Curious about two strand twist starter locs? Here is a specific guide for you to get more information about it.
Two-strand twists have always been a go-to DIY protective style. Oftentimes, the hairdo is short-term, taken out after 1-4 weeks.
However, they may stay much longer. Lately, l discovered that two-strand twists turn into dreadlocks over time. Besides extensions, crocheting, and free-form, two-strand twists are perfect for starting your locs.
This leaves you wondering how possible it is, but of course, this article will quench your curiosity. We’ll also detail the pros and cons, among other things. Hold on tight.
Pros of Two Strand Twists
If you decide to create locs using two-strand twists, you ought to have a clear picture of what you’re getting into beforehand. These benefits weighed against the disadvantages, influence your choice.
Easiest Method for Starters
The installation is pretty simple to do by yourself as it doesn’t necessarily need you to involve a loc expert. You’re good to go once you’ve mastered twisting the strands in opposite directions. Also, you do not need specific tools except a rat tail comb to partition the hair into sections.
Cheap to Install
The loc style saves you the hell of loctician appointments, relieving you from hefty salon expenditures. With your moisturizing defining cream or gel nearby, you enjoy the pleasure of your home as you make them. These products are inexpensive and readily available at most hair stores.
Well, saving these bucks enables you to stick within your budget. And you’ll save a lot more in the long run when the twists lock and mature.
Gentle and Painless
People with sensitive scalps can have dreadlocks through two-strand twists without facing complications. The technique is gentle and non-tugging on the scalp and roots. Hence you’re less likely to experience pain and adverse scalp reactions, ensuring comfort from the first day of wear.
Neat and Tidy Hair
When fixing them, the hair is partitioned into neat sections, and the twists well defined. The overall appearance is appealing, contrary to conventional procedures that make the hair messy.
Works with Any Hair Length
The two twist strands don’t let your hair length hinder starting your loc journey. As short as 2 inches of hair, you can form starter locs using this method. It’s unlike the unfavorable traditional methods requiring the hair to be at least 6 inches long.
Easy Maintenance
By infusing moisturizing natural oils into the twists, they stay healthy and robust. The ends remain protected, and chances of unraveling are minimal. And if at all they unravel, you can re-twist the strands to revive the locs’ neatness.
You can tell that care for the two-strand twists is effortless. Treat them well, and they’ll reward you with the locking results you desire.
A Pre-loc Hairstyle
Two-strand twists are a style on their own before transitioning into dreadlocks. In the twists phase, they look incredibly natural and dread-like until the locs grow fully. The style is ideal for women with a demanding work life because of their little need for styling yet professional-looking.
Cons of Two Strand Twists
Every good thing holds the possibility of having bad qualities, even hairstyles. Choosing the two-strand twists for starter locs will mean taking the good with the bad of it all. These are the disadvantages:
Likely to Unravel
You may find yourself doing several re-twists in the first few weeks or months. Some strands don’t stay put since the ends may not be completely sealed. Washing your hair will be a contributing factor.
Finger coils are mostly preferred, but they might not work out to satisafaction. I’ve been in a similar situation before, and l had to reinforce it with small rubber bands or ties. Once the ends felt tight in days, l cut the bands out of my hair.
Twist Formation Takes Time to Disappear
When the locs mature, we expect the twist pattern to no longer show up. But this requires a great deal of patience since the process may be painstakingly slow. It may take months to 2 years to have dreadlocks on you.
However, the ridgy twists will still look awesome until the day they vanish. Your hair will not be shaggy or rugged.
Time-consuming Installation
No lie, two-strand twists will take much of your time when you do the twisting by yourself. This is especially if you have thick, voluminous hair. Despite the process being easy, you will need composure and lots of free time to yourself.
If you run short of time and patience, you may have to revert to another style or involve a hairdresser. When considering these options, considering costs, too, is inevitable. For example, going to a certified loctician will be more costly than a DIY.
Not Suitable for All Hair Types
Unfortunately, this locking idea works with type 3 (curly) and mostly type 4 (coily or kinky) hair. The twists cannot hold up for long in straight and wavy hair types or, worse, not form at all. That’s why the hairstyle is common in blacks, people of African descent.
Limited Styling
If not half tied up, half loosely down, or all down styling, there are barely any other styles to taste. The two-strand twists shrink the hair, so the strands shorten. Most times, the twists will look best in the free-falling state.
How to Start Locs with Two Strand Twists: Step-by-Step Guide
There’s no better way to experience the two-strand twist method than to try it. Follow these steps carefully to start your locs with two-strand twists:
Step 1: Preparation starts and ends at this first step. Make your hair clean with the right products and thoroughness. Wash your hair with a moisturizing, residue-free, clarifying shampoo and rinse. Squeeze out the excess water with a microfiber towel and leave the hair damp without any water dripping down. Working with damp hair ensures the twists are hydrated and holding up longer.
Step 2: Start creating uniform sections of hair from the nape towards the front. You control the size of your starter locs by the size of the box sections. Remember, two-strand twists grow thick when they lock. At the back up to the crown, parting will be straight across, from ear to ear, while from the crown to the front will be round from front to front.
Step 3: If the hair was initially dry, spray some water onto the fine section of hair, dab a little cream or gel, and twist. Split the section into two equally-sized strands and roll one strand over the other as they take opposite directions. Continue to the ends of the hair and finger coil, or tie the ends to secure them.
Step 4: Clip or bobby pin the roots until the twists dry up completely. This prevents immediate unraveling.
Step 5: Repeat the same twisting pattern on the other sections. Eventually, your head will be full of separate twisted sections of hair. Each twist will bud by itself into locs.
Step 6: Leave the twists to air dry on their own. Blow dry only if it’s necessary but at the lowest heat setting.
Step 7: When sure they are fully dry, take out the clips/pins one by one to loosen up the hair. Avoid manipulating the hair into styles immediately to prevent them from coming undone.
How Best to Care for the Two Strand Twists
Installing your locs with two-strand twists seems effortless. However, there’s more to the installation for the locs to form nicely over time. To preserve the artistic work of your hands, you need to care for the two strands properly and in this manner:
1. Observe Hair Cleanliness
Wash your twists at least once a week to keep dirt out. Hair locks up faster when it’s clean. The shampoo you use should be clarifying, moisturizing, and, most importantly, residue-free. And after shampooing, condition to restore lost moisture.
I understand washing may get complicated for fear of unraveling the two-strand twists. With that in consideration, leave the twists untouched in the first 1-2 weeks to allow them to set in place.
2. Deeply Moisturize
The secret to healthy, shiny two-strand twists is ample moisture within the strands. Here is where much emphasis is, as it’s the most significant part of the care regimen. If the twists are excessively dry, the hair breaks and weakens, faltering the hope of achieving dreadlocks.
Simply dilute your essential oils with water or scalp-friendly carrier oil. This has always worked for me, and I use a spray can to apply to avoid over-moisturizing.
Moisturization is good but toxic when overdone, leaving the hair with excess moisture. Such a condition enhances mildew growth on the scalp, and fungal infections may result. After oiling, always air dry the twist starter locs to be on the safe side.
3. Keep off Heat on Them
We both know that heat damages the hair when applied in excess. It dries the hair badly to the extent of being brittle and fragile.
Sometimes, you may feel tempted to use a blow dryer to dry your hair out of impatience. But that should be the last option if you’d love your starter locs to mature well. Seek to air dry them and if you have to blow dry, set it cool.
4. Use Natural Biologically-derived Products
Most stores sell chemical hair products which are heavy and grimy on the hair. They are mostly in the form of creams, which take time to melt into the hair since the ingredients are artificial. Aim towards nourishing your twists with naturally-derived products that encourage healthy hair growth.
I’d advise reading the label lingo on the bottle before checkout. Check that all the ingredients are natural and harmless. You can further open the customer reviews and ascertain no mention of chemicals in the product.
5. Employ Protection while Sleeping
Learn to sleep with your twist locs wrapped in a satin cap, bonnet, durag, or hair scarf. And if you sleep with them bare, though not the best idea, ensure you lie on a satin pillowcase to prevent frizz.
However, covering them is the best protection as it keeps the natural moisture intact and helps minimize unraveling. It also protects the hair from atmospheric moisture and dust.
6. Manage the Unraveling in Good Time
If your hair cannot hold twists for long, refresh and retighten them immediately after they unravel. You can hydrate the roots with some oil to reduce dryness contributing to the unraveling. You can do this at home, or you may seek the help of a professional.
If the unraveling becomes more persistent, secure the ends of the twists with rubber bands. Alternatively, you can knot the ends and unknot when they tighten.
FAQs about Two Strand Twists for Starter Locs
How long does it take for two strand twists to lock?
Two-strand twists take months to even 2 years to fully lock and for the twist pattern to disappear. This duration depends on the type of hair texture, products in use, and care routine.
Is three-strand twist better than two-strand twist locs?
One fact is it all comes down to personal preference. If your hair is silky and fine, you may want three-strand twists, as they hold up better than two-strand twists. If you’re also looking for a greater definition, three-strand twists outdo two-strand twists.
How do you fix frizz on two-strand twist starter locs?
A sufficient application of pomade or natural oils like castor oil does the magic. Gently massage the moisture-intensive product into the hair at least twice a week. And always cover your hair with a satin cap or durag before you go to bed, keeping in mind to protect your hair at all costs.
To Try Two Strand Twist Starter Locs
A clear understanding of two-strand twists method is good for well-informed decisions. At this point, henceforth, forming your locs through this style is something you’ll be doing out of conscience and not ignorance. Wishing you happy dreadlock days ahead!
