Table of Contents
Introduction
Locs also known as dreadlocks are a creative hair style where hair is allowed to entangle and coil themselves into ropes all by themselves. In some occasions, the hair is allowed to grow naturally but hair has to be cut to style locs as well. The loc haircuts give people an opportunity to manage and style their loc’d hair as they wish.
Here there is an explanation of various loc haircuts that are available. Some things one must consider before choosing the right haircut include the extent of the locs, shape of the face, lifestyle, and overall styling preference. From fades to blends, it is good to know some of the most common methods to style loc’d hair for anyone faced with choosing what approach to take.
The 5 Most Loved Haircut Techniques for Locs
Blunt-End Trims
Blunt-end trimming is easily one of the most basic loc haircutting methods out there. This cut secures the stray ends of each loc to avoid loosening up. It also helps locs to hold the cylindrical rope shape better and also allows me to tie tighter ponytails.
With blunt-end cuts, the stylist cuts on the bottom of the loc in a straight line. This gives a thick and distinctly dark line along the lower edge of the hair. Shear-end cuts do away with split ends and give a clean, Italian-like appearance. They are suitable to use for both short and long dread hairstyles.
Layered Cuts
Another daily manageable technique used on locked hair is called layered cuts. Regarding locs, extra layers fade the bulk while introducing movement and fullness to the style. This can also reduce the heft of very long dreadlocks enough to enhance their maneuverability.
When styling for dreadlocks, the layers are made by stylists to penetrate the body of the locs rather than slanting across. This helps to prevent their disintegration or the disruption of their formation. Adjustable bl plain… Subtle or dramatic layers can be created depending on personal preference and loc length. Facial framing layers usually enhance most face shapes.
Fades
Tapered sides are right now very popular among men’s loc haircuts. A fade cut gradually dismisses the hair to the scalp on either side of the head and at the back but retains length on the top part. Concentrating upward on these areas highlights the locs on top of your head.
There are different fade levels to consider:
- Low fades: It involve the hair decreasing in thickness from the ear level and decreasing in volume downwards.
- Mid fades: It is better when they are faded lower on the sides of the head near the temples.
- High fades: It extends the sides very short, even touching the skin at the temples.
- Bald fades: They are faded right to the bottom of the taper.
Combining a fade with another loc top style will create more flexibility for hybrid cuts such as blunt-ended, layered, and shaped to name a few.
Shaping

Shaping involves the purposeful slicing of your locs in a manner that will afford you volume and texture. The aim is to prevent those people who develop a ‘triangle head’ because as the locs grow at the bottom, there is usually a loss of length.
Common shaping techniques include:
- U-shapes: Cutting locs shorter in the middle part of the head and leaving hair longer towards the sides and back of the head. Creates a rounded outline.
- V-shapes: As they grow out leaving more length on the center of the head, then at the ear part, and the nape. Elongates the silhouette.
- Graduated lengths: Gradually trimming hair by cutting the locs closer to the head starting at the front hairline to the nape of the head. Provides visual balance.
Undercuts
Undercut dread styles include short-cutting done to the sides back, leaving lengthy dreads on top. This is curious and amplifies the fact that at one enormous pole and sprawling wide at the other enormous pole there is this flowing loc’d section.
You can experiment with different visual effects:
- Moderate-contrast: A shaved head with long dreadlocks on the top.
- Disconnected: Looks where the long locs are those with shaved parts.
Lesser undercuts as seen from the shorter locs, but are more sophisticated, perhaps?
Check Out: Side Part Haircut: From Classic to Modern, Styles for Every Hair Type.
How Often to Trim Locs?
After initial locs the hair has set and locked in, touching up for maintenance is done once every 4 to 6 months. Regular trims:
- Prevent splits and breakage
- Help knots tighten
- Refresh blunted ends
- Maintain styled shapes
It is also possible for some locs to grow very long indeed (down to the length of a tailbone or even more). When locs grow for very long they will become weighed down and this puts some pressure on the roots and they become thin. Perhaps cutting them every 2 to 3 months may be healthier and help grow fuller beards.
If you find that your locs are all messy, say they have strands of loose hair protruding from the main locs, then it is time to have them done.
Loc Haircut Best Practices
- Waxing Before Cuts: Always avoid Waxing your area before the Cuts. Wax and residue of the product on the hair shaft hinder a stylist’s vision in the area they are cutting. Come with clean, dry locs.
- Let locs mature first: It is recommended to wait for not less than six months before slicing the strings so that the internal bonds with the starter locs will have the right setting. Failure to cut too early may result in the undoing of all that has been worked on.
- Engage the right stylists: Look for an online directory of “sister lock stylists” or “opticians” who deal with locked hair and have expertise in trimming and styling them. They think they know the best techniques.
- Style dry locs: In drying otherwise, excess cutting while wet locs leads to uneven textures and rough ends. Explain what the shape and layers are on dry hair.
- Use sharp shears/razors: Good barber tools are capable of making clean shearing through matted hair instead of having to chop the hair mass or tear it apart.
- Trim gradual amounts: A sudden increase in taking off length can lead to thinning. Instead of worrying about the big chops, just do minor trims more often.
- Avoid waxing after: Waxing can re-mat the freshly blunted or tapered edges If it is necessary to apply the wax again it can be done several times until the operator is satisfied with the length and shape of the edges. Rinse them properly then let them dry naturally before anything like blow-drying etc.
Loc Haircuts without Professional Hair Stylist

It is still possible to cut your hair when you are between appointments with your local hair stylist if you are growing your locs. Here are some best practices:
- The first trim is usually between 1/4 to 1/2 an inch only due to this reason because if it is cut too much it will be extremely difficult to add length to the material again.
- Utilize professional shears suitable for detail work that’ll slide on the hair surface instead of tearing through it. That is why when using dollar store scissors they will either crush or split.
Section locs using clasps, ties, or hair clips for Manageable groups.
- Level or taper straight across blunted ends to thin it or point cut vertically through the locs to get rid of some volume.
- Monitor with a hand mirror as often as possible or take photographs of it with your cell phone.
- Cut off those problematic regions (Cocwx very low hairs at the nape, more frizz at tips, uneven layers, etc)
- Do not attempt to produce sharp new styles or cuts. Major carving should be left for the experts, minor carving only.
Getting trims can be done individually between 2-3 months apart because locs maintenance cutting must be done in a barbershop. But don’t overdo it.
Conclusion
In line with this, it appears that loc haircuts permit you to individual the kind of fashion you desire; be it minor touch-ups, extreme transformations, or anywhere in between. Knowledge of various cutting methods facilitates choosing whether to retain an orderly hair fashion perfectly set dreadlocks or reshape a new manner. Having adequately skilled technicians guarantees that correct techniques are employed to prevent the disruption of maturing locs.
that trims the locs every 4 to 6 months and could also be self-trimmed at home anytime when the barbing salon is out of thumbnail with caution.
Regardless of the length and even the style that you want your locs to be, this is true that maintaining neat trimmed kukis with proper shape enables any individual to be proud of his or her uniqueness of having loc’d hair.
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FAQs About Cutting Locs
Which forms of haircuts cause locs to loosen?
Okay, minor trims will not reverse mature, established locks. Do not trim too close to the scalp on new starter locs, which are still settling in Use sharp scissors for this. Locs specialists can lay down the basics of hair and they know some skills.
Newly forming locs, when can they be first cut?
Do not cut your locs until at least 6 months after you have started the style. Primary cutting hazards threaten unlatched strands that have not been nicely coiled within. Bleached locs can take up to 9+ months.
How short can I get my locs?
There is no standard minimum length but if you try to create haircuts with hair that is shorter than an inch it will not look like rope-like locs but rather hair cropped very short. I found that retaining them at least 2 to 3 inches long assists in maintaining the cylindrical dread shape.