If you finally made the decision to go for locs, you’ll realize there are a lot of other decisions that will follow.
For instance, you’ll have to decide what type of locs you want from traditional locs to sisterlocks. You’ll also have to decide what method you’d like for installing your locs and who will be the one responsible for that installation. Some decide to install their locs themselves, whereas others will go with a professional. All options come with their own pros and cons. In this article we’ll explore the pros and cons of installing locs with a professional or all are your own.
DIY Installation Pro:
- 1. It’s absolutely free. One pro is that they'll never have to pay anybody to install or maintain your locs, it’s absolutely free.
- 2. Installing locs by your own hand makes your locs truly your journey. If you mess up, you can correct it and it’ll be a big learning experience for you. You’ll also know how to resolve any issues that might come along in the future.
- 3. You’ll have more control. As you install your own locs you’ll know exactly what's in your hair and you’ll have more control. You don’t have to worry about what’s being put in your hair in the salon and all the ingredients they might be using. You can use Dr Locs entire build-up-free line and confidently know your locs wont have any build-up and only clean ingredients are going into your hair.
- 4. Pride. The DIY route comes with a sense of pride because you did it yourself. So, even if you mess up, you’ll still love your locs because they came about through your own creative process.
DIY Installation Con:
- 1. No external professional direction. You might be following advice that you found on the internet, which means you’re putting a lot of trust in what you’re reading or seeing online. There are great resources out there, but not all of it is from true professionals in the field.
- 2. Doing the installation yourself can be time consuming. The process usually takes longer when you take the DIY route.
- 3. Overthinking. Not talking to a professional and getting feedback might mean you end up being in your head too much and overthinking, because you're guiding yourself with the internet. If you’re the personality type that overthinks and then gets overwhelmed by so much information and options, following guides online might be too much for you. It all depends on your personality and how you go about taking on new practices / experiences / projects etc.
Pros for having your Locs Installed by a Professional:
- 1. Less surprises. If you go for a consultation before the actual installation you’re more likely to have your locs created as expected. This will lead to more satisfaction with the final results.
- 2. Guidance. Consulting with a professional means you’re guided throughout your journey which will help you understand what's going on each step of the way. There’s no guessing involved.
- 3. Time to relax. Having your locs installed by a professional also gives you time to relax or do something else as your loctician is working on your hair.
- 4. Saves time. Contrary to installing locs yourself, installing locs with a professional will save you a lot of time because the whole process will be quicker.
- 5. More fans for your locs. Working with someone else means that you also get a cheerleader for your loc journey, and who doesn’t love that?.
Cons for Installing Locs with a Professional:
- 1. Lack of clarity of what’s being put in your hair. There are some professionals who will not explain to you the process or the products they’re using in your hair. That’s why we always recommend going with someone who will offer you a consultation and take the time to answer your questions and explain the whole process to you, including the way they work and what to expect.
- 2. How secure are you with the expertise of this professional? Some professionals haven't been doing this long and really aren't knowledgeable. So, we do recommend you do your research before trusting just anyone with your hair. If you can speak to their former clients, that’s great, but don’t just trust what you see on their social media.
- 3. Pricey. Using a professional can be expensive
- 4. Wait times. Depending on the salon culture, there may be wait times, which will add to the total time it takes to install your locs.
Final Thoughts
The hardest part of a loc journey, for most people, is the beginning stages. Later on down the line can also be challenging, if the person has changes in their body from aging. Changes can include hair loss, hair thinning and an overall change in health. Those things could make one’s loc journey kind of difficult. Those internal changes affect the hair externally which can bring up some unexpected difficulties. These are all things to consider when installing locs and what approach you take to your locs overall.
