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.
The best length to start dreads when using instant locs is about 5-6 inches of hair. Ideally, you will want to use much longer hair, perhaps 7 inches. Often instant locs may be stiff and having longer hair will help your dreads to fall nicely.
On average, moving through all these stages can take upwards of 18-24 months; but depending on your texture, density, product usage, and hair care regimen, your hair may move quicker or slower throughout the locking process.
6 to 12 months: Budding phase of the Loc Journey
Also known as sprouting, the budding phase is the miraculous moment when the magic starts becoming obvious as you might notice your new growth is puffy.
The starter loc stage lasts anywhere from a few months to 6 months on average. The length of time this stage will last for you may differ from the next person, depending on your hair type and how you care for 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.
Wash your dreads once every 2 to 3 days with a residue-free shampoo. Keeping your dreads clean will actually help them lock faster and stay locked. Dirty, unmaintained dreads will start to smell and become fuzzy or uneven. Use shampoo that contains no residue as well as no preservatives or additives.
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.
If you choose to get it done at a salon or with a freelance loctician, the length of time depends on the technique used and the length of your hair. The loctician will take anywhere between 3 hours up to 8 hours.
A few ways to prevent some of the unravelling include, sleeping with a satin bonnet or loc sock, asking your loctician for suggestions or being more gentle when you wash your hair. You will be in the "baby" stage for approximately 9 months. It will be shorter or longer depending on your hair type.
In general, thicker and more tightly coiled hair locs faster.
What is Loc Budding? When your locs start budding that means your hair is beginning to tangle inside the loc and form its own internal loc matrix. The internal Loc matrix is essentially a net within the locs that catches all of your naturally shed hair.
When your hair is damaged, whether from heat damage or chemical damage, this causes your hair to have a high porosity level which results in a lack of moisture retention. Consequently, when your hair is lacking moisture it causes the hair to constantly remain in a state of frizz. The answer to damaged hair is NOT oil.
Sure, you don't need to brush or comb your hair when you have locs, but the maintenance makes up for it. Wash days can be a bit more lengthy, and you'll need to re-twist your hair every three to six weeks depending on how long you've had them for.
The average number of locs for an adult head ranges 40 to 110 depending on what size they are.
Leave your hair alone.
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!
When to Wash Baby Stage Locs
If you're just getting started with the baby stage, you should wait around 4-6 weeks before carefully washing your hair. You can go even longer than that if you feel you need to, but don't go longer than 3 months.
Make sure to spray your locs as much as possible and as often as you need to. Remember to do this at least daily or once every two days.
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.
Washing regularly is key to growing a healthy head of dreads, as shampooing actually helps dreads lock tighter, faster by removing slippery, detangling natural oil buildup.
This translates into an appointment every two (2) weeks for optimal care of the locs. With palm-rolling, you must be careful. The constant re-twisting and twisting too tight, can weaken the strands and cause locs to break off.
There is no need to introduce moisture to your locs every single day, especially if your hair doesn't need it. You should only do it on a need-to basis, meaning when they start to feel dry or brittle. You also need to use the right product.
USING CONDITIONER ON LOCS
These products work great when you have loose natural hair, or even relaxed hair, where the goal is to minimize tangles, reduce frizz, and smooth the hair. However, with loc'd hair the use of cream-based conditioners on locs can slow down your progression through the stages of hair locking.
Wash your hair once a week.
Dreads need regular washing starting two weeks after being created. Do not wash your dreads every day, as this can adversely affect their growth, but make a point of washing them once a week. For the best results, look for shampoos specifically designed to wash dreads.