How Often Should You Retwist Starter Locs? | A Guide to Retwisting Practices

Introduction

Starter locs are an iconic hairstyle that has been embraced by many people of color. As the name suggests, they are the first stage in beginning the loc journey. The process of creating starter locs involves sectioning the hair into small parts, then using a special crochet needle to twist each part around itself until it forms a distinct loc. This process can take anywhere from several hours to multiple days, depending on the size and thickness of the hair.

Retwisting is the process of taking existing locs and twisting them again to keep them in place. This is done either with the fingers or with a crochet needle. It is important to note that retwisting should not be confused with re-locing, which is the process of starting over from scratch and creating new locs.

The purpose of this article is to explore how often to retwist starter locs. We will look at what professionals have to say about this topic, examine the loc journey of a loc-wearer, investigate the effects of retwisting on healthy locs, and analyze the benefits of long-term retwisting practices.

Interviewing a Professional Hair Stylist

When it comes to getting advice on how to care for your locs, it’s always best to consult a professional hair stylist. To gain insight on retwisting practices, we interviewed a professional hair stylist who specializes in locs.

We asked her what she advises clients who are unsure of when to retwist their locs. She said that the most important thing is to listen to your hair. “Your hair will tell you when it needs to be retwisted,” she said. “If you notice that your locs are starting to loosen or unravel, then it’s time to retwist.”

We also asked how often people should retwist their starter locs. She advised that it depends on the individual’s hair type and lifestyle. “For some people, retwisting once a week may be enough, while for others it may be necessary to retwist every few days.” She added that it is important to give your hair a break between retwisting sessions, as too much manipulation can lead to breakage and damage.

Examining the Loc Journey of a Loc-Wearer

To get a better understanding of how often to retwist starter locs, we spoke to a loc-wearer who has been on their loc journey for more than a year. They shared with us their experience so far and the common challenges they face.

The loc-wearer said that when they first started out, they were retwisting their locs every two weeks. However, they found that this was too often and their locs were becoming dry and brittle from the constant manipulation. They decided to cut back to retwisting every three weeks, and they noticed an improvement in the health of their locs.

The loc-wearer also mentioned that they have had to adjust their retwisting frequency depending on the season. In the summer months, they tend to retwist more often due to increased sweating and oil production. In the winter months, they retwist less often as their scalp tends to be drier.

Exploring Different Retwisting Methods

There are several different methods of retwisting locs. Some of the most popular techniques include palm rolling, interlocking, and crocheting.

Palm rolling is a method of retwisting locs by using the palms of the hands to gently roll the locs. This technique is good for those with thinner and shorter locs, as it does not require any tools. Interlocking is a technique that uses a special tool to interlock the locs together. This method is best for thicker and longer locs, as it helps to keep the locs tight and secure.

Crocheting is a technique that involves using a crochet needle to gently twist the locs. This method is great for those with medium to thick locs, as it helps to keep the locs neat and tidy. It is important to note that crocheting can cause more damage to the hair follicles if not done correctly.

Reviewing the Pros and Cons of Frequent Retwisting

When deciding how often to retwist starter locs, it is important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages of frequent retwisting. Here are some of the pros and cons to consider:

Advantages of Regular Retwisting: Retwisting regularly can help to keep locs looking neat and tidy. It can also help to prevent slippage, which occurs when locs become loose and unravel. Regular retwisting can also help to promote growth, as the twisting motion stimulates the scalp and encourages blood flow to the hair follicles.

Disadvantages of Over Retwisting: Over retwisting can cause damage to the scalp and hair follicles, leading to breakage and hair loss. It can also dry out the hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. Additionally, over retwisting can cause the locs to become too tight, leading to discomfort and pain.

Investigating the Effects of Retwisting on Healthy Locs

It is important to consider the effects of retwisting on healthy locs. While retwisting can be beneficial in preventing slippage and promoting growth, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with over retwisting.

One of the main risks is damage to the scalp and hair follicles. Over retwisting can cause tension on the scalp, leading to irritation and inflammation. If left untreated, this can lead to hair loss and bald patches in extreme cases.

Another risk to consider is hair loss. Over retwisting can cause the hair to become weak and fragile, which can lead to breakage. This can result in thinning of the locs and even complete hair loss in some cases.

Analyzing the Benefits of Long-Term Retwisting Practices

In order to maintain healthy locs, it is important to practice long-term retwisting practices. Here are some of the benefits of doing so:

Preventing Slippage: Retwisting regularly can help to prevent slippage, as it keeps the locs tight and secure. This can help to ensure that the locs stay neat and tidy for longer periods of time.

Maintaining Growth: Retwisting can also help to promote growth, as the twisting motion stimulates the scalp and encourages blood flow to the hair follicles. This can help to ensure that the locs remain healthy and strong.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to understand how often to retwist starter locs in order to maintain healthy and strong locs. Through interviewing a professional hair stylist and examining the loc journey of a loc-wearer, we have gained insight into different retwisting methods, reviewed the pros and cons of frequent retwisting, investigated the effects of retwisting on healthy locs, and analyzed the benefits of long-term retwisting practices.

It is ultimately up to the individual to decide how often to retwist their starter locs. It is important to listen to your hair and adjust the retwisting frequency accordingly. Regular retwisting can help to prevent slippage and promote growth, but it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with over retwisting.

Overall, following a consistent and mindful retwisting routine is key to having healthy and strong locs.