Loc it up! starter locs do’s and dont’s
In her Youtube video, “Starter Locs: Do’s & Dont’s From A Loctician”, natural hair stylist Courtney Grayton shares her professional advice to those who are starting their loc journey.
This one’s for the people thinking about entering the beautiful world of locs. The first part of the loc journey, known as the starter phase is an important stage that lays a strong foundation for your hair. If you’re not careful, you can damage your hair in the long run. Starting locs can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know how to properly care for them. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about starting your loc journey with finesse.
Do: tie your hair down at night
“Protecting your hair at night will decrease the amount of lint and breakage in your locs,” says Grayton. It’s important to use a scarf made from a soft, breathable fabric like silk or satin. These materials minimize friction, help retain moisture, and are gentle on your locs. By incorporating this simple practice into your nighttime routine, you can contribute to the overall health, appearance, and longevity of your locs.
Pro Tip: Use a satin or silk scarf to prevent your hair from drying out.
Do: Use a lightweight oil
Unlike heavy oils or waxes, lightweight oils do not leave a greasy residue or weigh down your hair. According to Grayton, “lightweight oils allow you to moisturize your hair more often, without the risk of buildup.”
Pro Tip: Grayton recommends using oils like jojoba, almond, and peppermint oil.
“I use the Alodia Hair and Scalp Oil, for all-day moisture to my locs and scalp. And, it smells like Fruity Pebbles!”
Do: Wash with a cap or band
There’s a lot of talk about when you should wash your hair after starting locs. Some say you can wash immediately, and some recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks. While this is all up to personal preference or a loctician’s advice, when you do decide to wash your locs, “washing with a cap or band reduces the amount of unraveling,” says Grayton.
Do: separate your locs
It’s common for locs to marry at the root, so “between retwists, separate your locs at the root to prevent them from fusing together.”
don’t: use heavy products
As stated before, “thick butters and creams can lead to build up in your locs.”
Pro tip: Use thinner products that melt completely down, like jojoba oil.
Don’t: retwist too often
Doing anything too much can be harmful, but when you apply this to locs, retwisting too often can cause breakage and thinning to your locs. Grayton recommends waiting at least 4 weeks between each retwist.
Pro Tip: Use headwraps or scarves to give the appearance of a fresh retwist.
don’t: wash as normal
Grayton recommends waiting at least 4 weeks before washing your hair to avoid reversing the loc process. However, how long you decide to wait before washing your baby locs is ultimately your decision. If you can’t wait that long to wash your hair, try using the cap method to prevent unraveling.
Pro tip: Stay away from deep conditioners as these products detangle hair.
don’t: wear tight styles
In the beginning stages with locs, experimenting with different styles can be a great way to switch up your look and to maintain retwists. However, it’s important to wear styles that are comfortable. “Tight styling puts too much tension and stress on the scalp, which can lead to irreversible damage to your locs,” advises Grayton.
the bottom line
The baby locs phase is a period of growth and discovery, so as long as you listen to your hair and follow these tips, your locs will grow healthy and strong!
