Loc'd 4 Leisure

To keep it short and sweet, yes, retwisting your locs in the same direction does matter.

But which way is not the concern.

When it comes to getting your loc maintenance, consistency is important and you want to keep note of what’s being done each time.

I have been maintaining my own locs for the past 4 years and I’ll be the first to say my locs aren’t perfect, but I’m consistent with what I do and that has led me to the healthy locs I have today.

In today’s blog post we’re going to talk all about does retwisting your locs in the same direction matter, which direction is best, hair growth facts, myths, and more.

After reading this you’ll have a better understanding of the direction you should retwist your locs in.

Table of Contents

Hair Follicle Growth Direction

For starters, everyone’s hair does not grow in the same direction. In fact, our hair grows in different directions all over our head!

The way that our hair grows varies from person to person. Some peoples hair grow clockwise (right), and others grow counterclockwise (left).

Naturally most kinky curly hair grows to the right, but that doesn’t mean all kinky hair grows the same.

Take the time to closely observe your roots to figure out which way your hair grows. You can do so by taking a credit card and placing it near your roots to see what direction your hair is growing in.

This will ensure you or your loctician are retwisting your locs in the direction it naturally goes.

Retwist Direction Standard

Generally, most people retwist their locs clockwise, or to the right, simply because it is industry standard.

For example, if you are starting your locs with coils, 9/10 you or your loctician will be twisting the comb towards the right to start your coils.

Same goes with 2 strand. In fact, there’s a new way to start locs with the 2 strand twist starter loc method. At the start of the loc you’ll begin them with a coil, (about one inch) then 2 strand twist the remaining hair.

Your locs should then be consistently twisted towards the right to give them a uniformed look.

Recommended Blog Post: Which Method Fits You Best? Coils or 2 Strand Twists?

Does The Direction I Retwist Matter?

No, the direction you retwist your locs in does not matter. What does matter is the consistency of it.

If you start off retwisting your locs towards the left, you should continue doing so. Same goes for the right.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you are stuck going the same direction neither though. If you are looking to change the direction you are retwisting your locs in, be sure to do so early on in your locking process. Waiting too late may cause confusion within your locs, causing excessive thinning at the roots.

If you do end up having to change your retwist direction later in your journey, understand this will be a process. You will need to carefully examine your locs each month and possibly have to wait a bit longer in between retwists to ensure you are not experiencing any thinning.

Recommended Blog Post: Here’s Why Less is More For Your Locs

Can Different Locs Go Different Directions?

Yes and no.

Personally speaking, when retwisting my own locs, it is inevitable that I retwist some locs going a different way. That is because naturally when I’m reaching towards the back and or side of my head, my palm roll may go a way that feels more comfortable for me at the time, resulting in a different retwist direction.

This is totally normal to do. The key is to consistently retwist those locs in the same direction every time.

Which Direction Should I Retwist My Locs?

If you are still completely unsure which way your hair grows, simply retwist your locs to the right.

As mentioned above, the majority of people with kinky hair will grow to the right. So to keep things simple, retwist your locs to the right every time you get a retwist to keep a neat uniformed look.

What If I’m Doing An Updo Loc Style?

Even when you’re doing a loc style, whether that style is up or down, you are still going to be retwisting your locs to the right.

The direction your style is going in will not interfere with the direction your locs will be retwisted in.

Recommended Blog Post: 11 Low Effort Back To School Styles For Short Locs

Should I Change The Direction My Locs Are Retwisted In?

The only time you should switch the direction you are retwisting your locs in is if you noticed your locs are thinning at the roots.

If whichever way you have been retwisting your locs in (clockwise or counter-clockwise) has been working for you, there is no need to switch directions.

Is It Better To Interlock Or Palm Roll Locs?

This is a preference and hair type, type of answer to this question.

Interlocking requires you to pull the ends of your locs through your roots, using a latch hook crochet tool. You’ll continue this method until your roots are tightened enough to your liking.

This method is best for:

• Neater roots
• No unraveling
• Longer retwist

This method is great for people who work out a lot and want their retwist to last longer. This method is also great for finer hair types (2a to 3a) that easily unravel.

Palm rolling requires you to simply twist your locs using the palms of your hands.

This method is best for:

• Beginners
• Loc shape formation
• Quick maintenance time

This method is great for beginners who plan on maintaining their own locs eventually. This method also works with any hair type.

Both methods are great choices and neither is better than the other.

For beginners maintaining their own hair, I’d recommend palm rolling because it is easy to learn.

Once you’ve tried palm rolling and you’re not happy with the results you’ve been getting (constant unraveling), then switch to interlocking to maintain your retwist for longer.

When it comes to the maintenance of your locs, consistency is key. Be sure to keep track of the health of your locs each month for a better understanding of your crown.

FREE STARTER LOC GUIDE

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What’s Included:

• Loc Styling Guide
• Sealant vs Moisture Breakdown
• How Often To Wash & Retwist 
• Best Products To Use

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