Generally speaking, it could take anywhere from 10 months to two years to get to the maturest stage of locs." The process of hair "locking" and the process of these locs maturing are different.
2. Budding Stage/ Sprouting Stage. 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.
You can easily make your dreads lock faster by washing your hair every 2-3 days, backcombing them, and twisting them together.
The starter (AKA "baby") stage of the loc process can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on your hair type and how fast it grows. There are several styles—such as braids, two-strand twists, comb coils and palm rolls—that you can choose from to start off your locs.
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.
When you leave your hair alone, your locs are able to flourish and thicken up because they're not constantly “made” into condensed retwisted or interlocked bundles. The ideal timeframe for a retwist is between 4-6 weeks— no earlier! Change your diet.
When to expect your locs to start budding? Typically, within the first 3-6 months you will notice the first signs of budding in your locs. Depending on your hair texture, product usage and initial method for starting locs the onset of this process can vary.
Does sea salt help form dreads? Yes! Sea salt helps tighten loose dreads and can help tame the frizz while creating a cleaner appearance. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you choose to use it, only apply it in small amounts.
Two-strand twists can take between 6 months to 2 years to fully lock. Locking times depend on 3 factors: hair texture, density, and maintenance. Lines created due to twisting the hair will begin to fade as hair begins to mature. This process usually takes 6 months to 2 years.
Rosewater is great for those who are dealing with harsh water that is drying out their locs. The rosewater will add moisture to the locs while adding more luster and softness to the overall hair shaft. Vitamin A, C, D, E, and B3 are all present in rose water, which naturally nourish the hair and helps add that sheen.
The Teenage Stage or “Ugly Stage” of Locs
In the teenage stage, a few characteristics are unruly hair, and you may feel like your hair is shrinking or not growing lengthwise. The illusion of the lack of growth is because, during the teenage stage, your locs are becoming denser and they are tangling on the inside.
There are five stages of locs, namely the starter stage, budding stage, teen stage, maturity stage, and rooted stage. The entire stages can take 18-24 months upwards, after which you will be able to have the long, thick, and shiny locs you desire.
Palm rolls, two-strand twists, individual braids, and comb coils are all effective ways to begin the locking process. You can also move right into a loc look with a process like Sister Locks—the hair won't actually loc for some time, but it will give the appearance of being locked.
Strand twists are used in much the same way that braids are used to start dreadlocks. The basic idea is that the strand twists hold the hair so that the roots can begin locking. The natural hair in the strand twist eventually loosens and begins to dread as well.
With two-strand twists locs, you should retwist your hair every four or more weeks. If you prefer to interlock your new growth, do so every eight weeks or more. Two-strand twist starter locs can take anywhere from 6 months to a year or more to lock. They may start budding by month 3.
Brown Locs
The main cause of this is the sun dyeing your locs. As your locs mature, the older locs are exposed to more time in the sun. Thus, you'll see that the ends of the hair will be lighter than the hair closest to the root. I found for myself, that it became more apparent after three years of having locs.
That's why many people with dreads are looking for a solution to get their hair to loc quicker. One of the best ways to speed up the locking process is to use a lemon juice and sea salt solution.
In fact, water is the most effective ingredient for keeping your dreadlocks moisturized. A spray bottle filled with mostly water and a few essential oils will be your best defense against dry locs.
Dreadlocks, dreads, locks, locs — whatever your term of choice for them may be — are essentially sections of hair that haven't been combed, brushed, or handled at all, according to celebrity hairstylist Lavette Slater.
Ideally, you want your hair to be a minimum of 15 centimeters (or 6 inches), however, you can technically start dreads sooner if you're willing to invest the extra time in maintaining them during the early stages.
Traditional locs are meant to last a lifetime, while faux locs can be styled to last for four to six weeks. Faux locs can be an easier styling choice for anyone looking for less of a permanent commitment.
If you ask any dread head how many locs they have, the number will almost always be different. The average ranges between 40 and 75 but don't get your heart set on a number. I understand there are people who have great volume, neat locs, and long hair.
The repeated tension and pulling on your hair is the main reason for traction alopecia. Twisting your locs tightly, placing them in high buns, and pulling your hair back in ponytails are common reasons. As your hair grows, the weight of the hair can cause thinning and breakage.
For thick traditional locs, you should aim to create 20 – 50 total locs. The fewer locs you have, the thicker your locs will be. If you want your locs to be extremely thick, closer to 20 locs will be your best bet.
Limit hair products
Excessive hair products applied to your starter locs will cause it to unravel and cause build up. Thus, the use of small amounts of hair product is best at this stage.