How To Repair Locs Thin at Root & Fix Weak Spots in Thinning Dreadlocks?
Are your locs thinning at root and with weak spots? There's no need to panic! Read our expert Thinning Locs Fixing Guide to discover the underlying causes and learn how you can repair them yourself right at home! We'll walk you through step-by-step solutions and tips to help strengthen and revitalize your locs, ensuring they're healthy and beautiful. Let's get started on bringing your locs back to their full glory!
Thinning Locs (Dreadlocks) Repairing & Fixing Guide
Locs are not only a hairstyle but a vivid celebration of cultural identity and individual flair. However, these gorgeous twists can sometimes experience issues such as thinning at the roots or along the strands. If your dreadlocks are starting to show signs of weakness, there’s no need to fret! We’re here to unpack the reasons why locs may begin to thin and provide you with actionable strategies and remedies to help strengthen and rejuvenate your locs. Ready to give your locs the love they deserve? Let’s get into it!
How To Repair Locs Thin at Root?
Thinning locs at the root can be a distressing experience for anyone dedicated to maintaining healthy dreadlocks. Why this happened? Let's cover the causes of locs thin at the root and how to fix them:
Causes of Locs Thin At Root
Loc thinning at the roots can be attributed to various factors, each contributing to weakening the hair at its base. Let’s explore some common causes:
Genetic Balding - Often, balding traits, especially in men, are inherited from the maternal side. Women can also experience hair thinning due to genetic factors.
Postpartum Shedding - Many women notice hair thinning following childbirth due to hormonal changes. This shedding can significantly affect the hairline and locs.
Stress - Emotional distress can lead to noticeable hair loss. Situations like job loss, relationship problems, or academic pressures can cause hair to weaken and fall out at the root.
Over Manipulation - Over twisting or styling locs too tightly can strain the roots, leading to breakage. Conversely, neglecting maintenance like under twisting can also weaken locs due to the weight of the hair.
Environmental Factors and Lifestyle - Constantly covering the hair with tight accessories or excessive touching can contribute to thinning. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly lack of Vitamin D, and illness can also lead to weaker roots and thinning locs.
Practical Methods To Repair Locs Thin at Root
Addressing thinning locs involves several techniques that encourage the incorporation of new growth into existing locs, thereby strengthening them. Here are 3 useful ways to fix locs thin at root:
Method 1 - Wrap Around and Palm Roll Technique
This temporary fix involves wrapping new growth around the thinning loc and securing it by palm rolling. This method is useful as an immediate solution but may not provide long-term stability.
How to Do It:
Moisten the new growth to avoid breakage.
Neatly wrap the loose hair around the loc.
Palm roll the loc to encourage entanglement of the new hair into the loc structure.
Method 2 - Crochet Hook Method
Using a crochet hook to integrate new growth into locs is more permanent than wrapping. It involves pulling loose hairs back into the loc using a fine crochet hook.
Steps:
Section off the new growth and lay it over the loc.
Use a 0.75 mm crochet hook to carefully pull and weave the new growth into the loc.
Rotate the loc and new growth to ensure even distribution and secure tangling.
Method 3 - Braid Technique (Preferred Method)
This method involves braiding the new growth into the loc, which provides a more permanent solution and encourages new growth to continue integrating into the loc naturally.
Procedure:
Separate the new growth into three parts.
Integrate these parts with the loc by braiding them together.
Once braided, the new growth should naturally thicken the loc and reduce the appearance of thinning.
How To Fix Thinning Locs (Dreadlocks) with Weak Spots?
Thinning locs with weak spots can be frustrating to deal with. Now let's cover some of the common causes of thinning locs and provide tips on how to fix them:
Causes of Weak Spots at Thinning Locs
Thinning locs can occur for several reasons, often due to improper maintenance or styling techniques. Here's a breakdown of common causes:
1. Improper Handling During Retwisting
One common cause of thinning locs, particularly along the shaft and not just at the roots, is improper handling during retwisting. When locs are separated from each other for retwisting, pulling strands too aggressively can "pop" the locs. This action breaks the internal structure of the loc, leading to weak spots which may not be immediately visible but deteriorate the loc's integrity over time.
2. Tight Hairstyles
Consistently wearing tight ponytails, braids, or twists can also strain locs at specific points. The constant tension can break hair strands within a loc, leading to thinning areas that become prone to breakage and further damage.
3. Mishandling Tools
Using tools like crochet needles carelessly can also cause significant damage. While these tools are often used to maintain or tighten locs, poking them aggressively or without skill can break hair strands and create weak spots.
4. Chemical Damage
Chemicals in dyes and bleach can weaken locs, especially if not thoroughly rinsed out. The residue can continue to break down hair strands long after application, leading to thinning and weak areas along the locs.
5. Environmental and Styling Factors
Other factors contributing to thinning and weak spots in locs include overuse of rubber bands, which can snag and break hair, and frequent trimming of frizz, which reduces the overall volume of hair that forms the locs.
Practical Methods of Fix Thinning Dreadlocks with Weak Spots
Now that we've identified the causes, let's discuss solutions to repair thinning locs:
Method 1 - Combining Thin Locs with Adjacent Stronger Locs
This method involves merging a weaker, thinner loc with an adjacent thicker one to reinforce its structure:
Identify Thin Locs: Pinpoint the loc(s) that are significantly thinner or weaker.
Aligning Locs: Place the thin loc alongside a neighboring stronger loc.
Crochet Hook Technique: Use a small crochet hook (0.75 mm mentioned as ideal) to intertwine the fibers of both locs, starting from the roots and working towards the ends. This process involves manually weaving the hair from the thinner loc into the thicker one to create a more robust combined loc.
Root Combining: Before crocheting, use a rat-tail comb to gently tease out the roots of both locs to help them merge more effectively, then proceed with a light retwist to maintain the integration before crocheting for additional security.
Method 2 - Crochet Hook Repair for Specific Weak Spots
For locs with specific weak points, particularly where the loc may be bending or at risk of breaking:
Locate the Weak Section: Find the part of the loc that is weak—usually thinner or more fragile.
Fold and Crochet: Fold the loc at the weak point to double its thickness at that spot. Secure this folded section by crocheting the loc back onto itself, effectively thickening and strengthening the weakened area.
Continuous Crocheting: Use the crochet hook to pull loose hairs around the weakened area back into the main body of the loc, reinforcing the structure. Rotate the loc as you crochet to ensure an even and robust structure.
Method 3 - Maintenance and Regular Upkeep
Maintaining the overall health of the dreadlocks can preemptively manage and repair minor weak spots before they become significant issues:
Regular Washing and Moisturizing: Keep the scalp and locs clean and well-nourished to prevent brittleness and breakage.
Gentle Handling: Avoid over-styling or tightly pulling the locs, which can stress the hair and create weak points.
Routine Inspection and Minor Repairs: Regularly inspect the locs for early signs of thinning or weakness and address them with light crocheting techniques to incorporate any loose hairs and reinforce the locs' structure.