Loc Care
A dedicated guide to ensuring your locs stay happy and healthy
After Care
Having loc extensions means having low-maintenance hair, but there are some aftercare and maintenance instructions that will help make the most out of every install and keep your extensions in good quality.
I always recommend removing after 5 weeks, as after 5 weeks is where you can get unnecessary matting at the roots. You can immediately reinstall after thoroughly washing your hair 4-5x!
Tension bumps, irritation, etc
When extensions are first installed, you may feel tightness in some areas but it should always feel comfortable and not painful. This is normal, but sometimes that tightness can be a little worse in certain areas. If you are experiencing headaches, tension bumps, or irritation PLEASE reach out to me so I can make sure you have all the information possible to help!
I recommend washing your hair as that helps to loosen the braids without having to remove completely, I also have a tutorial on how to make a refresher spray on my Tiktok and Instagram, which helps with tightness, itchiness, and overall scalp wellbeing. If your scalp is sensitive, I also recommend keeping your hair down until you wash your hair or have had them in for a few days. This prevents overdirection while the scalp is getting used to the new style.
It can day 5-7 days for tension bumps to disappear, and following the tips listed above can help make that process more comfortable. However, if the discomfort is too much or the bumps are worsening after a couple days, it may be a sign to take them out and give your scalp a breather. This isn’t necessary in most cases, but in severe cases where a person’s scalp is just particularly sensitive, it may be the best option. Please reach out to me if you encounter any of these issues. I’m here to make this journey as amazing as possible!
Washing instructions:
Washing is important to keep your scalp clean, but due to the nature of this hairstyle, you don’t need to wash more often than 1x a week in most cases! I personally wash once a week, or when needed if I’ve been swimming or being active. I also have a guide on how I wash my hair on my socials, but here is a breakdown:
- Split hair in half (top and bottom)
- Wash bottom 3-5x thoroughly with shampoo to make sure scalp is clean
- Rinse thoroughly
- Repeat with the top section
- Rinse all hair thoroughly
- NEVER use conditioners! Shampoo only! Conditioner will make your locs oily and cause buildup
- Dry scalp with a blowdryer or, if you’re feeling feral, whip your hair around outside and allow the sun to dry your hair (this is my preferred method)
- You can apply hair products to your natural hair if desired, but I find that my natural oils do a great job at keeping my hair healthy!
Swim instructions:
It is important to wash your hair from scalp to the end of your natural hair every time you swim! Wash with hot water, moisturizing shampoo, and make sure to thoroughly rinse natural hair in the braids. The synthetic hair in my locs doesn’t absorb dirt, water, or gunk so you don’t need to focus on them, but your natural hair absolutely does and needs to be take care of after swimming!
If you’re swimming often, you NEED to wash your hair every time as the chlorine, saltwater, or anything in the water will soak into your natural hair in the braid and can cause damage. To be safe, ALWAYS wash thoroughly after every swim session!
With that said, I promise you will feel like a mermaid swimming through the water with your gorgeous extensions and you look amazing both in and out of the water! No messy or tangled hair when you swim with extensions!
Maintenance
The way you treat your dreadlock extensions in the first 5 weeks (the first install you have them in) sets the tone for how they will mature and how much maintenance you will have to do on them later on.
I recommend going through your entire head of hair every 3 to 5 days, separating any locs that might be stuck together, and twisting loose hairs back into the loc. Don't run your fingers through, but instead break apart the strands and reinforce them back into the loc. This ensures your hair matures neatly and will prevent needing to do extensive maintenance later on! I also recommend avoiding putting your hair in hairstyles for days at a time as this pauses the maturing process. I personally like to get it done and out of the way during my first install, so I leave my hair down as much as possible.
If you are an active person you are going to want to keep your hair from rubbing on your clothes while you are doing your activities, so I recommend big loose buns, half up half down hairstyles with braids on the bottom, or braids in general. Any hairstyle that keeps your individual locs from rubbing against each other and your clothing will keep your hair in good shape! I prefer big buns, but braids are also a great option! Check my socials for hairstyle inspo!
For the first five weeks and the next 555 weeks, avoid velcro! Velcro is absolutely not dreadlock friendly, so please avoid it from touching your hair! I also recommend caution around zippers, as they can get stuck in your hair as well.
Removal process:
Where most people experience the most damage with loc extensions is during the removal process. It is very important that your hair is bone dry before removing your dreadlocks. DO NOT, at any time, get your hair wet while you're in the process of removing your dreadlocks. You can get your hair wet AFTER you have thoroughly brushed through every strand of your hair. I cannot emphasize this enough, as water will create one massive mess and it becomes very difficult to detangle. If you keep your hair dry, the removal process is fairly easy.
make sure to brush from the bottom up and be gentle. Do not let your hair stay in the extensions for longer than 5 weeks.
Instructions for fragile, thin, or compromised hair:
I may instruct you to keep them in for only 4 weeks if your hair is particularly fragile and thin, in order to prevent damage during removal. Tangling and matting can occur at or after 5 weeks, so some may need to be on a 4 week schedule in order to prevent tangling at the roots. People that may need to be on a 4 week schedule are people with:
- Bleached hair (ANY previous bleaching counts)
- Very fine or thin hair
- Brittle or high porosity hair
- People suffering from hair loss (postpartum, aging, hormonal, etc)
This is not to say people with these hair types can’t have loc extensions, as my extensions are suitable for people of all hair types and all hair goals! My extensions can actually help with protecting thin and fragile hair, or helping with hair growth, but only so long as the care instructions are followed.
The removal process is the same for thin and fragile hair, but extra care must be used! If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!
