From Breakage to Bloom: 5 Reasons Your Locs Aren’t Growing & How to Fix It
It is very easy to damage your locs and/or stunt your loc growth. While locs may require less frequent or intensive daily manipulation compared to the daily use of flat irons or curling tools, appropriate care and maintenance are still necessary. Don’t be mistaken, locs still require precise and consistent practices to ensure it’s vitality.
Today I want to go over 5 reasons your locs may not be growing and how you can fix it today!
1-Buildup- It comes from using heavy creams, oils, edge controls, and conditioners that don’t fully rinse out. Product layering mixed with dust, debris and infrequent clarifying can leave you in gunk city! Buildup prevents moisture from penetrating your locs, making it hard for your hair to stay hydrated.
How to Fix It-Switch to light weight water-based moisturizers such as Rosewater & Glycerin and Aloe Water. Also be sure not over oil. Oil is not a moisturizer but a sealant. Too much can result in locs feeling dry and crunchy.
2-Dry Hair- I will never cease to remind afro, coily and loc’d girls how moisture is the foundational key to healthy growing hair. Dry, brittle hair is susceptible to breakage. Thirsty strands weaken over time and eventually give way by snapping off or breaking. Hydrated strands become strengthened and more resilient. In addition, a dry scalp leads to poor circulation resulting in follicles receiving less oxygen and fewer nutrients which slows down the hair growth cycle and weakens the root.
How to fix it: To combat dry hair, you’re going to adopt a moisturizing routine 2-3x a week where you spritz the hair with distilled water, Rosewater & Glycerin, Aloe Water and then seal in the moisture with a carrier oil.
3-Scalp Health-We talked about how an unhealthy imbalanced or dry scalp is not ideal to encourage healthy hair growth. Dandruff, excessive flaking, clogged follicles and itchy scalp will hinder your efforts.
You want to maintain a healthy scalp by not overusing heavy products that can clog the scalp. Remember the cleaner your scalp is, the easier it is for your hair follicles to get the air and nutrients it needs to create the perfect conditions for healthy, strong hair.
How to Fix it: Like said above, easy on the heavy creamy and waxy products! In addition, keep a regular scalp and hair cleansing regimen. Especially if you are very active. Be sure to regularly wash with a moisturizing shampoo and if necessary, cleanse your scalp in between washes.
4-Overmanipulation & Tight Styling-Over-manipulation and tight styles might look cute now, but they’re costing you in the long run. Constant twisting, pulling, and tension styles (like super-tight ponytails or braided roots) can lead to thinning, weak spots, and even traction alopecia—especially around the edges. Also locs that are bound together by braiding or twisting worn over time can also start thinning your ends.
How to Fix it: Do not over twist your locs and switch up your hairstyles. Give your hair a break and alternate between wearing low tension styles such as barrel twists, loose buns or two strand twists. Also find styles that don’t require a fresh retwist.
5-Not Protecting Your Locs Against Clothes and Fabrics- This one is sneaky. It is easy to underestimate how the friction of your hair rubbing against your clothes will not weaken and dry the locs but will also lead to lint buildup.
How to Fix It: Don’t always wear your hair down and check your fabrics. Also be sure to wear a satin bonnet or stocking cap at night.
Addressing these five things alone can literally renew your hair. Check out my blog post “Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Loc’ing my Hair” where I go into a little more detail about some of the things listed above. If you want supernaturally growing, glowing and healthy hair, it cannot be overstated just how impactful these simple practices are.