Loc MaintenanceIf you are wearing cultivated locs, you will need to maintain or "tighten"
your roots periodically as they grow in, in order to help them loc. If you choose
not to do this, your roots will most likely still loc, however they may not take
on the same shape as the rest of your locs. There are two basic approaches to
tightening your new growth; with a tool, or without a tool. With A Tool Nappy
Locs are usually maintained using the Nappy Locs tool and the Nappy Locs method.
The same can be said for Sisterlocks (tm). Bradelocz are maintained using a latch
hook, which can be purchased at any beauty supply or craft store. This is the
same latch hook that can be used to make handmade rugs...or attach weaves. With
the Bradelocz method, you use the latch hook to pull each loc through the new
growth several times, which "tightens" the new growth and allows it
to blend in with the rest of the loc. Here's a summary of the method: 1)
Place the latch hook through the new growth of a loc horizontally from left to
right; the latch hook it should be parallel to the floor. 2) Use the hook
to grasp the end of that loc. Close the latch. 3) Pull the latch hook out
of your new growth, the same way you went in. 4) This is the first "pass"
of the latch hook; you should have essentially pulled the entire length of your
loc through your new growth. 5) Repeat the process, going vertically from
bottom to top, and proceed until the new growth is tight - but not too tight. If
you need more details and photos, check out the Bradelocz
book. a more detailed description of the process can also be found here. The
advantage of using the "with a tool" methods is that there is no unravelling
and you don't need to use any products. The tightening can be done on dry hair
and in sections as you have time. Without A Tool Your locs
can be maintained beautifully using little more than your best tools - your two
hands. Twisting and palm rolling will create uniform cylindrical locs when done
correctly. Here's how it's done: 1) Start with damp hair, either after washing
or using a spray bottle. 2) Apply a small amount of gel to the new growth. 3)
Palm roll the loc between flat hands, using no more than one or two passes to
avoid putting stress on the hair. 4) Use a metal clip to hold the loc in
place as it dries. The advantage of working without tools is there is usually
no worry about damaging your locs or accidently latching them together. Palm rolling
also typically creates a very uniform loc. Locs maintained with tools can also
be uniform, but may require a bit more practice. Check out Thierry Baptiste's
Starter Loc and Pin Curl DVD's for step
by step instructions. Tips - You can switch between
maintaining your locs with a tool and without a tool. To reduce the chance of
damaging your locs, switch methods no more than once or twice for as long as you
wear locs.
- Twist your locs no more than every two weeks, and every
four to eight weeks as they mature.
- You can switch between maintaining
your locs and freeforming. Simply stop tightening your roots. You will need to
pull your locs apart after washing to avoid "marrying."
- If
you don't maintain your locs or pull them apart, they will "marry" ie
join together. Once this happens, you will need to gently pull or sometimes even
cut (please don't rip) them apart.
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