Why I decided to transition away from locs
I always thought my locs would be a life-long commitment. After approximately 5 years of growing my hair, I made the decision to start over. The weight of my locs began to pull on my scalp, creating unpleasant bald spots on my edges.
I wanted an alternative option to cutting my locs off and starting from scratch. For most women, the big chop can be a freeing experience. For others, it can be very jarring to see themselves without hair. I’m one of those people. I decided cutting my locs and starting over was not an option.
“The most important part of combing out your locs is maintaining moisture in your hair…”
First, you’ll need conditioner with lots of slip and plenty of time
In my research I discovered that with a bit of conditioner, and a lot of patience, a person could comb out their locs and retain some length. I came across a brand named Knotty Boy that specifically caters to people with locs. Their product lineup includes a dreadlock removal kit.
What you’ll need:
- The Knotty Boy Shampoo and Conditioner, or any conditioner that offers extreme moisture
- A spray bottle
- A metal fork (or a rat tail comb)
- Time and patience
Our top selling leave-In conditioners
Out of stock
Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner
£5.99The bargain super quencher for your tresses! Hydrating and lightweight so it won’t weigh down your curls. It’s great value for money and it smells great too! It’s a popular one here at afrodrops and it’s easy to see why
Out of stock
As I Am Restore & Repair Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water
£9.99One of our best sellers hands down. This drop from As I Am is the ultimate curl refresher and ‘L’ in your LOC or LCO routine. A light and pleasant fragrance, moisturising and lightweight. It’s the perfect prep step for styling and moisturises more than just water alone – that’s why we love it!
As I Am Classic Leave-In Conditioner
£8.99Epic hydration, softness and shine never felt (or smelt) so good! This hugely popular drop from As I Am gives you real Curl Power by adding moisture and shine. Creates the perfect foundation for gels, custards and styling creams as it stops them flaking and hardening. A quick squeeze of the bottle and you’re set to style!
Out of stock
Aunt Jackie’s Kids Knot Havin’ It Detangling Moisturiser
£5.99Breakage, dryness, knots and grease- we’re knot havin it! An easy peasy, ultra slippery everyday leave-in conditioner perfect for your child’s curls and coils. It’s all about nourishing natural hair and making life a little easier. Detangling and styling is a breeze, plus curls are left moisturised and defined!
As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Leave-In Conditioner
£8.99The ultimate anti-dandruff leave-in conditioner – FACT! Say goodbye to dandruff and a flaky, itchy, and dry scalp with this nourishing and active leave-in that’s loaded with tea tree oil (proven to soothe dry skin) and coconut oil. Define, nourish and tame your curls AND care for your sensitive scalp in one go. That’s a triple win right there!
Out of stock
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
£11.99One of the best leave-in conditioners made specifically for low porosity and type 4 hair. Loaded with honey (a natural humectant to help hydrate and lock in moisture into hair). It’s also got plenty of slip too to help with detangling before styling. Oh, and it smells incredible!
Out of stock
As I Am Restore & Repair JBCO Leave-In Conditioner
£9.99If you’re looking for a bestie in your hair growth journey, this leave-in conditioner is gonna be your BFF for life**.** An ultra-hydrating formula with proven hair-strengthening qualities? Say yes!
Out of stock
Curly Kids Curly Creme Leave-In Conditioner
£5.99You’ll go curl crazy for your kids soft, moisturised curls, coils, kinks or waves! Minimises breakage, helps detangling and maximises softness. It’s added manageability factor makes this a real win and it’s the perfect prep-step before styling!
The most important part of combing out your locs is maintaining moisture in your hair. Start the entire process by washing and conditioning your mane.
Where to get started
Take time to determine whether this is a process you want to achieve over the span of a weekend or a few weeks. If your plan is to tackle your hair during one weekend, then you can start anywhere on your head.
If you’d like to plan this out over a couple of weeks, target the middle of your head. This way you’re able to put your hair up in a ponytail whenever you have to make public appearances.
After washing and conditioning your hair
After you’ve washed and conditioned your hair, take some leave-in conditioner and rub it in your locs from root to tip. From the tip of your hair, take a metal fork or rat tail comb and begin to comb out your hair.
The more moisturised your hair is, the easier it is for your locs to loose up. Continue this process until your hands are tired and you need a break.
Whether you’re completing this over a weekend or a few weeks, you want to make sure that every time you restart the process, your hair is damp.
Our best selling loc care products
Jamaican Mango & Lime Original Black Castor Oil
£5.99It’s a best seller, it’s super-versatile and when it does everything so well it’s so easy to see why!
Out of stock
Jamaican Mango & Lime Tingle Shampoo
£4.99Made for dreads and locs, this drop from Jamaican Mango & Lime removes build up and leaves hair feeling zesty fresh. It’s a fruity phenomenon that refreshes locs, stops them from getting dry and your scalp from getting flaky all in one wash. The scent of summer in a bottle with the tingle that tells you your hair is really clean!
Out of stock
Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking Gel
£4.99The OG of locking gels! This drop from Jamaican Mango & Lime is the go-to when it comes to starting your locks journey or working on fresh braids. Hydrates, seals and holds. Boom!
Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Shampoo
£6.99Loaded with Jamaican black castor oil (the holy grail of hair growth and strengthening) gives this drop one tick. The other? It’s made by Jamaican Mango & Lime! Simple, effective ingredients and it’s at a great price too.
Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Xtra Dark
£5.49There is absolutely nothing that Jamaican Mango & Lime Xtra Dark Black Castor Oil cannot do when it comes to skin and hair! Versatile AF and it’s one of our must haves!
Jamaican Mango & Lime Protein Conditioner
£4.99If you want something new for your dreadlock care arsenal, you’re gonna wanna keep this baby locked and loaded. Whether you’re starting to create locks or looking to maintain them long term, this is the product for your hair journey.
Out of stock
Jamaican Mango & Lime Resistant Formula Locking Gel
£4.99The OG locking gel from Jamaican Mango & Lime with an even stronger hold. Perfect for starting locs and braids and great for tidying up new growth on existing protective styles. Great smell too!
Jamaican Mango & Lime Black Castor Oil Conditioner
£6.99Loaded with Jamaican black castor oil (the holy grail of hair growth and strengthening) gives this drop one tick. The other? It’s made by Jamaican Mango & Lime! Simple, effective ingredients and it’s at a great price too.
Don’t forget to take breaks – Netflix is essential!
Breaks are good! This process can be so tedious and time consuming so make sure you’re fully hydrated and have a few good Netflix shows lined up. Don’t underestimate the level of patience needed during this process.
It can be discouraging, you may feel like it’s taking forever, and you will want to give up. Be patient with yourself and keep going! Think of different strategies towards combing your locs out.
Perhaps recruiting a friend to help you out, or breaking up the amount of time you invest in one sitting will be helpful.
Whether you’re completing this over a weekend or a few weeks, you want to make sure that every time you restart the process, your hair is damp.
Hair care tips post comb out
Once you’ve successfully combed out your locs, your hair will be fragile. Hot oil treatments and deep conditioners will assist in strengthening your tresses.
Pay a visit to your local beauty salon and get a much needed trim. Although you’ve retained length, your ends will be damaged and likely shed over time. Allow the salon professionals to give your hair a good treatment.
8 years on and no regrets
It has been 8 years since I combed out my locs and it is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I do miss my hair at times, but it was time for a change.
The breakage from the weight of my hair did lots of damage to my scalp. With oil treatments and deep conditioners, I managed to nurse my edges back to health.
If you’re ready to transition into a new hairstyle but don’t want to do a big chop, this is a great alternative.
