Immature dreadlocks (locs) are born and take around 12 months to mature. This depends on the method used, hair type, loc thickness and sun /water /chemical exposure. Immature locs are soft, squishy and flexible. As time goes on locs are exposed to the elements. They will tighten, shrink, become denser, thicken and then relax. Mature locs are dense and more fixed in their flexibility compared to immature locs.
Exposure to salt and the sun will help the maturing process. Damaged hair (chemical or sun bleached) will mature faster than virgin hair. This is because the hair strands are more textured allowing for the other hair strands to nestle and find their place within the loc and stay put. Healthier hair is smoother in texture and can take more time and maintenance for the strands to find their permanent place. Everyone’s hair is different and will act differently to the process.
Immature Locs - 6 Weeks Old
Mature Locs - 6 Years Old
Immature dreadlocks (locs) will change their appearance as they mature. Strands of hair will become free and the dreadlocks will become fluffy. It is best to let the locs be and leave at least 2 months between maintenance appointments. This gives the locs time to mature and avoid over working the loc which can lead to breakage as they age. When locs mature and tighten, singular hairs will become more taught and may create the loc to kink. This is normal. These kinks will ease with time. The best way to combat this is palm rolling locs everytime they have been wet after towel dry.
While locs are maturing it is common to feel skeptical at times. They will get fluffy, they may get kinky and the crown of the head will get frizzy. With patience and commitment locs will mature with time. When feeling skeptical, extensions can be added to shorter locs to give more options of hair styling. Maintenance can be done to fix frizz and fluff. Once locs are completely matured, they will keep their appearance and only root maintenance will need to be done and possibly occasional body work maintenance. Everyones hair is different and will react in its own way to the process. The more exposure to water the fluffier they will get. As locs mature, maintenance frequency will reduce. Ranging from 1-4 times a year with mature locs.
What to expect while dreadlocks mature
Before - 6 Weeks Old
Before - 6 Weeks Old
During Maintenance
After Maintenance
Immature dreadlocks (locs) are born and take around 12 months to mature. This depends on the method used, hair type, loc thickness and sun /water /chemical exposure. Immature locs are soft, squishy and flexible. As time goes on locs are exposed to the elements. They will tighten, shrink, become denser, thicken and then relax. Mature locs are dense and more fixed in their flexibility compared to immature locs.
Exposure to salt and the sun will help the maturing process. Damaged hair (chemical or sun bleached) will mature faster than virgin hair. This is because the hair strands are more textured allowing for the other hair strands to nestle and find their place within the loc and stay put. Healthier hair is smoother in texture and can take more time and maintenance for the strands to find their permanent place. Everyone’s hair is different and will act differently to the process.
Immature Locs - 6 Weeks Old
Mature Locs - 6 Years Old
Immature dreadlocks (locs) will change their appearance as they mature. Strands of hair will become free and the dreadlocks will become fluffy. It is best to let the locs be and leave at least 2 months between maintenance appointments. This gives the locs time to mature and avoid over working the loc which can lead to breakage as they age. When locs mature and tighten, singular hairs will become more taught and may create the loc to kink. This is normal. These kinks will ease with time. The best way to combat this is palm rolling locs everytime they have been wet after towel dry.
While locs are maturing it is common to feel skeptical at times. They will get fluffy, they may get kinky and the crown of the head will get frizzy. With patience and commitment locs will mature with time. When feeling skeptical, extensions can be added to shorter locs to give more options of hair styling. Maintenance can be done to fix frizz and fluff. Once locs are completely matured, they will keep their appearance and only root maintenance will need to be done and possibly occasional body work maintenance. Everyones hair is different and will react in its own way to the process. The more exposure to water the fluffier they will get. As locs mature, maintenance frequency will reduce. Ranging from 1-4 times a year with mature locs.
What to expect while dreadlocks mature
Before - 6 Weeks Old
Before - 6 Weeks Old
During Maintenance
After Maintenance
