How To Safely Take Down Faux Locs

Faux locs are quite the rave today, everyone wants to rock this low-maintenance look. One great feature about the faux locs is that they're so easy to install, you can even do them yourself. But, while they're easy to install and can be styled in different gorgeous ways, taking them out is something that many naturals tend to struggle with. During the process of taking down their faux locs, many naturals might experience hair breakage, and then there are the long hours needed to take them down too.

Uninstalling your faux locs shouldn't be this hard right? In this article, you'll learn how to safely take out your faux locs.

When Should You Take Down Your Faux Locs?

If you're reading this now, I assume you are ready to take down your faux locs. However, if you are about to install or have already installed them and you're not ready to take them out, then I recommend you take them out when they're between 7 - 11 weeks old. Leaving them in for a longer period than this can cause them to knot at the roots and get tangled. This can further result in hair breakage and even hair loss and you don't want that.

How To Take Down Your Faux Locs

Keep in mind that taking down your faux locs depends on the installation method used. While one method of installation involves using a crochet needle to sew in already-braided faux locs, another method involves braiding the human or synthetic yarn into the natural hair and wrapping the outer braid is then wrapped with additional yarn.

To learn how to take down your faux locs, this video tutorial by OnlyOneJess will show you how it is practically done.

What you need

A hair oil of your choice
Moisturizer
Shampoo
Deep conditioner
(Green) teabags
Shower cap

Step 1: Oil your palms and fingers

Oiling your palms and fingers will help prevent your hands from getting irritated as you take down the locs. Also, it provides a slip that will make it easier to unravel the locs.

Step 2: Part your hair into sections and snip

Dividing the hair into sections will make it easier for you to take down the locs. After you have parted your hair into sections, snip out the ends of each loc with a pair of hair scissors so that it can be easier to unravel.
Now, if you have long natural hair, you have to be extra careful when snipping out the faux locs. We recommend you snip ½ - 1 inch at the tips of the locs to avoid cutting off your natural hair.

Step 3: Unravel the locs

Now, if your hair was braided and wrapped with the yarn, take a bit of moisturizer and rub it on the shaft of the braids up to your hair roots. Doing this will help prevent hair breakage as you uninstall the locs.
However, if your faux locs were made using the crochet method, you have to take down your locs first before you moisturize your natural hair. Repeat this step for every loc: moisturize, unravel, and detangle with your fingers.

Step 4: Prepoo your hair

Prepoo means preparing your hair for shampoo. A prepoo is necessary because most shampoos have formulas with harsh ingredients that can dry out your hair. After taking down all the faux locs and unraveling your braided natural hair, the next step is to prepare your hair for shampooing. To do this, you have to part your hair into sections and then apply a generous amount of hair oil to each section.
Next, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag for about 10 - 15 minutes. This will help soften your hair and prevent it from losing moisture after you might have shampooed.

Step 5: Do a tea rinse

After prepooing, shampoo and condition your natural hair. You may notice that your hair is shedding. Not to worry, that's completely normal considering that you had your faux locs in your hair for some weeks. However, to help you with the shedding, I strongly recommend you do a tea rinse. A tea rinse will help reduce the shedding, soothe your scalp of any irritation, and also help to prevent hair loss.
To do a tea rinse, you can use 2 - 3 regular tea bags or 1 green tea bag. Next, put the teabag(s) into a cup of hot water, cover, and leave to cool. After that, apply to your hair after shampooing followed by your deep conditioner. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse out with cool water.

Want To Try Out Faux Locs? Check These Out

Faux locs are such a bold and beautiful protective style that can be styled in several ways. If you are thinking of installing them soon, you should check out this lightweight faux locs extension you can try. But if you would rather not spend time installing and uninstalling your faux locs, our collection of natural-looking, faux locs wigs is your best bet!