Terminology
Here are a list of terms associated with locs and natural hair and body care. New terms may be added as needed.
-Beeswax: A natural wax produced by honey bees in a bee hive. It’s used in cosmetics, salves, body care products, lotions, candles, etc. It is used by some to assist the loc in holding.Others do not use beeswax due to the wax buildup and attraction of dust and other air particles to the hair.
-Braidlocs: Locs started by hair that’s been braided then left alone.
-Brotherlocks: Along with Sisterlocks is a trademarked technique used to make locs that can be made very small, if desired.
-Buds, Budding: This refers to the new loc stage where the hair is beginning to lock together. The hair will “bud” or lock in spots along the length of your loc. Eventually, the whole length of hair will lock up, but it usually starts with “buds” within the loc of hair.
-Butters, Natural: Moisturizing butters are extracted from natural sources. These are all 100% natural, chemical-free, creamy and gently refined wholesome butters from the world's fruits and oil-bearing seeds. Natural butters nourish, soften and protect hair and skin.
-C Pattern: Parting your hair (when starting locs) using a "C" motion, or curve.
-Carrier Oil: A vegetable oil that usually comes from the seeds, kernels, or nuts of a plant. Carrier oils offer different combinations of therapeutic properties. They are often mixed with other items, such as essential oils.
-Comb Twists: This is a method for twisting your hair using a comb (usually a rat tail comb). This technique is used on hair that is not yet locked. (See the Techniques section on how to do this).
-Essential Oil: Essential oils are distilled from the leaves, bark, roots and other aromatic portions of a plant. They offer different combinations of therapeutic properties and are often mixed with other items, such as a carrier oil.
-Fragrance Oil: Artificially created fragrances, contain artificial substances. (They can also be essential oils that are “watered down” greatly with other oils). They smell good, but contain little to no therapeutic benefits.
-Genie Locs: Locs made by incorporating yarn in the hair through braiding or wrapping. May also be called Yarn Locs.
-Interlocking: A technique used to tighten locked hair. It is sometimes used with a latch hook. (See the Techniques section on how to interlock)
-Latch Hook: A tool originally created to make rugs. It has a handle and a wide “needle/hook" end that opens and closes. This tool is sometimes used to tighten locs.
-Loc Extensions: This is a the process of adding hair in order to lengthen, or strengthen your existing locs, or to start the dreadlock process using the added hair. (See Techniques)
-No Poo: A term meaning “no shampoo”. It refers to people who wash their hair without using regular shampoo because of the residue shampoo leaves, or because they do not use any chemicals on their hair. People using the no poo method may “wash” their hair using non shampoo ingredients such as baking soda and water, conditioner as a shampoo, etc.
-Palm Roll: A way to retwist your hair using the palms of your hands. (See Techniques)
-Relaxer: A chemical process that straightens the natural curl of your hair.
-Roots: The hair that grows from the scalp (as opposed to the hair at the tips). This is the hair is retwisted/retightened.
-Silky Locs: Locs made using synthetic hair. The synthetic hair is attached to the natural hair and is made straight, or “silky” in appearance either before or after attaching to the natural hair. (See techniques)
-Sisterlocks: Along with Brotherlocks is a trademarked technique used to make locs that can be very small if desired.
-Transitioning: This is the process of going from straightened/relaxed hair, or from other natural (non-chemically treated) hair styles into a “locked” hair style.
-Twists: The style of hair that comes from twisting sections of hair. You can twist single sections, or divide the section into 2 pieces and twist 2 pieces of hair together around itself (this is called a two-strand twist).