Category: loc maintenance

Locs Roots: Will They Ever Be Fully Locked?

Locs loose rootsThe process of the hair locking still intrigues me to this day. It’s like our hair has sense to know that it should be locked in a certain form, even if you just leave it alone and don’t do any type of re-twisting. The roots however, will always have some looseness, since there’s always new growth.

 

Wondering About Your Loose Roots

Some people might think that it’s just common sense to know that the roots of locs will not keep locked, but if you are new to locs, you maybe ponder on this question a bit like I used to. Mostly because I  used to look at other people’s locs, and they look locked all the way up to the roots.

Budding Stage of Dreadlocks

When you start your locs journey, you will eventually reach to the budding stage, where you will notice that the hair starts locking from the middle or the ends (may vary for some people).  In my case, my locs started to lock in the middle. My ends took a longer time to lock.

Matured Locs and Roots

Although the roots won’t lock,  or stay locked, as your locs mature, you will notice that your hair will slowly lock upwards close to the root. If you don’t have new growth often, the hair will stay locked close to the roots for a longer time.

Training Your Locs Roots

Palm-rolling your locs in the direction that you started them in, will train your hair to lock closer to the roots. Some areas of my hair grow faster than the others, so I sometimes will have about an inch of new growth or unlocked hair, while in other areas, it’s less.

Why Are the Edges of My Locs Loose?

The edges of your locs will almost always be loose. Never force your edges to lock, by re-twisting them tightly, as this will result in thinning edges or bald edges.

Although the roots of  your locs will always be loose, when you get a fresh re-twist, they will look like they’re locked, but as soon as you wash your hair, they will have to be re-twisted again to get them looking locked.

Locs And Gray Hair: Color or Not to Color?

Whether we are ready to have them or not, gray hair will start to show their appearance at some point in our lives. The decision to color your locs when it starts to gray or to just simply embrace it, is a tough decision for some people.

To Color or Not to Color Your Locs

Some people might just want to age gracefully, others may want to stay away from the chemicals of some hair dyes. Making the decision whether to color the grays in your locs or not, depends on how  you feel about having gray hair. When all is said and done, it is up to you to do what makes you feel good about yourself.

Naturally Color Gray Locs

If you do decide to dye your locs, you can use a natural hair dye, so you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals. There are various different types of hair colors that are derived from natural organic herbs, that  can transform your grays into the desired color you’re looking for.

Slow Down Graying Locs

Although you’re able to color your gray locs, you still have to keep in mind that at some point, it’s going to grow out, so you will have to keep up with it, to keep the grays covered.

Pay attention to your vitamin intake such as folic and other B vitamins. If you are deficient in these vitamins, it can increase your chances of graying at a younger age, unless it’s hereditary. These B vitamins are known to slow down the graying process.

Can You Naturally Reverse Gray Locs?

According to some people, there are special blends of vitamins that are said to naturally reverse gray hair. With anything you’re doing, in order to get great results, there has to be consistency. So, the only way you’ll know if these vitamins can reverse gray hair, is to not give up until your goal is accomplished.

Choosing Color For Your Locs

For those of you who are planning on coloring  the grays in your locs, be sure to do your research first, to avoid any disaster, such as locs breakage or worse. Over-processing is another problem with traditional hair dyes, which can lead to hair-loss. Natural hair dyes are less likely to be a problem, unless you are allergic to it.

Sticking With the Grays

Having gray locs can be beautiful. Some people gray in patches, while others may have streaks or a little here and there. As long as you’re happy and comfortable with your grays, go ahead and rock them. They’re naturally yours.

Locs Care: Coping With Dry Scalp in Cold Winter Months

Now that the weather is colder, I’ve noticed that my scalp is drier than normal, resulting in white flakes. My scalp is not itchy, it’s just dry. In fact, I may not have noticed it, if it wasn’t in the front of my head. It suddenly hit me that I needed to adjust my haircare products to adjust to the changes in the climate.

Drying of the Scalp and Dreads in Cold Weather

Dry scalp in the winter is quite common, but some people mistake it for eczema or dandruff. If you get dry scalp mixed up with these other scalp issues, you  can make things worst by using the wrong hair products. These harsh products will suck the natural oils out of your scalp and cause irritation and scabs.

Cold Months Locs and Moisture

If you fail to moisturize your scalp during the cold months, dry scalp can become even drier and more irritated, leading to terrible itching, then the flakes will get trapped in your hair.

You know how bad that can be when you have locs. Walking around with white flakes stuck in your locs is just not cool. Neglecting your scalp when it’s cold, will just make things worse.

Natural Ways To Treat Dry Scalp Locs

There is no need to use harsh hair products to treat and prevent dry flaky scalp, when there are many more natural alternative options. Some of the natural oils that you may already have, can be used mixed or use alone, to apply to your scalp.

Locs Color Change in Cold Months

Another thing I’ve noticed with my locs since the weather turned cold, is that my hair color looks different. I don’t know if it’s because the moisture is being sucked out of it so fast that the color is changing as well.

Sometimes we just have to experiment and see what works best for our locs. This is important, since we all don’t have the same types of locs or hair-type. Some people have sisterlocks, others have freeform, thicker or thinner. Some hair may take a little more work to keep it healthy.