Faux locs are a sexy and stylish protective style that allows you to see how you would look if you decided to rock real locs. Faux locs are a protective style that creates the illusion of real locs by winding extensions around sections of your own hair. They are growing in popularity and as more women rock them, some are finding out there may be concerns on whether or not they are damaging to one’s own hair. So I wanted to find out if this lovely and hot style is worth the beauty or too damaging to take the plunge?
I hate to sound like a story on Dateline discussing the dangers of the latest and the greatest, but are some women finding faux locs may be harming their tresses? Well, yes, some are but while there are plenty who do not it is only fair to see what all the hype on the damage is?
Some women are having a hard time adjusting to the extra weight of the added hair, since the style requires double the hair compared to a braid. Many assume that after they are installed that she would get used to them within a few days, but she did not and actually suffered neck and back pain. From hair? Yes, from hair! nine bags of hair compared to her regular four bags when she had her hair braided in the past was just too much for her to handle.
Extra strain on your scalp with the added hair can cause excessive tension. I’ve had long box braids before and never suffered from extra tension but I did suffer from thinning edges, which is a result of poor installation and/or not giving my hair a break. I cannot fathom what double the hair on my head would have done to my edges. When you figure the length of time you have them in, styling, flipping them around (of course you will, who wouldn’t”>, you can see how the strain may be too great for your hair and especially your edges.
If kept in too long your hair could naturally lock. This can happen with braids or a sew-in too, so this is more about protective styles but it needs to be mentioned. Worry less about saving money by keeping them in longer than you should and more about the health of your hair.
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Conclusion
Faux locs are no more damaging than any other hairstyle that adds hair to your own hair with too much tension on the scalp. You cannot neglect your own hair and assume that no further maintenance is necessary. Your own hair must still be cleansed, moisturized, and conditioned.
You must also understand that there is more hair on your head than a normal application of added hair and length is a factor when getting them installed. The longer the locs the more tension will be applied to your scalp. If you already have damaged hair then adding that extra hair may not be a good idea and that goes double for thinning edges as that extra tension will only make your edges worse. This style is not a good idea if your hair is already damaged.
Aside from those precautions, this is an amazing and gorgeous style that is no more damaging than any other style if you practice proper hair care. Know what you are getting into and crave versatility. Enjoy your faux locs!
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