Let’s get real for a sec – sometimes it feels like your locs, aka dreadlocks, are playing hide and seek, especially when they seem to be taking forever to grow!

Let me share a bit of my own story to give you some reassurance. When I started my Sisterlocks Journey, I was all in, ready for my hair to transform into beautiful, long, healthy locs. But around the 6th week, I looked in the mirror and… uh oh! It seemed like my locs had disappeared into my scalp! Talk about a panic moment!

Now, if you’re still feeling a bit worried because your locs seem to be taking their sweet time to grow, don’t stress. We’ve done some digging, and there are a few reasons why this might be happening.

Why Are My LOCs Not Growing?

1. Its a Natural Loc Growth Process

Understanding how locs align with the natural phases of hair growth can provide clarity and reassurance that indeed your locs are growing – you just may not see the length increase immediately.

Just like loose hair, locs grow in distinct phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. During the anagen phase, the roots of the hair actively grow from the follicle, a process mirrored in the early stages of loc formation. As locs mature, they transition through stages of catagen and telogen phases, where growth slows and the strands solidify into their distinctive form.

In the language of loc stages, growth unfolds in five stages: starter, teen, mature, and rooted. These stages parallel the evolution of locs from their initial formation to their established, fully matured state.

In fact, the experts will tell you that in the natural growth cycle, on average hair grows about ½ an inch per month. That is about 1.27cm of growth per month! Although this varies from one person to the other.

2. Your Locs are Shrinking

Above is my before and after picture. Day 1 vs Week 6, can you see the shrinkage?

Shrinking is more common in the initial two years; but take it as it is—they say there is no locking without shrinkage. In other words, as the strands close in together, they form a more solid shorter unit, which appears as though the hair is not growing.

I learnt this from my own Sisterlocks journey. Between 6 weeks and about 5 months my hair was basically shrinking. It looked significantly shorter compared to my loose hair – and its easy to see why.

3. Genetics Plays a Role

It is not far-fetched to think that genetics plays a role in hair growth. Reliable scientific evidence shows genetic factors as responsible for the density, growth rate, length, color and texture of hair.[1]

Furthermore, heredity disorders can also affect either hair growth and hence loc growth.

All that science boils down to this: Your locs may not be growing fast because your genes rule.

Genetical predisposition for fast or slow hair growth. Simple? Yes.  It is an incontrovertible fact  that some people’s locs grow faster than others. Here is a detailed article on how genetics affect the rate of hair growth.

4. Your Locs are Breaking

Your Locs are not growing because they are breaking.

When locs break, oftentimes it is because of actions such as excessive manipulation and tension. But there are times when the hair just breaks. Some people’s hair is prone to folding on itself and to experiencing issues like split ends and even twisting into single-strand knots.

The good news though is that as your locs continue to grow, this type of breakage diminishes up to a point when the hair ends become “locd” and the locs retain more length.

5. Poor Scalp Health

It is only a healthy scalp that will promotes fast loc growth. Sometimes, however, it gets dirty and just doesn’t do you any good.

If it is not cleansed, and well-moisturized to create an optimal environment for hair growth, then the follicles will not grow new hair. The result is slowed down growth of your locs.

6. Lack of Key Nutrients

Growing locs need essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and proteins. These are important for growing healthy locs.

Lack of vitamins (A, B-Vitamin, C, D, E) can limit hair growth. Malnutrition of proteins, for example, causes a disturbance in hair synthesis, leading to weakness and hair loss, increased fragility and brittleness. Without minerals such as iron, selenium, and zinc are equally important.

7. Lack of Consistency in Care

Where locs are involved, it pays to have a consistent Loc care routine.  Only a routine that takes care of both hair and scalp can enable the locs to grow well.

You need to clean your locs and deep condition regularly. I deep condition my locs every 3-4 weeks. Your wash routine will depend on your personal preference and what feel rights to you.

Another aspect of Loc care is moisture and hydration. Without adequate moisture levels, your locs cannot grow as well and as fast as it should. Moisturizing keeps the strands nourished and protected against harmful rays from the sun.

Sometimes, the enemy is closer than you think. You might explain off the constant tugging of the locs, but there is a price to pay.

8. Overuse of Heavy Products

Overusing certain products can achieve the opposite result of limiting instead of promoting hair growth. There is always the risk of excessive product build -up and blocking of the hair follicles, which are the basis of locs growth.

9. Underlying Health Conditions

Underlying health issues such as hormonal imbalances or medical conditions can affect hair growth. Consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect any health-related issues.

10. Lack of Patience

Hair growth is a gradual process, and impatience (the endless checking) can lead to frustration. Give your locs time to grow without expecting immediate results. The average for a full-length loc growth is 8-24 months. So, just relax and allow them to grow.

See what “Greatlocs” channel has about slow-growing locs here.

How Can I Make My Locs Grow Faster?

We will do a more detailed article on this but here is a summary of the key things you need to do to promote fast and healthy loc growth:

• Low Manipulation to Minimize Breakage of Locs – To help your locs grow faster, go easy on them! Avoid constantly messing with them or styling too much. Simple care means less risk of damage, letting your locs grow strong and healthy without setbacks.
• Maintain a Healthy Scalp – Keep your scalp happy for better loc growth. Cleanse your scalp regularly to keep it clean and give it some love with gentle massages using oils. A happy scalp means happy locs that can grow to their full potential.
• Ensure Intake of Key Nutrients – Feed your locs from the inside out! Make sure your diet includes all the good stuff like vitamins A, C, E, and biotin. Protein is also a must for strong locs. If needed, consider taking supplements, but real food is always best!
• Moisturize and Hydrate Your Locs – Give your locs a drink! Keep them hydrated with water or a moisturizer made for locs. Lock in that moisture with natural oils or butters. Happy, hydrated locs are less likely to break and more likely to grow long and strong.
• Give Your Locs Time – Understand the Role of Genetics and the Natural Loc Growth Process. Remember, everyone’s locs grow at their own pace, depending on genetics and other factors. Enjoy each stage of your loc journey, knowing that with a little time and TLC, your locs will reach their full potential.

In summary,

It might seem like your locs are not growing, but trust me, beyond what you see, some magic is happening. Unlike regular hair that visibly grows longer, locs coil and tangle up, making it hard to see the progress during the early stages. It’s all part of the journey.

You can actually go on and have full-grown locs in 8 months (at least) if you start today. It could also be sooner depending on when you started the journey, but take note of the dos and don’ts of hair care, and be patient, this is not an overnight affair.