How Do You Interlock Your Hair With A Latch Hook?
If you are intending to get your hair dreadlocks, it would be ideal to equip yourself some basic knowledge about this hairstyle.
There are actually numerous ways to start dreads, such as backcomb, two-strand twist, crochet, interlock, palm rolling or using dreadlocks extensions. Each of them has its own pros and cons that you need to consider before giving your real hair a different look.
Among these methods, interlocking seems to be an effective way to your new dreads.
In this article, we would like to dig deeper about this technique, as well as the best dreadlock latch hook to use. Let’s take a look at it!
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Is interlocking good for dreads?
While palm rolling or two-strand twist methods only require your fingers, interlocking your hair needs a specialized tool known as a latch hook.
Interlocking is a good way or not, and how it affects your hair and scalp are what people also care about this dreadlocks’ method.
Benefits
Interlocking, also called latch-hooking or root flipping, is a perfect option for those with fine hair and want to get dreadlocks because it will reinforce your hair and keep your locks away from unraveling or breaking.
It doesn’t only work on fine hair, but also suitable for coarse hair, or any other texture of hair.
Since interlocking works from the root of your hair, it will give you stronger locs and usually maintain your hair longer than other regular techniques. It is also ideal if you want to possess a neat look on your dreadlocks.
Drawbacks
Everything has its pros and cons, including interlocking hair. While it has several benefits to your dreads, interlocking improperly or too frequently will pose some risks to your hair.
Resulting dreads might be a bit smaller and neater than you expect and compare to other methods. If you interlock your hair too frequently, it will be harmful to your scalp and hair.
Read more: Is Interlocking Locs Bad? Which Type Of Interlocking Dreadlock Is Better?
How do you interlock your hair with a latch hook?
You can interlock your hair with your fingers, an interlocking tool, or with a latch hook. Now we will show you how to start dreads with a latch hook:
Things you’ll need:
- A rat tail comb
- A crochet needle latch hook
Instruction:
- Use the rat tail comb to divide your hair into even micro sections
- Insert the latch hook into the middle of your hair section, start from top to bottom
- Put the top of your hair into the hook and latch it
- Pull it through your hair
- Repeat step 2, 3, 4 with different sides clockwise until your hair section is locked from top to bottom
Basically, you’ll go from north to south, east to west, south to north, and west to east, or oppositely.
Try to stick the tool to your hair in different places to make sure that your dreads are tightened entirely and avoid inserting it in the same place twice.
How do you tighten dreads with a latch hook?
Your dreads might get loosen over time. Therefore, you’ll need to re-tighten your locks to maintain them as long as possible and to possess a neater look.
Things you’ll need:
- A latch hook
Instruction:
- Gather all the loose hair and rub your hair in circular movement until it forms a hairball
- Insert the latch hook to go through your dreads, then pull it back to pull the loose hair into the locks
- Work from different angles to make sure that all the loose hair is kept inside the dreads
- When all the hair is inside the dreads, start tightening your dreads by repeating the insert and pull step until you feel your locks are smooth and tight
- Finish by rolling the dreads to smooth the new knots and settle them inside the dreads
The bottom line
Overall, interlocking your hair will result in small dreads and a neat look. It will depend on personal taste to choose to start your dreads with this method. Interlocking hair is great for maintenance, but remember to treat it the right way.
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Aida
