Learning Loc Patience

I actually began the journey to locs some time ago.  As with all things, being patient through the process was a little difficult. 

I wanted locs and I wanted them now!!!

I literally would check my twists every day to see if they were budding.  The disappointment I felt each day grated on my nerves.  I thought that if I tried some of those quick loc methods, my hair would loc within a few months, and I wouldn't have to wait an entire year to see "mature" locs. 

This thinking was crazy and non-realistic.  I had to learn that good things truly come to those that wait, and that if I wanted to ever be able to properly take care of my locs, I needed to patiently go through each stage of the loc process and learn the needs of my hair. 

So, as I begin the journey anew, I thought I'd share some things I’ve learned early on in my loc journey......

 

1:  Your hair will never look or feel or grow the same way someone else’s does. 

 

2:  Proper moisture is key.  It is a myth that newly formed locs do not need nourishment or moisture, or that not conditioning them is better for them.  Remember, natural hair needs to be properly moisturized or it will become dry and brittle.  Dry and brittle hair is not healthy hair.  While we do not want to over condition locs during the “infant” stage, applying conditioner is needed.   Try adding a little leave-in conditioner and light oil to your daily spritz.

 

3:  Wax of any kind is not good for the hair.  It places a heavy coating on the hair that weighs it down, and keeps moisture from penetrating the hair shaft properly.

 

4:  It is actually okay to trim your locs.  All hair has the ability to split, even loc’d hair.  However, it is unnecessary to clip those hairs that spring out of your locs from time to time.  A simple palm roll will help guide the hair back into the loc.

 

5:  Over manipulation of hair period, is never good.  Yes Locs can be versatile, however, one should be careful when styling locs.  Make sure to limit styles that put too much pressure on the loc, and also styles that keep the loc bent or twisted for long periods of time.  Pulling the hair back too often or too tightly can damage the hair line, as can retwisting too often or too tightly. 

 

6:  It is important to keep locs clean.  It is erroneous to think that locs do not require proper maintenance.  As important as it is to clean locs, it is also important to make sure locs dry thoroughly after shampooing and/or conditioning. 

 

7:  It is best to wrap the locs in fabrics that allow the locs to breath.  It is erroneous to think that natural fabrics such as cotton or wool damage the loc.  Truth is, both fabrics allow the hair and scalp to breathe, which is necessary to hair and scalp health.  Silk is another good natural fabric that will allow the loc and the scalp to breathe.  A few other natural fabrics are bamboo, linen, and hemp.  Synthetic fabrics DO NOT allow the hair and scalp to breathe.  This can retard the growth process, as well as cause damage to the hair.  Satin is not a natural or breathable fabric.  Satin is usually made solely of polyester which is made from petroleum, or it is a polyester/silk blend.  Whichever way it is created, it does not breathe.  It truly is like placing a blanket of petroleum on top of your head and expecting for air to penetrate it.  Does not happen.  Two synthetics that might be the exception are rayon and tencel/lyocell.  Both are made from wood pulp, called cellulose, and have been said to be breathable “synthetics” thanks to being made of natural fibers.   The thing to watch for, is that it is easier to find unblended rayon than it is tencel, as most clothiers tend to mix tencel with other natural fibers, such as cotton, to make it more breathable and more biodegradable.  The key to wearing cotton and wool is to keep the hair moisturized, as these materials do tend to absorb the moisture from the hair. 

 

8:  The loc process takes time.  There are a lot of methods being touted to loc the hair quicker.  Let your hair take its time to loc.  Enjoy the process.  Learn what makes your hair glad and what doesn’t.  In the end, you will appreciate your locs more and be better equipped to properly take care of them.