I get this question a lot. How long your hair takes to fully lock up varies from person to person. It depends on how thick your hair is and the dreading method you use. If you use a back-coming method or hair-knitting type method, it might seem like your hair is dread-locked instantly, whereas using the two-strand twist method or single strand may take several months. Without any method at all, by simply not combing or brushing your hair, it can lock up naturally anywhere from 2 months to a year.
This blog entry written by Trula Breckenridge.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
78 Responses to How Long Does It Take For My Hair To Fully Lock?
Leave a Reply
Celebrating 10 Years Online
I'm Trula and this is my dreadlocks blog. My current set of locks were started in 1998 and prior to that I had dreadlocks from 1992-1997. Dread Mama is part of the MSPmedia network ©2001-2009 All Rights Reserved.
Subscribe in a readerDread Mama Book
Positive Emergence Zine
Check out my zine, I'm on a mission to infuse positivity into the world! Topics include choosing happiness, depression management, overcoming trauma, letting go of the past, and more.
Dread Mama Buns & Up-Dos
Dreadlocked Kids
Wavy Locks
Dreadlock Ponytails
Early Dreadlocks
Cornrows
Wraps & Nests
More MSPmedia Blogs
i just twisted my hair a week ago and waiting for it to dread. will it unravel if i wash it this week?
It might! I couldn’t say for sure even if I saw your hair in person. It really just depends. You will probably have to re-twist afterwards though, that’s been my personal experience.
I started locking my hair in February 2009. I have really curly hair. what are the chances of my hair coming undone if i lightly wash my hair? Its been almost two months since I’ve gotten them professionally done.
Thank u
They might come undone, it really all depends on the method used to lock your hair. If your hair was back-combed or crocheted into ‘instant’ dreads, the hair will most likely stay together. If your hair was single or two-strand twisted, the twists might come out. All you would have to do after washing your hair is re-twist it.
evryone tells me i have the perfect texture for locks plus my hair grows pretty fast, currently i have small 1 inch twisties in my hair, how long will it take for my hair to dread and how long will they be within months and years?
hi brandyn, locking time really does vary from person to person, but you can expect your locks to start forming within a few months. On hair length, human hair in all ethnicities/races on average grows 5-6 inches a year. But because locks tighten and shrink up as they form, you will most likely not see the 6 inches of growth every year in your locks. But rest assured your hair is actually growing. I tend to get 2 inches of length each year post shrinkage, though this may vary for you. You will have to wait and see how long your hair is every month, year.
i’m wondering how long it will take my hair to lock i have nappy type hair and i was wondering i also have two strand twist can any one get back to me for how long it would take and how would it look after it locks would it still look like twist or like other dreads
hi larquease, It will look like dreads and how long it takes can vary…’nappy’ is sorta a limiting descriptor because it can cover a multitude of textures of hair, and there are other factors that can affect how long it takes your hair to lock. Very thick, very ‘nappy’ hair can take 2-6 months to fully lock up.
Hello! I got my hair bak combed twisted about a month ago! i get them re-twisted every two weeks with bees wax! i also haven’t washed or wet my hair yet. are they locked? how can i tell when they are locked?
You can tell if your hair is fully locked when the twists do not easily unravel even after washing.
Hey ive have very thick curly hair ive been trying to dread my hair since december i got my hair in two strand twiststhey dont seem lock because they get swuper fuzzy after i sleep i heard i need to wash them but im afaid cuz it might kome complety out and ima b a very upset person ive been waitin for some pro tips do u have any u reccomend?
When you wash your hair, some of your twists may come out. Just re-twist them (but don’t comb through your hair; retwist it as is). It can take your hair up to a year to fully lock doing the two-strand twist method depending on the texture. All I can advise is patience, and to wash your hair regularly. Washing doesn’t slow the locking process much, but not washing just give you dirty hair and an itchy smelly scalp.
hi my hair is about 7 inches long and i was wondering whats the best method for me i have kinda nappy hair could you please get back to me thank you mam
I don’t know what the best method would be for your hair, it really does depend on you and your hair. Keep in mind there are as many different ‘types’ of hair as there are shades of skin. You might want to try the 2-strand twist method, this worked well for me.
hello i was just wondering that if i was to get twisties will i be able to take them out after a month
You probably will be able to take them out but depending on the thickness and curliness of your hair it make not be easy to take them out after a month. Your hair will have started the locking process…if you take out your twists when your hair is wet you may find them easier to take out.
i have my hair platted is this a good method to start with or not and my hairs like 7 inches long so what would be the fastest/best method for me
It’s a good method to start with, many people have found success with locking this way. I can’t tell you what would be the fastest or best method for your hair…is speed is what you want you might try backcombing your hair to form ‘instant’ dreads…
hey i have thick hair.. ive had my hair in for 2 months now. when do u think they will start to lock
I am not sure, hair can take from 2 months to a year (in some cases even longer!) to fully lock up. You will have to wait and see.
I just got my hair back combed twisted on the 6th of june and i was wondering how long will it take for my hair to lock and does constantly twisting it make it lock faster. and how often do i have get it professionally twisted
Hi Big Boy. locks can take anywhere from 2 months to a year to fully lock up, some cases even longer. You will have to wait and see how long it takes for your hair.
on professional twisting, I don’t know because I have never gotten my hair professionally twisted. Based on my experience I would say never.
hey my afro is about 7 inches ,in a year how long will will it be if i twist it
Hi zerrick, locks can take anywhere from 2 months to a year to fully lock up, some cases even longer. You will have to wait and see how long it takes for your hair.
i got my hair twisted about a week a ago trying to dread and i have the twostrands i was wondering how long should i wait to wash my hair???(and i have nappy hair if that means anything)
Hi cam, wash it whenever you feel like it. That’s what I did with my hair. It really didn’t make any difference in locking time for me and my kids’ hair but everyone is different.
i have very very thick and nappy hair its been two months since i have had dreads. how long do u think it will take for my dreads to start locking
Hi Jermaine, I think I don’t know. dreadlocks can take anywhere from 2 months to a year to fully lock up, some cases even longer. You will have to wait and see how long it takes for your hair.
I just wanted to know if I can get dreads, because I applied a curly texturizer a few months ago, and I’m afraid if I do get them, my dreads won’t lock or they might curl up. Will I have to cut my hair all over again? or can I just do them? And can you get dreads even though you have long hair? Let’s say down to your shoulders? Thanks!
Hi Dave A! yes you can get dreads if you have long hair; length of hair does not affect if your hair will dread up or not. The curly texturizer might cause an issue with breakage however I have know people to lock their hair just fine with texturizers, perms, etc. It really does just depend on how your hair will react/respond. If it were me I’d cut off the chemically treated hair though. What are you going to do?
Girl I have no idea. I really really don’t want to cut my hair but like you said it worked for certain people so i don’t know. I think I’ll just do them with my hair this way. And I also have another question, what type of dreads do I do that can be taken out? I don’t want to have to cut my hair if i get tired of them. Thanks!
Dave, you can take out dreads started with any method with enough patience, as far as I know. I would reckon that to take out dreads started with tiny braids or latchhooks or the crocheting type method would be very difficult to take down, so maybe try locking with single or two-strand twists.
Hi i just twisted my hair, im half-african american. i was wondering, since i am black will my hair lock up easier than a caucasians hair would? my friend is white he got his hair back combed at its taken him 9 months for it to even start locking up, i figured it was because of his hair type. i have coarse, nappy “negro” hair haha can u help?
Hi Zeke, it really does depend on the individual’s hair type, which may or may not correlate to race. Many black people have hair which does not lock in 9 months time. So, in order to know if your hair will lock faster than your friend’s, you will just have to lock and see.
I got my hair twisted like 4 months ago and they not lock yet.but i no it take times but the tip of my hair is curled up.is that a bad thing?also does washing your hair help it lock faster?last thing i twist my hair with my fingers alot iz that bad?
Hi Trey! Most people’s hair does not fully lock within 4 months. Patience is key here. The tip of your hair curling up is only a bad thing if you think it is, it really won’t affect the rate at which your hair locks. Twisting your hair a lot can be bad because if you over-twist it can cause thinning and breakage of your locks. Let your hair be so it can do it’s thing.
Hey i was wondering i am just like Dave A i had that kind of perm in my head i think the last time it was in there was early in may. My hair was not really ststraight but enough to comb threw. If i get dreads will they lock up. I really don’t want to cut my hair yet. Any suggestions to help me start out?
Hi Dexter! All hair will dread up given enough time. Thick and curly hair tends to lock up faster than thin and straight hair. Try two-strand twisting your hair.
hi Trula,
i just wanted to know and to tell others something. first of i want to ask you something. Now my hair is twisted(one stranded) and i have had them in for a month and my twists are starting to get rough and i can’t untwist them with out them stopping(that’s just my way of checking to see if they are twisted) what does that mean? is it at least dreaded, i know its not fully dreaded but is it at least like more than 50% dreaded? and what is your thoughts about dread wax in small amounts. oh and people please stop asking the same questions its really annoying, you need to read before you post ok it really saves time.and to everyone thins may offend in anyway i apologize. thank you
Hi Stanley, I really couldn’t tell you the percentage of how much your hair is dreaded, sorry!! But yes that is an indication your hair is partly dreaded. Personally, I do not like using any kind of wax because in my experience it causes buildup in locks and attracts lint. However, you may find you have a different experience.
I just started dreading my hair im not sure the method used but thiers bees wax in it and i wanna know what should and should’nt I do.
kyle, in my opinion there are no ‘shoulds’ in dreadlocking…there is only experimentation. Personally, I do not like using beeswax because in my experience it causes buildup in locks and attracts lint. However, you may find you have a different experience.
IM A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, GETTIN READY FOR COLLEGE I WANT TO START FRESH IN COLLEGE. I WANT TO GROW DREADS BUT I DONT WANT TO START THEM OFF SHORT. IS THERE A WAY I CAN GET THEM EXTENDED
Hi Danielle! I have heard of dreadlock extensions but sorry, I don’t do them or know how to start them or where you can get them done. Maybe check your local hair salons that do weaves and extensions? perhaps someone there will know what to do.
i got my hair twisted two days ago and i need long enough before school starts in a week how fast will it grow how long will it take
Hi trent! Human hair grows at a rate of 6 inches per year. So let’s do the math. There are 52 weeks in a year. So, 6 divided by 52 equals 0.11539 inches. Round it to 0.12 inches in one week. You will not see or notice the growth.
{This is alot}I started my dreads about 2weeks and 2days ago. When i was getting my hair retwisted she packed it with Styling {black} gel, pulled the comb all the way through, && Gave my a Darn part down the middle of my head. am i overreacting or did she do it all wrong?? plus my hair is so soft that it comes undone within the 1st 5days. should i twist it weekly or jus wait the 2weeks and walk around with a inch and a half of untwisted hair{P.S … i started with comb coils … maybe i should wash it out and start 2strand twist}
Hi Starr! Well, I am of the opinion that there is no wrong way to do dreads, only different ways. Perhaps your stylist started your dreads with a method not best for your hair. Really, it is up to you what you should do. If it were me I would go ahead and re-twist doing 2-strand twists. That is my favorite method for locking hair. In my experience, comb coils and 2-strand methods hair will lock at around the same rate, but 2-strand looks neater and maintains a hold on your hair without any gel.
I jus started my Hair less then 3months ago. its starting to lock and is about 4inch long. i cant wait to style and get it out of my face ! LOl but as i look into some “dos” i see many of the models have parts in there hair. is that something i should of started from the jump or is it something i can do now. i heard it could be very painful.
Hi Aryn! Lots of people start their locks with parted sections. but even if you freeform you can always make changes to your locks. maybe try taking out/unraveling the locks where you want to part?
hey, i recently got my hair twisted. its been twisted for about 3 week or a month now. i was wondering if i should twisted my hair everyday or just wait the two weeks to get it professional done. And also when should i wash my hair for the first time and what kind of shampoo should i use.
Thanks and bless you for the help.
hi Marvin! I appreciate that you asked me for advice but personally I feel there are no ‘shoulds’ in having dreadlocks. Do what you feel most comfortable doing. If you want to experiment around with twisting your hair everyday or once a week or whatever, why not? if you’d rather wait to have someone else do it, then do that. I have never gotten my locks professionally done so I really can’t speak on that. What I have found is that I have learned a lot about my own hair from doing it myself.
When should you wash it? Wash it when you want to. I wash my hair once a week and did so when I was first dreading up. In my experience washing hair really makes no difference or delay in the time it takes for your hair to fully lock up.
Hi. I’ve had my locs for over two years and haven’t been following a routine maintenance schedule. I just decided to start washing my hair once a week but, my question is how often should I retwist them? I figured washing them four times a month then, retwisting once a month. Is that acceptable?
Hi Rob, is it acceptable to you? That’s the only thing that matters. If you find that washing your locks 4 times a month and re-twisting once a month is working for you, then of course it’s acceptable, right?
hey my name is earl and i plated my hair on the 28th of december 2009 and i jus wanted to kno how long do you think it will take before my hair locks .thanks
Hi b.black, you can lock your hair any number of ways. I locked my hair doing two-strand twists.
What’s up I’m puerto rican/black my hair is about and foot in length I’m on my third week of starter locs do u think I have long b4 they Loc?
Hi Will, I have no idea. You will have to wait and see. Locking time varies from person to person.
Thanks for responding I have another question it’s been almost a month and I just got retwisted but he put rubberbands on the ends and washed my hair b4 retwisting it looks fine he uses the comb coil method but it seems like they are not coiled all the way down I have long hair do u think that will prevent my hair from locking?
No Will, nothing will prevent your hair from locking…if left alone without being combed or brushed, anyone’s hair will lock up on it’s own. Just give it time
I did my dreads 2 months ago and ive been using the back combing method but my hair is taking a really long time to lock is there any other methods i can try to make it go faster
Hi Chris. the answer is I don’t think so. you will just have to be patient.
Hi Trula,
My loctician used the black styling gel to twist my hair and it only lasted for 5 days. Now I have to keep twsiting it myself. I hear beeswax is not good to use but your twist last longer using it. Is it smart to use beeswax now so that my twists stay and as my hair gets longer use healthier methods or should I stay away from beeswax altogether?
Hi Dre Boi, beeswax can cause lots of gunk buildup and attract lots of lint to the hair. Some people have had good results using it though. I would say it is a personal choice. Personally, I don’t use it and would not recommend it.
hey Trula. love u and love the site. i will continue to support u all and God bless. btw..i have been locking for 2 months now. i have my fiancee re-twist me every two weeks and the middle of my hair starting to lock. ?..wat shud i wrap my hair with at night to keep my smaller locks in the back of my head at the bottom from unraveling to keep my hair neat. im happy to be nappy buy not messy. lol. also wat shud i do wen they unravel a bit and it is ok to clean my head and hair with sea breeze instead of washing with shampoo becuz it feel grreeaat wen i do so!!!
Hi BiigBoyyFre$h, I don’t wrap my hair at night, never really have. If you must wrap it however, try using a silk scarf. As you are having good results using the seabreeze, why not keep doing it?
Hi I would like to know if all i did was wash my hair would it lock up and would it continue to grow if all i did was wash it, thanks and be bless
Hi Earl, yes, if you all you did was wash your hair, yes, it would lock up.
Yeah I started with two strand twist two months ago an the tips of some of mine have locked.But I have super thick hair so mine will all dread fast anyway
I two stranded my hair about 3 months ago. The thing is, I had a relaxer but hadnt had one in over 10 months and my ends on most of them are still kinda straight. My question is what is the best thing to do with my ends…..cut them or just continue to let the dreading process take its course?………oh and most of them have started locking already but some havent….
I started my first set of locks in the same condition as you. I went without a perm for several months and thought that all my hair was natural. To my surprise it was not, I had perm on the ends. My loctician twisted my hair and cut off all the ends that were still permed. I will look shorter but in the long run it will make your locks look better and grow better. The perm must go!!! Remember we are natural now!! Good Luck.
i got my hair twisted about a week ago and i use mango & lime locking gel i was wondering how long it would take for my hair to lock it is very very thick thaks for the help
can someone please tell me when should i retwist my two strand twist. I am in the process of gettin dreads and don’t want to retwist ny hair too early. I have had them done for awhile now, they are starting to lock a little and i have alot of new growth. Will someone please answer this question for me. Thank you.
you can write me or answer my question at my e-mail address which is: Ms.LadyP0221@yahoo.com i would truly be thankful and the sooner the better thank you
I’ve been trying to lock up for a month or so now. Is there anything I can do to speed up the locking process. I heard wetting them and using salty water can help. And is there anything that I can do to slow down the process?
Hi Rees, backcombing can give you ‘instant’ locks but it is a time-consuming process. I would advise patience; your hair will lock up by and by.
Hi
I have had my locks for eight years and have only washed them when going for a retwist. It’s very uncomfortable (like when I’ve worked out and can smell them but can’t go for a retwist) and expensive, and I’d like to space my visits to the salon to four weeks. My only fear is that they will untwist when I wash them. Will they? Is there a way to wash them so that they don’t?
Hi Queen Viv! yes they may untwist, it really depends on the texture of your hair and how long you’ve had dreads. You’ve had locks for 8 years so your hair is fully locked so the only thing that would untwist is the roots or the new growth. at this point this hair is gonna lock on it’s own anyway…twisting just basically gives your hair a more groomed, manicured look.