How to Re-Twist Your Own Locs, According to Expert Locticians
To re-twist your own locs based on expert loctician advice, follow these steps:
Prepare materials: Gather an alcohol-free gel, clips, an extra-large hair tie, a rat-tail comb, and a satin or silk bonnet. Optionally, refer to video tutorials for guidance.
Define parts: Using a rat-tail comb, hold your starting loc and guide the tail-end of the comb around the new growth to separate and define the parting.
Apply gel: Pinch the loc at its root (new growth) using your fingers and thumb while applying a small amount of gel. Twist the root clockwise, away from your face, ensuring the loc remains straight without buckling or curling over itself.
Secure and repeat: Clip and secure the retwisted section at the root to prevent unraveling. Add additional retwisted locs to the same clip until needed, then move on to the next loc.
Dry your locs: Use a hooded dryer for 30 to 60 minutes (time varies depending on loc length and thickness) or let them air dry to set the twist.
Remove clips: Once your locs are completely dry, remove the clips and admire the finished look. Keep your locs moisturized by spritzing a moisturizing spray onto your roots and locs periodically.
For those who began their loc journey with instant locs or interlocked locs, consider the following methods:
Instant Locs:
- Follow the initial steps (clean wet hair, gel application, defining partings).
- Thrust a crochet needle into and out of the new growth as you twist to encourage locking.
- Skip clipping the loc in place, as locking with a crochet needle will help it stay in place.
Interlocked Locs:
- On clean, wet hair, push your finger through the center of the new hair growth to create a gap.
- Flip the end of your loc through the hole in the new growth, repeating the flipping motion until the new growth is twisted together.
Refer to the provided video tutorials for additional guidance:
- Erinn Courtney's tutorial: How to retwist starter locs
- How to retwist instant locs
- How to retwist interlocked locs
Remember, retwisting can take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on your skill level. Retwisting is typically recommended every three months for starter locs and annually for mature locs.