Loc services explained – and how to choose the right one

Starter locs

The first appointment, where your natural hair is sectioned and set into locs using comb coils, two-strand twists, braids or palm rolling. It’s the foundation everything else builds on, and the method your loctician picks depends on your texture and the look you’re after.

Suits anyone beginning their locs from their own hair.

Roughly £80–250 depending on length, method and your area.

Loc extensions

Adding length or fullness with extra hair, either to start instant locs or to extend existing ones. There’s real skill in matching texture and blending so it looks like your own. Hair is usually charged on top of the install.

Suits people who want length now rather than waiting through the growing-out stage.

From around £200–500+, plus the cost of hair.

Microlocs

Much smaller, finer locs than standard — often hundreds across the head, with no wax, gel or extensions. The install is a long, detailed appointment (sometimes spread over a couple of sittings), but they’re lighter, hold up on looser or finer hair, and let you style in plenty of ways.

Some are installed using branded methods — Sisterlocks being the best known — done by a trained consultant; most are simply called microlocs.

Suits people who want a fine, natural look and don’t mind a bigger upfront commitment.

Install from £400–800+; reties from around £50.

Retwist

Regular maintenance that tidies the new growth at the root and keeps locs neat. Most people book in every four to eight weeks. How it’s done — palm rolling or interlocking — depends on your hair and what your loctician recommends.

Suits anyone with established locs keeping them looking sharp.

Roughly £40–70 a session, more for longer hair or microlocs.

Instant locs

A quicker way to start, made with a crochet hook that locks the hair straight away — so you leave with mature-looking locs instead of waiting months for coils to settle. Can be done on your own hair, or with extensions added for instant length. It takes a skilled hand to get even, tidy results.

Suits people who want the locked look from day one and would rather skip the early settling stage.

Roughly £150–400 depending on length and whether extensions are added.

Freeform locs

Natural, freeform locs (traditional dreadlocks) — locs left to form and mature on their own, with little or no twisting or tool work. Rather than sectioning and retwisting, the loctician guides how they develop and separates them as they grow, so each loc takes its own shape. It’s the lowest-maintenance route and the most organic look.

Suits people who want a natural, hands-off loc journey and aren’t after a uniform, manicured finish.

Roughly £30–60 for separation and upkeep sessions; much of freeform is done at home between visits.

Loc detox

A deep clean that clears out product buildup, lint, residue and trapped dirt that ordinary washing leaves behind. Locs are usually soaked, washed through and rinsed thoroughly, which lifts away the gunk, sorts a smelly or heavy feel and leaves the scalp fresh. Worth doing every few months, or as a reset before a retwist.

Suits anyone whose locs feel weighed down, look dull or have built up residue over time.

Roughly £30–70 depending on length, loc count and how much buildup there is.

Loc styling

Dressing your locs up for an occasion or just a change — updos, barrel rolls, pin-ups, curls and braided looks. Some locticians offer it as a standalone appointment, others as an add-on after a retwist, so it’s worth asking when you book in.

Suits anyone wanting their locs styled for a wedding, event or photoshoot.

Roughly £30–80, more for elaborate bridal or event styles.

Loc colouring

Adding colour, from a full dye to highlights or just the tips. Locs take colour differently to loose hair and bleaching can weaken them, so a loctician — or a colourist they work with — will check your hair can handle it before going ahead.

Suits people who want a new colour without putting their locs at risk.

Roughly £50–150+, more if bleaching or lengthy colour work is involved.

Loc repair

Fixing thinning roots, breakage, splits, holes or locs that have joined or weakened over time. The loctician assesses each affected loc and reconstructs or reinforces it — sometimes a quick fix, sometimes a longer session if there’s a lot to do.

Suits anyone whose locs need rescuing rather than routine upkeep.

Often £10–25 per loc, or around £40–80 an hour.

Interlocks

A maintenance method rather than a loc type: the loc is pulled through itself at the root with a tool, instead of being palm rolled. It holds well between appointments and suits active lifestyles, though it’s not right for every hair type — a good loctician will tell you if it isn’t.

Suits people who want longer-lasting maintenance or a tighter root.

Roughly £40–90 a session depending on length and loc count.