5 Different Stages Of Locs To Expect On Your Journey
written by kaila Daley
Photo by Dorrell Tibbs on Unsplash
We all know that locs tend to go through different phases the longer you have them in which is all a part of the loc journey itself. You get to experience all five stages: starter, budding, teen, mature and rooted. Some stages you will probably enjoy more and find easier than others. The loc journey is to be embraced fully even through the messy and difficult months that are to come. Every journey is unique to the individual rocking their own crown of locs. Embrace it.
Starter Phase
Starter locs also known as the baby phase is probably the most recognized phase in everyone’s loc process because we all have to get some form of starter locs. Whether that is comb coils, two-strand twists or braid locs, we have to start from the ground up with an installation of our choice.
I recommend going to a loctician to install your locs to make sure you have good parting and a good size so your locs don’t break off. For more information on starter locs methods check out our other post here.
The usual length of time that your hair will be in the starter loc phase is usually anywhere from 3-6 months. Many people find this phase very frustrating at times because of the unraveling that happens when washing the hair. In this stage the locs must really be left alone, no detangling should be done and you should be carefully following the instructions of your loctician.
In the starter phase expect your hair to shrink up to half of the length that your loose natural hair used to be. As time goes on your hair will begin to grow and your locs will start gaining some more.
Budding Phase
Photo by Ron McClenny on Unsplash
So you’ve had your starter locs in for a while now and you notice that your new growth and other sections of your hair becoming more swollen. Welcome to the budding phase. The budding phase of the loc journey is very exciting because your locs are finally starting to transform into something new. Budding can start from the bottom of the locs, the middle or at the top.
Budding usually takes place about 4-12 months into your loc journey. This will usually depend on your hair density and texture. You can usually tell the difference between locs that are fully budded and ones that are not, based on the way they look and feel. If the locs still look like starter locs then they have not begun budding just yet. However, if you notice a frizzier, swollen, and dense look on your locs compared to the starter locs then budding has most likely begun taking place.
Bunching can sometimes be confused for budding. With bunching, it looks almost like a bud but you can tell the difference because the hair pulls upwards on itself requiring you to pull it back down into place. Bunching usually affects people who start with longer hair.
Teen Phase
Photo by Sinitta Leunen on Unsplash
The teenage phase of your loc journey is kind of a whirlwind of emotions. This is the stage where your locs are coming into themselves and start to develop and take shape. In the teen phase, your locs can be very unruly, they usually swell twice the original size and they kind of have a mind of their own. This phase can be frustrating but it should be fully embraced as a part of the overall loc experience.
The teen phase of the loc journey is usually around 12-16 months in. Since your locs begin to swell in size you want to be mindful of the products that you’re using to prevent build-up in the locs. In this stage, shampooing cannot loosen your locs as much anymore. Your locs can tend to be very frizzy in this stage but are to be loved all the same.
In this stage, you can try out different loc accessories and experiment with different styles to make your hair unique to how you would like to wear it.
Mature Phase
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
Everyone’s locs are going to fully mature at different time frames. People who start their locs off with looser textured hair tend to not reach the mature stage as fast as other hair textures. You will know when your locs have matured because they are no longer taking on different forms. They look more uniform in shape, they are dense and they usually tend to lay down with ease.
At this stage, you start to really notice the length of your locs and you won’t have to get your new growth retwisted as often. The mature phase can take place as early as 1 year into your journey but usually anywhere from 15-20 months.
At this point, the ends of your hair should also be fully locked along with the rest of your hair. You should have a good hair routine down by this point that works best for your locs and your hair type.
Rooted Phase
Photo by Blake Cheek on Unsplash
Last but certainly not least is the rooted phase of the loc journey. This is the final phase where your locs are fully matured and have settled into their complete and final form. They usually feel heavier and will hang a lot different than it has before.
The rooted phase happens about 18-24 months into your loc process. You shouldn’t try to rush the loc process but rather learn how to fully enjoy each part of the journey. Sometimes it will be frustrating and other times it will be beautiful, frizzy locs and all.
Everyone’s journey will be unique to them and you should not compare your loc journey to someone else’s. We all have different textures and densities so that would be completely pointless. Locs allow let go control of your hair allowing it to be free and do its own thing at its own pace.
If you want to know more about the different methods of starter locs that would be right for you then you can check out this blog post: 5 Simple Ways You Can Start Locs On Short Hair.