Frequently Asked Questions
What takes place during the loc consultation and is it really necessary?
Though you might think you know what you want, you might not know all that it takes to achieve your desired results. I truly think that a consultant is ideal for both the consumer and the loctician.
First, the consultation gives you a chance to interact with the stylist. It is important that the energy and spirit that your loctician has is a positive one. Just as in any relationship, it is important that the two of you feel comfortable with each other. Secondly, the consult will give the stylist a chance to truly access your hair and its condition. Anything that the stylist tells you without actually seeing your hair's texture, condition, length, etc. can only be a guess. Without accurate first-hand analysis, prices and recommendations maybe subject to change. Also, during the consultant, the stylist also can discuss their experience, your hair history and hair expectations, and give you details related to the entire process of the locing experience.
Do NOT take the consultation lightly. Your relationship with your loctician is an important one because they are helping you give birth to your hair aspirations. Additionally, during the loc consultation, I give you further take-home information about at home care/maintenance for the time in-between your visits.
Can natural hair styles be worn in Corporate America?
Yes! More than 65% of my clientèle work in industries that require a higher level of professionalism and/or professional attire. Understandably, at first, a lot of people are apprehensive when it comes to going natural. For example, for African-Americans, going natural requires them to strip away the European norms of "acceptable" and embrace their own hair, But truly, as with any style, keeping yourself groomed and manicured is the most important thing and this can be achieved with natural hair styles such as locs and twists. Ultimately, going natural is all about YOU being YOU for no one else but YOU!.
What are the different methods used to start locs?
A variety of techniques are utilized to help start locs. Techniques utilized to start lock include: two-strand twist, three-strand twist, comb coil twist, palm rolling, latch stitching, and individual braids. The technique and size selected ultimately depends on the texture and length of the hair. Other variables affect the loc start technique include hair's thickness, fullness, and versatility desired. Below is a description of various methods used to loc hair:
1. Palm Rolls: Hair is sectioned and rolled between the palms. This is usually achieved on hair that is longer than 2 inches. For best results, you should not wash your hair until it has started to dread. New growth is retwisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method.
2. Comb Coils: Hair is sectioned and is twisted into coils using a (rattail) comb. This is usually achieved on shorter hair. For best results, you should not wash your hair until it has started to dread. New growth is retwisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. When hair starts to dread will begin to not look like comb coils and may start to poof. Do not worry, this is all apart of the dreading process.
3. Two or 3-strand twist: Hair is sectioned and is twisted using a two or 3-strand method. This can be achieved on hair of any length (as long as it is grab-able). For best results, you should not wash your hair until it has started to dread. New growth is retwisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method.
4. Interlock locs (Latch hook locs): Hair is sectioned and a piece of yarn or thread is placed on the end of section to be loc'd. The section of hair is then interlocked using a 2, 3, or 4 point interlocking pattern. The locs can be made as small as desired. The thread (or yarn) used to secure the the bottom of the section will eventually loc into your hair. With this style you are able to wash your hair whenever you desire. The new growth is groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method. Alternatively, the new growth can be twisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. This method of locing takes a considerable amount of time to complete do to the extensive nature of the interlocking technique.(Similar to Sisterlocs and Brotherlocs)
5. Braidlocs: Locs started with braids. For the best results, you need to have 5-6 inches of hair. With this method, you are able to wash your hair anytime. Microbraidlocs can also be achieved using this method. Microbraidlocs utilize only your hair. Both Braidlocs and Microbraidlocs will dread. New growth is twisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method.
6. Extensions to Locs: This method is achieved on hair that has been styled in braids or twists that have hair extensions added to it. When the hair has grown out, the new growth is twisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method. The fake hair is not taken out for 4 to 5 months. New growth is twisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method.
7. Freeform Locs: This method is achieved by doing absolutely nothing to the new growth of the dreads (think Bob Marley). By nothing, we mean, you do NOT maintain (twist, latch, etc.) the new growth. You leave the new growth to it's own devices. With this method, dreads usually end up marrying at the root or develop congos. A congo is when 2 or more locs are locing together and you will see two or more locs at the end of the hair.
8. Loc Extensions: In this method, hair is (usually) braided and extension hair is wrapped around the braid to resemble a loc. You can keep the extension in or trim it as your locs grow out. New growth is twisted using a palm rolling or similar twisting method. Alternatively, the new growth can be groomed using the interlocking or latch hook method. Many people like this method because it gives the look of a matured loc instantly. There are various versions of the Loc extension, including: silky locs, nulocks, wool dreads, braid in dreads, genilocs, sew in dreads, crochet dreads, and kinky locs.
9. Backcombing: In this method the hair is usually a straighter/unkinky texture. Backcombing is a way of combing haie which is used to create volume as well as to create certain hairstyles. Backcombing (also known as "teasing" or "ratting") means repeatedly combing the hair towards the scalp, causing the hair to tangle and knot up. For best results, the hair should be at least shoulder length. With this method, the hair cannot be washed until it starts to loc. Because of the straighter texture, it may take 4-6 months for the hair to start to loc. During this time, the hair should NOT get wet. Some type of product, like wax or honey, is usually added to the hair to help facilitate the locing of the hair. Alternatively, this method can be achieved with a crochet needle.
What are the different stages of locs?
There are are 3 basic stages of locs:
1. Baby Locs: This is the stage when your hair is just starting to loc. This stage is not dependent on the method inwhich the locs are started. During this stage you DO NOT want to wash your hair because your hair has yet to loc. This stage lasts for a couple of months.
2. Teenage Dreadlocks: This is the stage of your locs when you have had the style for a few months and you now can wash and style your hair. The reason it is called the teenage stage is because like a teenager you hair will not want to do anything that you tell it. During this stage, the hair may be poofy and messy. There will be alot of frizzies. As your locs get tighter, the frizzies will eventually go away. This stage will last for a few months. Then you will be ready for the next stage. During this stage you do not want to condition your hair.
3. Adult Dreadlocks: This is the stage when you can do most things to your hair. During this stage, you can wash and condition your hair. You can now condition your hair. Also, during this stage your hair is the most obedient.
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What is the best way to switch from chemically treated hair (relaxer, curly perm, texturizer, etc.) to natural hair?
In essence, natural hair is hair that is chemical-free. The only way to become natural is to cut-off all of the chemically treated hair. Some people choose to do this all at once or over the course of a period while the natural hair grows in. Of course, many people are not bold enough to just chop off all of their hair, in an effort to become natural, however. So, the way you transition your hair from chemically treated to natural depends on the condition of your hair and your lifestyle. There are many options that can be undertaken in order to make the transition an easy one. These options include, getting hair braids, getting a weave, or using other forms of hair extensions. Depending on how long you want your hair, before you release it to public's eyes will determine how long you keep your hair in one or more of these transitional hairstyles. For the most part, you want a style that you can wear for a minimum of two to three months at a time. Each time you get your hair redone, be sure to have your stylist clip your ends. Also, it is important that during this period you make sure to use a daily conditioner everyday AND monthly deep conditioner once a month.
What are the different methods of achieving loc extensions?
Many people turn to loc extensions when they do not want to wait the 1-2 years to get the look of fully formed locs. Loc extensions can be done in a variety of methods. These methods are listed below:
1. Silky Locs: The hair is braided with synthetic extensions. Then more synthetic hair is wrapped around the braid. The finished product looks like a shiny loc.
2. Nulocks: The hair is braided in single braids using yarn. Up close, the braids look like braids. However, from far away they look like a locs.
3, Wool Dreads: The hair is braided in single braids with wool. The ends are left loose so the wool is visible.
4. Braid In Dreads: Already dreaded hair is used to braid your hair into singles braids. However, the hair only braided down half-way and the ends are loose so that the dreaded hair is visible.
5. Genilocs: The hair is braided in single braids using yarn. Then more yarn is used to wrap the braids.
6. Sew In Dreads--- Hair is cornrowed and a weft with pre-loc'd hair on it is sewed onto the cornrows. When complete, it looks like a full head of locs.
7. Crochet Dreads--- Hair is cornrowed. Then, individual locs are attached into the cornrow using a latch hook tool.
8. Kinkylocs: The hair is braided with human kinky hair.. Then more human kinky hair is wrapped around the braid. This method looks very realistic.
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