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7 Essential Steps: The Ultimate 2025 Guide On How To Get Dreads (Starter Locs)

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The journey to getting dreadlocks, or "locs," is a transformative and deeply personal experience that requires patience, proper technique, and consistent care. As of late 2025, the best practices for starting and maintaining locs emphasize clean methods, lightweight products, and choosing the right starting technique based on your hair type and desired final look. This comprehensive guide breaks down the most effective, modern methods to start your dreadlocks, ensuring a healthy and successful loc journey. The process of forming dreadlocks is a commitment, typically taking anywhere from 6 months to over a year to fully "lock" or mature. Understanding the four main stages—starter locs, budding, teenage, and mature locs—is key to managing your expectations and maintaining your hair during this exciting natural hair experience.

The 4 Most Popular Dreadlock Starting Methods

Choosing your starting method is the single most important decision in your loc journey, as it determines the initial appearance, size, and texture of your finished dreadlocks. The best technique depends largely on your natural hair texture, length, and the size of the locs you want.

1. Comb Coils (Best for Shorter Hair)

This method involves using a rattail comb to twist small sections of hair into tight, uniform coils from the root to the tip. It's an excellent method for starting locs on shorter hair and results in very neat, cylindrical locs.

  • Pros: Creates a clean, uniform look from day one; ideal for short hair (2-5 inches); locs are generally small and neat.
  • Cons: Can unravel easily when wet in the starter locs phase; requires more frequent maintenance (retwisting) than interlocking.

2. Two-Strand Twists (Best for Medium-to-Long Hair)

Hair is divided into sections and then twisted around itself, similar to a regular two-strand twist style. This is a highly popular method because it is easy to DIY and the twists provide a good foundation for the hair to matt and loc over time.

  • Pros: Provides an immediate stylish look; less prone to unraveling than comb coils; often locs faster than coils.
  • Cons: The initial twist pattern can take a long time to fully disappear; locs tend to be thicker than those started with comb coils.

3. Interlocking (Best for Active Lifestyles)

Interlocking, also known as 'latch-hooking,' involves pulling the end of the loc through the root of the new growth using a special tool. This technique creates a very tight, secure loc from the beginning and is a maintenance method as well as a starting method.

  • Pros: Locs are instantly secure and won't unravel when washed; requires less frequent maintenance; ideal for fine hair or highly active individuals.
  • Cons: Can create a hole or 'braid-like' pattern at the root if done incorrectly; must be done carefully to avoid thinning or breakage.

4. Freeforming (The Natural Method)

Freeforming is the process of allowing your hair to naturally matt and loc without manipulation or controlled parting. It involves simply washing your hair and letting it do its own thing.

  • Pros: Requires almost no maintenance or product; results in a unique, organic look.
  • Cons: Locs will be of various sizes and shapes; the process is much slower and less predictable.

The Loc Journey: Essential Maintenance and Product Dos & Don'ts

The success of your dreadlocks relies heavily on your maintenance routine, especially during the crucial starter and budding phases (0-12 months). Modern loc care focuses on cleanliness, hydration, and avoiding heavy, residue-leaving products.

Washing Your Starter Locs: The Clean Loc Movement

A common myth is that you cannot wash starter locs. This is false and can lead to scalp issues. Your hair will actually lock better if it is clean. The key is *how* you wash:

  • Frequency: Wash every 2-3 weeks, or weekly if you have an oily scalp or are very active.
  • Shampoo: Use a residue-free, clarifying shampoo specifically formulated for locs. Avoid creamy, moisturizing shampoos that can leave buildup inside the loc. Dollylocks Nag Champa Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo is a popular choice for 2025.
  • Technique: Gently massage the scalp with your fingertips. Wrap your hair in a microfiber towel to absorb excess water without causing frizz or unraveling.

The 2025 Product Rule: Lightweight Hydration

Heavy waxes, petroleum, and thick gels are outdated and should be avoided. These products trap lint, cause product buildup, and make long-term maintenance harder. The modern loc care routine focuses on lightweight, water-based hydration.

  • Moisturizing Sprays: A lightweight, daily moisturizing spray (water-based) is the single most important product to prevent dry and brittle locs.
  • Oils: Use light, natural oils like Jojoba, Tea Tree, or Peppermint oil to lubricate the scalp and prevent dryness. Apply sparingly, focusing on the scalp, not the locs themselves.
  • Avoid: Beeswax, thick styling gels, and synthetic products that can lead to a condition known as 'loc rot' or mildew inside the locs.

Retwisting vs. Interlocking: Maintaining New Growth

Once your locs begin to grow, you'll need a method to maintain the new growth at the roots. The two primary techniques are palm rolling (retwisting) and interlocking.

Palm Rolling (Retwisting)

Palm rolling involves applying a light-hold gel or cream to the new growth and rolling the loc between your palms to tighten and neaten the root.

  • Pros: Creates a smoother, more uniform loc body; less expensive for maintenance; is the traditional method.
  • Cons: Requires more frequent maintenance (every 4-8 weeks); can loosen or unravel if the hair is washed too soon after.

Interlocking (Latch-Hooking)

This method involves using a tool to pull the new growth through the base of the loc, tightening the root without the use of product.

  • Pros: Provides a much tighter hold that lasts longer (up to 3 months); no product buildup; perfect for fine or soft hair textures.
  • Cons: Can be more expensive to have done professionally; requires a specific skill to avoid damaging the root; can leave a slightly different texture at the root than the rest of the loc.

7 Essential Steps for Your Loc Journey Success

  1. Consult a Loctician: Before starting, consult a professional to determine the best method and loc size for your specific hair texture and density. This sets the foundation for your entire journey.
  2. Choose Your Parting: Decide on a consistent parting pattern (e.g., box, diamond, or freeform) and stick to it. The parting determines the final placement and size of each individual loc.
  3. Start Clean: Ensure your hair is thoroughly clarified with a residue-free shampoo before beginning the loc process.
  4. Invest in a Satin Scarf/Bonnet: Sleeping with a satin or silk covering is non-negotiable. It prevents frizz, lint, and moisture loss, which are the main enemies of new locs.
  5. Separate Regularly: In the starter phase, gently separate your locs daily to prevent them from growing together at the roots. Failure to do this results in 'congo locs' (multiple locs merging).
  6. Moisturize Daily: Use your lightweight, water-based spritz every day to keep the hair hydrated and flexible.
  7. Be Patient: The "budding" phase, where the locs start to matt and swell, can look messy. This is a natural and necessary part of the process. Embrace the loc phases and trust the process—your mature locs will be worth the wait!
7 Essential Steps: The Ultimate 2025 Guide on How to Get Dreads (Starter Locs)
how to get dreads
how to get dreads

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