How to Remove Faux Locs in a Safe and Easy Way: A Step-by-Step Guide

When Should You Take Down Your Faux Locs?

If you're reading this, I assume you're ready to remove your faux locs.

However, if you've recently installed them or aren't yet prepared to take them out, I recommend removing them when they're between 7-11 weeks old.

Leaving them in for longer can cause the roots to knot and become tangled, which can lead to hair breakage and even hair loss.

How To Take Down Your Faux Locs

When taking down your faux locs, keep in mind that the method used for installation will affect the removal process.

One installation method involves using a crochet needle to sew in already-braided faux locs, while another involves braiding human or synthetic yarn into the natural hair and wrapping the outer braid with additional yarn.

To learn how to take down your faux locs, watch this video tutorial by OnlyOneJess for a practical demonstration.

What you need

• A hair oil of your choice
• Moisturizer
• Shampoo
• Deep conditioner
• (Green) tea bags
• Shower cap

Step 1: Oil your palms and fingers

1. To prevent your hands from getting irritated while taking down the locs, apply oil to your palms and fingers. This will also provide a slip that will make it easier to unravel the locs.

Step 2: Part your hair into sections and snip

1. Dividing your hair into sections will make it easier to take down the locs. After parting your hair, use a pair of hair scissors to snip the ends of each loc so that it is easier to unravel.
2. If you have long natural hair, it is important to be careful when removing faux locs. We recommend snipping ½ - 1 inch at the tips of the locs to avoid accidentally cutting your natural hair.

Step 3: Unravel the locs

1. If your hair was braided and wrapped with yarn, apply a small amount of moisturizer to the shaft of the braids up to your hair roots. This will help prevent hair breakage when you remove the locs.
2. If your faux locs were made using the crochet method, you have to take them down before moisturizing your natural hair. For each loc, follow these steps: moisturize, unravel, and detangle with your fingers.

Step 4: Pre-poo your hair

1. Pre-pooing is short for pre-shampooing. It is the act of preparing your hair for shampoo. A pre-poo is necessary because most shampoos contain harsh ingredients that can dry out your hair.
   After taking down all of your faux locs and unraveling your braided natural hair, the next step is to prepare your hair for shampooing.
   To do this, part your hair into sections and apply a generous amount of hair oil to each section.
2. Next, cover your hair with a shower cap or plastic bag for about 10-15 minutes. This will help soften your hair and prevent it from losing moisture after you shampoo it.

Step 5: Do a tea rinse

1. After removing your faux locs, shampoo and condition your natural hair. It's normal to experience some shedding since the faux locs were in your hair for several weeks. To help with the shedding, I strongly recommend doing a tea rinse.
   A tea rinse can reduce shedding, soothe your scalp if it's irritated, and help prevent hair loss.
2. To do a tea rinse, you can use 2-3 regular tea bags or 1 green tea bag.
   First, put the tea bag(s) into a cup of hot water, cover it, and let it cool.
   Then, apply to your hair after shampooing, followed by your deep conditioner.
   Leave it in for 30 minutes and then rinse out with cool water.

Want to Try out Faux Locs? Check These Out

Faux locs is a bold and beautiful protective hairstyle that can be styled in several ways. If you're thinking of installing them soon, you should check out this lightweight faux locs extension. But if you'd rather not spend time installing and uninstalling your faux locs, our collection of natural-looking braided and locs wigs is your best bet!