9.1.4 – Proactive Loop Prevention

WHAT THIS LESSON CONTAINS:

• Proper Installation
The best way to prevent loops from forming is to do a proper installation from day one. If you followed our courses starting from Course #1 you’ll be in excellent shape.

• Avoiding Unfavorable Section Shapes
Sometimes an oddly shaped section can lead to a looping problem with a dreadlock. This often includes very long rectangular sections, or any section that is “long”. Squares, hexagons, or equilateral triangles are best. Click here for our Dread Sectioning Course.

• Proper Backcombing
Improper backcombing is often the biggest contributor to forming loops. If the hair isn’t backcombed evenly one side is likely to knot up and the other side is likely to stay straight. As the dreadlock tightens and matures, the side that wasn’t knotted up properly will start to loop out over time. Click here for our Backcombing Dreads Course.

• Palm Rolling
Palm Rolling is often helpful to reduce or manage loops for most people. Palm Rolling helps to keep the dreadlock cylindrical in shape. Click here for our Palm Rolling Course.

• Crocheting / Instant Locs
The Instant Locs Crochet Method is by far the most effective way to control loops before or after they form. Crocheting prevents loops by ensuring all the hair is properly locked up. It controls loops after their formed by doing the same thing, pulling all of the looped hair into the core of the dreadlock. This is exactly what we’ll be teaching you in the videos within this course.

• Beads
Beads are often underutilized for non-aesthetic purposes. If you have young dreadlocks and you notice a loop forming, just slight a tight bead over it. It’ll compress the hair but still allow the knots to shift and form underneath the bead. This is almost like a hack that people seem to often overlook. Beads are great for preventing or controlling loops, holding extension attachments tight, or controlling angles and kinks in the dreadlock.

• Consistent Maintenance
Consistent maintenance can make all the difference in the world sometimes. There are some people with hair textures that just insist on trying to loop up all the time. For these people, it’s especially important to routinely crochet your roots if you seek to prevent loops from forming.