In the early months of the locking process, it is important to cultivate or retwist the hair once a month, regardless of the sizing you want the locs to ultimately be. For me, even though I'm aiming for thick locs, I still have been retwisting my locs about every 4-5 weeks.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss and the most common reason for thinning dreadlocks. 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.
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.
Hair that is normally shed in the growth process and hair that breaks off at the ends due to manipulation are all retained within the loc. Your locs get to hold that whole ½ inch every month! With care and an avoidance of harmful practices, your locs could potentially grow up to six inches in one year.
You can wash your teenage locs as often as you like because your hair is already locked. Oily hair types should try to wash around once a week.
You will want to regularly (every two to three weeks) wash and detox hair to remove any products, oil, or debris trapped in the strands and scalp. Of course, if you workout a lot, you might want to wash more frequently than every two to three weeks.
Avoid getting your hair wet or washing it with any products in the first two to four weeks, as you may loosen some hairs and negatively affect the neat appearance of your dreads. Once about a month has passed, you are free to wash your dreads as needed.
Jojoba oil
In addition to preventing breakage and adding shine to your locs, this oil can aid stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, thus helping your hair grow longer and stronger. However, don't use it too often or in large quantities as this might cause buildup on the scalp.
That said, you'll still need to moisturize on a daily basis if you want the protective style to do its job. Be sure to spritz a leave-in conditioner over your hair daily and use hair oil on your scalp to keep your hair soft and healthy.
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.
After you decide to have locs, the next big decision is what size you'll choose. However you section your hair, your locs will grow a little smaller than that. Over time, you may find that your locs compress even further.
Classic dreadlocks are usually 1,2 - 1.5 cm thick.
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.
Frizz is an inevitable part of the loc journey and process. Frizz is a sign that your hair is growing and maturing in a healthy manner. Your frizz is needed to continue to form the loc as the hair begins to take the shape, form and mat itself together.
Usually, with soft, curly or fine textures of hair, not retwisting your locs is damaging. One of the biggest problems you'll encounter if your texture is not able to semi-freeform is your hair growing away from your locs. As the hair grows away from the locs, you will experience thinning and sometimes breakage.
The locs process is one that takes patience and maintenance as it takes time to go from the baby stage to the adult stage (approximately 21 months plus in total), but don't let this put you off. Locs are beautiful and worthwhile!
Is it better to retwist dreads wet or dry? Both hairstylists, Erinn Courtney and Chimere Faulk, agree that retwisting wet hair is both easier and better for your hair. Wet hair is more elastic and malleable to twist, says Courtney, whereas twisting dry hair can cause breakage and damage.