{"id":16972,"date":"2023-09-29T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T09:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/?p=16972"},"modified":"2023-09-29T09:05:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T09:05:00","slug":"how-often-should-you-retwist-locs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.styleseat.com\/blog\/how-often-should-you-retwist-locs\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Retwist Locs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a general rule of thumb, you should retwist your locs every four to six weeks.<\/strong> However, this may be shorter or longer depending on multiple factors such as hair texture, loc phase, and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of retwisting your locs \u2014 whether you have interlocking locs or palm roll them \u2014 is to shape and train the hair into the look you want over time. Retwisting your locs<\/a> too frequently can lead to damage, causing thinning and breakage. On the other hand, not retwisting enough may cause your locs to mat together and lose the desired shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post covers how often to retwist locs based on loc stage, what to do if your locs start unraveling, and how to keep locs looking good longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Often You Should Retwist Your Locs Based on Your Loc Phase<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the starter phase, you should retwist your locs every four weeks and may even retwist every two to three weeks for the first four to six weeks. After that, retwist every four to six weeks in the budding phase, four to six weeks in the teen stage, and eight to twelve-plus weeks during the mature and rooted phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that the suggested frequency of retwisting is just a guideline. Factors such as your hair texture, if you have thin, fine or coarse hair strands, how you maintain your hair, and your lifestyle will all impact how often you\u2019ll need to retwist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following chart provides a general guideline for when to get your locs retwisted based on the loc stage<\/a> you\u2019re in:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Typically, if you have thinner hair, you may need more frequent retwists than if you have thicker, coarser hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starter Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The starter phase is the beginner stage and can last three to six months. How frequently you should retwist your locs during this phase depends on how thin or coarse your hair is. Typically, you\u2019ll want to retwist them every four weeks<\/strong> during the starter phase, though you may want to retwist every two to three weeks the first month or month and a half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overtwisting starter locs can lead to damaging, thinning, and breakage, so assess your hair care needs to avoid retwisting too frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budding Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This phase comes after the starter phase and lasts six to twelve months. Try to establish a regular retwisting routine in this phase, retwisting every four to six weeks<\/strong> as you see fit with your hair type and texture. You\u2019ll know if you\u2019re retwisting too frequently if you start to see hair damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teen Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The teen phase follows the budding phase, coming about twelve to eighteen months into your loc journey. The locs will begin taking on their shape at this stage. Make sure to follow your regular loc maintenance schedule, retwisting about every four to eight weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mature Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This phase can last anywhere from fifteen to eighteen months or about one to two years. While you won\u2019t need to retwist mature locs to hold their shape, you may want to retwist every eight to twelve-plus weeks<\/strong> to reduce frizz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rooted Phase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Also known as the adult stage, this is the final phase of the loc journey. The rooted phase occurs after eighteen to twenty-one months or up to two years after the first time you get your locs twisted. As in the mature phase, you can retwist your locs every eight to twelve-plus weeks<\/strong> to cut down on frizzy hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, a retwisting schedule is highly personal. You may have to experiment with what works best for you and your hair goals.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Loctician:<\/strong> Tara Cline<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How Do You Know When to Retwist Your Locs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may want to retwist locs when there\u2019s a lot of new growth or frizz at your roots. A good time to retwist locs is after wash day, though this will depend on your wash schedule. If your locs are starting to marry or mat together, it may be time for a retwist. However, remember that you can groom and separate your locs without retwisting them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exception is if you\u2019re free forming your locs, or letting them form into locs on their own over time. Freeform dreadlocks are thicker than traditional locs, and you generally cannot see the hairlines. A variety of freeform dreadlocks and semi-freeform dreads involve a palm-rolling technique and occasional retwisting every four to six months or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Retwist Your Locs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not retwisting can be damaging to your locs, potentially causing the following problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n