Loc Journey - Understanding the Loc'ing Process

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.