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.
Overtwisting, or under twisting our locs can be damaging to our locs, and can leave us with some maintenance issues down the line. If you want to achieve the locs of your dreams, the products you use and how often you twist is everything (or nearly everything.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“To maintain your twist out for a longer period of time you can either retwist nightly or try the pineapple—or gathering hair at the top of the head—style. This depends on your hair length,” says Rodriguez. “If you have shorter hair, it may be best to retwist every night to maintain your hairstyle.
Well, not retwisting your locs can actually cause thinning if your hair texture and hair health cannot withstand the process. In fact, it is a common misconception—one that I've subjected myself to in the past— that not retwisting creates thicker locs.
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.
As compared to loose hair, particularly afro-textured hair, locs seem to grow far faster. It isn't really true that loc'd hair grows faster; it just maintains all of its growth. 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.
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.
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.
Classic dreadlocks are usually 1,2 - 1.5 cm thick.