New Loc Creation
Reaching the point of commitment to this hair style has probably taken you down many paths of contemplation. I’ve rarely met someone who takes this decision lightly, since we all realize on some level that wearing our hair in locs will change the way the world interacts with us. After you’ve come to this place mentally, now it’s time to prepare physically.
Please wash your hair 2-3 times with a clarifying shampoo. DO NOT use conditioner, but please detangle and dry hair before you arrive for your appointment. Clean hair locks up best.
Locs take a while to put in. I always like to say, if it looks like it took forever to do, it probably did. You have an estimate of the total time from me, so please plan accordingly.
Here are a few things I recommend having on hand for the big day: Your phone or tablet, a book, maybe even a handcraft like knitting. I have snacks & drinks for you at the salon, plus some great food options in walking distance. We might have a lot to talk about, but I definitely do not take offense if you would rather entertain yourself in another way, or just contemplate this momentous change in silence.
Dress comfortably, get plenty of sleep, and take care of yourself with good nourishment so that your body stays well for this long day of work. We will take at least one 30 minute break for lunch, and many smaller ones throughout the day just to stand up and stretch.
The Process
Sectioning
After I confirm again the desired thickness of your locs and what if any brushable hair or undercuts are to be left out of the process, I will use my experience as a loctitian to determine the size and placement of the sections. I create a bricklayer pattern suited to your individual scalp, with no odd parts or splits between rows.
Backcomb
This is the crucial step that often separates professional work from DIY or just didn’t brush. A professional backcomb will create knots that are spread as evenly as possible from roots to ends laying the foundation for a uniform thickness to your style.
Crocheting
In this step, I use an extremely small gauge crochet hook to create knots and compress the backcombed section into a baby loc. The journey to maturity from there is up to both of us.
