Locs

Locs (also dreadlocks, dreads) are the long-term protective styling where natural hair is intentionally allowed to mat and form rope-like locs over months and years. The style has cultural, religious, and political significance across multiple African diaspora communities, with the Rastafarian movement bringing them into 20th-century global visibility through Bob Marley and reggae culture. Mature locs take 6-18 months to fully form.

They flatter oval, heart, square, and oblong faces — the textured rope shapes frame the face uniquely on each shape. Type 3 (curls) and Type 4 (coily) hair are the styling's home; locs work on natural African texture, not on other curl types without significant intervention. The styling is a significant commitment — undoing locs requires either cutting them off or combing them out over many hours.

Low daily maintenance — sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf, retwist new growth every 4-6 weeks (a 'locician' specializes in this), oil scalp weekly. Mature locs require less maintenance than starting them; the styling's long-term cost is low. The styling has cultural and political significance — wear it knowing the context. Start with comb coils or two-strand twists; expect 6-18 months to mature.