{"id":4494,"date":"2026-04-08T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=4494"},"modified":"2026-04-09T09:26:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:26:11","slug":"faux-locs-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/faux-locs-care","title":{"rendered":"The Right Way to Care for Faux Locs: The Ultimate Locs Care Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What are Faux Locs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Faux locs (often called fake dreadlocks) are a temporary protective style that mimics traditional locs but only lasts four to six weeks. Proper locs care involves avoiding heavy washing, hydrating the scalp with natural oils, and using a lightweight leave in conditioner for faux locs to protect your natural hair underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are Faux Locs vs Traditional Locs?<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though faux locs look and feel like traditional locs, they shouldn\u2019t be confused with the real thing. Traditional locs are meant to last a lifetime, while faux locs can be styled to last for four to six weeks. Faux locs can be an easier styling choice for anyone looking for less of a permanent commitment.<\/p>

Re-twisting the new growth on traditional locs is routine as the hair grows out, but you don\u2019t want to twist or style the roots of your faux locs. Choosing to do so may cause damage that will only become noticeable when it\u2019s time to take them out. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locs Care: How to Cleanse Your Fake Dreadlocks<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s better than a style that also helps protect your hair? Faux locs are considered a protective style because while they\u2019re installed, your natural hair can be protected from heat, environmental damage, and breakage from combing and brushing. Therefore, they don\u2019t \u201cneed\u201d to be washed during the time they are worn. <\/p>

However, if you feel you need a cleanse, rinse the scalp once every two weeks with an apple cider vinegar<\/a> solution or other products designed to keep your scalp\u2019s pH balanced<\/a>. <\/p>

If you\u2019d like to cleanse your hair, you can use a sulfate-free shampoo for a more gentle wash. If you\u2019re curious about finding the perfect sulfate-free shampoo, take our consultation<\/a> to find your custom formula. Although you may not be cleansing your hair frequently, it could be helpful to have a gentle and safer shampoo on hand for when you do. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
ONLY GOOD HAIR DAYS\u2014<\/span>Think of us as your partner in haircare. Start with our innovative consultation.<\/span>GET YOUR FORMULA<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Use a Leave In Conditioner for Faux Locs to Hydrate Natural Hair <\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oils<\/a> and leave-in conditioners<\/a> can be a protective style\u2019s best friend. Our oils and leave-in conditioners can be made custom for you. We use natural ingredients, and continue to research the best ingredients for your specific hair type and we\u2019ll even tailor to any hair treatments or styles, like extensions or locs.\u00a0Applying oil to the scalp will seal in moisture and nourish new growth when the faux locs start to weigh on your roots. Because of their shape, curly or coiled strands (3c and 4c) can have a hard time moving oils from the scalp to the lengths of hair. Our custom hair oil is a premium oil that preserves strands and smooths away frizz, whether used as a treatment before washing or as a styling finish.\u00a0The Prose leave-in conditioner can help to detangle and smooth flyaways, leaving strands silky, glossy, and manageable. This hydrating mist could be the perfect way to hydrate your strands while they are styled with faux locs. Our formulas couldn\u2019t exist without you, so get started<\/a> with yours today.Things can be more challenging when your natural hair has been roped into faux locs because the added strands\u2014whether synthetic, yarn, or human hair\u2014absorb the oils from the scalp. On top of that, because you aren\u2019t shampooing and conditioning as you usually would for a month or longer, you aren\u2019t able to move products around the scalp to refresh it.To keep roots hydrated and intact, apply naturally sourced oils to the roots and scalp. Coconut oil<\/a> (which has a high moisture retention capacity), can work best since it doesn\u2019t break down or allow moisture to escape easily.\u00a0Castor oil<\/a> is a staple in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, and it\u2019s a magical ingredient. It can nourish the scalp, allowing roots to grow stronger, warding off bacteria, and helping pH balance. We have a long list of natural ingredients that help support your hair\u2019s health. Read more about our other natural ingredients<\/a>, and see which may be best for your hair.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to Fight Frizz on Your Faux Locs<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Locs are a natural style that will likely frizz. This style looks most natural and best when it\u2019s a little \u2018lived in.\u2019 But, if you want to keep unwanted frizz to a minimum<\/a>, look for a sealing product to keep your new growth and the frizz around your faux locs tamed. With a product like hair oil, you can tame frizz and keep it at bay. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for products that contain these smoothing ingredients: <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shea butter<\/a>: A miracle product that contains five principal fatty acids (palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acids). They provide essential nutrients, improve hair health, help fight breakage<\/a>, and work to smooth strands of all types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Shea oil<\/a>: Can nourish your strands and work to support your hair\u2019s overall health.

Shea oil and shea butter are wonderful for adding moisture and taming frizz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Your Edges While Wearing Faux Locs<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delicate edges can be left out of faux locs for a good reason: avoiding the edges is the best way to protect them. If you want to keep your edges \u201claid\u201d<\/a>, keep them moisturized with the same nourishing conditioner you use on the scalp. <\/p>

Depending on your hair\u2019s porosity<\/a>, you can apply hair oil every day or once a week using your fingers. Since edges (also known as baby hairs) can be more delicate and fine, they need more attention and more nourishment. <\/p>

If you\u2019re having trouble determining which hairs are baby hairs (edges) and which are breakage, we offer a more detailed explanation<\/a> of the differences and how to style and protect these hairs.<\/p>

Pro-Tip<\/b>: Be mindful of the hair accessories you are using on your faux locs. Headbands and hair ties can pull at faux locs, creating tension on the roots and the delicate edges. Try to use silky scarves for a more gentle way to hold your hair back. This is the perfect way to accessorize and care for your hair at the same time. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep on Silk<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to keep faux locs moisturized and neat is to trade in your cotton pillowcases for satin or silk<\/a>. Because cotton fibers absorb and rub out moisture, you may be engaging in hours of hair damaging activity while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases can cause unnecessary breakage due to more friction on the fabric. Again, try to limit the use of cotton and instead use silk or satin.<\/p>

Whether you prefer a silky scarf, a pillowcase, or both, swapping cotton for silk will extend the life and beauty of your locs. Using silk or satin is an easy way to protect your hair while you sleep, without even thinking about it!<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do Your Research Before Getting Fake Dreadlocks<\/h2><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you invest in faux locs, do your homework. Find a stylist that best suits you and your hair type. Aim to find a stylist who has perfected the craft, and wants to preserve the integrity of your hair. Knowing exactly who is going to be styling your hair and the skills they possess will ensure that you\u2019ll walk out of the salon with a style you love.<\/p>

Faux locs could be the perfect, temporary style for you, rather than committing to having locs long term. Now that you know more about faux locs, there is so much more opportunity for styling freedom\u2014the opportunities are endless.  <\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How long do faux locs last? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With proper locs care, faux locs typically last for four to six weeks. Leaving them in longer than this can cause your natural hair to lock or lead to severe breakage at the root.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long do faux locs take to install? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the installation method, the length of the hair, and the thickness of the locs, installing faux locs can take anywhere from 4 to 9 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to do faux dreadlocks? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Faux dreadlocks are usually installed using the crochet method, where pre-made locs are looped into cornrows, or by tightly wrapping synthetic, yarn, or human hair extensions around your natural hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n