MicroLocs

The complete guide

Everything you Need to Know about Microlocs!

A Lot of my clients want to know the difference between sisterlocks and microlocs. So, I wrote a blog to share with those who want to know the difference. Let us first understand what Microlocs are.

What are Microlocs?

Microlocs are either twisted, coiled, or braided natural hair strands to form the appearance of regular dreadlocks. But in the case of microlocs, the size of each loc is smaller than your pinkie finger or almost like the diameter of a standard pencil but a little thinner.

Microlocs range from a minimum of 100 locs and could be as much as 1000 micro locs as people have been known to carry.

However, the size you choose for your micro locs, the fullness of your hair, and the size of your head all determine how many locs you end up with.

Microlocs can be washed, braided, cornrowed, dyed, cut to form a variety of styles and layers, or bonded into a ponytail. You do not need special training or experience to install microlocs.

You may decide to use a crochet tool to fix your microlocs or just freestyle it by merely braiding your hair using twists or the regular three parts braids.

Microlocs Vs Other Locs

1. Microlocs Vs Traditional Locs

Microlocs are similar to traditional locs in various ways. They both have the same method of installation which can be coiling, braiding, or twisting. They could also be fixed using interlocking tools by pulling the tip of your strands through the roots.

Traditional locs are approximately 10mm or more in thickness. Microlocs are smaller versions of traditional locs with a size range of between 6mm to 9mm thick.

Both microlocs and traditional locs pass through the same maturity stages. These stages are four in number which include the starter stage, the budding stage, the shooting stage, and the final contracting stage.

2. Microlocs Vs Sisterlocs

Sisterlocs are quite different from microlocs in several ways. Microlocs are approximately smaller than the size of a pencil, whereas sisterlocs are much thinner. You can imagine sisterlocs to be like the diameter of a straw or spaghetti strands.

The cost of installing sisterlocs is way higher than what is required to fix microlocs. The reason for that is the expertise needed to install sisterlocs. An interlocking tool is necessary for fixing sisterlocs toward the ends without exerting pressure on the roots.

Microlocs on the other hand only requires wax or gel to style the locs and keep them in shape after braiding or twisting. (I personally don’t think products are needed, just water & oil)

Sisterlocs require maintenance within every 4 to 6 weeks where interlocking has to be redone to make your locs last longer and stay stronger.

Microlocs do not need too much maintenance like sisterlocs. You can wash and reapply your locs care products every 6 to 8 weeks intervals. Sisterlocs also take longer to install than microlocs.

3. Braidlocs Vs Microlocs

Braidlocs are done in a similar manner as microlocs. The secret behind the style is just the method used to start the loc process.

If you use braids, then you can either call it braidlocs or microlocs although microlocs do not require any special tool for maintenance.

Braidlocs, like sisterlocs, need a particular interlocking tool for keeping your locs intact during maintenance stages.

4. Microlocs Vs Interlocks

Interlocks are made by the ordinary free-form method of parting your hair and applying a locking pattern to create a dreadlock outlook.

By making interlocks, you are creating a brick layered pattern like the grid pattern of sisterlocs although interlocking can be installed by anyone, even yourself.

Interlocks are normally larger than microlocs in diameter and do not necessarily need to be braided first like micro locs before palm rolled with wax or gel. Interlocks are more like regular or traditional dreadlocks when it comes to size or thickness.

How Long Should Your Hair be for Microlocs?

If you have virgin hair, then a length of about 2 inches is enough to start microlocs. Otherwise, if your hair is relaxed or permed, then allow your roots to develop an undergrowth of virgin hair up to 1.5 inches.

The reason you should wait is that permed hair does not lock, and only virgin hair locks. So if you want your hair to grow longer and healthier, it is recommended that you only apply your wax or gel to your new growth.

As your hair grows longer, you can trim off the relaxed portion on the ends to give room for your natural hair to grow.

Straight hair takes longer than wavy or kinky hair to lock. Therefore, with curly hair of as little as 1 inch, you can get micro locs installed. If your mane is straight, allow it to reach 2 inches at the least to give you enough room to treat it regularly.

How Long Will Your Hair be After Microlocs?

Healthy human hair grows at a normal rate of half an inch every month. Don’t worry, I already did the math! It will grow as long as 6 inches every year.

The same thing goes for microlocs. After locking your hair using twists or braids, you should expect it to get past your shoulder length in less than 2 years. That is if you started with long hair.

Starting with shorter hair could give you a shoulder-length or almost within a year and a half.

How Long Does it Take to Install Microlocs?

It takes between 48 to 50 hours for microlocs to be installed at a stretch. The idea is to cover every gap in your hair, and it requires complete dedication of time and energy to get it done.

However, you may need to consider installing the locs across a number of days instead of spending the entire 48 to 50 hours at a stretch.

It is advisable to do that to avoid ending up with cramps, and to also ensure that you can carry out other tasks.

If you would prefer breaking it down into comfortable sessions, you can spend 10 hours a day for about 5 days. If you have full hair and are planning to DIY, then you may need to dedicate more time to the process.

You should book an appointment with your loctitian or hairstylist well before the actual day you need the locs. Go to the salon with your snacks or homemade food to avoid wasting time going home or visiting an eatery for lunch.

Take your iPad or Android phone along with you to keep you entertained with movies, music, or social media while you go through the process.

How Much Do Starter Microlocs Cost?

To install microlocs from the starter stage, the charges range from $400 to $1200+ in a salon.

Book me on Gloss Genius

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Prices May Vary Based on Length .

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You can also choose DIY option using the household items like your comb, mirror, and gel, DIY method will not cost much because hairstylist fee is the major cost in getting Microlocs.

However, the effect of doing it yourself is that in the long run, there may be holes in the hair that can lead to severe hair loss and damage. Also, with DIY, you might not be able to make the strands of hair as tiny as a loctician would.

There is no need for applying too much wax or gel if you don’t want your hair to develop an excessive build-up of hair products. You can maintain your locs subsequently by yourself to reduce the cost of maintenance.

Microlocs Aftercare

In order for your locs to thrive, you will need to have a routine. By following these tips, you will be on your way to healthy well cared for “baby locs”.

Once your Microlocs are installed, they are in the most sensitive stage. Here are the things you should do to nurture them as they slowly mature.

Do:

1. Wear a shower cap, every time you shower.

This will protect your locs from excess moisture which often causes new locs to unravel (especially the shorter length locs!)

Note: once your Locs have matured you won’t have that problem

2. Use a clarifying shampoo and avoid moisturizing shampoos.

This will allow the cuticles of your locs to remain slightly “rougher” than usual, and encourages your hair strands to joine together and stay together. This aids in the locking process by preventing slippage

3. Braid and band before washing.

By braiding your locs in small sections (at least 10, possibly more if your locs are short) you are keeping your ends sealed and in place. When you wash, your locs are not likely to come undone because you have secured them.

4. Remove braids only after 80-90% dry.

If you remove the braids too soon after washing, the moisture from the water will encourage your curly hair to shrink and curl, and therefore escape the interlocking pattern at the ends of your locs.

5. Separate at the roots/loc popping after every wash.

This is essential for locs at any size. Our curly hair wants to intertwine, and that’s fine! Just guide your hair so that it intertwines with order (within the loc).

6. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase.

This will allow your locs to retain its oils and moisture, compared to cotton pillow cases that absorb it and can cause dryness/brittleness.

7. Spritz Rosewater on scalp and hair if experiencing dryness.

Rosewater is known for its ability to reduce dandruff and oil on the scalp. It is a mild astringent and can relieve any itching as well. But misting your hair with water works well for keeping it hydrated

Do Not:

1. Moisturize/Condition Locs

This screams slippage! Slip slip slip slip. When your locs are new, you want to avoid products that encourage slippage, and that is what moisturizers/conditioners do. Dilute conditioner with water if needed.

2. Color/Dye Locs

This can lead to a bunch of issues if done prematurely. This can lead to excessive bunching, due to the hair composition being altered (especially with bleach). Bunching can make retightening very difficult and sometimes painful because of the bulging of the locs caused by the bleach. I know it’s pretty but I recommend avoid doing this to your Locs it causes damage in the long run.

3. Cut Locs

By cutting your locs, you leave your ends open and vulnerable. Just don’t do it if it’s not needed.

4. Wear Tight Styles/Ponytails

Low manipulating styles are great, but you need to ensure that the styles are not too tight. If they are, the tension placed on the locs can cause the hairs to break and the locs to weaken.

And once your microlocks/sisterlocks have matured, and you are no longer in the “Newbie” stage, I recommend you follow these tips:

Continue to:

1. Separate at the roots/loc popping after every wash

2. Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase

Avoid wearing tight styles or tight ponytails.

Be cautious of the following:

1. Sweaters, these are also lint magnets

Friction when wearing and removing your shirt – this on/off action often contributes to more lint

2. Wearing tight bonnets to sleep or around the house, the tension of these bonnets (or scarves/headbands) can stress the hairs at the perimeter of your head. These hairs are most fragile.They need to be treated with care.

Now, the choice is yours to pick a date for installing your microlocs. I have covered all you need to know about fixing and maintaining these locs in this post. Be sure to follow every tip and procedure to avoid ending up with a damaged hair or locs that don’t last.

Also, take note of the aftercare tips and follow them to ensure that you get the best out of your hair. Good luck with your microlocs installation!