Many people choose to have their dreadlocks "professionally" maintained. Doing so requires the aid of a loctician. But what exactly is a loctician? A loctician, like a beautician, is someone that is skilled in starting and maintaining dreadlocks through a variety of methods and techniques. Although a loctician may prefer a certain method, he/she should be skilled in others.

The problem is, many individuals who refer to themselves as locticians do not have licenses or credentials which allow them to practice in ANY form. Although some methods such as Sisterlocks require certification, traditional dreadlocks do not. Because of this, individuals that have no experience or training in dreadlocks can easily deem themselves "locticians." In fact, if you maintain your dreadlocks on your own and have done so for an extended period of time, there's little to stop you from acquiring the title yourself and going out and starting dreadlocks for others.

It doesn't take much to know how to begin dreadlocks, but the skills of your loctician are sure to be tested during those times when your hair is not performing at its best. Will your loctician be able to handle thinning dreadlocks, dryness, constant unraveling and breakage? Going to an inexperienced loctician today may leave you with horribly maintained dreadlocks tomorrow. Therefore, it's important that you thoroughly research dreadlocks and your loctician before allowing her/him to take care of your hair.

Hopefully you'll have your dreadlocks for years to come, so think of them as your children and your loctician as their babysitter. Just as you wouldn't leave your kids with an unstable, abusive individual, you want to protect your dreadlocks from anyone who could cause them harm. In addition, your loctician may not want to waste her time with any individual who chooses not to maintain his/her dreadlocks between visits, so you have to do your part too.

Even if your dreadlocks are "professionally" maintained, that doesn't mean that you have little or no responsibility towards their maintenance and upkeep. Clients have been known to show up for their appointments with half of their head unraveled and then they expect their loctician to do wonders in one setting. Even if this means more money for the loctician, you're basically a walking billboard that's bad for business.

Therefore when making that decision on whom to invest your money, you have to do your homework. Also keep in mind that the interview process of finding a loctician or a client is often mutual, so be on guard because as you're interviewing your loctician, she should also be interviewing you.

Does your loctician have dreadlocks?

If she doesn't, has she had them in the past?

If so, why doesn't she have them now?

Dreadlocks, unlike other hairstyles, require personal and hands-on experience in my opinion. Although everyone's dreadlocks are different, going to an individual with them assures you that she has personal experience with day-to-day loc maintenance. It doesn't make sense to go to someone who doesn't presently have dreadlocks, has never had them, or at least natural hair because you'd probably be better off maintaining them on your own.


Be weary of new-age "locticians" because the majority of them are in it for the money. Many claim to understand the locking process so that they can get more people into their salon. Your initial year of locking will be one filled with questions and unsurity. Even if you do your research, your journey will be plagued with doubt and confusion. It's your loctician's job to answer these questions and unfortunately, many don't have a clue. If you choose a loctician who has dreadlocks or has had them in the past, you can evaluate her initial skills and techniques by simply looking at her own head.

Can you see considerable and visible breakage? Do they look healthy overall? If your loctician has shabby, ratty looking dreadlocks, what makes you think that yours will look any better? Obviously she isn't doing something right or do you think she likes "the dog has been playing in my hair" look?

You're going to be consulting your loctician for advice on everything from shampooing, to products, to daily maintenance, so you need to feel comfortable that the advice she gives will actually improve the health and appearance of your dreadlocks. If the maintenance techniques she recommends are so great, then how come hers look like crap?

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Some people are more comfortable starting dreadlocks using only a few methods. If you want to start your dreadlocks using comb-coils, but your loctician seems apprehensive or uncomfortable with this method, but says she can do them if you want, be out! You don't want to go to someone who can't be straight up with you about her abilities.

On the flip side, your loctician may suggest an alternate method after reviewing your hair type, length, daily routine, etc. In this instance, the loctician has taken time to get to know YOU and what YOU'RE about so she may actually get the thumbs up.

Remember, everyone's hair is different. If you have a loose coil, limited time and budget, palm-rolling may not be for you. Braiding or two-strand twists would probably be less expensive and require less maintenance.

Your loctician should speak to you about your hair. A good loctician may not start off by manhandling it, but she will at least consider your particular texture and lifestyle before telling you what she plans to do.

She may ask to examine your scalp, touch your hair or do other things that will help her better understand how to approach your dreadlocks.  So don't get offended if she reaches out and grabs a handful.  If you end up choosing her, she's gonna have her hands all up in it anyway.

Once you have decided on a loctician, a good one will explain what she is doing every step of the way. Matter of fact before she begins the whole process, she should let you know in detail what she plans to do, how you should maintain them at home, what products to use, etc.

By letting you know from the jump what's in store, she will not only ease your mind, but weed out those individuals who aren't ready for dreadlocks. After all, she doesn't want to waste her time either.

Once you get in the chair, she doesn't have to be overly explicit but she should continue to let you know what's going on. Your relationship with your loctician is one that will last for a long time so her job is not only to maintain your hair, but to help you understand how to do it also.  And don't forget, if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask.

The worst thing that most clients do (and this occurs with all hair types/styles) is sit in the salon chair and all of a sudden become mute.  We've all done it at one point or another.  We knew "somethin' ain't right" but instead of objecting, we put our trust in an individual we hardly know OR that we did know but were afraid to offend.

Well I'm here to tell you to get a freakin grip!  This isn't the time to be timid.  Not only is money involved, but your time and overall appearance are as well.  Sure, if she messes up, it'll grow back but who has time for that?  Get it right the first time.  

If you see things heading south, if you feel the need to question the process, muster up the courage to do so.  When it's over, it's over.  Don't waste your money, don't waste either of your time.  Ask, ask, ask questions whenever your gut tells you to.

If you're confused about whether you should give the yay or nay, trust your. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.  To ease your fears, ask to see photos, request more information on how she plans to start your dreadlocks...in other words, be a bug-a-boo.  Although your loctician may not want to give up all of her trade secrets, she should be willing to share just the right amount of information to ease your fears.

Photos courtesy of NattyDreadz.com.  These pictures are of a client who has been trying to lock his hair using the organic method with very little success due to his hair texture.  Stylist RasQueen was able to work through the mangled, unkempt hair and get her client on the right track.  Visit NattyDreadz Online!

Ask for pictures and referrals. This may seem a little forward but this is not the time to be timid. Any loctician that is unwilling to provide you with ample information with regards to her professional history isn't worth your time or money. Your loctician should be proud of her clients and should therefore have a portfolio of some kind for you to consult.

A portfolio IMHO (in my humble opinion), is a must for any loctician who practices regularly. Why? Because dreadlocks, unlike other hair styles, are developed over a period of months...even years. Now if your loctician claims she's been in business for 3 years, you should expect to see some evidence of it.

On the flip-side, there are those individuals who are casual about their business.  Because one does not need licensure in order to learn how to form beautiful dreadlocks, there are those people who may start/maintain dreadlocks for friends/family in their spare time.  In this case, the loctician may not have an extensive portfolio so be sure to qualify him/her using the other questions/criteria listed here.

Dreadlocking is a process that takes years to reach full maturity. As a result, there's ample time to make mistakes along the way.

Ask your loctician to be candid in terms of the good and bad aspects of dreadlocking. Any loctician that seems overly positive or overly negative probably isn't worth a dime.

Go with your instincts. She should be confident in her abilities but should also let you know that you too are responsible for the health of your hair. Even if she claims she does everything right, there's no telling what happens when a client goes home. As a result, she's sure to have had a few bad experiences and lessons learned along the way. If she doesn't mind sharing, all the better for you.

Now there are some locticians who get carried away with the negatives.  Instead of encouraging you or being supportive, they scare the poop out of you with negativity.  

Instead of saying ok, here are the challenges you'll face, your loctician may look at your hair and make negative comments about hair "grade," health or lock-ability.

There's a theory that dreadlocks carry energy.  Make sure the energy put into their formation and maintenance is positive.  The more love put into them, the more love you'll get out of them.

Some people are truly trying to make a quick buck. Make sure you and your loctician have agreed upon a set price and schedule before you begin. Prices vary by region, level of expertise, chosen method...so I can't really tell you what's excessive.

Some locticians charge by the hour while others charge by visit. You're going to have to do some comparison shopping and factor in subsequent visits before choosing your loctician.  Make sure that her prices are posted and clear before you begin.  

If you live an active lifestyle, you may want to visit your loctician more often than an inactive person.  If you go to the gym daily or are regularly exposed to negative environmental factors (dust, debris, smoke), you'll probably need to cleanse your dreadlocks more often.  Your loctician should be willing to work within your needs for cleanliness while you keep your budget in mind.

If you find that the visits are costly, consider going for a few sessions so that you get started on the right foot. During your appointments, try to gather as much information as you can so that you will be able to maintain your dreadlocks on your own.

Some people use abnormal things to start and maintain dreadlocks so ask her what she's using and why. For example, if she's using her own product line, you might want to know how/when she came up with it and if it's for sale.  If it is for sale, cool.  If it's not, then it obviously ain't that great if you're keeping it a trade secret.  This is a business ain't it?  

Listen, you're no one's guinea pig, so make sure you're aware of what's going on your head.  This isn't to say that there aren't many good locticians who have trust-worthy concoctions for dreadlocks; BUT, who's to say that you're not allergic to one of the ingredients in that product?  Whose to say that you like the fragrance of that particular product.  Although you may be limited with regard to quality dreadlocks product lines, you don't have to settle for just anything.

Be sure to avoid locticians who swear by using petroleum based products.  Dreadlocks should never be started using any old "grease," vaseline or petoleum-beeswax product.  Whether the product is home-made or store-bought, ask to see it.  Look at the consistency, put a little on your hands and test it out.  If the product feels heavy or sticky, request something else.

Your loctician has every right not to disclose her recipe...after all, she wants to make sure you keep coming back.  So be careful when you question her.  Try not to come across as a busy body who's out to steal her business from under her but rather, a concerned customer who just wants to make sure she's not using anything that will damage your hair.

You could always start it with, "I'm really sensitive to a lot of products.  I just want to make sure you don't have anything that will irritate my scalp."  If she gets offended or is vague, there's always the door.

What Products Should I Use Then?
Are you serious?  We get this question sometimes and it's pretty insulting.  You're on a site that dedicates itself to black hair.  You're getting tons of information regarding dreadlocks.  And you want to know what products to purchase?  How about naani's naturals!  If you take our advice but then use other products, well, that's pretty messed up.  That's like coming in my house and sleeping in my bed. 

What's funny is, customers who ask this question usually start by saying how much they love the site, how much they love the advice and yet, that they're using a other product lines without much success.  Really?  That's a big surprise :-P

Our advice is meant for use with OUR products.  Use something else, you may get great results but I can't speak on how to better your hair with Product X...I can tell you how to do it with naani.  Visit Our Store and BUY SOMETHING!

Your loctician should give you detailed information with regards to how to maintain your dreadlocks at home. You should have answers to questions like...How often should I shampoo? and what do I do when my twists unravel?

During the first year you'll be like a small child whose questions never cease. You want a loctician that will put you at ease and will give you as many answers as possible.

You must also remember that it is your obligation to gather information on your own. Continually visit this site, read natural hair care books, asks friends with dreadlocks for advice on how to maintain your hair.

Finally, no matter how many answers you receive, you will forever doubt.  This is the nature of dreadlocks.  As time goes on and your journey becomes clearer, the level of panic you feel will subside.  Try to keep this in mind whenever you feel a panic attack and begin to worry that some how, some way, your dreadlocks are different from everyone else's in the world and you have to fix a certain "problem" right now or you'll just die.

Dreadlocking isn't a science, so be weary of anyone who treats it as such.  Although there are some tried and true techniques, hair care is about adaptability and constant reevaluation and improvement.

Unfortunately, many loctician's are stuck in the mindset that there's only one way to do things.  That in order to create "perfect" dreadlocks, one must adhere to a certain set of rules.

Yes...you CAN get beautiful, uniform, healthy dreadlocks if you follow a plan, but it's important to understand that locks are more the result of patience and experimentation than formula.  This is primarily why you may see conflicting views on this site.  We try to take into account the fact that there are many different solutions for many different people and hair types.

Your hair texture, lifestyle, method, your area's climate for example, all come together to make your journey an individual process.  Although you maybe similar on paper to person "x," the techniques used to grow your dreadlocks may not be.

Your loctician's job is not to approach your dreadlocks in the same manner as one would a math problem because this is one realm where  1 + 1 doesn't always  = 2.  

Loctician's who have been practicing for several years will be able to direct you to a variety of solutions that should help remedy problems as they arise.

These individuals will take into consideration all external and internal factors that may cause a particular problem before offering up suggestions.  Sometimes the answer truly is simple...maybe you just need to chill out and let your hair do its thing, but when the answer is complex and your loctician has no clue what's going on, "be patient" will not suffice.

The best way to uncover a possible remedy is through questions.  Just as your doctor asks you what your symptoms are before making a diagnosis, a good loctician will ask you a series of questions before turning you loose.

When your loctician questions you, make sure you're honest with your answers.  Don't be afraid or shame to tell the truth.  We all have to learn sometime and don't forget, you're paying for her services so squeeze that nickel 'til it poops.  (Keep in mind that giving someone money doesn't allow you to be rude, nasty, or demanding.  Yes, you are due good service, but you must also be respectful of the individual who's working for you).

With all that said, be weary of locticians who say things like "Don't wash your hair for the first 'x' months," "Your hair will lock in a 'x' amount of time," or "Your hair is too soft, too thin, too wavy, to whatever...to lock."  This is COMPLETE BS and anyone who utters such words really shouldn't be servicing customers with locks. 

A Bad Loctician/Stylist Will Say: "Don't wash your hair for the first 'x' months."
Translation: "I'm encouraging unhealthy, nasty, unhygenic processes.  I have fallen for dreadlocks myths and negative rhetoric associated with locks.  I don't care if you work out/play sports everyday, I don't care if you work around a lot of dust/odors, I don't care if you have a scalp condition/dandruff.  Just don't wash your hair no matter how nasty it gets and when you're ready to get your nasty hair done, come to me.  I'll slap something on top of that odor, funk and gunk and pretend it's clean."
A Good Loctician/Stylist Will Say:  "Try to wash your hair every "x" weeks.  If you can't go that long, then this is what WE need to do..."  Or, "Since you workout, since you play sport, since you have dermatitis....WHATEVER, I'm going to start your locks with "x" method so that you can shampoo a little more frequently.  I still recommend that you wait to shampoo every "x" weeks.  Keep coming to me every "x" weeks and we'll gradually shorten the time in-between shampoos.

A Bad Loctician/Stylist Will Say: "People with your 'grade' of hair can't grow locks."
Translation: "I'm stuck in a rerun of Spike Lee's School Daze and I can't stop singing 'Good and Bad Hair.'  I'm so ignorant that in stating you can't lock, I forget that there Whites, Asians, Indians...every racial group has members who have successfully lock'd their hair.  What I'm really trying to say is that it will be difficult for me to figure out how to lock your hair so instead of saying I'm not capable, I'll blame your momma and daddy for making your hair that way."
A Good Loctician/Stylist Will Say:  "Your hair texture makes growing locks difficult but I have another client with your hair type so here's what WE're going to do..."

With that said, all locticians have a set way of doing things.  This is fine and often prefered.  Everyone develops expertise, form and process over-time.  What you're looking for is someone who's an expert in procedure, but who also knows how to expertly adapt.  Yes, they MAY know more than you do with regard to hair, but they're not God and when they start making proclamations as if they are, be out!