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Hair Care Guides

Deciding whether to keep or remove locs.
Compare the upkeep as well as the look.

Changing locs you’ve worn for years can be a difficult decision. Start with what you want to change, such as length, daily upkeep or wearing your hair loose. Then compare reshaping, cutting and a possible comb-out before agreeing to any work.

Your personal hair-care planProduct choices, routines and answers shaped around your hair.$49one-timeStart my consultation
An older woman with established dark and silver locs discusses options with a loc professional at a salon table.
Compare the upkeep as well as the look.

What is going on

An adult with established locs discusses care history with a loc professional.

Find out what a comb-out would involve

Book a discussion with someone experienced in loc removal. Bring your maintenance history, including color, repairs and added hair. Ask about likely sessions, cost and how much hair might remain. The result varies, so plan for a possible cut or change of hairstyle afterward.

An adult looks at the current length and outline of established locs in a mirror.

Choose the change you actually want

If the length is the problem, discuss shortening the locs. If you want loose hair, compare cutting with a comb-out. If upkeep is the problem, ask what washing, detangling and styling would require afterward before choosing the service.

What helps, day to day

An adult with a long silver-and-dark braid writes in a planner beside a small hair-care kit.

You have only one weekend available

  • Ask how much work can fit, including breaks and care at the end.
  • If several sessions are likely, agree how your hair will be left and cared for between them.
  • Book enough time or move the service rather than rushing to a deadline.
A man reads a shampoo bottle while making a note, with a second hair-care bottle beside the notebook.

The quote covers only the first session

  • Request an estimate for the whole job and ask what could increase it.
  • Check whether washing, a finishing cut and styling cost extra.
  • Agree a spending limit and ask to be contacted before extra work begins, including any cutting you have not already approved.
A woman with curls writing a routine note beside her hair-care products.

You’re still unsure whether to cut

  • Book a discussion without committing to cutting or removal that day.
  • Bring examples of shapes you like and explain what bothers you about the current routine.
  • Ask what keeping or shortening your locs would involve, then take time to decide.

Products, by the job they do

A man in navy swim trunks gently works shampoo along his scalp with finger pads while holding adjacent mature locs.

Keep up your usual wash routine

While you decide, use the shampoo and washing method that already work for your locs. Rinse thoroughly and leave time to dry. Before a removal appointment, check whether the service includes washing or whether you should wash at home first.

Browse cleansing products. Bring the shampoos you are choosing between to the consultation, along with what you liked or disliked about them.

An adult compares two hair-product bottles beside a calculator and shopping notes.

Prepare for caring for loose hair

After a comb-out, ask the stylist to show you how to wash, condition and detangle the hair you have. Conditioner can help with tangles during ordinary loose-hair care. Choose the next products for that routine, rather than buying a removal kit in advance.

Browse rinse-out conditioners. For conditioner recommendations, share where your hair tangles and which products you have tried.

Agree the work and the aftercare

An adult and a professional discuss keeping, reshaping or assessing removal of established locs.

Agree the service before work starts

Confirm whether you are keeping the locs, changing their shape, cutting or trying a comb-out. For a cut, show the length and shape you want and have the stylist confirm them. For removal, agree the session length and what happens if more time is needed.

A woman with loose coils looks at her phone beside an open calendar, notebook, towel and hair ties.

Plan how to stop or change course

Agree to pause if the work hurts or is taking longer than expected. Ask how unfinished hair will be left and cared for until the next visit. Any switch to cutting or a different final length should be discussed with you before it happens.

Illustrated care examples: before & after

List the change you want

A woman with established locs looks at a tablet, then writes in a notebook labeled Length and Daily care.
Before · looking at a tabletAfter making notes · noting length and daily care
List what you want to change, such as length, shape, daily upkeep or wearing loose hair. Ask how each option would affect your routine.

Include care after the appointment

A woman with established locs looks at a planner, then points to it with a separate care note beside the page.
Before · looking at the plannerAfter adding a care note · care note beside the planner
Ask how to wash and style your hair afterward, including unfinished hair between sessions. Allow time for that care as well as the appointment.
An adult holding a long braid discusses care with a stylist who takes notes in a salon.

Help with your hair-care routine

Bring your hair-care questions to the consultation. You can also read planning manageable care for retained lengths.

  • Could a shorter loc style solve what’s bothering me?
  • What should I ask before booking a comb-out?
  • How much care would my loose hair need afterward?

Share the changes you want and how much time you have for daily care, along with any removal or aftercare instructions from the stylist. The consultation can help plan the everyday routine. Ask the removal specialist about the service, cost and likely result.

The Hair Care Consultation gives you a personal plan with product recommendations, routines and guidance on your hair-care questions.

Start my consultation

$49 with 60 days of follow-ups, or $99 with 12 months. Pay once; the year renews only if you choose.