlock, these follicles can eventually fall out if left alone. This results in thinning dreadlocks.
Depending on your hair length and how tight your dreadlocks are, it takes approximately 10 to 24 months to grow mature dreadlocks. The individual dreads need to be formed initially, then cared for over a while, and eventually, they'll turn into neat, mature dreads.
The five stages of locs are: starter, budding, teen, mature, and rooted. While your loc journey can take between 18-24 months, some loc-wearers find the beginning and end phases to be the easiest, because the middle stages present their own set of challenges.
You'll know your locks have left the budding stage once they begin to swell, and maintain their shape on their own while looking more cohesive in texture. Teenage locs may seem to stand on end all over your head and go in whatever direction they want as the matted hair thickens and becomes taught at the root.
Was that a spoiler? If you're considering trimming your locs because you feel like they'll grow faster and longer, it's not really the case. Though that may have been true for your loose hair, trimming locs isn't necessary. So no, you don't need to trim your locs to maintain healthy locs.
The Budding Stage (also known as the Sprouting Stage), occurs roughly six to twelve months into your locs journey. This is when you'll start to notice that your hair isn't unravelling when you wash it and notice your new growth, which will look a bit fuzzy and fluffy.
If you're constantly pulling your locs into the same style or using hair accessories that are too tight these are quick ways to damage your hair follicles and cause thinning. Also, excessive tension at the roots, especially with interlocking maintenance that's performed too frequently, will also cause thinning locs.
Both types of dreadlocks are ideal for different individuals. The people who want a fuller look with fine hair texture must opt for thin dreadlocks. On the other hand, individuals who are not so picky about their hairstyles can go with thick locks.
Your hair follicles constantly need to be hydrated in order to promote healthy growing locs. Water makes up one fourth of the hair strand, without water, your body won't be able to reproduce strong and healthy cells for strong and healthy locs.
All in all, dreadlocks, like all protective styles, help protect your hair from environmental stressors. The only way locs styles will ruin hair, is if you don't dry them properly or retwist them too often.
Helps with Hair Growth- Brushing your locs stimulates the hair follicles just like a hands-on scalp massage would. This stimulation causes more blood to flow to the scalp, delivering tons of oxygen and nutrients to your follicles for quicker growth.
In some cases, they can even cause receding hairlines, hair loss and even baldness. If your braids and dreads start to recede, appear thin, or shed in large amounts, you may be suffering from what's known as Traction Alopecia.
But it is true— loc shrinkage, or dread shrinkage, is normal and to be expected during the beginning stages of the hair locking process. Your starter locs shrinkage will make it look like your locs are not growing.
Once your locs are mature, we recommend you deep condition every 1-2 weeks to keep your locs healthy, strong, and moisturized. NaturAll's Fresh Frozé Treatment Deep Conditioners not only keep your locs moisturized, but consistent use will keep your locs strong, healthy, and vibrant.
Retwisting your locs too tightly or often are the main causes of damage and may have a delayed effect. If it hurts on day one you can for sure expect problems in the future. Choose a loctician who is gentle on your hair.
Retwist frequency depends on whether you are in the starter loc phase or you have mature locs. It also depends on the type of locs you have, your hair type and your retwist method. Starter locs should be washed monthly or no more than every six week. If you interlock, you can go as long as eight weeks between retwists.