Lint in locs results when fibers in clothing and the environment attach to locs. Over time, this lint can accumulate and impact the appearance of the loc. Lint deposits are whitish dots or spots in the loc. Having lint is not a sign of negligence. All locs will have some lint. There are techniques and approaches that can prevent lint buildup or provide solutions if you find it in your locs.
Locs are a group of hairs matted together. The matting that builds the loc can also embed lint to the loc. If you have locs, it is important to monitor your locs daily for clothing fibers. Other things you should monitor your hair for is pet fur, feathers, knits or other fabric/materials that shed. There are techniques that many use to manage lint in locs. We will explore each technique and the pros and cons of each method.
Loc Brushing
Loc brushing is the practice of brushing locs with a boar bristle brush to remove hair. Many loc wearers swear by this practice. Most recommend loc brushing once a day every day. Please be aware that loc brushing is only for mature locs.
Lint Picking
The practice of using tweezers fingers and other tools to extract lint from the loc. Lint picking usually involves removing embedded lint. Because the lint is not on the surface of the loc, you may damage strands that hold the loc together when attempting to retrieve the lint. We do not recommend anyone to use lint picking due to its damaging effects on locs. We recommend you to monitor your locs regularly and remove lint or other debris from the surface of your locs.
Protecting Your Hair from Lint
Wearing your hair in a headwrap helps reduce the chance of lint buildup. Crochet hats and bonnets are very common because of their ability to stretch and hold long locs. We recommend using a satin or silk bonnet before using the crochet hat to protect your strands from the fibers from the yarn.
You should also consider the types of clothes you wear particularly with knitwear. Yarns that have a halo of fuzz can transfer fibers and fuzz to your locs. Opt for knitwear without fuzz that use smooth yarn. A yarn like chenile does not transfer fibers to locs. Additionally drying your hair with a t-shirt or a black towel rather than a white towel is another way to avoid fibers transferring to locs.
Rinsing Your Locs
At times lint and fibers cannot be removed from locs. In the cases where lint is embedded, use a dark semi-permanent rinse. This option is a vegetable rinse that is less harsh than chemical coloring. Rinses darken the embedded lint in the loc and helps the overall appearance of the loc by creating uniformity in color.
Understanding the Nature of Locs
The matting that creates locs also tends to trap lint and fibers to the loc. We recommend many techniques to prevent, remove and compromise with lint. There are ways to reduce lint. Just remember lint cannot be completely eliminated. Nobody has completely lint free locs. Accepting your locs also means accepting their imperfections. Learn to maintain your hair, reduce lint buildup and continue loving your locs.