My First Year with Locs

Starting locs is exciting, but let's be honest—there's a lot of conflicting advice. Based on my real-life experience and conversations with locticians, I'll explain what works and what you need to avoid.

First Things First: The Prep Work

Before you even think about starting your locs, let's talk about what your hair needs:

- Your hair should be completely free of buildup and product residue

- A clarifying shampoo is your best friend here - use it to get a truly clean slate

- Your hair should be at least 3-4 inches long (some say you can start shorter, but trust me, give yourself some length to work with)

What Works - Starting Methods That Won't Mess You Up

- Two-strand twist method

- Coils (great for tighter patterns)

- Palm-rolling (my personal favorite for natural-looking locs, takes longer but gives you more control)

- Backcombing (works well for straight or wavy hair)

The Early Days

Real talk - the first few months aren't going to look Instagram-ready, and that's okay. Here's what helps:

- Wear a satin bonnet at night (saved my life during the awkward phase)

- Keep your scalp clean but don't wash too often at first (once every 2-3 weeks is plenty)

- Use light oils for your scalp only - no heavy products (I highly recommend coconut oil and water spray)

What You Need to Avoid (Seriously) - The Don'ts

1. Don't start with wax. I know it's tempting, but it'll trap moisture and cause mildew. Just don't.

2. Don't retwist too often. Every 4-6 weeks is plenty - your edges will thank you later.

3. Avoid the use of rubber bands or metal clips for longer days, maintain for a day or two.

4. Don't get discouraged by the "ugly phase", it is part of your journey, embrace it. Everyone else's been through it

Products to Skip

- Anything with heavy butters or creams

- Regular conditioner (yes, really - it prevents locking)

- Products that promise to "loc your hair fast"

- Beeswax or any other wax products (tell your loctician not to use on your hair)

The Real Timeline

Week 1-6: Fresh twists or coils

Months 2-8: The fuzzy phase (embrace it!)

Months 8-12: Budding starts

Year 1-2: Starting to loc

Year 2+: Mature and long locs

Tips Nobody Tells You About

1. Your scalp might feel itchy at first - use a spray bottle with tea tree oil/ coconut oil and water instead of scratching

2. Some locs might unravel - don't panic, just retwist during your next session

3. Your locs might not all grow at the same rate - normal

4. You might lose some thickness as they loc - also normal

Maintenance That Matters

- Keep your scalp clean (but don't overwash)

- Use a residue-free shampoo

- Sleep with a satin or silk cover

- Separate your locs regularly (this prevents them from combining)

Signs You're on the Right Track

- Your hair starts budding (those little bumps are good!)

- Some frizz appears (it's part of the process)

- Your roots get a little puffy between retwists

When to Get Help

See a professional if:

- Your locs feel musty or smell weird

- They're combining when you don't want them to

- You notice thinning at the roots

- You're not sure about your retwisting technique

Remember, starting locs is a journey, not a race. Don't let anyone pressure you into rushing the process with quick fixes or harsh products. Your hair will look when it's ready - just keep it clean, be patient, and trust the process.

Pro tip: Take pictures every month. On days when you feel like nothing's changing, looking back at those early photos will show you just how far you've come.