Can Sisterlocks Be Combed Out? From Locked to Unlocked

Unlocking Your Locks, Keeping Your Length

Sisterlocks are growing in popularity as an option for locking your hair. Everyone loves it for its thin, uniform, natural look. It’s also versatile, allowing you to take on multiple styles. Sisterlocks take numerous hours to install and need retightening sessions every 6-8 weeks during the first year. 

Hair also needs 1-2 years to fully lock and mature into the long, beautiful styles you see today. Caring for your sisterlocks also takes time.

Some women want a change but still want to keep the length they’ve gained. So can sisterlocks be combed out? Can you undo or reverse sisterlocks? 

In short, sisterlocks can be combed out, but there are multiple factors and recommendations necessary to prevent you from losing clumps of hair and keep your hair healthy. 

And - spoiler alert - it will take as long as it took to install them, if not longer.

Let's share how sisterlocks can be combed out and tips to keep your hair as healthy as possible.

The Truth About Combing Out Sisterlocks

Generally, any form of locking, whether traditional locs, sisterlocks, or micro locs, can be combed out. In other words, you can use a comb to remove the locking and matting of each one, leaving you with long, naturally worn hair.

Factors That Influence Loc Reversal:

• The age of your locs (maturity level): Perhaps the most important factor, the longer you’ve had your locs, the harder it is to comb them out. In the first 6 months, it’s generally easy to comb out your locs. Anything past 6-18 months will be difficult, but possible. At the 2-year mark, combing out sisterlocks becomes extremely difficult to do without substantial hair loss, length loss, and cutting before combing out.
• Hair type and texture: Some hair textures are easier to comb out than others. Type 4 hair (4a-4c), for instance, is much more difficult to come out due to its coarse nature. Looser curl patterns are somewhat easier to come out in the earlier stages.
• Previous maintenance practices: Factors like how often you retightened your hair and how well it was done cause more compacted locs that are harder to undo. Using thicker products also impacts removal. Colored or chemically treated locs may be more prone to breakage.
• Length of the locs: The longer the locs, the longer it will take to comb them out. The risk of breakage is also higher because each loc will be stronger in some areas than others.

A Reality Check

Even with the best possible factors, some hair loss is inevitable. The removal process can lead to breakage. Some of your locs may be so matted that you simply cannot comb past that point. The truth is, even if you manage to comb them out entirely, your length becomes uneven, prompting you to cut your hair - if only for equal length. In other words, expect the final result to be shorter than the original length of your sisterlocks.

Why Should You Comb Out Your Sisterlocks?

Sisterlocks are a beautiful process and style that protects your hair and connects you to a deeper understanding of your hair and culture. So why choose to comb it out?

Probably the biggest reason for combing out your locks is that you want to avoid chopping off your hair completely. You still want the length you’ve achieved over the years or you feel self-conscious with short hair or a TWA. There are also personal and practical reasons to comb out your hair.

The things you need and value can change over time, for instance. Sisterlocks are a time-consuming process, which includes the need for regular retightening sessions. The ongoing maintenance, often costing $75-$100 dollars monthly with a pro, plus haircare products is too much for women over time.

If the regular subsequent retightening does no longer appeal to your schedule or lifestyle, you may want to take them out while still maintaining your length.

Some women desire a change after years with the same look, wanting to explore other natural hairstyles or return to loose hair. And your relationship with your hair can change over time. Maybe you got what you needed out of your journey and you’re ready for a new challenge. Your life has changed and you want to represent that with a change in your hair while keeping its length.

These are all valid reasons for coming out of your sisterlocks.

Are your Sisterlocks Too Mature?

If you’re making this decision, remember, the sooner, the better. During the first 12 months, your hair has locked, but there is still room to separate the natural locking and matting process. Newer sisterlocks are much easier to remove, as you’ll be doing retightening sessions to keep them in line. From year 2, the hair is difficult to comb out completely without hair loss.

Let’s face it; if you are at the point of no return, this blog post may not be for you. Individuals with sisterlocks three or more years may have hair too thick, locked, and matted to be separated with a comb or other tool. Have a professional loctician take a look at your hair. They can confirm if reversing your locs or going through with the ‘big chop’ is the best action.

Step-by-Step Combing Out Process

Can sisterlocks be combed out? Yes, but you’ll need to commit to the process just like you did with installation. Gather some of the tools you’ll need to get it done. These include:

• Wide-tooth detangling comb with rounded tips
• Fine-tooth rattail comb for precise work
• Small scissors with sharp, pointed tips
• Hair clips for sectioning
• Spray bottle for water/conditioner mixture
• Timer (to track soaking periods)

Patience will be perhaps your most important tool. This time, you won’t be able to style your hair or wear it the way you’re accustomed. So make sure you have a clear runway in terms of work or social activities. You could wrap your hair or attempt styles that will hide your progress.

What Else Do You Need For A Successful Removal?

Washing, clarifying, and treating your hair as you go also ensures your hair stays soft and malleable enough to separate and comb without immediate breakage. You can also add back some of the nutrients your hair needs after removing your locs. Consider products such as :

• Deep conditioner with intense slip
• Leave-in conditioner
• A penetrating oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil)
• Apple cider vinegar or similar detox (we recommend BLCK Lux Scalp Detox Hair Serum Cleanser )
• Clarifying shampoo
• Detangling spray or homemade detangler
• Protein treatment afterward

With these in hand, it’s time to get to work. Remember, this will take a long time. It’s easy to get frustrated and see little progress or have multiple locks break. You must be patient and trust the process.

Step 1: Prepare Your Hair Beforehand

Start by soaking your hair in the penetrating oil. Apply liberally, then use a plastic cap to let it sit overnight. This begins softening your locs and loosening any buildup. The next day, you can soak your locks with apple cider vinegar or a detox product. Add the product to equal parts of warm water in a basin. Let your locs soak in the mixture for 30-45 minutes (get some towels around your neck to limit the mess). Once you’re done, use the clarifying shampoo to remove the dirt, oil, and residue.

Step 2: Unraveling Your Locs

Section your hair with the clips so you can work with one section at a time and track your process. Use the deep conditioner liberally to the locs in the section and let it set for 30 minutes or more. Then you’ll be using your fingers to gently separate your locs, one at a time. This will take time as the average person with sisterlocks has over 300 individual locks.

Step 3: Combing Out Your Locs

Now, you’ll be starting at the ends (not the root) to separate your hair. Use the wide-tooth comb to work through the end, separating the loc. Hold the loc firmly with one hand, just above where you’re combing and separating with the other hand. Use conditioner in the spray bottle to provide extra moisture to the hair, as dry hair is more prone to breakage. Be gentle and slow as to preserve as much hair as possible. Each loc will begin to resist the process, so switch to the fine comb, using the end to separate the tougher knots. As a last resort, use the small, scissors to cut away difficult knots and proceed with the comb.

Step 4: Section Completion

Once a section is fully combed out, twist or braid it loosely. This prevents it from re-tangling while you work on other sections. Keep it moisturized with leave-in conditioner. It can take several hours just to complete a single section without severe damage.

It can take multiple days to finish this process. Remember to keep your hair moisturized when you’re working through each sisterlock. You will also lose length and or some locs during the process. Take your time as this will avoid excess damage.

Once you’re done, move on to the next section. Repeat the process to completion! There is no real timeline we can give as factors like your time, attention to detail, skill, and number of sisterlocks you have all contribute to combing out your sisterlocks. It’s a journey and a process, similar to installing your sisterlocks.

Taking Care Of Your Hair After Removal

When you have successfully combed out your sisterlocks, apply a gentle protein treatment to strengthen hair and restore structure to damaged hair. Each protein treatment is different, so follow with another deep conditioning treatment. Soon after your entire locks are removed, you want to do another deep condition, detangling your hair as needed. Your hair will need special attention for several weeks after removal:

• Avoid heat styling for at least a month
• Use protein treatments weekly for the first month, then biweekly
• Deep condition weekly
• Trim ends as needed to remove weakened areas
• Be gentle with styling and manipulation as your hair recovers

During this process, consider getting help from a friend or professional with combing out your locks and taking care of your hair afterward. This can take a few days to 1-2 weeks depending on your hair’s length and maturity. Hair care afterward can take several months of protein treatment and conditioning. For very mature locs, complete removal without cutting may not be possible.

In the end, you’ll have your natural, loose hair again. Your hair can have different textures. Take this into consideration with your final results and new hairstyles going forward.

Final Thoughts

So your sisterlocks can be combed out, but it will take significant time and a huge commitment. It’s essential that you take your time and use the right sisterlocks products to minimize damage. Also, the length of your sisterlocks and how long you’ve had them will determine the ease of removal, final length, and effort required.

Combing out or removing your sisterlocks is likely an endeavor you’ll be taking on yourself. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. The choice to combing out sisterlocks also represents another step in their personal hair journey rather than a rejection of the style itself. Treat it as such and you’ll achieve better results and beautiful hair.