Got thinning locs? Let’s look at some reasons why this may occur.
Poor Product Choices
Sometimes we get caught up in the hype, but did you check the ingredients?
Pay attention to what you are locking into your mane and shop with brands that care.
Stay away from heavy products. Products that are not water-soluble do not work well with locs. These products cause build-up that requires detoxing or harsh surfactants to be removed. Products that contain creams, heavy butters, heavy oils, honey or waxes that are applied to locs over time, will accumulate in the locs causing thinning and breakage.
Read labels and be aware. Avoiding the following ingredients in the beginning stages or discontinuing their use will benefit your scalp health:
- SD alcohol 40, denatured alcohol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. These are alcohols that dry out the skin/scalp. 👎
- Formaldehyde products and its derivatives, DD hydration, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methanamin, and Quarterium-15; because they are known skin/scalp irritants linked to cancer. 👎
- Toxic phthalates such as DBP, DEHP, DMP, DEP, dibutyl/diethyl ester, and 2-benzene dicarboxylate are linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health issues. 👎
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is caused by excessive weight and/or tension. Change your favorite go-to hairstyle if it’s creating too much stress on the hair follicles or requiring the use of too many hair products.
Refrain from over styling and tight hair styles. Locs are not supposed to always be extremely neat. These are quick ways to damage your hair follicles and cause thinning. Excessive tension at the roots, such as interlocking maintenance that is performed too frequently will also cause thinning locs.
Improper Loc Maintenance
There are various ways to remove lint from your locs, but picking at the locs with your hands or using scissors to cut into the locs only creates weak spots that lead to breakage and thinning.
Improper uѕе of dyes and bleaches destroy the hair structure. Chemical treatments can cause hair to become weak and thin. If your locs are thinning, coloring is one of the first practices that should go.
Many people use a crochet hook for grooming because it re-integrates loose hair into the locs and reduces frizz etc. However, most people are not trained to do this technique which leads to thinning roots and breakage.
Genetics
The density of our hair is mostly derived from our genetics. If hair loss or balding is common in your family, you may be susceptible to those traits as well. There are precautions that you can take to help minimize the impact of thinning locs, but we cannot change our genetic structure. Seeking professional help from a hair care professional is recommended in a case like this, along with stress management, proper diet and adequate water intake.
Stress, Diet, Medication
The effects of stress manifest in our hair. Prolonged stress, anxiety and depression are primary factors in hair thinning and shedding.
One reason for thinning locs is a diet that’s lacking in the full spectrum of nutrition. Iron and other vitamin deficiencies causes hair loss, particularly іn women.
Certain prescription medications or medical treatments result in thinning locs and/or hair loss. Be aware of the side effects.
Delayed Maintenance
While retwisting too often can cause your locs to thin, waiting too long between maintenance can also have the same result. Not all hair textures or types of locs can withstand extended periods of time between maintenance such as individuals with fine hair, Microlocs, or Sisterlocks.

Key Notes:
Refrain from using heavy products that are not water-soluble.
Locs do not cause your hair to thin. Improper care and maintenance of locs causes your hair to thin.
Thinning locs can be a result of health challenges, medications, hormonal changes, stress, poor diet, excessive or wrong hair products, tension, chemical hair colouring, genetics, dehydration, over-manipulation or neglect.
In most cases, thinning locs саn be stopped, prevented and reversed when proper care and precautions are taken.
Read labels and be aware of the ingredients.