The Pros And Cons Of Dreadlocks & Microlocs

Are you thinking of installing traditional or microlocs in your hair?

Let’s face it, there are many reasons people have dreadlocks. Some may want to increase their spiritual connection, the style, the natural process, minimize combing, etc.

No matter the cause, dreadlocks are an amazing journey to experience. Therefore, here are the pros and cons to both traditional and microlocs.

The Pros Of Dreadlocks

1. With traditional locs, there are a variety of styles to choose from. You can go from small-medium-large to extra-large, and pretty much decide what size you want to go with based on the results that you want to see.
2. There are different methods to start dreadlocks. These include the two-strand twist, crochet, locs extensions, comb coils, or braids. If you are looking for a quick result, then you can install loc extensions. However, if you want to experience the stages of dreadlocks, then you can start with a two-strand twist, etc.
3. Traditional locs are not lifestyle dependant. You can go months without retwisting your hair and if you don’t want to — try free-form.
4. Maintenance doesn’t take as long as mircolocs of Sisterlocks because we have fewer locs. With dreadlocks, you get to witness the transformation of your hair from two-strand twists to mature dreadlocks.

The Cons Of Dreadlocks

1. Depending on the starter locs your hair can unravel quickly, especially with comb coils. This means you’ll need to retwist faster than expected. However, after your dreadlocks are matured, you don’t have to worry about this anymore.
2.  Retwist may not last long- Most people with traditional locs know that if they get a retwist on Saturday by Wednesday, it is frizzy. Sometimes, people can’t tell if you recently retwisted your hair. For me, the maximum my retwist will last is two weeks and if I’m lucky mostly, it can last longer. But, a long time ago, I learn to accept the frizz and love my hair because when it matured this problem was reduced.
3. Traditional locs are heavier than microlocs or Sisterlocks especially when your hair gets longer, making it harder to put your hair in a ponytail. This can be a con for many people who like the simple style of throwing their hair in a bun or ponytail.

The Pros Of Microlocs

1. Some people enjoy the appearance of small locs in their hair, plus they are easier to twist within braided hairstyles.
2. The weight of smaller locs when they get longer is lighter than the weight of larger locs. If you have a tender scalp, then this is a huge pro.
3. Interlocking is very long-term and reduces the amount of maintenance needed.
4. It is easy to DIY. This pro is for both dreadlocks and microlocs, but if you start with the two-strand or comb coil, they are two of the easiest to try at home and are both cost-effective as well as beginner-friendly.
5. Microlocs add more volume to your hair compared to traditional locs.

The Cons Of Microlocs

1. Interlocking is a very specialized skill because it’s not as simple as rolling your hair. You’ll need to figure out which rotation and stick with it. While I am a fan of the technique, it takes some time to get used to.
2. With microlocs, there are far more locs than traditional dreads. This means a longer time to spend on maintenance. One of my friends has 300 mircolocs in her hair and she does the retwisting at home. So, she spends 14 hours interlocking her hair. Wow, that’s a lot of time! While you only have to do it every three months, it takes a long time to complete.
3.  The two-strand pattern takes longer to fade and looks like dreadlocks compared to if you started with comb coils. However, with patience, your dreadlocks will have the traditional barrel appearance in no time.
4. Microlocs can be expensive if you don’t install and maintain them yourself. Getting like 250-400 locs install in your hair is very time-consuming and takes hundreds of dollars in the salons.
5. Microlocs can be fragile if installed too small.

There you have it a list of pros and cons for both microlocs and Sisterlocks.