Have you decided to get locs but are confused between micro locs and sisterlocks? Both these loc styles look extremely stylish and have been flaunted by many celebrities across the globe.
Even when you minimally style them, they look beautiful and give your hair a fuller and thicker look. In micro locs, the hair is locked by coiling, palm rolling, or twisting sections of hair with loc wax, and sisterlocks are created with the help of an interlinking tool.
Sisterlocs require maintenance every four to six weeks as interlocking is done again to make the locs last longer. Microlocs are tinier and thinner versions of deadlocks, and they do not need much maintenance like sisterlocks.
Sisterlocks are installed by trained professionals, while anyone can install microlocs using coils, braids, or twists. Sisterlocks result in about four hundred to six hundred individual locs, and it takes up to 36 hours to install them.
So, depending on your hair texture and the type of look you want, you can choose any of the two loc styles.
What is the Difference Between Microlocs and Sisterlocks?
Let’s take a look at the key differences between micro locs and sisterlocks so that you can know which loc style will suit you.
1. Appearance and Size
Micro locs offer a modern and sleek look and are easy to maintain, while sisterlocks have a more bohemian appearance. Microlocs are either braided, coiled, or stranded natural hair strands that look like regular dreadlocks. Sisterlocks are thinner versions of dreadlocks installed by certified Sisterlock consultants.
It is a trendy and gorgeous hairstyle in which hair is knotted and matted together to create a rope-like appearance. Sisterlocks are one-eighth to three-eighth inches in width, and most people who go for this hairstyle end up with two hundred and fifty to fifty hundred sisterlocks. Micro locs, on the other hand, range from 6-9 mm in diameter and look like braids.
One of the main benefits of getting micro locs is you can get the dreads diameter as per your style.
2. Installation Time and Cost
Both sisterlocks and micro locs look drop-dead gorgeous, but they take different times for installation, and their prices also vary. Sisterlocks cost approximately $530 for installation appointments, while retightening costs $60 to $175. Your hair condition, additional services, and your consultant’s skill level can affect the price of your sisterlocks.
However, once installed, they are low maintenance, customizable and permanent. Installing microlocs can be a time-consuming process, but the final result is a low-maintenance, beautiful hairstyle that lasts for months. If you want to get 300 locs, you’ll need 8-12 hours, and for a higher number of locs, you’ll need even more time.
The installation process of micro locks will cost you anywhere between $200 to $800, depending on the thickness and length of your hair.
3. Maintenance
Whether you want to go with sisterlocks or microlocs it is important to maintain them to get that red-carpet look that can envy your girlfriends. If you go for microlocs you’ll have to wash your hair at least thrice a month.
Clean hair will prevent any kind of infection, and your microlocs will grow nicely. Avoid chemical based conditioners and shampoos, as they can break your strands and slow down the locking process.
You can use coconut oil on your microlocs to lock in moisture and prevent the build-up of dirt. If you’re going for sisterlocks you’ll have to get them retightened every six months. Following installation, you’ll have a follow-up appointment wherein the consultant will retighten your locs and suggest changes.
During the first six months, visit a professional for retightening your locs, and after that, you can start taking care of the locs on your own. Sleep with a pillowcase or silk bonnet at night to prevent your sisterlocks from getting frizzy. You can also apply jojoba and argan oil to ensure your hair and scalp are nicely moisturized.
4. Styling
Are you worried that if you go for microlocs or sisterlocks, you won’t be able to style your hair in different ways? Worry not! You can style both micro locs and sisterlocks in multiple ways and gain everyone’s appreciation. The best thing about sisterlocks is that they’re very tiny and thin, so you can style them in any way you like. Whether you want to do updos, braids, ponytails, or top knots, everything is possible with the sisterlocks.
You can also style your sisterlocks into voluminous curls by taking down your Bantu knots or making your foam rollers work overnight. Microlocs can also be styled in multiple ways as per your personal style. If you have long microlocs you can make a top bun, and you can also tie them up together in a sleek ponytail.
You can also go for micro spaghetti locs, fireworks micro locs, interwoven micro locs, and short flames.
5. How Long Do They Last?
Many people don’t go for deadlock as they feel they won’t be able to get rid of them for their entire life. But this is not true! Sisterlocks are permanent, and you can’t get rid of them easily. Once installed, they mature over time, and you’ll have to visit your consultant for periodic re-tightening. You can remove the sisterlocks by cutting your hair. It can be a tiring and long process to take down each sisterlock one by one, so most people cut their hair off rather than spending time combing out each loc. You should not get sisterlock if you’re not sure that you want to have them for a long time. They require commitment and maintenance to keep looking beautiful and sleek. Microlocs need to be retwisted every five to eight weeks to ensure that they retain their original shape. You do not need to maintain microlocs extensively like sisterlocks. You can reapply your locs care products every month to retain their original allure.
How to Get Microlocs
Installing microlocs is a time-consuming process, so you should set enough time to get this hairstyle. Start off by shampooing your hair to ensure your strands are clean. After that, you’ll have to condition your hair and rise with water. Towel dry your hair and sit in a comfortable position as the installation of microlocs will start.
- Firstly your damp hair will be partitioned into four or more sections, and each section will be secured with a hair tie.
- Now create an even section across your nape’s length with the end of your rattail comb. Check-in a mirror if it looks perfect, as you won’t be able to straighten it later.
- Break the section of your hair into smaller pieces, with each portion representing one micro loc. You can do the parting in different ways, such as diamonds, squares, crescent moon, or organically shaped.
- After this, decide the rotation pattern and tool you will use. Microlocs can be done by braiding, twisting, locking or with the help of interlocking tools.
- Braid or twist each section of your hair from roots to tips and repeat this process until you complete the entire row.
- Now separate a horizontal section of your hair and break it into smaller pieces. Try to keep the sections as you make micro locs through your entire head.
- Once you’re done, you can make adjustments as required and admire your new hairdo. Although you have installed your starter dreads, they will turn into true locs over time. In a few months, your braids and twists will transform into classic locs.
- Take proper care of the starter dreads to ensure that your micro locs look beautiful. Don’t overwash your hair in the beginning, and limit the use of any kind of styling products.
How to Get Sisterlocks
Sisterlocks installation can only be done by a certified consultant. During the consultation, you should check with your consultant about the pricing structure. Many consultants charge a fixed price for the hair’s first few inches, then charge extra for each inch after that. The consultant will install tester Sisterlocks in your hair to see which pattern suits your hair texture. Installation of the Sisterlocks can take 8 to 36 hours or more, depending on your desired look and how much hair you have.
- Sisterlocks consultant will section your hair and weave it using a patented latch hook tool. They will use the teeth on the comb to ensure the sections are the correct size.
- After parting your hair into large sections, the consultant will part each section into correct size rows. After this, they will part the hair for each sister lock.
- To keep unwanted hair from getting into the installation process, the consultant will twist each row.
- Now the consultant will use a special locking tool to interlock tiny sections of your hair. During this time-intensive process, the consultant can create 400 locs depending on the volume and thickness of your hair. This is the reason why your first Sisterlock session starts at $500 and goes up to $800.
- The consultant will divide the styling session into two appointments, as the installation takes 12 to 36 hours.
- After the installation process, you’ll have to visit the consultant for follow-up. During the follow-up visit, the consultant will examine the progress of your locs and do any retightening if required.
- After your follow-up, the consultant will re-twist your hair every five to six weeks as required to keep your locs looking their best. The retightening session takes three to five hours and starts at about $100.
Pros of Microlocs
- You can install microlocs at home if you have good hairstyling abilities.
- You can manage microlocs easily as they are thin in appearance. You can even transform your look by making braids, ponytails or other hairstyles.
- Microlocs are excellent for people with low-density hair. They can add volume to your hair without any extensions.
- You can choose the type of locs you want and the type of grid pattern you want.
Pros of Sisterlocks
- Since a professional hairstylist install sisterlocks, there are fewer chances of damage to your hair.
- Sisterlocks are large in size and hence can be styled in different ways ranging from ponytail to braid and bun.
- If you go for sisterlocks, you will get neat locs free from irregularities or bumps.
- Sisterlocks protect your hair from extensive damage caused by harsh hair treatments and everyday styling.
Conclusion
If you’re bored with your plain straight locs and are looking for something different, you can go for micro locs or sisterlocks. They not only look beautiful but can also be styled in different ways. You can braid them, color them, or set them free and wild. Microlocs can be created via braiding, twisting, comb coiling, or manipulating hair into dreads.
Sisterlocks can only be done by a professional hairstylist and demand greater care and maintenance. If you have been a die-hard fan of dreadlocks but couldn’t dare to try them out because of their bulky nature, microlocs can be the right option for you. If you’re still not able to decide which one of them will look good on you, check out the above-mentioned differences between them.
This will help you select the right hairstyle according to your budget, hair quality, and maintenance schedule and make your dream of flaunting dreadlocks come true.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Hair is Suitable for Sisterlocks?
Sisterlocks can be performed on all types of hair, ranging from curvy to straight, relaxed, wavy, long, medium-length, and short. Sisterlocks consultant will analyze your hair quality and texture before installing sisterlocks. You can also style them in endless ways and create the type of look you want.
Can Sisterlocks Be Turned into Microlocs?
Sisterlocks can be turned into microlocs, but they are not reversible. Once your sisterlocks are mature, you can combine two locs and palm-roll them at the root or interlock them together to convert them into microlocs. But this is a time-consuming process, so you must take time and be hundred percent sure before committing to any of these hairstyles.
