Why do locs swell?

The Teenage Stage or “Ugly Stage” of Locs

Once your hair has fully budded, across the entire length of the locs, and they've swelled up to almost twice their original size, you have entered the teenage stage.

Why do locs get puffy?

During the budding phase, you might notice that your new growth is puffy and on the fuzzy side. "During this stage, your hair will start to stick or matte together at the tops of your coils after shampooing," Faulk notes.

Will my locs swell?

One or both of your lips can swell due to a buildup of fluid or inflammation within the tissue. Swelling can result from infections, inflammation, or trauma. Although it depends on the cause, lip swelling is often brief and disappears quickly, such as when you have sunburnt or chapped lips.

How do you tell if your locs are budding?

2. Budding Stage/ Sprouting Stage. The Budding Stage (also known as the Sprouting Stage), occurs roughly six to twelve months into your locs journey. This is when you'll start to notice that your hair isn't unravelling when you wash it and notice your new growth, which will look a bit fuzzy and fluffy.

How long does it take for locs to swell?

From the beginning size when they were really skinny to swelling up to almost twice their size, they will now start constricting and be a lot more dense rather than puffy. As you can see, it can take anywhere from 12 to almost 36 months to enter the adult stage of locs, which is why patience is key.

Your Dreadlocs WILL Thicken Up! (Loc Tips)

Should I spray my dreads with water?

In fact, water is the most effective ingredient for keeping your dreadlocks moisturized. A spray bottle filled with mostly water and a few essential oils will be your best defense against dry locs.

Why do my locs look frizzy?

Frizz is an inevitable part of the loc journey and process. Frizz is a sign that your hair is growing and maturing in a healthy manner. Your frizz is needed to continue to form the loc as the hair begins to take the shape, form and mat itself together.

How often should you Retwist locs?

That being said, a typical retwist should/could last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. But again, it will depend on how you take care of your locs. Your retwist can last longer, it can even last for months, if you make all the right moves to make your retwist last longer.

How often should I wash my locs?

Washing, moisturizing, and protecting your dreads will ensure your hair grows well and stays healthy. You will want to regularly (every two to three weeks) wash and detox hair to remove any products, oil, or debris trapped in the strands and scalp.

Do locs get thicker over time?

Throughout the stages in which dreads mature, they will get thicker AND thinner. The thickness and length will fluctuate a lot during the first year or two because the hair is becoming matted. Healthy dreads should be a little bit thicker than when you started them once they're fully mature.

What should you not use on locs?

How do you keep your locs healthy?

How often should I spray my dreads with salt water?

How often should I use salt spray on locs? To avoid long-term damage, I recommend you use the spray only as often as you wash your hair. If you wash your dreads once every 7 to 10 days, then spray it around your hair on the day you wash them, always BEFORE you wash them (so that you can wash it out).

Should I oil my locs everyday?

There is no need to introduce moisture to your locs every single day, especially if your hair doesn't need it. You should only do it on a need-to basis, meaning when they start to feel dry or brittle.

How do you keep locs hydrated?

What does rose water do for locs?

Rosewater is great for those who are dealing with harsh water that is drying out their locs. The rosewater will add moisture to the locs while adding more luster and softness to the overall hair shaft. Vitamin A, C, D, E, and B3 are all present in rose water, which naturally nourish the hair and helps add that sheen.

Why do I have little balls at the end of my locs?

There are generally two reasons that a ball forms at the ends of your locs. Either the loc is sealing or it is shedding. Sealing. When your locs are maturing and growing through the locking process you will notice the ends of your locs clumping together and tangling.

Why do locs bud?

When your locs start budding that means your hair is beginning to tangle inside the loc and form its own internal loc matrix. The internal Loc matrix is essentially a net within the locs that catches all of your naturally shed hair.

Are dreads and locs the same thing?

A notable difference between locs and dreadlocks is that one is a hairstyle and the other is a lifestyle. Locs are cultivated, but dreadlocks aren't. Dreadlocks also often stem from Rastafarian beliefs, which use the style to separate believers from the rest of society.

How do you tell if your locs are growing?

The most noticeable sign of matured locs is that they lie flat against the scalp, and hang down. They're firm to the touch, and can't be unravelled easily at their tips. Because they're mature, you won't need to retwist your new growth as often since the untwisted hair will be weighed down by the locs themselves.

Do locs grow faster?

The good ole “do dreadlocks grow faster” confusion. At first glance this may seem like the case, but it's really not and no matter how much evidence seems to prove otherwise, locs do not inherently grow faster than any other style of natural hair.