How to Maintain Soft Locs & Crochet Faux Locs

Maintaining your crochet faux locs, soft locs, or any type of faux locs doesn't have to be complicated. If you had your crochet locs done by a hairstylist, they may have not walked you through the maintenance process, or you might simply be new to locs.

In this post, I'll share some easy tips to help you maintain your crochet faux locs and soft locs like a pro. You'll learn how to stretch your install, prevent tangling, and tackle common soft loc issues.

With over 10 years of experience in protective styles, I am an avid user of crochet faux locs and a true hair enthusiast. I have gathered valuable feedback from experienced hairstylists and my customers alike. I hope you find this guide comprehensive and helpful for your crochet faux locs/soft locs journey.

How long do crochet faux locs last?

Crochet faux locs and soft locs are versatile protective styles that can last for weeks and even months, depending on various factors. One key factor that affects their lifespan is the type of hair used.

Synthetic crochet locs typically last about 4 to 8 weeks. However, as your natural hair grows, you may notice rougher roots due to hair growth, indicating the need for a retouch/refresh. We will go into this further later on. On the other hand, human hair blend/ or 100% human hair crochet faux locs are a longer-lasting style, lasting up to 3 months with proper care

To make your locs last, it's important to prioritise the care of your natural hair underneath. Regularly shampooing and conditioning your scalp will keep it clean and healthy. As this prevents product build up, lint or flakiness due to dandruff. 

Thick Crochet Faux Locs by Jorie Hair on @beingstefs

How to wash crochet faux locs?

Washing your hair with crochet faux locs is quite easy. I recommend some scalp therapy first to keep your own hair nice and clean. Wet your scalp and add shampoo, then scrub your scalp with the pads of your fingers. Notice I said pads of your fingers, not your nails. Using your nails can cause too much friction on your scalp, leading to breakage.

Proceed to add some shampoo on the locs, and gently spread it downwards. Rinse your hair and add some conditioner, gently spreading it in a downwards motion as well. To dry the hair, gently pat your hair dry. Do not add too much friction to the locs. Add some leave-in conditioner or a hair serum—this step is optional but will help reduce any frizz. We cover frizz management in the next section.

How to reduce crochet faux locs frizz?

To reduce crochet faux locs frizz, you will need a pair of scissors. Simply take a strand of hair and snip off the frizzy ends. If you feel like doing one strand at a time is tedious, you can always do a few strands at a time. After doing this, you will need to wash the hair to get rid of the little stray strands you cut off. Add some leave-in conditioner or hair serum and use some hair gel on each strand and dry the hair.

How to wrap crochet faux locs and soft locs at night?

We highly recommend wrapping your crochet faux locs or soft locs at night. This will make your hairstyle last longer and keep it looking fresher for longer. You will need a satin or silk hair bonnet. Simply pop your hair in a bun or just pack it up with a hair tie or scrunchie and put your hair bonnet on. Alternatively, you can use a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase. Silk and satin are recommended as the fabric does not snag. It minimizes friction between the hair, managing tangling or frizz that may arise.

Washing soft locs & crochet faux locs

Wash your soft locs or crochet faux locs during your install. If you do not wash your hair, you will get product buildup, flakiness, and possibly an itchy scalp if you have dandruff. Also, some lint may accumulate at the roots of your hair. The lint and dirt can make detangling your hair at the end of the install difficult. Also the dirt/buildup can also clog hair follicle pores and hinder growth. I wash my soft locs atleast once a week.

A great tip for hair washing is to dilute your shampoo and conditioner before adding it to your hair. This allows for easier application and coverage.

How to keep crochet faux locs from unraveling?

Most crochet faux locs do not unravel—at least not ours. The way the hair is made ensures that even if you cut it, it will stay intact. However, that doesn't mean you won't experience a little bit of unraveling at the ends. Add some gel to the ends, twist the area of the hair that you do not want to unravel, and allow it to dry.

How to refresh crochet faux locs?

Refreshing your crochet locs depends on the method of installation. If you installed your crochet locs or soft locs with the individual method, use wrapping hair to rewrap your roots, then lay your edges. This will give you a refreshed look without taking out your locs. But if you installed locs with cornrows, consider taking out some locs around the perimeter and reinstalling new ones.

Our pack sizes are quite large, so you will likely have some locs left over from your original install. But before refreshing, make sure you separate your locs and cut some of the frizzy strands. Follow our previous step above on 'how to reduce crochet faux locs frizz'.

Also some soft locs are reusable. I do encourage people to reuse their locs for even better results after the initial installation. By reusing the locs, you can achieve multiple installations, maximising the value of your investment. Also, aged locs look amazing!