Butterfly Locs vs Sisterlocks: Which Should You Choose?

More and more women are looking to install protective styles for the long-term health of their hair. Whether dreadlocks or braids, each has pros and cons to keeping your hair healthy while displaying a unique style.

There are a couple of popular styles, namely, butterfly locs and sisterlocks. Both are popular styles of locs, but they have some key differences. Butterfly locs can look amazing and appealing, but sisterlocks are a more precise, versatile option.

So what’s the difference between the two? And which should you choose? Read on to learn about these beautiful styles.

What Are Butterfly Locs?

Butterfly locs are a trendy protective hairstyle that combines the aesthetic of traditional faux locs with a bohemian flair. This style involves wrapping synthetic hair around natural hair, creating a distressed, textured appearance with "wing-like" loops throughout the locs. At first glance, Butterfly locs can appear messy. But when done right, it gives a distinctive, yet elegant appearance.

These are faux locs that mix seamlessly with your hair and typically take between three to six hours, depending on the desired length and size. You need synthetic hair and a crochet method, often installed by a loctician or hairstylist.

Benefits of Butterfly Locs

Butterfly locs are popular due to its protective properties. By encasing natural hair within the locs, Butterfly locs shield it from damage and reduce the risk of breakage. It’s a low maintenance style, even when locs age and loosen, they look amazing without needing versatile upkeep. Butterfly locs are versatile as you can get faux locs with different colors, lengths, and thickness. this allows for a range of looks.

What Are Sisterlocks?

Dreadlocks are popular among Black women, but sisterlocks are a unique type of dreadlocks with a patented hair-locking system. Unlike traditional locs, sisterlocs are finer, tighter, and more uniform. It offers a versatile and more natural aesthetic.

Developed by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell in 1993, this style aims to cultivate locs with a specially created loc tool and without out the use of waxes, gels, and heavy styling products. The technique involves interweaving natural hair into tiny, consistent locs in a grid pattern that resemble micro-braids initially but mature into a well-defined loc structure over time. The loctician can use a 2, 3, or 4-point interlocking method based on your goals.

One of the distinguishing features of Sisterlocks is their fine, uniform size, which allows for greater styling flexibility than traditional locs. Because of their small diameter, they can be worn in updos, curls, or straightened temporarily without compromising their integrity.

Due to the precision required for proper installation, sisterlocks should only be installed by a certified sisterlocks consultant. This ensures that the technique is applied correctly to maintain the integrity of the locs and prevent excessive tension or damage to the hair. The process starts with a consultation, where the consultant assesses hair texture, density, and desired loc size before scheduling the full installation.

The challenge with sisterlocks is the locking of your natural hair. The installation of sisterlocks is a time-intensive process, typically taking between 15 to 30 hours depending on hair length, density, and chosen loc size. The process is usually completed over two to three sessions to ensure comfort and precision. You’ll end up with several hundred individual locs compared to the 100-200 (or fewer, depending on the size) with traditional dreadlocks.

Sisterlocks provide a natural, elegant, and long-lasting hairstyle that offers freedom and versatility while celebrating the beauty of textured hair.

Key Differences with Butterfly Locs vs Sisterlocks

So what makes Butterfly locs and sisterlocks so different?

First, Butterfly locs are extensions, so you’ll need to purchase sufficient braids to achieve your desired look. The technique is arguably the biggest difference. Butterfly locs are created by twisting or braiding small sections of hair and then adding extensions to create a looped or "butterfly" shape. Sisterlocks use a specific interlocking technique, where the hair is separated into tiny sections and then "locked" together using the tool.

Butterfly locs tend to have a more bohemian and free-flowing look, with the loops adding volume and movement. Sisterlocks are small, uniform size and have a neat, grid-like pattern. They often have a more polished and refined appearance.

Butterfly locs generally require less maintenance than sisterlocks, as they are not as tightly locked and can be retouched less frequently. On the other hand, sisterlocks require regular maintenance, especially in the first year. This includes retightening every 4-6 weeks to prevent unraveling and maintain their shape.

Because butterfly locks are extensions, you have more immediate versatility in terms of styling. You can have longer Butterfly locs immediately as they can be easily accessorized and styled in various ways. Sisterlocks can also be styled in different ways, but their smaller size and tighter pattern may limit some styling options, especially in the initial stages of growth.

Do Butterfly Locs and Sisterlocks Affect Your Hair’s Health?

Before installing Butterfly locs vs sisterlocks, you should understand the impact these styles can have on your hair. Sisterlocks can have mainly positive benefits, but there are some disadvantages.

Most women with sisterlocs have a low manipulation style, so they can avoid frequent brushing, pulling, combing, and heat styling, which can lead to inflammation or hair damage. You’re also reducing the mechanical stress on your hair. Since your hair is locked and not constantly being detangled, it can grow longer without excessive shedding.

With the right sisterlocks maintenance, you give your scalp to breathe. You’ll also use minimal products compared to other hairstyles. This minimizes product buildup, dandruff, and irritation. As the months and years progress, your sisterlocks get longer and stronger, making them less likely to be damaged.

Butterfly locs can also have a positive impact on your hair’s health. Once it’s installed, you don’t have to manipulate your hair in the coming weeks. It also needs minimal daily styling so you can give your scalp a much-needed rest. Your natural hair is tucked in your locs, protecting it from heat damage and over-manipulation. And with Butterfly locs, your natural hair can retain moisture better than loose hairstyles.

Potential drawbacks

In both cases, you need a skilled hair stylist or loctician who can effectively install your style without doing it too tightly. For sisterlocks, tension at the roots leads to thinning or traction alopecia. Butterfly locs done too tightly can put stress on your scalp, leading to possible breakage.

Synthetic hair can cause irritation and dryness, especially if not pre-treated or if the scalp isn’t moisturized properly. The same goes for sisterlocks as your hair’s natural oils may not distribute evenly with those compact, grid-like locks.

Butterfly locs left in too long (beyond 8 weeks) or not cleaned properly lead to buildup and matting, impacting your hair’s health later. You don’t have to worry about that with sisterlocks but using too much product or poor locking techniques can cause slippage or breakage.

You also have to remove your Butterfly locs carefully so you don’t cut or damage your natural hair.

For both styles, focus on maintaining your hair and scalp health as much as possible. Use sisterlocks products like moisturizers, light oils, and gentle cleansers. For sisterlocks, use a pre-cleanser for additional buildup, which is common. Of course, we recommend our BLCK Lux Scalp Detox Cleanser.

For Butterfly locs you’ll need a diluted shampoo or a scalp cleansing spray to remove dirt and buildup without disturbing the locs. As Butterfly locs are temporary, take them out sooner than you anticipate - about 6 weeks, to avoid breakage.

 

Which Should You Choose?

Both styles have unique looks and advantages but your hair journey will determine which is best for you. If you’re looking for a temporary style on a budget and need to switch up your style every 1-2 weeks, Butterfly locs is your go-to. You can choose the length, color, and style in advance and rock it your way. At the same time, this is a temporary option that gives the appearance of dreadlocks. You’ll need to take them out on time, reverting to your natural hair.

Sisterlocks, on the other hand, is ideal for women looking for a long-term commitment. Yes, the upfront cost and time are significant (it can cost over $1000 in installation and retightening sessions in year one alone), but on the back end, you get a wonderful look that’s low maintenance and versatile when it matures and grows. It’s also a natural hair journey. 

There’s something liberating yet grounding that occurs when you let your hair lock and grow in its natural state.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and desired look.