When you start your locs, you may think that you only need to worry about locing new growth. However, soon you may find your locs unraveling. Unfortunately, there is maintenance that’s necessary to stop it.
Ironically, even when you decide you want locs, your hair can take a bit to catch on to the idea! Luckily, below are some tips to help facilitate the locing process and prevent damage to your hair.
Why Locs Unravel
Starter locs unravel, because your hair takes the path of least resistance. When we create locs, we’re manipulating our hair, and our hair naturally tries to revert back to its original position. Typically, locs unravel most at the ends, but they also unravel at the roots. The looser your hair texture is, the more likely it is to unravel. However, all textures can support locs, so the important thing is learning how to manage it.
What Not to Do
Knowing what not to do is just as important as what you should do when it comes to preventing unraveling locs.
Not Wash Your Locs
Probably the most common advice for those with started locs is to avoid washing your locs to prevent locs unraveling. However, this just will give you an itchy scalp with product buildup. Read on to the “what to do” section for some tips on washing starter locs.
Use a Lot of Heavy Product
Another piece of well meaning advice is to use a lot of thick product to seal your ends. However, thick gels and creams often lead to product build up. That can then make your locs feel crunchy or greasy due to excess product.
**Top 3 Methods to Combine Your Locs**
What to Do to Stop Locs from Unraveling
Braid Ends of Your Locs
If your locs keep unraveling, you can braid the ends. Braids are more secure than twists or comb coils. You may end up with a slight braid pattern at the end your hair, but it’s also common for the braid pattern to fade – particularly with kinkier hair textures.
Large Temporary Braids/Twists
You can also do larger braids or twists to keep your individual locs secure. This helps prevent more movement and secure your hair. I recommend doing this as well if you have problems with unraveling locs after washing. Creating large braids or twists before gently washing your hair can help reduce unraveling locs.
Consistent Retwist at The Ends
Your starter locs naturally want to unravel at the ends. Thus, there is some acceptance that’s needed. You can keep a consistent schedule by retwisting the ends more frequently than you do your new growth. This is important as you may retwist 2-3x a week your ends, but you do not want to have that frequency for the hair on your scalp. Your hair does not grow that fast. Even if the hair on your scalp is loose, it does not mean it’s new growth. Instead, it can just be locs that have unraveled slightly at the root.
Salt Water Spray
While most people do not need products for their hair to loc, some (particularly those with looser hair textures) may benefit from some extra help. In that case, I would recommend salt water spray. You can make it yourself. You want to be careful as it does dry your hair. I’d recommend using a spray and silk scarf at night to get the benefits of the salt water spray while negating some of the moisture loss.
Thread your locs
I used this method for a stubborn loc I combined that kept unraveling. What I did there was use black thread to tie the loc together. About 2-3 months later, I pulled it out.
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Overall, dealing with unraveling locs is very much part of the locing journey. It can feel frustrating, but remember, even with the unraveling your hair is still making progress towards locing. What about everyone else – how have you dealt with unraveling hair in your locs journey?
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