Learn how to care for budding locs with expert advice.
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Locs, aka dreadlocks, come in various styles, shapes, and sizes.
Locking happens in stages: starter, budding, teen, mature, and rooted.
Budding locs are one of the beginning phases that can present challenges for new loc wearers.
Marisa Peal is a licensed cosmetologist and natural hair expert atOrganixLocsin Pennsylvania.
What Are Budding Locs?
The timeline to form varies by hair texture, length, and thickness.
New growth is a sign that locs are entering the budding stage.
But too much manipulation at this stage can cause the locs to unravel and break.
So, hair in the budding loc phase may feel unruly.
After all, the hair is knotting itself.
Moisture may be trapped inside the loc and not on its surface.
It is natural to feel and see lumps in the locs, especially where older hair meets new growth.
However,thinning rootsand uneven locs are signs of a problem.
Difference Between Budding Locs and Other Locs
Budding locs are not a style of loc.
Instead, they are just one stage in a larger loc journey.
The initial starter phase can be a bit of a honeymoon.
The hair is freshly styled and oiled.
The parts are perfect, and depending on the length of the hair, it lays flat.
Essentially, the hair appears manicured.
Can Loc Budding Be Done Yourself?
Every four to eight weeks, some people choose to visit a loctician, a hairstylist specialized in locs.
What Hair Types Should Get Budding Locs?
All hair types can loc.
However, hair pop in and texture will affect the time it takes to loc and the final look.
According to experts, the more coily the hair, the faster it will loc.
Thefiner or straighter the hair, the longer it will take.
Its also important to note that distinct hair types need different tools and products to achieve loc results.
Remember, the budding period can require a mind over matter attitude.
The locs may not look how you originally envisioned.
After all, the hair is learning a new way of growing and thriving.
Retwisting Budding Locs
With budding locs, creating a retwisting routine for new growth is essential.
Retwisting is recommended after every four to six weeks.
After a few retwists, you should be out of the budding stage.
Here are a few tips you’re free to follow when retwisting your budding locs.
once you nail finished retwisting, secure the hair with a double-prong clip until the entire head is done.
Only remove the clips when the hair is fully dry.
Use mousse to add an extra protective layer of moisture.
Do not avoid retwisting, as it can cause the parts to converge and the locs to interjoin.
When in doubt, consult a loctitian.
In reality, all hair, including locs, must be adequately maintained to thrive.
When your locs start sprouting, don’t rush to retwist immediately.
Instead, accept that this is part of the journey.
you could always consult a loctician for guidance.
It takes time for locs to thicken and for the thinner ends to match the thicker roots.
Some people report the process taking as much as six months.
A key to encouraging thicker locs is to leave hair alone and avoid overmanipulating it.
Over-styling or retwisting too often can cause tension and trigger thinning.
