How to Lock Your Hair

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There you will find lots of information on all the various types of locks and their care and maintenance. You will also find information on other aspects of natural hair care.

A lock is a section of hair that has intertwined or matted together and can not easily be combed or picked apart. Locks are made up of tangled unshed hair. You comb your hair to keep tangles out and to remove the hair that sheds.

The average healthy person will lose between 50 - 150 hairs a day. This is normal. When you stop comb your hair those hairs get caught up and tangled and intertwined to form a lock. So it is really time and the shed hair that forms a lock.

There are two basic methods for locking your hair. Each of these methods has two subtypes:

Organic Methods

The Totally Organic Method
The Free Formed Method

Cultivated Methods.

Hand Cultivated Methods
Tools Cultivated Methods

For more information on locks and locking visit
www.MyNHCG.com

Comb Coils

Comb coils can be started on hair that is coily to kinky. If your hair will form a natural coil you can usually start your locks this way. You are basically using a comb to coax a section of hair to form a curl. This method is great if you have hair that is really short. However, any length of coil hair can be comb coiled.

Single twists

Starting locks with single twist is a lot like starting locks with comb coils. The only difference is that you use your fingers instead of a comb to form the lock. If your hair will form a natural coil you can usually start your locks this way. You can start any length of hair with this method.

Palm Rolls

Starting locks with palm rolls is a lot like starting locks with comb coils or finger rolls. The only difference is that you use your palms to form the lock. If your hair will form a natural coil you can usually start your locks this way. Your hair should be at least three inches long to start your locks with this method.

Two strand twists/ Double Strand Twists

If you are looking for a way to start your locks that can be handled a little more at the beginning you may want to consider starting your locks with two strand or double strand twists. Locks started with double strand twist are a lot more durable than locks started with coils, finger coils/roll, or palm rolls. This method will work on coily, curly and wavy hair types and hair that is at least two inches long.

Braids

Braids are one of the easiest low maintenance ways of starting your locks. It really is as simple as braiding or getting your hair braided.

Locks started with braids can be a wide range of sizes from the size of your finger to the size of a piece of yarn and every diameter in between. This method works on all hair types but is especially good for those who have hair that will not coil or have various types of hair on your head.

Woven/Interlocked/Tool Started Methods

Weaving or interlocking the hair is a sure fire way to start locks (and maintain locks) on any hair type. Even the straightest hair can be locked with this method. The hair is woven from tip to root with your fingers or a tool. When you get to the base you are done.

It is kind of like braiding only backwards. And like braids, locks started by weaving or intertwining the hair are a lot more durable than other methods. You can use this method to start locks of any size. If you want exceptionally small "micro locks" this would be the way to go.

Yarn Braid Extension

If you want locks and: a.) have a perm and don't want to cut it or b.) think you want them but are not completely sure consider starting your locks with yarn extensions. Yarn braids (a.k.a Nu Locs) are simply extension braids that are braided with acrylic yarn instead of synthetic hair. You really only need an inch or two of hair.

For more information on locks and locking visit
www.MyNHCG.com

How you wash your locks (dreadlocks) and how often will really depend on how you started them. But here are some basic guidelines that will work for all lock types.

Focus on your scalp and not your locks.

Unless you are doing dusty home repairs or some other job that would cause your locks to get dirty, most of the sebum, sweat and other build up will be found on your scalp. That is the area that you need to focus on when washing your locks.

Get your scalp really clean and then work the lather through your locks. No matter what size or type of lock you have rough handling is not necessary.

Dilute your shampoo and pour or spray it on.

Most shampoos are relatively thick and can stand to be diluted at least half and half and some time more. Diluting your shampoo before you put it on your lock will ensure that it gets through your hair thoroughly and evenly.

You can pour it through your hair a little at a time by tilting your head and pouring it around the edges toward the center and then pouring some in the center. This is best done while in the shower. Or you can put it in a spay bottle and spray your scalp and then your locks. Either way your are sure to use less shampoo and still get your hair thoroughly clean.

Avoid conditioners and shampoos with conditioners until your hair is mature.

This is especially important if you have hair that is wavy or straight. Conditioner is made to get out tangles. Locks are a mass of tangles so conditioners are counter productive. If you are worried about keeping your locks moisturized water is the best moisturize. Just put some spring/filtered water in a spray bottle with some aloe vera gel and your favorite essential oil and use that as a daily hair moisturizing spray.

Check for crawling, locks coming together at the bases, after washing. Gently pull apart any crawlers.

This is easiest done while your hair is still wet. You don't have to do this each time you wash but you should do it regularly to make sure locks aren't forming in ways that you don't want them to.

Try to gently squeeze as much water out of your hair as possible. Don't sleep on wet hair.
A sure fire way to get musty moldy smelling locks is to sleep on them wet. It also is a good way to get flat misshapen locks. Try to wash your hair earlier in the day so that it will be dry by the time you have to go to bed or invest in a hood dryer for those late night styling sessions or when it is cold outside.

For more information on locks and locking visit
www.MyNHCG.com