LESSONS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY LOC JOURNEY
Source: Unsplash
So you want locs? In my opinion, it is the best decision you can make in your natural hair journey. However, before you make this decision you want to know what you're getting into. So, what are locs?
Locs are a rope-like strands where your hair is put away and makes room for growth. When someone is truly sick of their natural hair being out, or they seek growth, some people choose to loc their hair for a few years or so, or for the rest of their lives.
Every person goes through the loc journey differently. If they start out with two strand twists or the comb coil strategy— starting your loc journey can be the most exciting, persistent, and lax experience anyone can have.
When I first started my loc journey, I was very excited! I wanted to get instant results and show off my new era in my natural hair. The more that I did research on the loc journey, the more I started to get scared of how I would look when I started my loc journey. I started off with two strand twists, as this would last longer, and was easier to manage. I thought that I made the biggest mistake in my life! I wanted to take them out as soon as I got home. However, I realized that this was all part of the process. Every intricate detail of my loc journey was necessary because I knew that it would be worth it at the end.
Now, I am starting to love my loc journey. Of course, my hair is not all the way loc'd yet, but it is getting there! The final stage of locs, also known as the Adult Stage are where the root of your loc is firm. This can occur between fifteen to eighteen months. This is also the stage where you can style your locs as much as you want.
Source: Unsplash
Even though I am in the beginning stages of locs, there is a lot I learned in the journey. Here are a five tips and tricks that I’ve learned in my loc journey so far:
1. Try Not To Style So Much
When you have starter locs, it is important that you don't style them so much. I know that the starter locs may look weird at first, but you don’t want to manipulate your locs so much. The more that you style your locs, the more that there's a chance that it will frizz easily and mess up the original style. The locs will not do what it needs to do if you style it. If you choose to style it, don’t do too much.
2. You Can Wash It With Only Two Things: Shampoo & Conditioner
Do you remember the days where you had to take an entire day to wash your hair. Pre-poo, shampoo, conditioner, wash out, deep conditioner, sit there for thirty minutes to an hour, wash out, let it dry, etc. Doing this took an entire day for you to maintain your hair.
Now that you have starter locs, guess what? The deep conditioning days are over! You can simply wash your locs with shampoo and conditioner and call it a day! Of course, try not to wash your starter locs too much. The locs are still in the baby stage where it is not all the way loc'd yet, so don't wash them as much. Then the locs will be ruined.
3. Protect The Locs At All Costs!
Wrap it up in a bonnet or a bandana so that the hair itself can be loc’d in with moisture. My suggestion is that you take your favorite oil and moisturize your scalp and locs. As long as your locs maintain that moisture, your locs are going to grow! Which leads me to the next tip:
4. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
Choose your favorite oil and moisturize your scalp and locs so it can maintain its health. It’s very important to moisturize, so that the locs won’t fizzle up and unravel.
5. Redo Your Locs Once A Month.
Of course, you want to maintain that clean look for your locs, but too many times, and you can lose your hair slowly and surely. Be sure to go to your loctician once a month to keep the locs clean and straight.
The loc journey can be the most tedious, yet beautiful process that anyone can go through. The loc journey teaches you about patience. It teaches you to take care of yourself more in your hair health. If you have consistency and patience, your locs can be the best thing you’ve ever did in your natural hair journey.