There are so many different styles of locs, and it can be daunting to figure out what kind you should get. That’s why I’ve compiled this guide of some of the most common loc styles. It’s important to know how the locs will look, the process to start and maintain them, and any other pros and cons.
There are also many different installation techniques, from palm rolling and twists, to interlocking and back-combing. The installation technique used for your locs will depend on the style you choose, as well as your stylist and your hair texture.
Most loc styles are intended to last for months, years or even decades – with the proper maintenance, of course! Locs need to be washed regularly and moisturised, although you don’t want to overdo it with the products, in case it begins to build up. It’s also good to be cautious with how you manipulate the locs, as too much tension at the roots can lead to hair loss and scalp scarring.
Starting a loc journey can be quite intimidating, but don’t be afraid! If you’ve done enough research and/or consulted a stylist, you’ll be golden.
Sister locs
Sister locs are a fairly modern style, as they were first developed in the nineties. They have since exploded in popularity and now, black women are rocking this style worldwide! Sister locs are thin, neat, and great for anyone in a professional environment. They’re done using a special tool to weave the hair into a loc, with the locs layed out in a specific grid pattern. Due to their small size and the technique used, sister locs can take up to 36 hours to install, and it has to be done by a qualified stylist.
You’d need to get your sister locs retied every 4-8 weeks at your salon. These locs can last as long as you’d like to keep wearing them, and shouldn’t damage your hair at all. It can be a bit expensive but all that effort is well worth it for a gorgeous look that can be easily styled.
Traditional locs
Traditional locs are what most people think of when they think about locs. You can get these done at a salon or at home, and there are several different techniques to start them. The most common is probably palm rolling, but you could also start with braids, twists, backcombing or interlocking. A lot of people also use the crochet method to lock up the roots. This will result in the classic, medium sized locs that we’re all familiar with.
These locs should also be retwisted every 4-8 weeks, but otherwise they’re pretty low maintenance. They can be somewhat difficult to style, but traditional locs already look fabulous as they are.
Freeform
Freeform locs can give you a cool and casual look, if you’re ready to commit to them. They’re done by braiding or twisting the hair, and then allowing it to naturally matt together as the hair grows. They are very low maintenance and are super easy to do yourself.
Freeform locs can, however, take a long time (6-24 months) before they are fully formed. Freeform locs should be allowed to develope with little to no manipulation, as that can cause tension on the scalp and lead to several problems like hair loss and scalp damage. These locs might take a while but the results speak for themselves.
Microlocs
Micro locs are are exactly what they sound like: really tiny locs! They’re installed in a grid pattern with various starting techniques such as braiding, twisting, coiling, or palm-rolling. I’d definitely recommend going to a stylist to get these done, but if you’re really brave, you could attempt it at home. Micro locs are very versatile for styling, and are relatively easy to maintain as you can just keep your usual wash routine.
Semi Freeform
Semi freeform locs happen when you start out your lock journey with traditional locs, and then allow the hair to start growing and locing freely. This will create medium to large sized locs. They are the perfect in-between look, where the locs still have the structure of traditional locs while also having the rough and free look from freeform locs.
Once you’ve got traditional locs, the transition into semi freeform is super easy. Your locs just become lower maintenance!
Faux locs
If you’re worried about fully committing to the loc lifestyle, faux locs are perfect! They give you a set of gorgeous locs by applying extensions over braided or twisted hair. Faux locs are a protective style, so while you can’t wash your hair, it’s guaranteed to be healthy and undamaged. They can be taken out after 4-8 weeks. Faux locs are quite low maintenance, but they will take a while to install, especially if you do it yourself.
Conclusion
There are many loc styles to choose from, all with different looks and maintenance needs. I hope this article has given you a clearer idea of the kind of locs you’d like to get, and what that hairstyle might entail. With all that said, I wish you good luck on your hair journey!
