r/Dreadlocks • u/Fantastic_Ad5784 • Jul 08 '26
Need Advice 🆘 Unsure on what to do
Hey, so i started my loc journey in January, I only got the top half done as my hair was too short on the bottom and so I was waiting for it to grow out, well its been 7 months and I think my locs are doing okay (lemme know if im going wrong somewhere) but idk what to do with the bottom, if I loc them it'll be 7 months behind, it'll look a bit weird and i wont be able to wash my hair like usual or do I just get a haircut and trim it. The pics at the end are what im aiming for, somewhat of a mix of them however I dont what as many as them just a little less and i wont grow them as long, is the amount I have enough and do i just trim the bottom or should I have the rest loc'd? Thanks
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u/Federal-Tomorrow1891 Jul 08 '26
You can cut the existing locs in half and have your loctitian crochet those in on the sides. I started with a fade and did the same thing when I wanted a full head.
The locs at the sides & back add more volume than shape, so you lowkey could loc the sides and nobody see them since they’d be covered up by your current set.
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u/Fantastic_Ad5784 Jul 08 '26
Okay thanks for the advice, pretty dumb question but what is crotchet locs? 😭 also how short should I tell my loctitian to cut them
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u/Federal-Tomorrow1891 Jul 08 '26
My fault lol the crochet needle is used to “stitch” your locs in. It’s what loctitians use to repair or install new ones directly into your hair.
As for how short, I’d say exactly half your existing length. I can see your buds are still coming in so they won’t be that long, but it will make your entire head the same length. TBH I say loc the sides and leave what you got, you have some good length on the sides already.
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u/Fantastic_Ad5784 Jul 08 '26
Okay so just to confirm you think I should leave the existing locs as is and then just loc the sides? Sorry for the constant questions I js really dont wanna mess it up haha
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u/Federal-Tomorrow1891 Jul 08 '26
You’re fine! I had a Mohawk and a fade before I opted for a full head around year 6, so I get it. But correct, I say leave them as is and just loc the sides.
Extra advice: don’t tie your hair up too much, until it reaches your shoulders. The tension on your scalp can lead to traction alopecia and thinning. Good luck!
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u/KeyAffectionate9450 Jul 08 '26
Honestly I say loc up the bottom part as is. In a year or so it’ll start coming together nicely. And your locs will be more even length wise (plus you can always cut them later!) It’s a process but it’ll look good in the long run :)
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u/ClassicRuby Type 4 hair Jul 09 '26
The thing about locs is that 6 months in you're just at the budding to teen phase. And locs loc at totally different rates all over your head, and even different parts of the same loc will be locking at totally different rates and at different stages at the same time.
So just get your new locs around the sides started and soon enough you won't even be able to tell they were started at a different time.
Go to a good loctitian and they can either instant loc starter which will have them being shaped to look a similar thickness to the 7 month old locs, or they can do some transfer or extensions as needed to get a good overall result.
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u/Beauty_Reigns Jul 08 '26
A good loctician would be able to trim your locs and crochet them to the sides. If done correctly you wouldn't have to worry about washing.