Freeform Dreadlocks vs Sister Locks vs Traditional Locs: What's The Difference?

Deciding to start or restart your loc journey is a huge decision. You’ll be growing, maintaining, and protecting your hair for years.

Some people who choose locs do so for a lifetime. Your first step will be choosing your locking method.

Not only will this determine how your locs will look, but other factors like hair care, products, cost, and styling.

The three options that come to mind are freeform dreadlocks, sister locks, and your traditional style locs.

Let's break down the differences and what you should consider when choosing your locs.

Read on to learn about freeform dreadlocks vs. sisterlocks vs. traditional locs.

What are Freeform Dreadlocks?

Freeform dreadlocks or freeform locs are the ultimate natural locking expression and liberation. Strands of hair naturally combines, tangles, and locks with each other over time. This is especially true for Black people, whose coarse hair can lock effortlessly.

Freeform dreadlocks allow hair to grow, tangle, and lock organically.

No palm rolling.

No twisting.

No combing.

It’s your hair naturally intertwining and matting on its own. You embrace your hair’s natural growth pattern, creating a style that’s unique to you. The term ‘freeform’ means you do not manipulate your hair’s growth. You let it freely do what it is designed to do. The result is a natural, regal, beautiful design that’s an expression that’s uniquely you.

As your hair grows, it will naturally begin to tangle and knot. The key is to resist the urge to comb or brush these tangles out. You can gently separate the roots to prevent one giant loc from forming. Over time, these knots will tighten and form into locs. It's a process that requires patience, but the results are worth it.

Why Choose Freeform Dreads?

Freeform locks are preferred for their extremely low maintenance on startup. No need for constant retwisting or styling. As long as you have a good head of thick hair to start with, you can do it while not spending hundreds of dollars visiting a loctician. It celebrates your hair’s natural texture and growth patterns to create a unique look.

It can take longer to mature, sure, and you may have an uneven appearance at first, but when done well, freeform dreads look amazing.

What are Sisterlocks?

If freeform locks are you letting your hair grow and lock naturally, sisterlocks are the ultimate lesson in precision and control.

These are thin locks that are done in a gridlike pattern.

Sisterlocks are finer, tighter, and more uniform. It offers a versatile and a more natural aesthetic. The locs are installed by a certified loctician who sections off your hair, interweaving your natural hair into individual locks 0.4cm wide (or around 2-3 mm, the size of a toothpick). It using a distinct locking method (2-point, 3-point, or 4-point) and locing tool.

After installation, your hair matures and grows into a well-defined loc structure that looks amazing.

One of the distinguishing features of sisterlocks is their fine, uniform size, which allows for greater styling flexibility than traditional locs or freeform dreadlocks. Because they're so small, you can style them in ways that are similar to loose hair.

Installing sisterlocks

Perhaps the biggest challenge comes with installing sisterlocks.

Can you DIY your sisterlocks? Yes.

Should You? Probably not.

If you want fantastic results, you should work with a certified loctician who understands how to install your sisterlocks. It can take 18+ hours (over multiple sessions) to install sisterlocks as the loctician must expertly lock thin strands of your hair, creating over 300 individual locks. You also need retightening sessions every 4-6 weeks for the first year of installation. The cost of initial locking and retightening sessions can cost over $1000. If you can commit to the installation process, you’ll have a beautiful set of sisterlocks that you can enjoy for years.

Benefits of Sisterlocks

The long installation and cost aside, there are some amazing benefits of sisterlocks. They're not as heavy as traditional locs, which can be a big plus for some people.

After maturing and growing out, sisterlocks are low maintenance while being gentle on the hair and scalp. As they look like your natural loose hair, they are versatile with styling, allowing you to enjoy different styles. You also get that neat, uniform look that some individuals prefer for professional spaces. They can be installed in black hair of all types, including relaxed hair.

Traditional Dreadlocks Explained

Traditional locs, often what people picture when they think of dreadlocks, are a classic and recognizable style. They typically range in size from about the width of a pencil to the width of a nickel, making them a medium-to-large loc type. Because of their size, they're created using medium to large sections of hair.

This also means they can't be flat ironed or hot curled without a lot of effort and potential damage. People with traditional locs usually opt for rollers, Bantu knots, or pipe cleaners to get those curls.

It’s a protective style that promotes hair growth mostly due to the minimal manipulation.

Maintenance and Styling Options

Starting traditional locs can be done in a few ways, like twisting, palm rolling, or even backcombing.

It depends on your hair type and what you prefer. Once they're established, maintenance involves regular washing, conditioning, and retwisting the roots to keep things looking neat. Styling is pretty versatile; you can do updos, let them hang loose, add beads, or create different patterns. Finding a stylist who knows how to work with traditional locs is usually pretty easy, too.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Locs

Here's a quick rundown of the good and not-so-good things about traditional locs:

Pros:

• Installing traditional locks is easier than most options as it’s easier to find hairstylists familiar with the style.
• Retwisting is generally straightforward and can be done by anyone.
• Can be started and maintained at home or with a stylist.
• Cheaper to start than other styles like sisterlocks.
• Cultural significance. You tap into your legacy and heritage

Cons:

• Can take a while to fully loc, depending on your hair type.
• May be too thick for certain styles.
• Can be heavy if they get too long.
• Increased chance of dandruff and odor.

Along with freeform locks, there’s also a (unfair) perception and steryotyping of traditional locs. This may not go away as some people have misunderstandings or struggle with discrimination due to locs. Overall, traditional locs are an opportunitiy to have a unique hair journey, embracing your culture while protecting and growing your natural locks.

Size Differences Between Freeform, Sisterlocks, and Traditional Locs

Okay, so size does matter when we're talking about locs. Traditional locs are usually the thickest, often around the width of your index finger. Sisterlocks are smaller, just above micro locs the thinnest option. Freeform locs? They're the wild cards.

They can vary a lot, depending on how your hair naturally clumps and mats together. There's no set size, which is part of their charm. These can become the thicket depending on factors like how your hair grows and your genetics.

Styling Versatility Across Different Loc Types

Sisterlocks are the most versatile because they're so small and flexible. You can curl them, braid them, put them in updos – pretty much anything you'd do with loose hair. Traditional locs can also be styled, but their thickness can limit some styles.

Freeform locs have a more natural, organic look, so you cannot do conventional styles. You’re embracing the natural shape and texture, and that’s their style. You can adorn them with beads and rings, color the tips, or wrap them up.

How Size Affects Maintenance

The size of your locs plays a big role in how much work you'll be doing to keep them healthy. Smaller locs, like Sisterlocks, often need more frequent maintenance appointments to keep them neat and prevent unraveling. Traditional locs are generally lower maintenance because they're thicker and more robust. Freeform locs are the lowest maintenance of all since the whole point is to let them do their thing.

Ultimately, the size and style you choose will depend on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and hair type. There's no right or wrong answer – it's all about finding what works best for you and makes you feel confident.

Choosing the Right Loc Style for You

Now comes the big question: which one is right for you? It's not just about aesthetics; it's about your lifestyle, hair type, and how much time you're willing to dedicate to maintenance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Choosing a loc style is a pretty big decision, kind of like deciding on a tattoo. You want something that fits you, your personality, and your lifestyle. Here are a few things to think about:

• Maintenance Commitment: How much time are you willing to spend on your hair each week or month? Sisterlocks, for example, require regular maintenance appointments. Freeform, on the other hand, is much more hands-off.
• Budget: Different loc styles come with different costs. Sisterlocks have a higher initial investment due to installation, while freeform is the most budget-friendly.
• Lifestyle: Are you super active? Do you swim a lot? Are you in a professional setting and you’re concerned about appearance? These things can affect how your locs form and how often you need to maintain them. If you travel frequently, you'll want a style that's easy to maintain on the go. Freeform or traditional locs might be easier to manage than Sisterlocks, which require specialized maintenance.

Personal Hair Type and Texture

Your natural hair type plays a huge role in how your locs will turn out. Some hair textures loc more easily than others. For example, if you have looser hair textures or relaxed hair, you need to perform a big chop and start over. Sisterlocks are versatile because they can be done on natural or relaxed hair.

• Hair Density: Thicker hair can support larger, heavier locs, while finer hair might do better with smaller, more numerous locs like Sisterlocks.
• Curl Pattern: Tightly coiled hair tends to loc faster than looser curls or straight hair.
• Porosity: High porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it

Choosing to lock your hair is an amazing decision in itself, so choose the one that’s right for you.

Begin Your Loc Journey

These are the primary options you’ll have when deciding to get your first - or next - set of locs. Freeform dreads, Sisterlocks, and traditional locs all have their vibe and style. Freeform locs are all about that natural, Nubian look. Sisterlocks give you a more polished, intricate style. Traditional locs sit somewhere in between, offering a classic look that’s easy to maintain.

Choosing the right one comes down to what fits your lifestyle and personal taste.

They all require commitment with optimal hair care products, retightening/redoing, and styling.

Whether you want to embrace your natural texture or go for something a bit more structured, there’s a loc style out there for everyone. Just remember, whatever you choose, commit to it and you’ll be amazed with the results.