Thinking about getting locs? Read this first

Lockdown had us pining for the hairdressers, saving hair inspo left, right and centre, and dreaming of all the new looks we would try out once normality resumed. One style that kept catching our eye was locs; a hairstyle that’s becoming ever more popular with both men and women who want to show off their natural hair with pride – in a stylish and easy to manage way.

Although locs are pretty low maintenance, there are some things you need to know when it comes to starting and caring for your locs. Loc expert Deborah at La Aibamania gave us the lowdown on the top three things to bear in mind; here’s what she had to say.

By Louise Carleton

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  1 How to start your locs

  'Any type of hair can do locs but the length of time it takes for the hair to become blended properly varies from person to person’ explains Deborah. There are three different ways you can start your locs, these are:

  • Comb twisting
  • Hand-pressed twisting
  • Instant locs

  For comb twisting and hand pressed twists you’ll need to wait 2 to 3 months before you can wash them. They may also look rough in the beginning and while Deborah can speed up the process by blending the hair with a locs machine, patience is key. As you start your locs make sure you don’t overtwist or interlock them as this can weaken the hair.
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  2 How to care for your locs

  Less is more when it comes to locs and Deborah advises to just wash, separate and let them be! But it’s also important to keep your scalp healthy by limiting the use of oil products on the scalp. ‘A buildup of oil and sweat can clog the roots’ she explains, ‘if this happens use apple cider vinegar mixed with shampoo and water to cleanse the roots.’ Deborah also suggests avoiding creamy shampoos when it comes to washing as this can leave a residue on your hair. But Deborah’s biggest piece of advice for looking after locs, and natural hair in general, is drink plenty of water and look after your body. ‘Good nutrition and inner health is going to give you healthy hair’ she explains.
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  3 How to keep your locs hydrated

  Hydration is key for healthy hair. Deborah suggests spritzing water onto your locs, especially on dry or sunny days. ‘You can also add a light oil, like olive or avocado, and a few drops of essential oil to water and spritz this on your hair’ she advises. She also recommends herbal treatments such as boiling bamboo, sage or nettle leaf and applying the water to your hair to help lock in moisture. A good hot oil treatment and a head massage is another way to keep locs moisturised and relieve any tension in the scalp. Hydrating your locs is especially important if you colour your hair so make sure you’re booking regular treatments to keep it hydrated and healthy.

  With Treatwell, you can book hair online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Find amazing salons in your area.