Starter Locs 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Begin

Starting your locs is a simple yet tedious step in any newfound loc journey.

The easiest parts consist of—deciding on a method, gathering tools, and simply committing.

The hardest part is understanding that the most mundane steps can make or break the health of your new locs.

In today’s post we’re going to talk all about everything you need to know before starting your loc journey so you can be on your way to healthy locs longterm.

Table of Contents

Decide On A Starter Loc Method

Once you’ve decided on committing to this journey, it is time to choose a starter loc method.

Below are two popular ways to start locs.

2 Strand Twists

Coils

2 Strand Twist: Sections of hair are twisted, similar to mini twists.
Coils: Sections of hair are coiled, which involves using a comb or fingers to coil the hair from root to tip.

Starter Loc Maintenance

The maintenance of starter locs is crucial in ones’ journey because it will make or break how your locs mature. Your main priority when maintaining your locs should be the health of your hair—not aesthetics.

Maintenance depends on the method used to start the locs, hair and scalp type, and personal preferences. But generally it includes a simple retwist backed by a consistent wash routine.

What is Retwisting?

Retwisting is the upkeep needed for locs to encourage a healthy formation of matured locs. Retwisting can be done every 2 to 3 weeks or every 4 to 6 weeks.

Different Retwist Methods

There are three different retwist methods. Each method serves a different purpose and works best depending on your hair type, lifestyle, and how much structure your locs need.

Palm Rolling

Palm rolling is a method used with your hands only, to smooth the locs from root to tip and help them form into cylindrical shapes. This method is great for all hair types.

How Often: Palm rolling can be done every 4-6 weeks, and in between sessions as well to help combat frizziness.
Technique: After washing, using a small amount of product, roll the locs between the palms of your hands starting from the roots, and palm roll all the way down and finish off with a clip to secure.
Benefits:
- Gentle on the hair
- Ideal for regular maintenance
- Works well with or without product

Interlocking

Interlocking is a technique often used for tighter or more secure locs, especially for people who want longer-lasting results in between maintenance. This method is great for all hair types.

How Often: Being that interlocking last longer, this can be done every 6 to 8 weeks.
Technique: This method involves using a crochet hook to pull the ends of the loc through the root in a specific pattern, which locks the hair securely.
Benefits:
- Lasts 6–8 weeks or more
- Doesn’t unravel easily
- Great for finer hair that slips out of palm rolls

Crochet

Crochet maintenance is a technique done using a crochet needle to tighten roots and clean up unwanted frizziness throughout shaft of locs.

How Often: Similar to interlocking, crochet maintenance can be done every 6-8 weeks, depending on lifestyle.
Technique: Using a crochet needle, you will insert the tool using an in-and-out motion until the loc begins to tighten. You’ll complete this step all the way down the loc or until your liking. Here’s a video below for a visual.

Benefits:
- Instant results (great for frizz control or repair)
- No clips or product needed;
- Can create or maintain a very tight, compact loc

Starter Loc Wash Routine

Although washing your starter locs varies based on hair type and lifestyle, you should at least wash your locs every month. A good wash routine will allow your locs to grow in a healthy environment, helping products to absorb quickly and do its magic.

Here’s how you will wash your starter locs correctly:

Products: Use a clarifying and hydrating shampoo of your choice to avoid product build up.

I’ve been using Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I Shampoo on my locs for almost a month now and I can truly feel the difference. It’s both hydrating and clarifying, leaving my locs feeling soft and scalp tingly.

Focus On Scalp Only: When washing your starter locs, mainly focus on cleansing the scalp rather than the shaft of locs. This will help not to manipulate and unravel your locs.

Quick tip: Use a wig cap to wash your starter locs for the first few weeks, this will help not to disturb your starter locs at all!

Drying: Dry your starter locs fully with an old t-shirt or a micro fiber towel to avoid lint and drying out natural oils in locs. After you may let them air dry or use a blow dryer if you’d like.

I only use microfiber towels on my clients and they’re great to quickly dry locs without over-drying.

Hydrate: Once you have cleansed your locs, you want to make sure you are hydrating them well.

Here’s a quick D.I.Y mixture that’s great for daily hydration!

Rose water OR Plain water
Leave-in Conditioner (my fav right now is the Dew Magic Leave-In Conditioner by Sienna Naturals)
Jojoba Oil

Daily Routine For Starter Locs

It is imperative to have a daily routine that caters to the health of your starter locs to keep them on the right track of formation.

How to Care For Locs In The Morning:

Mist locs and scalp with your hydration of choice. (ie: mixture above)

How to Care For Locs Throughout the Day:

Avoid manipulating your locs to reduce frizz and combat unraveling.

How to Care For Locs At Night:

Lightly mist locs
Apply a light oil to seal in moisture (ex: jojoba, tea tree, and argon)
Wrap locs with a bonnet, durag, or loc sock (use a satin pillow case for extra protection if you’d like)

And that’s it—literally. When it comes to caring for your new starter locs, less is more. Consistent maintenance and hydration is key in growing healthy locs.

When it comes down to oiling your scalp, you should only do so 1-3 times a week. Over oiling can cause more harm than good.

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

Best Products For Starter Locs

When choosing starter loc products, you want to opt for natural and organic. Your goal is to avoid buildup and promote a clean healthy scalp.

Below are some great products I’ve used on my clients starter locs, including my own, that has little to no harsh ingredients.

Best Shampoo For Locs

Difeel Rosemary and Mint Hair Strengthening Shampoo
Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I Shampoo (Clarifies and hydrates!)

ORS Shampoo Olive Oil Sulfate-Free Hydrating

Best Moisturizers For Locs

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Ge l
Sienna Naturals Dew Magic Leave-In Conditioner (smells sooo good)

Best Oils For Locs

Jojoba oil (similar to our skins natural oil)
Tea Tree Oil (great for itchy scalp)
Rosemary Oil (great for hair growth)
Peppermint Oil (great for itchy scalp)
Sienna Naturals DNA Scalp Serum (water-based serum to support hair growth and scalp health)

Best Loc Gel/Product For Locs

Best Bonnet or Silk/Satin Scarf For Locs

Best Drying Towels For Locs

Eurow Microfiber Bleachproof Ultra Absorbent Salon Towels

Best Tools For Locs

Starter Locs Do’s and Don’ts

Check out my Youtube video I made 3 YEARS AGO on starter locs do’s and don’ts!

In this video I was one year loc’d and gathered everything I personally went through and learned along the way to help you not make the same mistakes.

Want more detailed tips and strategies?

Grab your FREE 6 Step Starter Loc Maintenance Guide now!

This guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right products to maintaining healthy starter locs.

Join over 300 readers who have downloaded this guide and seen great results with their locs!

What’s Included:

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

Helping loc newbies navigate their new journey at the tip of their fingers.

Download Now

Understanding exactly what your starter locs need will make this journey a walk in the park.

Comment some advice or tips you may have for people just starting their loc journey, I’d love to hear it!

This post was all about starter locs!

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Loc'd 4 Leisure

Starter Locs 101: Everything You Need to Know Before You Begin

Decide On A Starter Loc Method