One of the first things I came across when researching locs and my decision to loc my hair, was the misconceptions of having locs. I found out through my research and my journey, that many of the misconceptions behind locs are false. I have had many people disagree with my decision to loc my hair, while others have fully supported it and love my hair. So, here are my top 8 misconceptions that I have seen with growing or deciding to get locs, and how my personal experience led me to believe they were false.
- They are dreadlocks: I don’t call my hair dreadlocks, because, as the phrase goes “There is nothing dreadful about locs”. My sister and I have been known to call my hair “dreaddies”, which is just some cute corny thing we made up. For the most part, I will call them locs. Because just like any other woman has gorgeous locKs cascading down her back, so do I 😉
- Locs are dirty: Actually, I keep mine very clean and I pride myself on how much I wash my hair. I keep my hair washed on a regular, every 2-3 weeks. I go to the gym about 4-5 days a week, so by the second week, my hair smells kind of weird, at least to me. So I make it a mission to keep my hair clean and kept up on a regular basis. It gives me a sense of pride to know that I can kill any and all myths about locs by holding my own crown to a certain standard.
- Locs can never be taken down: Yes, yes they can. One thing I did before taking this step was research as thoroughly as possible everything I could possibly know about locs. One thing I did find out, is that you can take your locs down. It is a daunting and tedious process, but it can be done. Would I do it? Hell no, but it is possible.
- You can’t wear your hair any kind of way: Go on Instagram or Pinterest and type in “loc styles” I guarantee you will find some styles that you never thought could be done with locs. Think about it, how many women style their braids? Think of locs as semi-permanent braids. J
- Locs are time consuming: When my hair was relaxed, it took about 15-30 minutes to put in the relaxer, had to sit for 5-15 minutes, wash (at least 3 times), condition (to make sure the smell and perm remnants were gone), then blow dry and style. When I was natural, I had to pre-poo (20 minutes), detangle (30 minutes), separate, wash (at least 2 times), detangle one more time (20 minutes), style (10-45 minutes depending on style)….both of those total to around 2+ hours of hair time. Now that I have loc’d my hair, it takes 15 minutes to wash, and I have dropped my retwist time down to about 45 minutes, if I don’t pause and take breaks. See why I am happier now with locs?
- Locs are hard to maintain by yourself: I started my locs with 2-strand twists. I learned how to retwist by Google and YouTube. Let me say this, YouTube has more answers than you have ever dreamed of, lol.
- You don’t need to keep your hair moisturized: If you want soft, beautiful locs that aren’t dull and lifeless, then I suggest you use SOMETHING to keep them moisturized. I tend to use essential oils, or an oil/water combination to keep my hair from being dry and brittle.
- People get locs, so they can smoke weed: Uh, I don’t know who made this up, and whoever really thinks this is true, is a sad individual.
So, there you have it. Have you heard any far-fetched lies about having locs?