Meet the Experts

Dhairius Thomas is a celebrity hair stylist and Dark & Lovely’s Celebrity Brand Ambassador.

Why Are Your Locs Falling Out?

According to Dhairius Thomas, “Locs falling out can mean a few things.

Willow Smith

Jun Sato / Getty Images

If the base or root of the loc isnt thick enough to hold the weight of the loc itself.

Other reasons include:

We’ll break each of these reasons down further.

Dryness

This is the easiest condition to fix as long as it’s the only issue.

Byrdie Tip

To avoid tightness on the hairline, loosen your locs before going to sleep.

Also, don’t get overzealous with retwisting.

Once a month is highly recommend.

Poor Scalp Health

Good hair growth begins with a clean,healthy scalp.

Most people get by fine as long as they shampoo and condition regularly.

However, scalp issues sometimes crop up, which you could’t control.

Medications

While most medications are beneficial when it comes to solving problems, side effects are common.

Some prescription meds may have negative effects like hair thinning.

Again, this is a time to see your doctor.

If you only have to take the medication temporarily, your hair ca eventually grow back.

This keeps your hair follicle blocked, thinning your hair and causing you to lose locs.

What Else Can You Do for Falling Locs?

So maybe once a month with one style in mind.

Too much manipulation of a freshly twisted loc can result in instant hair loss.

Also, wrap your locs with a silk or satin scarf while sleeping or try a silk pillowcase.

It can be distressing to suffer such a loss after successfully growing your hair.

The sooner you identify the cause, the sooner you’re free to find a solution.

2015;90(4):450-465. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20152845