If you love the look and feel of loc’d-up hair but don’t want to struggle with the potential damage and upkeep, you can consider faux locs. Faux locs have the same trendy and Bohemian appearance. They even feel entirely the same. The difference? They’re a temporary protective style rather than an endless adventure.
That said, it’s unsurprising how many people opt for the faux loc look. But before you discuss installing faux locs with your stylist, there’s one crucial question we need to answer: how long do faux locs actually last?
There’s quite a lot of conflicting information on the net, so we’re here to break it down and make life a little easier. This article shares all the must-know details surrounding faux loc longevity, from how long they last to how to maintain them properly.
Let’s discuss faux locs!
Contents
How Long Do Faux Locs Last?
Some articles will tell you they can last several months, while others will give you as little as a four-week timeframe. What’s the deal? How long do these lovely locs actually last?
As a general rule, faux locs can last up to eight weeks. However, unless they’re in really good shape, I don’t recommend wearing them past the six-week mark. This is because of two significant reasons:
1. New Hair Growth Will Begin to Show
I don’t know about you, but mismatched hair – i.e., hair with one type of texture at the bottom and another at the root – doesn’t look very good. And this is an inevitable problem when working with faux locs.
Here’s the deal – your natural hair will continue to grow, regardless of whether or not you have faux locs put in. And, it’s safe to say that your new hair growth won’t match the texture of the faux locs, creating an apparent mismatched hairstyle.
Since average hair grows at least half an inch per month, it’s safe to say that by the second month, you’ll have a full inch (or more) of your natural strands playing peek-a-boo – and you don’t want to rock the “grown-out” look.
2. Can Damage Your Natural Hair
Faux locs aren’t necessarily damaging. As long as they’re applied correctly onto healthy and strong tresses, they should cause minimal damage – if any at all. However, the same isn’t true for faux locs that have been left in your strands for too long.
As your natural hair begins to grow out, added weight and tension will be applied to the new hair growth. If you don’t remove the faux locs, you can end up with weakness and breakage – and nobody wants that.
With that in mind, it’s best to stick to the six to eight-week rule. This will not only ensure that your hair looks beautiful, but it will also keep your natural strands in tip-top shape.
How to Care for Faux Locs to Make Them Last Longer
Faux locs can easily last for six to eight weeks. But they need to be taken care of correctly. They’re not a “set it and forget it” type of hairstyle. Here are some of the top tips to care for faux locs and prolong their longevity.
1. Wash With Sulfate-Free Shampoo
The great thing about faux locs is that they are a protective hairstyle, which means you’ll protect your natural strands – and put the worry of washing behind you.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid washing your hair entirely, though. Eventually, you might feel some undesirable build-up, grease, or grime in your tresses. And when that strikes, it’s sulfate-free shampoo to the rescue.
While you’ll likely only need to wash your hair once every other week when you decide to cleanse your tresses, make sure you use a sulfate-free shampoo.
Unsure how to correctly wash your faux locs? Here’s a great video that can help:
2. Apply Oil or Leave-In Conditioners
Although faux locs are an awesome protective hairstyle, you should always focus on your roots hiding underneath. They need to be kept moisturized and hydrated, and the best way to do this is with an oil or leave-in conditioner.
There are many wonderful products on the market geared toward conditioning and moisturizing the roots. If you want to go the all-natural route, you can always opt for coconut or jojoba oil.
3. Sleep with Silk
Did you know that sleeping on cotton pillowcases can wreak havoc on your locs? Cotton pillowcases draw out moisture and cause unnecessary friction while you slumber, leading to lackluster locs and even breakage.
How can you avoid damage while you slumber? Swap your cotton pillowcase for a silk one. If that’s too much, you can always wrap your faux locs into a silk scarf or throw them into a silk shower cap.
Either way, silk will ensure that your locs stay robust, beautiful, and long-lasting.
FAQs
Pretty interesting stuff, huh? If you’re still not done learning about faux loc longevity, check out these interesting, frequently asked questions below.
Do faux locs damage your hair?
Faux locs are typically not damaging to your hair. However, they must be applied correctly, and the weight shouldn’t be too hefty for your natural strands. Your real hair must also be healthy and strong before application to minimize potential damage.
Are faux locs high maintenance?
Faux locs are not high maintenance, which is one of the biggest draws to this hairstyle (besides looking amazing). The only maintenance required is keeping the roots hydrated and moisturized, easily accomplished with an oil or leave-in conditioner.
When should you take out faux locs?
Unlike traditional locs, faux locs are not a permanent hairstyle. Most hair stylists recommend having faux locs taken out before the eight-week mark.
Faux Locs Are a Great, Temporary Protective Hairstyle!
Faux locs are stylish and protective, the ideal combination for all types of women. However, they should not be left in your strands for longer than eight weeks. Ensure you take proper care of your faux locs after installation to prolong their longevity.
Have you ever worn faux locs? How long did you keep them in?
