If you’re looking for a hairstyle that’s stylish and low-maintenance, look no further than starter locs for men. This protective hairstyle has been gaining popularity in recent years and is the perfect way to show off your cool but still fun style.
Not only do starter locs look undeniably sexy and modern, but they also have some serious benefits for your hair. This protective style can help prevent breakage, promote healthy hair growth, and minimize the need for daily styling.
So, whether you’re going for a rugged, masculine look or a more trendy, modern style, starter locs are the perfect way to up your hair game with minimal cost and effort.
Table of Contents
- What are Starter Locs?
- How to do Starter Locs for Men
- How To Wash Starter Locs
- How To Maintain Starter Locs For Men
- Do Starter Locs Hurt?
- How To Remove Starter Locs From Your Hair
What are Starter Locs?
Starter locs are a hairstyle that involves allowing the hair to naturally grow and mat into long, rope-like strands, commonly referred to as “locs” or “dreadlocks.” Think of starter locs as the beginning stages of longer dreadlocks– or a shorter, skinnier version compared to traditional locs.
The process of growing starter locs typically involves not combing or brushing the hair, and instead letting it grow and twist on its own. This process can take several months or even years, depending on the individual’s hair type and desired length.
They are a growingly popular hairstyle for men, particularly those with Afro-textured and curly hair. Starter locs are a low-maintenance hairstyle that can be worn in a variety of designs, and will help promote quicker hair growth.
How to do Starter Locs for Men
To create starter locs for men hairstyles, the hair is first washed and sectioned off into small, square-like, even sections. Each section is then twisted tightly using a special technique that encourages the hair to begin locking.
Starter Loc Techniques
Two-Strand Twists
Separate hair into two sections and twist them together to create a rope-like effect. This technique is great for different loc styles as well as promoting faster loc formation.
Coil Method
Twist small sections of hair around your finger or tool to create a small coil. It is great for neat and uniform locs and for hair that is prone to unraveling.
Interlocking
Use a small tool to weave the hair through itself, creating a tightly woven base. Good for lower maintenance, looser locs where re-twisting isn’t as frequently needed.
Backcombing
Tease hair backward toward the scalp to create a tangled base that will mat into locs. Good for thinner hair that may have difficulty holding twists and coils to create locs.
Freeform
Allow hair to naturally lock and form into locs with very minimal manipulation or styling. The freeform technique produces unique, organic-looking locs but may take longer to form. Low maintenance and does not require frequent re-twisting.
Depending on the length of your hair, thickness of the locs, and skill level of yourself or a stylist, it can take anywhere from 1-4 hours to install starter locs for men.
The time it takes for starter locs to fully mature varies depending on several factors, including the texture of the hair, the thickness of the locs, and how well the hair is maintained.
On average, it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year for starter locs to fully mature into fully-formed dreadlocks. Be sure to be careful to avoid manipulating the hair too much during this time, as this can slow down the locking process.
If the process is difficult for you to do alone, it may be best to goto a professional or get help from someone with experience.
How To Wash Starter Locs
Washing starter locs is an essential part of maintaining healthy and clean locs. It’s recommended to wash your starter locs every 1-2 weeks. Here are basic steps to follow when washing your starter locs:
- Choose the right shampoo: When washing starter locs, it’s important to use a shampoo that won’t leave any residue. Look for a shampoo that’s sulfate-free and designed specifically for locs. You can dilute it with water so it is not too heavy.
- Wet your locs: Wet your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water before applying any shampoo. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause your hair to dry out and become brittle.
- Apply shampoo to scalp: Pour a small amount of shampoo into your palm and massage it into your scalp and gently on each section of hair.
- Rinse: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the shampoo is removed.
- Apply shampoo on shaft: Use a little more shampoo to the longer ends of your hair keeping a gentle squeezing or massaging motion. Try not to scratch or scrub the locs out of position.
- Rinse: Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the shampoo is removed.
- No conditioner or de-tangler is needed as you need your hair to tangle and products may make your locs unravel.
- Dry: Squeeze out excess water from your hair and then pat your hair dry with a towel. Avoid rubbing your hair with the towel as this can cause frizz and breakage.
- Retwist if needed: If your starter locs need to be retwisted, do so gently while your hair is still damp. Use a small amount of locking gel or cream to help hold the twists in place.
How To Maintain Starter Locs For Men
The great thing about starter locs is that they’re a low maintenance hairstyle that for the most part is ‘get up and go’. There does need to be some work to maintain starter locs for men– regular retwisting is necessary especially in the beginning stages.
This involves twisting the hair at the root to keep the locks tight and prevent them from unraveling. The frequency of re-twisting will depend on the texture and thickness of the hair, but it is generally recommended to re-twist every four to six weeks or if any locs unravel.
To take care of starter locs, it is important to keep the hair moisturized and avoid over-styling or pulling on the locks. A light oil or leave-in conditioner can help keep the hair soft and hydrated. Sleeping with your hair wrapped in a silk scarf or bonnet can also help maintain tighter locs.
Do Starter Locs Hurt?
Starter locs should not hurt when done properly. However, it is important to choose a skilled and experienced stylist to install starter locs to avoid any potential pain or discomfort. When creating locs, hair is twisted or braided tightly, and if this is done too tightly or in a way that pulls on the scalp, it can cause pain and tension.
In addition, if locs are not maintained properly, they can become too heavy or tight, leading to discomfort or even headaches. You may also experience a bit of discomfort when sleeping at first if you’re not used to sleeping with braids or twists in your hair but the pain should go away within a few days.
How To Remove Starter Locs From Your Hair
Taking out starter locs requires a careful and gentle approach to avoid damaging your hair or scalp. Start by applying a generous amount of de-tangler conditioner to each section to soften the hair and make it easier to comb through.
Next, use a wide-tooth comb to gently comb through each section of hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots. Be patient and take your time, as you may encounter knots or tangles that require extra attention. If you do encounter a knot, use your fingers to gently loosen it before continuing to comb through the section.
After combing through all the sections, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water and blot it dry with a clean towel, avoiding vigorous rubbing that can cause damage. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, consider going to a professional stylist to make the process easier and to avoid hair loss.
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