Do you want to end your locs journey but you don’t want to lose hair length? Well you can look into combing out your locs. Please note, this method is not a quick fix. So let’s get into everything you need to know.
Is it possible to comb out locs?
Yes, it is possible to end your locs journey without cutting off all your locs. But you will not retain all your length. Locs trap in shed hair – and are more prone to buildup and lint. Thus, you will encounter a lot of shed hair and if you have buildup, it can slow down the removal process.
Moreover, the process of combing out locs can be hard on the integrity of your hair. Thus, even after you’ve combed out your locs, you’ll likely need to cut a good amount of split ends and thin portions. However, at the end of the process you can still be left with a lot of healthy, long loose hair!
How long will combing out locs take?
So you know it’s possible to comb out your locs and are aware you’ll lose some length. How long will the process take? You might see some people say it was relatively quick and others say it took forever. The answer for you will be “it depends.”
The 3 big factors for how long it will take to comb out your locs are:
- How many locs you have
- How long your locs are
- How long you’ve been locd
Generally, medium to large locs (in size and length) under 1-2 years won’t take as long to comb out (3-7 days). However, if you have longer locs and smaller parts like sisterlocks you could be looking at months.
How do I comb out my locs?
Once you are committed to combing out your locs, you still need to decide upon the tools and methods you’ll use.
You will want something with a sharper end to be able to break up the loc. Here is a common list of tools you’ll use in the process.
- Rat tail comb with metal tail
- Detangler/conditioner
- Bag for shed hair
- Hair ties/clips
- Spray bottle
- Scissors
You can use the scissors if your locs are very long in order to shorten the time it takes to comb out your locs. Then make sure to drench the loc with water and conditioner prior to combing it out. Next, taking the metal part of your rat tail comb, angle it through the bottom portion of your loc. Finally, keep doing it until the loc untangles.
Tips for combing out your locs
Once you get in the groove, it’s a repetitive process. However, if you are not in a rush to start, there are some things you can plan to make the process be less stressful and in some ways even quicker.
Tip 1: Grow your locs out and don’t retwist the new growth.
- Growing your locs out for a few months without retwisting is helpful. This is because when you do take out the loc, the area closest to your scalp won’t take as long to detangle.
Tip 2: Enlist friends!
- Getting help can cut the process down in half, and make the process more enjoyable.
Tip 3: Strategize the process.
- Take out the areas less visible first (back of your head). Counterintuitively, you can then switch to your crown and leave the middle for the end. This allows you to have the appearance of loose hair that you can put up in a bun.
Tip 4: Decide how you want to occupy your time.
- Combing out locs is a time consuming task in which both hands are busy! Take this time as “you” time. Catch up on some series, listen to some audio books, or even try audio tapes to pick up a new language.
Tip 5: Buy multiple rat tail combs!
- It is very likely that some teeth will break or that the comb breaks.
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Deciding to comb out your locs can be an easy decision or a long one for you. Perhaps you don’t even have locs, but wanted to know if you can take them down without a big chop. The answer is yes. The road isn’t easy, but there are definitely ways to make it easier.
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