​​You finally did it and we couldn't be more excited for you. Starting your loc journey is a big big deal. As you journey down this road we promise to be with you every step of the way which is why we've compiled a cheat sheet to keep you right and tight between appointments. You are always welcome to email us at questions@the-locshop.com should you need additional support.

 

• Night Routine: Sleep in a satin bonnet or du-rag or sleep on a satin pillowcase. This will reduce frizziness and prolong your style. Curls on locs are best preserved by tucking all the locs into a bonnet. Shorter unstyled locs do well with more fitted sleep caps and durags. If you're wearing an updo, tying a scarf around the perimeter of your hair will help prolong the style

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• Moisture- moisture comes from water, not oil. Oil is not a moisturizer. If your hair is feeling dry between visits, spritzing the hair with 100% Rosewater or the Oyin Handmade Spray should help with that. You can then follow that up with an oil such as Jojoba, Almond, Olive, Grapeseed or Avocado oIL. We carry many of these in the salon.

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• Excessive Itching and Dryness: Although we see most clients once a month some loc wearers require more frequent shampoos. Excessive itching and dryness may be a sign that you need to shampoo more frequently. Shampooing starter locs is ok despite the ugly rumors. Many clients find it too intimidating to shampoo starter locs. If that sounds like you we recommend having your stylist manage shampooing and conditioning for the first 6 months. Should you decide to shampoo yourself here's how: Use the pad of your fingers and gently massage and cleanse the scalp. It's fine to condition locs but conditioners should be diluted and used mindfully, ie not excessively. Conditioner will not unravel your locs. Manipulating them in the opposite direction, constant tugging, combing and or brushing them absolutely will. If you are uncertain about how to shampoo feel free to text us at (301) 853-7323. We do not offer "redos" for locs that were messed up during at home shampooing so please shampoo with caution OR just leave it to us. We sell Shampoos and Conditioners in the salon for your convenience.

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• How long will my hair take to loc? Starter locs can take 6-12 months to loc. During that time frizziness, some unraveling and budding will naturally occur. Don’t fret. These things are all perfectly normal. 

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• Yikes! I cant see my parts or EWWW, all I see is scalp! There will be times when you won't see your parts as clearly. Since most retwist last about 2 weeks you can expect to see more parts/ scalp during the first two weeks after a retwist. After that parts aren’t as visible.

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• We do not recommend covering starter locs with braids or wigs. Constantly wearing a wig could lead to flat and dry locs. Putting braids over the locs could lead to lumpy irregular looking locs. Additionally it can slow the locing process and leave hard to remove residue on the loc shaft. 

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• If color is your goal, we recommend coloring before you start your locs. Otherwise it’s best to wait at least 12 months before you color. Coloring too soon can lead to excessive unraveling. 

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• Keep styles at a minimum in the beginning stages. If desiring styles, simple is best.

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Product Recommendations:

Shampoo: Influance Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Influance Moisturizing Shampoo

Influance Coconut Shampoo

Design Essentials Oat Protein Henna Shampoo

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CONDITIONERS:

Influance Moisturizing Conditioner

Design Essentials Rosemary Mint Conditioner

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OILS:

Jojoba

Almond

Olive

Grapeseed

Avocado

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ESSENTIAL OILS ( 3-4 drops/ to be diluted into the above mentioned oils):

Tee Tree

Peppermint

Rosemary

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MOISTURE SPRAYS

100% Rosewater

oyin Handmade Moisture Spray

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