Loc Myths Dispelled

5 Misconceptions about Locs

1.     All Locs Stink and are Dirty

Why are people assuming that because you wear your hair loc’d that it must stink and be dirty? Hair will usually smell bad when it’s bogged down with build up; they never dry their hair or sweat lot and never cleanse it. I have come across plenty of naturally straight hair and weaves that sucker punched me in the nostrils by rudely impeding my sense of smell. Like really??? WTH? I know many locstars that cleanse their crowns waaaaay more often than those who don’t have locs. I’ve even have had clients to tell me they were told that their locs always smell nice. 

2.     All Loc wearers are Pro Black (Who and what the heck is a Dread THOT

TUH!!! *Gives side eye* Sooooo just because some people wear locs does not make them conscious black people. I am seeing a trend that locs and dreads are just to immolate celebrities in the media. So unfortunately as I would like to believe that my fellow brother and sisters are wearing locs for a deeper meaning, most are doing it for style purposes. There is an influx DREAD THOTS, DREAD RATCHETS and BAD/BOSS BISHES (I despise these terms, but since they refer to themselves as this why not). What is a “DREAD THOT AND DREAD RATCHET”, you ask? – A girl who wears dreads not locs (because she lets her friend twist them with beeswax or black gel in exchange of a bag of marijuana or a 6 pack or Lime-o-ritas) she embodies all typical traits of a Thot, Ratchet or Bad/Boss Bish. She has a million booty bathroom pics, displays her best assets for all to see, has a ton of followers on social media, will be at the club every week any time of the week, always seeking a “boss”, “hustler”, “baller”, thinks that a boy or female that drives a Charger, Challenger, or Camaro is a catch, and wears two tons of make up. Let’s not forget about the boys that wear dreads (inserts reason for dread not locs from above) He wears them because Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Future, Young Thug and a few others have them. He seeks to be a rapper and thinks that dreads will make him famous. His idol is the dealer in the neighborhood. Also goes to club every week dripping in knock off clothing items and calls himself a boss.

(inserts my side eye here.) Yeaaaaahhhh SMH. 

3.     Locs are the same as Dreads

Ummmm yeah NOPE. Originally dreads are what Rastafarians grow for religious purposes. Dreads is the word used to describe the hair as being dreadful looking.

Dreadlocks - Day 1 #SkyhhSalon

Then you have dreadlocks, which are usually done, on straight to wavy hair textures – Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. Dreadlocks are maintained less often as well as in a totally different way and are more time consuming to start and maintain. Techniques and products used to maintain dreadlocks differ slightly from those of locs.

Locs - Full Color #SkyhhSalon

Locs are cared for usually every 4-8 weeks depending on length and profession of wearer. Most people who wear locs prefer to use natural oils, butters or gels on their crowns. Many Locstars will keep the hair neat and tidy by enlisting the professional care of a loctician while others prefer to maintain on their own.

4.     Locs are limited in styling

LMAO, chile boooo! So when was the last time you’ve seen a weave wearer rock a French Roll and by sophisticated with it? Orrrr when have you seen pipe cleaners or pin curls on a weave and it was beautiful? (I’ll wait, for your response) Ha Haa! So the next time a chic tells me that locs are not versatile in styling options or that locs are too restrictive, I’ll just simply ask: “Straight, wavy, feathered and curly are considered versatile unrestricted styling options?” (Gives blank stare, while awaiting her response) TUH.

5.     Locs have to be cut off if you decide you don’t want them anymore

Locs being combed out

Total myth. With an extreme amount of patience, gallons of conditioner, some assistance of a loved one or friend, several combs and exorbitant amount of time, you can comb out your locs. Yes you read that correctly, I said YOU CAN COMB OUT LOCS. You DO NOT have to cut off your locs if you’ve come to the end of your journey with them.  Now during this process you will experience a ton of shedding and breakage, which is due to combing out matted hair and the hair that would have been shed if hair was not loc’d is now embedded in the core of each individual loc. Keep in mind most people shed 50 -100 strands per day, so multiply that 365 days in a year times the number of years you wore locs. (yuuuup, that’s a lot of hair) This process is not suited for everyone, that’s why you have people that just cut them off and others that will allow new growth to get to a certain length then cut so they will have hair to style after blade-to-blade treatment. 

It amuses me with some of the things people believe or think when it comes to locs. I’m sure you have heard all of this before and you may even have more to add to the list. Please be sure to comment your thoughts and experiences with myths you have heard about locs below in the comment box. As always it’s easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy

Post your myth that you've heard or your thoughts on this topic below.