6 More Loc Myths That Need To Be Put To Bed

Now, when you ask some people about locs and how to care for and grow them everyone has their own view. Some would say that you need gel to maintain them, some would say that you don’t.

Some people would say that that the only way to experience the beauty of locs is via freeforming, and others would say that this is complete craziness. While some of us have our two cents about locs, there are some things out here that have been set in stone rules for many. But some of these need to be thrown out the window. Below we are going to share with you guys 6 loc myths and debunk them all at the same time.

1. Myth #1: If you wash your hair more than once a month, your baby locs will take forever to loc

Lawd this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Just think about it, for those of us who have a style such as two strand twists in out hair , doesn’t most of us reduce washing during this time?

To reduce the chances of our hair “tangling and locking up”? If washing our hair often causes these two things to happen, wouldn’t it make sense to encourage these occurrences since our goal is to loc our hair?

I understand that for those of us with looser textures that this might be detrimental due to loosening of the coils, twists, etc., but even washing twice a month can encourage tangling which can possibly speed up the locking process. If you tend to have a tighter curl pattern that does not unravel easily, you can have the freedom to wash your locs as many times as needed. There’s no need to go around with an itchy scalp.

2. Myth #2: You need the loc styling products to aid in the locking process

This is also a major myth that has proven to not be true. Products such as waxes and gels do not cause your hair to loc. Locking is a natural process that our hair can do on its own.

Constantly using gel, butters*, and creams can even lead to some serious buildup which can add unnecessary weight, and even mildew and breakage. This is especially the case if you do not frequently clarify your hair.

3. Myth #3 …. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar* can effectively cleanse the hair

GASP! Yes, this one was hard for me to believe too until I actually saw it put to the test. According to JC from NaturalHavenBloom, baking soda and apple cider vinegar* do not clean the strands at all. She did this experiment and magnified the results so that we could clearly see that these two products that are toted as “deep cleansers” are not effective.

There was still ample amounts of dirt and oil on the hair strands. You can learn more about the experiment here.

If you really want to clarify, your best bet is to buy a non-residue shampoo that is made for chelating and clarifying. I know, I know.. the more natural the ingredients, the better. But until there is a natural product that can chelate and clarify, this is your best bet for buildup- free clarified locs.

4. Myth #4: Locs are permanent and I will have to cut my hair to get rid of them

Based off of the countless youtube videos and blog posts about loc removal, this myth should definitely go away. Now, what is not a myth is the amount of time that it could take to take them out. Depending on how long you have had your locs, this process can last from days to months. But it can be done, even if you do have to cut off one or two inches of hair.

5. Myth #5: The roots of your locs have to be retighten to look presentable

This is not true. Looking presentable is based off of personal preference. You have some people who feel presentable with tightened roots, but then you have people like me who rock untightened roots and still feel and look “presentable”.

This myth definitely needs to go in the trash just for the fact that this can cause grief for many of us that choose not to tighten due to certain views that people may have towards semi freeformers and freeformers. Like all natural journeys, those who are on the locking road should be able to enjoy their journey without judgement.

6. Myth #6: Locs are not versatile

Oh boy, whoever said this one needs to have several seats. Locs can be very versatile; as a matter of fact, there isn’t a hairstyle that you can’t do with locs. Locs are most definitely versatile. Type “loc hairstyles” in the search bar on Youtube and you will see for yourself all of the magic you can create with locs.

Do you have locs, what loc myths do you wish would go away?