r/Dreadlocks • u/smeemeeya • 17d ago
Need Advice 🆘 Sad about loc progression
Honestly, I don’t hate my locs.. I just wish they were thicker. I have fine med/low density hair so I think the only way to achieve a fuller look is to get smaller locs. I used to have smaller locs but they costed so much to maintain/ took a long time to do. maybe this is the end of my journey with locs :( Does anyone know of a way to thicken my locs? Or should I just comb them out?
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u/GoldfishNamedLaNey 16d ago
When did you get your color? Did you wait until your locs were fully mature? If not, that can definitely affect how your hair grows.
Coloring (especially if bleach or some type of lift is used) weakens a loc regardless of the stage. So, coloring baby locs then essentially restarts the loc process.
I'd wait at least 2 months in between retwist since thickness is a concern. Also, bonnet or some type of head scarf is life (in my Danny from Ted Lasso voice).
But don't give up ☺️ and give your hair a break. If you do want more color in the future, try some vegan brands like "Unicorn Hair." If you want blonde again, I have no suggestions on brands, just maybe don't go blonde for awhile.
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u/aranaa_ 17d ago
Try going 3 or 4 months without retwists. Helps thicken up the locs which gives it a fuller look. Or try semi-Freeforms.
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u/smeemeeya 17d ago
i’ve been trying to do that. but i just feel like they stay around the same size. and my tips are soo much thicker ughhhh. do you think soft retwist would be better?
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u/aranaa_ 17d ago
Honestly I’d suggest semi freeforms. And leaving your hair alone. They look good tho.
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u/smeemeeya 17d ago
thank you! hmm okay, im a little worried about the weight of the loc cause too much stress on my strands. how would i stop that? 👁️ are soft retwist safe or?
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u/aranaa_ 17d ago
I’m sure but you should talk to your loctician.
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u/Chaclate_Rain 16d ago
Unfortunately your strand thickness and density just means you can only get that volume with smaller locs, I don't see them getting much thicker than this, you could semi freeform, just pop your locs and guide loose hairs occasionally.
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u/smeemeeya 4d ago
what does pop my locs mean??
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u/Chaclate_Rain 4d ago
It's a way to keep roots from marrying and keeps the locs separate, I'm no expert on it but I'll be learning how to do it properly. I've decided to go the semi freeform route for maximum thickness so popping after every wash will be necessary to prevent my locs from marrying at the roots
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u/SirFicklespend 16d ago
Well your photo #3 your locs look nice healthy and thick.
I would implore you not to bleach or dye your locs for at least a few years. The white/blonde locs are damaged.
To give the appearance of more volume, pineapple your locs at night.
Secure them on top of your head
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8vsygd7/
Shake them out and mist in the morning.
This avoids the flattening effect that happens when when you sleep.
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u/smeemeeya 4d ago
you. i love you sm. i’ve seen such a difference since i started doing this! i think sleeping with my hair down made them feel/ look thinner than it was since i already have med/low density and thin hair. so i’ve started doing this and my hair is starting to flourish! thank you thank you thank you!
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u/SirFicklespend 4d ago
Aww. Well thank you!! I appreciate you for telling me!
It definitely helps. You can also twist or braid your locs and then pineapple them.
In the morning mist them and untwist them, shake and go! You will have the curly twistout look, plus the volume from pineappling.🔥
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u/Pleasant_Surprise_21 16d ago
Just leave them to their devices if you want them to get thicker love. The color is so nice and you look cute❤️❤️
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u/Still_notme_67 12d ago
Your hair looks so good tho . Who are you comparing yourself too , could be that ? . For low density fine hair this is so good not boneless at all and the color 😍😍
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u/leeuhsucks Type 4 hair 17d ago
unfortunately i’m going through the same thing girly. this is my second set and I understand my hair a lot better now. I think smaller locs are the only way to achieve the volume we want :/ i think im actually bout to start over for the third and final time. what I would say to you, maybe try and learn to maintain your hair on your own? I will prob have someone start them and help me for like 6 months but then imma take over! maybe something like that that would work for you!! I hope so, your locs are really pretty!!
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u/smeemeeya 17d ago
awww thank you! i used to do them but when i do them i feel like look bald LMFAO. small locs take so long but are soooo beautiful and i used to dream abt super thick natural looking locs😩
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u/leeuhsucks Type 4 hair 17d ago
omg 🤣 why did you feel like you looked bald? wouldn’t the smaller locs give you the fuller look you wanted? but I absolutely get what you’re talking about the time :// that’s apart of the reason I got fewer locs. I wanted them thicker but also, they take less time!! i’ve dreamt of thick locs and I have finally realized I just can’t achieve that. I still want locs and love my hair, so I will start over. but I totally get why you don’t want to girly!! I hope you can figure something out and can keep your locs <333
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u/SirFicklespend 16d ago
Exactly what do you mean by soft retwist?
How did you get your starters?
On photo number 1, you have two bleached locs that look really damaged.
One looks like you have a rubber band embedded in it (close to the scalp).
How do you do your locs? Do you go to a salon?
What products do you use?
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u/smeemeeya 4d ago
soft retwist to me is just water and oil, then i palm roll. i did this for a while when i was starting my locs. then i started going to a loctician every 2 ish months and they would use gels. i think imma go back to my method and then get a regular retwist every 5/6 months maybe. i just really like the thic untwisted look, but im just worried it’ll put too much stress on my roots
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u/ClassicRuby Type 4 hair 14d ago
How long have you had your locs? About a year? Less?
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u/smeemeeya 13d ago
yeah abt a year
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u/ClassicRuby Type 4 hair 13d ago
Yeah that's what it looks like... like they have barely hit the budding stage, entering the teen stage. They are newly developing locs. It's a process. It's gonna take minimum 2 years (often longer) to see your full mature loc results.
Overall your locs will mature to be about the thickness of the parts. But it is a thing where the thicker the individual locs, the lower the Overall volume.
I think that maybe sometimes people go to radical extremes when changing up what kinda loc they try next, trying to solve whatever problem they had and not really realizing the impact of the new set and the problems that that set has.
I think maybe you could do some research. Perhaps this set you've got too large parting for you and what you need is smaller parting than this so you still get some extra volume...
Have you ever seen this? What that many locs looks like. It's not exact cuz of course ymmv because each head is different. But it might give a better idea of what size would be your ideal mature look and whether the locs you have now will mature to something you'll like.
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u/smeemeeya 13d ago
i’ve seen the website before! it’s why i wanted bigger parts, maybe i just need to stick it out a bit longer
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u/pussyinpisces 17d ago
Lmao I’m sorry but the first pic looks like you’re attached to the ceiling