What Exactly Is a Loctician?

If you have dreadlocks or are thinking about growing them, you might have come across the term loctician and wondered what they were.

In this article, we’ll define what exactly a loctician is and how they can support and help you with creating and maintaining them as they grow.

What is a Loctician?

A loctician is a professional hair stylist who specializes in styling and caring for hair that is locked or in a specific hairstyle called dreadlocks.

Locticians use various techniques to create and maintain dreadlocks, including backcombing, hand rolling, and crocheting. In addition, they commonly use wax and locking gel to hold locks in place.

Many locticians provide other hair care services like coloring and haircuts.

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Reasons to Visit a Loctician

a woman smiling at the camera

Let’s take a look at some common reasons to visit a loctician.

To Get Your dreadlocks Started Properly

There’s a lot to consider when you’re starting to grow dreadlocks. A loctician can look at your hair and recommend the types of dreadlocks to consider that will look the best on you.

Locticians can help guide you through the process and explain how your locks will grow and change over the years.

Because dreadlocks are close to a permanent style, you must get them started correctly to ensure their health and growth.

They can also do intricate installations that you might not be able to do on your own and be much more consistent when creating your locs.

Maintaining Your Dreadlocks

Locticians can help you maintain your dreadlocks in several ways. Standard dreadlock maintenance methods include:

Re-Twisting - Locticians may gently twist and shape your dreadlocks to keep them smooth and tight. Re-twisting can be done every few weeks or months, depending on your hairstyle and how quickly it grows.

Interlocking - Interlocking involves using a tool to weave the hair together to create a tighter, more defined dreadlock. Locticians use interlocking to create new dreadlocks or repair damaged ones.

Palm Rolling - Locticians palm roll dreadlocks between the palms of their hands to shape and smooth them. Palm rolling is often done after washing the hair to help tighten and uniform the dreadlocks.

Detangling - Detangling uses brushes and combs to gently remove knots and tangles from the hair, helping keep the dreadlocks neat and smooth.

Gelling or Waxing - Loc gels or waxes are often used to hold dreadlocks in place and give them a defined, shiny look.

Styling Your Dreadlocks

Locticians can help you style your locs for you to wear for any occasion. Here are a few popular styles for styling dreadlocks:

Updo - Locticians can create an updo style by pulling the dreadlocks up and securing them with a headband, bobby pins, or clips. Updos are a popular style for formal occasions as well as everyday wear.

Braids - By braiding separate dreadlocks together, locticians can create a more uniform look. Braided dreadlocks can be worn on their own or as a base for other styles.

Wrapped - For people with full dreadlocks, a loctician can wrap them around the head in a circular motion and secure them with bobby pins or clips to create a wrapped style. You can wear wrapped dreadlocks for a formal or casual look.

Half-Up, Half-Down - Locticians create the half-up, half-down style by pulling some dreadlocks up and securing them with clips or bobby pins while leaving the rest of the locs down. The half-up, half-down look is versatile, and you can wear it for many occasions.

Accessories - A loctician can add beads, charms, ribbons, and other items to dreadlocks to create a more distinctive and decorative look.

Dyeing or Coloring

a man with colored dreadlocks sitting on the sand

A loctician can help you if you’re looking to color or dye your dreadlocks. Here are several techniques they can use:

Tie-Dye - Tie-dying involves separating the dreadlocks into sections and using rubber bands to tie off each section. A loctician will apply different dye colors to the areas to create the tye-dye effect.

Dip-Dye - The dip-dye technique involves dipping the ends of the locs into a bowl of dye. Locticians can use a different dye color for each dreadlock or the same color for all of them. This look created a graduated color effect, with the roots of the dreadlocks remaining their natural color and the ends being dyed.

Root Touch-Up - If the roots of the dreadlock are beginning to show, a loctician can use a sponge or a brush to apply dye directly to the roots. This technique can help the roots blend in with the rest of the dreadlock and maintain a consistent color throughout.

Balayage - Balayage involves painting color onto dreadlocks using a sponge or a brush. Locticians can create a cool, graduated color effect by applying more color to the ends of the dreadlocks and less close to the roots.

Please remember that coloring or dyeing dreadlocks can be time-consuming, and it might take several sessions to achieve the desired look.

It’s also important to use gentle, high-quality hair dyes to avoid damaging the dreadlocks.

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Locticians Can Help You With Your Dreadlocks

Locticians are experts working with dreadlocks and can help you with your dreadlocks in many different ways.

They can look at your hair, help you pick the best method for locking it, and guide you as they grow.

A loctician can help you maintain, repair, or style your dreadlocks. You can also ask your loctician about the best products like gels and oils that you can use on your dreadlocks to keep them healthy and looking tight.

If you have any questions, concerns, or problems with your dreadlocks, don’t hesitate to ask a loctician for their expertise and advice.

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