To embark on a lock journey does require a little bit more thought than just simply going natural. To keep locks requires commitment and the only way to reverse your decision to lock your hair would be to cut them off unless you're up for a very long stint of picking them out with a pin! There are several different ways to start locking your hair and the way you determine how to initiate your locks will be dependent upon your preference, lifestyle and personal taste. No matter which method you use you will need plenty of patience as long naturally sexy lock's need to be nurtured and cultivated.

Generally to start off you’ll need about 2” of virgin hair to begin with. The time it takes for the hair to lock varies depending on the your hair type. Thicker coarser hair tends to lock quicker normally in 3-6 months. Finer hair can take up to 12 months to lock.

Organic Dreadlocks

This was the traditional locking method before locking became such a technical exercise. They were the original 'dreadlocks' and were achieved by simply leaving the hair uncombed for locks to naturally form. To aid this locking process the hair is left unwashed for a few months to allow the hair to naturally mat up and naturally form locs of varying sizes. There is no parting, no palm rolling, no twisting or latching.

Cultivated Locks

The new and improved version of the dreadlock is the 'Lock' or 'Loc' which is cultivated by a loctician using the variety of methods described below. They are formed by parting the hair into equally sized sections and are regularly maintained with palm rolling, twisting, or latching methods to tighten the new growth. Cultivated locks are normally uniform in appearance and relatively neat.

Comb Coils - Using a rat-tailed comb in a twisting fashion, comb coils are created to start off the locking process. This is also know as single strand twist. This method creates perfectly cylindrical locks, but they do have the tendency to unravel fairly easily with shampooing, swimming, rain, etc, and can be difficult to do on looser hair textures.

Two Strand Twists - The same popular natural hair style can be used to start the locking process. If your hair texture does not lend itself to coil/ single strand twists then this would be a more suitable locking method.

Sisterlocks™ - If you like your locks fine, then Sisterlocks™ created and patented by Joanne Cornwell could be the locks for you. Sisterlocks™ are fine microlocs and must be done by a qualified Sisterlocks™ consultant, who will use the patented method of intertwining the hair form root to tip with a specially designed locking tool.

Bradelocz - This method streamlined by natural hairstylist Cherie King, are started by simply box braiding your hair and never taking them out. The advantage of this method is that you can swim, exercise, and run through the rain without having to worry about them unravelling.

The Stages of Locks

So once you have decided on the starting method and the size of your locks what's next? Well your hair will go through a series of changes. The following is a video by Chescaleigh entitled 'happy birthday hair' which charts her 4 year lock journey with amazing pictures and commentary. It takes you through the stages of locks and is truly inspirational for anyone thinking of having locks or at that beginning stage... enjoy!

Now that you got those locks started you need to get with the nurturing and cultivating. Locks need to be regularly washed, conditioned and new growth must be tightened on a 4-8 week basis. You can choose not to tighten the new growth but your roots will still tend to lock. However, they will not take the same shape of the locks you started off with. There are two basic ways for tightening your new growth and that’s with a tool, or without a tool. If you leave it longer than 8 weeks to tighten your locks they will weaken and break away from the new growth. Tightening them more than once every 4-8 weeks can also have a weakening effect on your lock, especially around the crown and the hairline.

Sisterlocks™ and Bradelocz are tightened using a tool to tighten the new growth. Bradelocz use a latch hook (which is the same used to make handmade rugs) to pull each lock through the new growth several times, which "tightens" the new growth and allows it to blend in with the rest of the lock. Using a tool based method requires either being taught (especially with Sisterlocks) or quite bit of practice to master.

The other method of tightening is by using your hands to twist or palm roll the hair to create cylindrical, uniform locks. Hair is dampened with a small amount of natural, alcohol free gel applied to the new growth. After this palm roll or twist (only a few times to avoid putting stress on the hair). Metal clips are used to hold the lock in place as it dries.

At night you should tie your locks with a silk or satin scarf to maintain neatness. Moisturise your scalp once weekly to keep away dry scalp problems. Locks can be dry, so it is advisable to occasionally rub natural oil into your hair to soften it. To give your locks a shine, spray with non-water based oil sheen spray. Avoid the use of Beeswax, Lanolin, Mineral Oil and Petroleum as they cause a heavy build up that is difficult to remove and make the hair dull and gray looking. Just like virgin natural hair maintenance, locks benefit from a good shampoo, herbal rinses, natural oils and deep conditioning/hot oil treatments.

Locks are a style on their own but you can create amazing styles with your locs - cornrows, curls, colour and beautiful ‘braid out’ waves to name but a few. There are also a number of lock specialist salons who are at hand to help you start, maintain and style your Naturally Sexy Locks.