Whether you are starting your loc journey or are a veteran
of the loc game. Locs are beautiful and unique to each individual. Your locs
won’t look just like anyone else’s. Kind of like how not everyone looks just like
another person, well unless you are a twin, triplet or quadruplet, etc. so your
locs won’t look exactly like another. Your hair is individually specific to
you. Own it and make it fit you, enhance you, and crown you!
On your loc journey you will encounter several phases. I will
elaborate on each of the following phases: (1) Budding (2) Locking/ Teen (3) Mature and (4) Senior Locs. There are also
several mini milestones in between: (A) Hang Time (B) Mickey Mouse Ears (C) OMG, their touching my neck (D) Full Ponytail (E) Top of Back (F) Mid back (G) lower back & (H) butt length or
longer; these are all exciting mile markers in your amazing loc journey.
Budding
The first phase of the loc’ing process, this is when you
begin to feel a small round hard spot in your hair. Locs begin to lock in the
middle first. Then they start to loc towards the ends and afterwards it grows
towards the scalp but never locking there. The hair growing from the scalp has
to be groomed. Your hair should start to
bud, within usually 2-3 months, with the help of a professional loctician. You say, “Well, my hair is so frizzy”. This is caused because your hair is starting
to wrap around it’s self to give you that loc look. “But why does my scalp itch like crazy?” During
this phase you will notice more itching, especially if you were shampooing your
hair on a regular basis, like once a week. Don’t fret; your scalp is in shock.
It’s used to getting cleaned once a week and now it’s been 3-4 weeks and the
itching is just its way of screaming for water and shampoo. Nothing a little peppermint and tea tree oil
can’t fix. Spray your scalp with oil
mixture, then take a steaming hot towel and rub through parts.
Locking / Teen
This is the phase where your hair is beginning to take on
the look and shape of locs. By this time, which is usually after 5-6 months,
you will need to do loc shearing (should ONLY be done by a trained
professional) or interlocking to help remove or intertwine those frizzy hairs
from or into each loc. This process will help to create a more defined loc look.
(Everyone may not need this service, just depends on your curl pattern) This
phase is where you will reach the following mile markers: (A)“Hang Time”
YEAAAAHHH, *does dougie!!! LOL – This is where your locs will dangle and have a
little weight. (B) Mickey Mouse Ears-
this is where you will be able to pull the locs in the front into 2 small
ponytails your the locs will kind of stand up and stick out resembling “Mickey
Mouse Ears”. (C) OMG, they’re touching
my neck- will fall in line with the Mickey Mouse Ears and/or the last mile
marker of (D) Full Ponytail- When you are able to pull all your locs into a
ponytail. WooHooooo *does praise dance while shimmying, Your locs will be in
this phase up until they get about just above shoulder length.
Mature Locs
Here your locs will be about shoulder length – (E) top of back and (F) mid back, milestones. Locs in this phase will enjoy the plethora of
styling options. Most will say this is the perfect length for locs. I consider
this the fun phase. Play in your hair; explore what styles fit you best. Your loctician will be able to style your locs
in a flattering manner. Sometimes people
will try color in this phase as some get bored with their hair at this point.
So to spice things up color is introduced either via highlights of full on
color via professional loctician. Have fun with your locs, for they compliment
you and speak to your personal style
Senior Locs
Locs that are lower back and longer in length; which at this
point your locs are beyond maturity, are considered to be in the Senior Loc
phase. Color is also introduced in this
phase to give a new life to your hair. In this phase locs will have a few down
sides. Locs can and will feel heavy,
more so when they are wet. As because of weight of hair can sometimes cause
neck problems. The other “issues” are sitting on them, neck trap – this is when
you go to turn your head and can’t because your back is resting on your locs,
and here’s a big one, when sleeping in bed with your spouse or loved one they
will often lay on your hair if it is not tied up. So getting up in the middle
of the night to use bathroom, may become a task of trying to get out of bed
then being immediately jerked back b/c you haven’t pushed your mate off your
hair. LMAO! Some people will decide to cut or trim hair in this phase. You may
also notice thinning at the scalp, especially if you are not seeing a trained
loctician on a regular basis. To prevent thinning at the scalp interlocking is
recommended to keep bases strong and pull in unlocked hairs. With this length
hairstyles will become bigger/bulkier for updo’s. Depending on your style
choice and comfortableness you may also be limited on hair designs. I see many people rock really fabulous styles.
So if you like big hair this is where fun truly comes in.
Locs are fun, stylish, fashionable at any length. Along with regular professional loctician
visits your locs will be healthy and creatively designed to fit your personal
needs, wants & personality! Your locs can live a long exciting life as long
as you care for them as you do your health. Just S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air
H.ealthy.