Since the 2020 pandemic, I’ve noticed a lot of men and women getting locs. Even though locs are not something new in the natural hair community, they have been a thing since way back when.

The same goes for celebrities. Many have been wearing their hair in locs for years, like rappers Lil’ Wayne, Future, Wale, Busta Rhymes, singers Halle and Chloe Bailey, music producer Lil Jon, and a ton more. 

But within the last few years, other celebrities have joined the tribe, including Top Model Eva Marcille, rapper Jay-Z, and Lil Baby.

Other than celebrities, there are tons and tons of people joining the loc’d hair community, and honestly, I am here for it, because I’m one of them.

Let’s talk about why people are going for locs now, the lifestyle they give, the maintenance, and some spiritual beliefs behind them.

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Why Are People Choosing To Have Locs?

The reasons can be one or many. Most are choosing to have locs because of the current popular trend. While others are attracted to the loc lifestyle and the low maintenance. Or it can be because of spiritual beliefs. As for myself, I chose to loc my hair in the middle of 2021 because I wanted a change.

Before, I was natural since 2015. It was my second time doing the big chop. I would braid it, twist it, dye it blonde a few times, straighten it a hundred times, and everything was good. 

But after having my firstborn daughter in early 2020, postpartum hair loss was very mean to me. My hair was coming out in clumps, and my edges were gone.

So in August 2020, my husband and I shaved my hair with clippers and waited for it to grow back. While my reason for starting locs was to have a minimalist lifestyle with my hair, it was also for spiritual reasons. 

Locs Have A Minimalist Lifestyle

This is what gravitated me towards locs. I loved that I could just let my hair do its thing, and I didn’t have to make a fuss about it throughout the day.

I can wake up in the morning, mist it with water and oil, style it, and go about my day. But for most, styling is already done if they received one on their retwist day. 

You can jump in a pool and not worry about your hair getting ruined unless you have a fresh retwist.

Another great thing is that you won’t have to use a bunch of hair products on your locs. You can use shampoo, a liquid leave-in conditioner, retwist gel, and oil. That’s it.

Otherwise, you can risk overloading your locs with products that will lead to buildup and gunk in your locs that’s a bit difficult to come out.

Maintenance is Easy With Locs

Speaking of retwists, most people have their retwists set for 4-6 weeks apart. Which is great, so your hair will have a set maintenance routine.

For those with sister locks, micro locks, or brother locks, some would go 6-12 weeks, depending on the person. In my opinion, you don’t need a lot of products for your hair. This topic is very debatable and gets intense at times.

But all you need is water, oil, and maybe a retwisting product, such as NappStar Super Hold Retwist Gel or African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid, Loc, Twist Gel.

But you don’t have to use these products. You can opt for a cream base or gel base styler. Everyone and their hair strands are different. So if you do use products, it will take trial and error before you find the right one. 

Spiritual beliefs are Linked to Having Locs

Believe it or not, having locs can be very spiritual. Some people start their locs when they are on a spiritual journey. Going back to the Egyptians and Indians, having locs was a symbol of power and wisdom.

Some believe locs are the human antennas or whiskers, and help connect us to the power from within, transmit and receive energy while strengthening our connection to our spiritual guide. 

Just as Rapper E-40 stated in his song, “Tell Me When to Go”, Jesus Christ has dreads, so shake’em, there may be some truth to his statement.

According to religious sources, “Jesus was a Nazarite: Nazarenes vowed to never cut his hair, but “let the locks of the hair of his head grow.” (Nm. 6:2,5, Lv. 19:27; 21:5) The word Nazarite is from nazar, meaning unshorn. Wooly nappy hair, if simply washed & dried, but never combed or brushed, will naturally entwine into long locks as it grows.” 

The verdict is still out there on whether Jesus had locs or not, but the spiritual connection locs are given is real. Seeing the rise of locs since 2020, people are looking for answers within themselves.

Being on lockdown for almost 2 years did a number on everyone’s mental health. And the last thing we need right now is to worry about our hair. 

Trend or Not, Do You Think Locs Are Here to Stay? 

Don’t shoot the messenger, but some people who have had locs for 10-plus years doubt that these newbies won’t last the first 5 years of their journey. If you think they are some haters, you are only 30% right. But here is why I think they are onto something. 

Yes, having locs is amazing, but not many people are patient enough to take care of them. It is easy to concentrate on your end goal, which may be to have your locs hanging down your back.

I mean, who doesn’t want that? But in reality, that takes time. Many who have had locs for more than a decade will testify that the journey is the best part. 

That’s why there is some hate, or should I say envy, in the community for those getting loc extensions. Even though that is considered skipping the process, not everyone has the same mentality.

And that’s okay! Remember that everyone is not on the same journey. Some just want the look, while others want the connection. Because at the end of the day, what other people do with their hair is their business. 

Do you or someone you know have locs? If so, why did you start your loc journey?