Locks and dreads are two terms that get used interchangeably in the natural hair community. But they're actually different things! Locks are created using a method called lock-twisting, which involves twisting individual strands of hair around one another to create a loose curl pattern.
Dreadlocks, on the other hand, are created by letting your hair loc over time—no twisting required! So what exactly is the difference between locks and dreads? Here's everything you need to know about this common question:
The key difference between locks and dreads is how they're made.
There are a few key differences between locks and dreadlocks. While both styles originate from the same process, their size, density and looseness vary greatly depending on how they're made.
Dreadlocks are made using a variety of techniques that can be categorized as "backcombing" (the most common method) or "braiding." Regardless of technique, once you have an established dreadlock—meaning it's completely filled with hair—it will remain that way until you remove it. The longer your hair grows into the lock, the more dense and tight it becomes. If left untouched for some time, dreads will become so dense they can actually cause serious discomfort if worn loose in hot weather because of the weight pulling at your scalp when moving around too much.
Locks may be tied up tightly or loosely depending on what kind of product was used to create them; however, they won't ever close up entirely like dreads do because they're not attached at either end by twisting processes.
Locks are bigger than dreads.
Locks and dreadlocks are similar, but there's one major difference: locks are bigger than dreads.
Locks are created naturally by letting the hair loc over time, while dreads require a process of twisting the hair and stimulating its natural locking process. To create dreadlocks, you can either twist or braid your hair before starting to insert them into each other in order to form knots (like this). Once they're locked together, they won't come apart unless you want them to!
Dreads are more dense than locks.
Dreads are more dense than locks and have a more uniform texture. This makes them harder to style, and may make them itch more than locks. Locks can be looser or tighter depending on the technique used to make them.
Locks may be looser or tighter depending on the technique used to make them.
The hair is wrapped around itself to create a lock, with the tighter the lock, the more likely it is to itch. Loose locks are easier to maintain and give you more styling options. Tightly-knotted dreadlocks may require special care, such as using oils or conditioners for maintenance.
Dreads may be more likely to itch but locks made with natural products are less likely to do so.
While some people think that dreads will be less itchy after they've been washed and re-dreaded, in fact, this makes them even itchier. Locks made with natural products are less likely to itch because they are looser and not as likely to tangle.
Locks are created naturally by letting the hair loc over time, while dreads require a process of twisting the hair and stimulating its natural locking process.
The primary difference is that dreadlocks are created naturally by letting the hair loc over time, while locks require a process of twisting the hair and stimulating its natural locking process. This isn’t to say that all locks are loose, or that all dreads are tight—it just means that there’s no one way to create either style. For example, if you get your hair twisted for your locks but don’t maintain them regularly (e.g., wash them), your new twist pattern will loosen up over time until it resembles dreads more closely than it did when you first started!
Different types of hairstyles for black people can be confusing because they all sound similar at first glance. But once you know what to look for in terms of what makes up each style (like whether or not they are braided), then it becomes much easier to choose which one feels right for you!