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What are Soft Locs?
Soft Locs, also known as butterfly locs, have a specific installation method with a smoother finish, less tension, and lighter weight than traditional faux locs. And also, Soft locs can be created by cropping pre-made soft locs into the cornrows or individually wrapping hair.
Faux locs come in different shapes and sizes these days. But I’m not going to lie. Even I find it hard to remember the difference between bohemian locs, butterfly locs, goddess locs, and even soft locs — the latest look to gain popularity.
As the name suggests, soft locs are softer than regular faux locs and have more movement when first installed, making them easier to style. “The key to getting the soft locs hairstyle is the type of hair used,” says a hairstylist.
“I like to use crochet faux locs because they don’t require you to wrap your hair down all the way, but you can also use kinky wrapping hair as this type of hair can be wrapped in various ways for different looks.”
If you want a style that appears like dreadlocks but is not ready to make a long-term pledge, soft locs are a great temporary alternative and look natural. Below, we asked Courtney to share everything you should know before getting soft locs.
Why Are Soft Locs a Good Caring Style?
If you want to give your hair a break, it’s best to go for a style that keeps the ends of the hair placed away and minimizes manipulation. “Soft locs are a good protective style whether they’re done individually or crocheted because they enclose the natural hair in the loc, protecting it from environmental damage,” says Courtney.
How Long Does It Take to Install Soft Locs?
If you’ve had box braids or any other protective style, you’ll know they usually take a while to install, and you’ve probably made a habit of not booking anything else on the same day as your hair appointment. So you’ll be pleased to know that soft locs can be pretty quick — they take anywhere from two to five hours to install, liable on the length and size of the locs.
Do Soft Locs Damage Your Hair?
Soft locs, like all faux locs, are intended to be a protective style with the added advantage of looking fantastic. But if not installed correctly, any protective type can damage your hair.
Here are a few possible issues:
- The added weight of extra hair on the head can pull on your roots and cause neck and back pain.
- Excessive tension may cause continued stress on your scalp leading to weakened hair and roots.
- The tension is especially damaging to your edges because hair is thinner at the edges and susceptible to breakage.
- Soft locs left too long mean that your hair suffers from the above for a prolonged period.
- Even if you remove your soft locs promptly, redoing them too often without rest for your natural hair may lead to damage.
How Are Soft Locs Installed?
“Soft locs can be done separately by wrapping hair around the natural hair or crocheting pre-made soft locs into cornrows,” says Courtney. The key to perfecting soft locs is the type of hair used. Most stylists recommend using crochet faux locs, kinky wrapping or kinky afro hair, or water wave passion twist hair.
What’s The Best Way to Care For Soft Locs?
If you want your soft locs hairstyle to last longer than a week, you must put in a little TLC. Firstly, you can’t jump into bed without covering your soft locs as they’ll become frizzy and possibly start to loosen.
According to Courtney, the best way to care for soft locs is to wear a silk or satin bonnet or scarf at night to prevent the soft locs from getting frizzy while you sleep. The hairstylist also recommends wearing a shower cap while showering to avoid the soft locs from getting wet. As this can cause them to slip down your natural hair and expose frizzy roots after drying.
Keeping your hair hydrated is also important when caring for your soft locs. Even though your natural hair is not exposed, it needs moisture to stay healthy. “Use necessary hydrating products to ensure your hair is staying healthy and moisturized and to protect the strands of the soft locs from fraying,” says Courtney.
Can You Wash Soft Locs?
The answer is yes. Washing this locs may seem tricky, but it’s not that hard. “The best way to wash soft locs is to focus your fingertips on the scalp individual and let the shampoo wash down the loc without manipulating it,” says Courtney. “Creating too much roughness on the locs will cause them to loosen and eventually come undone.”
How Long Do Soft Locs Last?
Soft locs last four to six weeks and are seamless. If you need to give your hair a break from heat treatment and different processes. However, it’s recommended that you don’t leave the style in much longer than this period. As the added weight of extra hair on the head can pull on your roots. And excessive tension can cause stress on your scalp leading to weakened roots and breakage.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Remove this Locs?
You’ll know it’s time to remove your soft locs when the roots of your hair have grown out significantly. “The synthetic hair added to create the loc will become heavy and pull on the natural root,” says Courtney. “At this point, you should remove the locs to prevent damage.”
What Is The Best Way to Remove this Locs?
Regarding removing soft locs, I have some good news — removing them is much quicker than installing them. Courtney recommends cutting the locs about six inches under your natural hair and unraveling them to ensure you don’t miss your hair. “You can also use conditioner to help soften the hair as this will help the soft locs to slide out,” says the hairstylist.
The Final Words
Soft locs are a beautiful way to protect your hair and look fabulous at the same time. As long as you moisturize your hair well before the soft locs are installed. You won’t have any unpleasant surprises when you remove them.
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