Locs are a great way to express yourself, but you need to take care of them. Locs can be damaged by many things, and there are several steps that you can take to keep your locks healthy and beautiful. Stay with me as I walk you through everything you need to know about common mistakes that will ruin your locs and signs of unhealthy locs.
What Can Damage Locs?
If you have a lot, you know that they can get damaged easily. This is because of the way hair is made and how it tends to get tangled. However, some external factors can damage your locks too:
- Water: The moisture in water damages the protective coating on your locks as well as their curl pattern. You should avoid getting water on your head when swimming and showering; instead, use a moisturizing shampoo before getting drenched so that it doesn’t ruin your hair like this photo shows.
- Sunlight: If exposed directly to sunlight for too long (more than an hour), normal human beings will start burning their faces off due to UV rays being emitted from both sides of these harmful waves coming at them all day long every day without fail! So please don’t do this ever again… Also, avoid tanning beds if possible since studies show them causing even worse damage than direct sunlight exposure would cause over time.”
Signs of Unhealthy Locs
Locs are a big commitment, and it can be hard to know when to take them out for maintenance. If you’re not sure whether your locks are in good condition, some signs will let you know.
The first sign of unhealthy loss is when they become tangled or knotted. You should be able to see the individual strands of hair, but it’s best to check if the roots are visible on each side of your head. If this is the case, you should untangle your hair before it becomes too knotted and unruly.
Another sign that your locks aren’t doing well is if they’re splitting instead of growing together. This can be a result of a lack of care or overstretching. Avoid straining them while wet with water or natural oils to avoid injury.
If you notice any signs of unhealthy locks like these, it’s time for some maintenance! You should always be gentle with your locks when taking them out for maintenance. Also, avoid pulling at them or trying to stretch them apart too far or too fast.
Also see: All You Need to Know About Getting Dreadlocks Hairstyle
What Should You Not Use on Locs?
- Don’t use a brush: The hair on your head is very fine and sensitive, so it needs to be protected from damage. Brushing loose hair against the surface of your scalp can cause breakage, especially if you’re using a cheap brush that isn’t made out of natural materials.
- Don’t use a comb: You might assume a comb would help you get rid of tangles, but it pulls natural oils from the hair follicles, causing them to frizz up and break off at the root when brushed. Instead, try just combing out any tangles with your fingers; it doesn’t take long before they’re gone.
- No blow dryers or flat irons either please!: These tools heat up too fast which will damage both yours AND mine because our heads are already fragile enough without adding heat onto those delicate strands.“
What Causes Locs to Break?
- Too much manipulation.
- Using the wrong products.
- Using too much product in your locs and not moisturizing properly afterward.
- Not washing often enough, causing dryness and breakage.
- Using heat on your locks can harm them over time, especially for elderly women who may not be able to do it safely.
Do and Don’ts of Locs?
- Do not use a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron on your locks.
- Do not use heat to style your locks.
- Do not use a brush on your locs.
- Do not comb your locks.
- And finally, do not use any styling products on your locks.
Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Locs
I’m going to be honest: I’ve never been a big fan of locs. My hair is naturally curly and kinky, so it just doesn’t lie down as other people’s hair does. But if you’re someone who loves them. Then this article is for you! We’ll go over some common mistakes that will ruin your hair and what you should do instead so your locks stay healthy for years to come.
#1. Coloring Them Yourself
The first thing to know is that you should never dye your locks yourself. If you do, it can damage the hair and cause them to break off more easily. If you don’t know how to dye or henna your hair, this could also ruin it.
#2. Tying Them in Knots
If you’re one of those people who likes their locks tied in knots, you might think that it’s necessary to do this. But here’s the thing: Tying your hair in knots can cause it to break off and get matted. In addition to damaging your hair, knots damage your hair and make it tougher to clean and dry it naturally.
If there was no way to avoid having loose ends hanging from your head all day, why not just tie them up? “Loose ends hanging down from the head” means “unsteady or unevenly twisted strands that could fall out.”
#3. Not Moisturizing Enough
If you don’t moisturize your locks, they will dry out and be damaged by the sun. This is a mistake that many people make because it’s so easy to forget about moisturizing your locks every day. But if you do this, your hair won’t look as good and will not be as healthy as it could be.
On active days, apply a lightweight moisturizer like Vaseline, while on non-active days, use a stronger one like petroleum jelly.
#4. Washing Too Frequently
Washing your locks too frequently will cause them to dry out and break. If you’re like me and have curly or wavy hair, you might need to wash your locks every other day.
How often you should wash depends on the type of treatment used on your locs. For example, acrylic or silk-blend extensions may last longer than chemically colored synthetic extensions (this includes all colors).
What Should I Do to My Locs Every Day?
- Wash your hair.
- Condition your hair.
- Use a leave-in conditioner to coat your hair ends. Rinse with warm water after 1 hour (you can also do this right after washing). Bumble and bumble’s Volumizing Styling Creme can help fill in thinning or bald spots! This will enhance thickness and fullness without thinning your natural curls or kinks etc.
How to Keep Locs From Marrying
Locs tend to marry. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence in hair loss, but there are ways to prevent the hair from getting stuck together.
One of the most common mistakes that people make when growing locs is not combing them out properly. This can lead to knots and tangles that are difficult to untie. If you have many that have been married or left alone for too long, try using a comb with a wide tooth pattern or one that has thick teeth. Make sure you thoroughly comb them out before putting up your loss so they don’t get stuck together again.
Another mistake that people make when growing their locs is not moisturizing them enough. Moisturizing your locs with coconut oil once a week will ensure that they stay soft and healthy throughout the year. Coconut oil is a great conditioner and hydrator for our hair, as well as an anti-frizz agent that keeps our strands looking healthy and shiny all year.
If you find yourself needing more moisture in your hair, there are plenty of other essentials available at local beauty supply stores such as coconut oil or shea butter which can be applied directly to your scalp or hairline to help keep those strands hydrated without weighing.
Does Retwist Make Your Locs Longer?
The first thing to know about retwisting is that it doesn’t make your locs longer. Retwisting helps keep your locks together and prevents them from breaking. It also keeps them healthy, so you won’t have a bald spot in the middle of your head.
Unfortunately, some people think that retwisting will make their locks grow faster or longer than they are—but this isn’t true at all. If you want to grow out your locs naturally without using chemicals or other products. There are also methods to do it without adding stressors, such as braiding or retwisting.
Can I Retwist My Locs Every 2 Weeks?
The answer is no; you cannot retwist your locs every two weeks. Locs can be very fragile, and if you retwist them too often, they will break. Retwisting your locs causes the hair to thin out and become weaker, which means that it will break easier when under stress (like after a shampoo). It also causes the hair to get tangled in knots that are hard to untangle later on. Finally, retwisting too often can cause your locks to break off entirely.
How Often Should You Wash Your Locks?
It’s best to avoid washing them too often, as this can damage the hair and cause it to become brittle. However, you’ll want to consider how much time has passed since the last time you washed them. If it’s been a few weeks or more since your last shower, then go ahead and give them a good rinse with lukewarm water (no soap). Then dry them off with a towel and let them air dry for about 30 minutes before retwisting them into position again.
Summary
The most important thing to remember when styling your locks is to always make sure you’re using the right products and tools. If you follow these tips, there’s no reason why you can’t keep both your locs and your wallet happy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Locs
How do you keep locs from growing together?
Pull them apart at the roots, isolate them, and get them crocheted or maintained regularly.
How long do freeform dreads take?
Between six and twelve months to fully grow.
References
- www.curlynikki.com – 4 Common Mistakes that Will Ruin Your Locs
- www.melangeafrica.com – KEEPING YOUR LOCS: 4 MISTAKES TO AVOID
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