Remove or Take Down Butterfly Locs: Removing or taking down butterfly locs, also known as faux locs or goddess locs, is an essential process to ensure the health and integrity of your natural hair. Butterfly locs are a popular protective hairstyle that involves wrapping synthetic hair around your own hair to create long, textured locs. While these locs can look stunning and last for several weeks, it is crucial to remove them properly to avoid hair breakage or damage.
The takedown process requires patience, care, and the right tools to gently unravel the synthetic hair extensions from your natural hair. Rushing or using improper techniques can lead to unnecessary stress on your hair, potentially resulting in breakage or other issues.
In this guide, we will walk you through the most effective and safe methods to remove butterfly locs. By following these steps, you can maintain the health and beauty of your natural hair, preparing it for the next hairstyle or allowing it to breathe and recover from the protective style.
Read more: Butterfly Locs Hairstyle Ideas
Why do you need to Remove or Take Down Butterfly Locs?
While butterfly locs can be a great protective style, it’s crucial to give your hair and scalp breaks between installations to ensure its overall health and avoid any potential damage. There are several reasons why you might need to remove or take down butterfly locs:
To change hairstyle
People often get butterfly locs as a temporary protective style, seeking a new look or a change from their natural hair. Once they want to try a different hairstyle or need a break from the locs, they choose to remove them.
Hairstyle Lifespan
Like all protective styles, butterfly locs have a limited lifespan. Over time, the synthetic hair used to create the locs can become frizzy, tangled, or damaged. Removing the locs is necessary to maintain the health of your natural hair.
For new growth of hair
As your natural hair grows, the butterfly locs move away from the scalp, potentially causing tension and discomfort. Removing the locs allows you to detangle and manage your new hair growth properly.
To refresh and maintain hair
Regular maintenance is essential for keeping any hairstyle neat and fresh. Removing and reinstalling butterfly locs gives you the opportunity to cleanse and treat your natural hair and scalp properly.
To maintain hair health
While protective styles like butterfly locs can be beneficial for your hair by reducing manipulation and protecting it from external damage, leaving them in for extended periods can still lead to tangling, matting, and even potential hair breakage. Removing the locs periodically allows you to assess your hair’s health and address any issues.
To avoid buildup
Despite the use of oils and conditioners during installation, product buildup can occur over time. Removing the locs provides an opportunity to cleanse your hair and scalp thoroughly.
To get rid of allergic reactions
In some cases, individuals may experience allergic reactions or scalp discomfort due to the synthetic hair or installation process. Taking down the locs alleviates these issues.
To prepare for a new hairstyle
After removing butterfly locs, you can explore various other hairstyles or treatments for your natural hair.
Read more: Natural Hairstyles for Black Women
How to Remove or Take Down Butterfly Locs? Different Methods
A common hairstyle that includes wrapping synthetic hair around your natural hair to create lengthy, textured, and bohemian-style locs is called a butterfly loc. These methods should be followed if you wish to securely remove or take down butterfly locs.
Method 1:
- Cut the locs starting at the base.
- remove the wrapping hair out until it becomes tangled and becomes difficult to remove after cutting the locs at their base.
- Using your hair from the tangled part, begin unraveling the loc while holding the wrapping hair.
- From the root, slide and remove the wrapping hair.
- After taking down your braids, gently separate any buildup on the hair at the root before combing it downwards to reduce hair loss and breaking.
- Refer to the blog post’s featured video for a more in-depth illustration.
Method – 2:
- Hold a loc at the root of your hair. Pull your braided hair out of the loc by looking for it.
- Use a pair of scissors to cut the loc, then remove the remaining fragment.
- This approach is simple, particularly if you had colored locs.
- After taking out your braids, gently separate any buildup on your hair before combing it downward to reduce hair loss and breakage.
- Refer to the blog post’s featured video for a more in-depth illustration.
Method – 3:
- Starting at the roots, gently pull the hair covered in butterfly locs down.
- You ought to be able to view your braided part after doing this. After removing it from the loc, cut the loc.
- Pull the loc out of the hair to complete the process.
- After taking out your braids, gently separate any buildup on your hair before combing it downward to reduce hair loss and breakage.
- Refer to the blog post’s featured video for a more in-depth illustration.
What will be if you do not Remove or Take Down Butterfly Locs?
Butterfly locs can cause a number of problems if they are not taken down or removed and are left in for a long time. Your natural hair may tangle with the synthetic hair used to make the butterfly locs as it grows out. When trying to separate the tangled hair, it can be difficult to remove the locs afterwards and cause hair damage.
Without proper care and upkeep, leaving the butterfly locs in for an extended period of time might result in hair breakage. Your natural hair may get stressed and weaker due to the tension from your natural hair and the additional weight of the synthetic hair. It could be more difficult to get rid of the butterfly locs the longer you leave them in. The takedown procedure can be time-consuming and potentially harmful to your natural hair due to tangling and matting.
The tension from the locs dragging on your scalp can be painful and uncomfortable as your hair grows. Long-term tension can even result in traction alopecia, a condition where the hair follicles are pulled excessively and cause hair loss. Too much time spent wearing the butterfly locs could lead to improper hair care practices. It can be difficult to wash, treat, and moisturize your normal hair adequately while the locs are in place.
Sweat, filth, and hair products can build up over time and give your hair an unappealing stench. Too long wearing the butterfly locs without removing them can damage your natural hair. For healthy growth, your natural hair needs frequent attention, cleaning, and nourishing.
Tips to emove or Take Down Butterfly Locs Safely:
assemble the necessary instruments, which should include a wide-tooth comb, hair clips, small scissors, and an oil-based conditioner or detangler.
- To remove the locs in a methodical manner, divide them into pieces.
- Cut the synthetic hair close to your natural hair at the top of each loc.
- To moisturize and soften the synthetic hair, use oil or conditioner.
- Take your time and be patient as you slowly and carefully unwind each loc from the bottom up to protect your natural hair.
- Trim any synthetic hair ends that are extremely tangled or damaged, if desired.
- Carefully untangle your natural hair by adding more conditioner or oil.
- To rehydrate and strengthen your natural hair, shampoo and deep condition.
To sum up
Striking a balance between taking advantage of a protective style like butterfly locs and maintaining the general health of your natural hair is crucial. Most people should leave their locs in for 6 to 8 weeks before taking them out to let their natural hair relax and recover before thinking about getting new ones installed. It’s essential to take breaks between protective styles if you intend to wear them frequently so that you can properly take care of your hair.
