How to Choose and Quality-Check Your Human Hair Loc Extensions
The holidays are almost here. Is your hair ready for the festive vibe? If you're thinking about buying human hair loc extensions, hold off on that hasty order! First, let's look at how to choose the right ones and, most importantly, how to check their quality.
What Are Your Loc Goals?
Why are you looking for hair extensions? Your choice depends on your goals. Are you starting a loc journey and looking to add to your already existing locs? Or are you simply looking for a temporary hairstyle? The length and style you want to achieve will help guide your choice. Creating either well-groomed microlocs or a more natural look will require the right hair choice. For any permanent hairstyle, you will need to work with 100% human hair in order to wash, dye, and style as you want.
Is Your Hair Ready?
Let's check on your natural hair first. Your hair needs to be in good shape to support extensions.
Check Your Hair Health
First things first: your hair must be healthy. Extensions add weight. If your hair is already dealing with a lot of breakage, thinning, or scalp issues, it's best to fix those problems before adding extensions. Attaching locs to weak hair can cause damage.
Check Your Hair Length
The minimum hair length for LOC extensions is 2 to 5 inches of your natural hair. Your loctician will require this length of hair to ensure a solid and durable connection. Shorter hair simply won't hold the extension securely and could cause slipping or even damage to your scalp.
What Hair is Best for Loc Extensions?
When you shop for loc extensions, you'll find two main categories: synthetic and human hair.
Synthetic Hair
Synthetic hair, made from fibers like Kanekalon, offers some great perks. It's very budget-friendly and comes in a massive range of colors, especially bright, vibrant shades that won't fade. Synthetic locs are also lightweight and will hold their style (like a curl) permanently, even after washing.
However, this convenience comes at the cost of flexibility. You can't bleach or dye synthetic hair as the chemicals will ruin the hair. High temperatures from flatirons can melt your hair if it is not labeled "heat-safe." In addition, your locs will gradually lose their natural appearance as they age. As this happens, your hair may develop a stiff and frizzy appearance coupled with an unnatural shine. The hair is ideal when you need a temporary look but isn't suitable for those looking for a long-term style.
Human Hair
Human hair is real hair, harvested and processed for extensions, so it behaves exactly like the hair on your head. Its biggest advantage is the completely natural look and feel. It blends seamlessly with your own hair.
It also offers complete styling freedom. You can dye, bleach, and heat-style human hair extensions. Most importantly for a long-term loc journey, human hair will mature, lock, and age right along with your natural hair. This makes it the only real choice for a truly permanent style.
The main trade-off is the cost. As a premium, natural product, it requires a larger upfront investment. It also needs the same care you give your own hair, including regular washing and maintenance.
Know Your Human Hair Grades
Not all "100% human hair" is the same. Understanding the terms helps you know what you're paying for.
Standard "100% Human Hair"
This label describes the most common and accessible type of human hair. It is often a mix of hair from different sources. Because the hair strands' cuticles are not aligned, it is typically processed to remove the cuticles. This process can make it more prone to tangling and dryness over time compared to Remy hair.
Remy Hair
Remy hair represents a higher-quality grade. The key difference is that all the cuticles (the outer layer of the hair) are intact and aligned in the same direction, just like your own natural hair. This alignment is crucial for preventing tangling, matting, and keeping the hair smooth.
Virgin Hair
Virgin hair is the most premium grade. It is Remy hair that has never been chemically processed (dyed, bleached, or permed). It comes from a single donor and makes the perfect "blank canvas" if you plan to custom-color your locs, as it's the healthiest hair you can get.
The Best Texture: Afro Kinky
For locs, texture is key. The best hair extensions for dreadlocks are those that match coily hair. You'll see this sold as afro kinky human hair for locs. This 4B/4C texture is coarse and kinky, which is exactly what you need for the hair to bind, tangle, and mature into a strong, solid loc. Using silky, straight hair is a recipe for locs that constantly unravel.
How Can I Spot 100% Human Hair?
You're paying for 100% human hair, and you deserve to get it. Here’s how to check.
Red Flags When Browsing Online
When you're shopping, keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- Unrealistic Prices: While high-value, affordable options absolutely exist, be wary of prices that seem impossible. A full head of 100% virgin human hair for an absurdly low price (like $50) carries a high risk of being synthetic or a low-grade blend.
- A "Plastic" Shine: Look closely at the product photos. Does the hair have an unnatural, "plasticky" or doll-hair shine? Real human hair has a natural luster, not a high-gloss, reflective shine.
The Definitive Method (After You Buy): The Burn Test
The number one way to know for sure requires you to destroy a small piece. Please be very careful.
How to: Cut a tiny piece from the end of one loc. Hold it with tweezers (over a sink!) and bring a lighter to it.
What it means:
- 100% Human Hair: It will catch fire and burn fast. It will smell like burning hair (a strong, sharp smell). The ash left behind will be soft and turn to dust.
- Synthetic Hair: It will melt and drip like melting plastic. It will smell like burning plastic. When it cools, it will form a hard, black bead you can't crush.
- A Blend: You'll see a mix of both—melting drips and some ash. A common scam.
How Do I Choose the Right Length, Diameter, and Quantity?
Once you know what to look for, it's time to plan your style.
Choose Your Length
Start with Your Lifestyle: Be realistic about your daily routine. If you are very active, work out often, or live in a hot climate, shorter locs (8-12 inches) are much easier to manage, wash, and dry. If you work in an office or prefer a more dramatic look, longer locs (14-20 inches) might be a great fit.
Balance Length with Comfort: Longer locs are heavier. A full head of 20-inch locs can put noticeable strain on your neck and scalp, especially when wet. For a first-time installation, a 10 to 14-inch set is often a popular and comfortable starting point that still gives you plenty of styling options.
Always Buy Longer Than You Need: As a firm rule, buy your extensions 1-2 inches longer than your final desired length. You will lose this much during the attachment process. This step ensures you actually get the 14-inch look you wanted, instead of ending up with 12-inch locs.
Match Your Diameter and Quantity
This step is crucial for protecting your natural hair. The thickness of your locs must work with the thickness of your natural hair. Use this table as a guide:
| Your Hair Density | Recommended Loc Diameter | Common Styles | Estimated Qty for Full Head |
| Fine / Thin | 0.1cm - 0.2cm | Microlocs / Sisterlocks | 150 - 300+ locs |
| Medium Density | 0.4cm - 0.6cm | Small / Medium (Pencil size) | 70 - 120 locs |
| Thick / Dense | 0.8cm - 1.0cm+ | Medium / Large (Marker size) | 40 - 60 locs |
Easy Rule: Your part size should match your loc size. The loc extension should never look way thicker than the section of hair it's attached to.
Pro Tip: Always buy one extra 10-pack bundle. It's much better to have a few left over than to be 5 locs short on installation day.
How to Check for Quality Craftsmanship and Durability
You've received your package. Now what? Before installing, check if the locs are well-made.
Step 1: The Visual and Feel Check (When You Open the Box)
First, just look at, feel, and smell the locs.
The Feel: The loc should be firm and tight, but still flexible. It shouldn't be rock-hard (which could mean glue was used) or super soft and puffy (it'll fall apart).
The Smell: Now you can check. Does it have a strong chemical, "corn chip," or "burnt plastic" smell? A bad sign of heavy processing or synthetic fibers.
The Uniformity: Look at all the locs in the bundle. Are they consistent in thickness? A good maker is consistent.
The Ends: The tips should be sealed (blunt or wispy) so they don't unravel. The top of the loc should be loose and open, ready for attachment.
Step 2: The Hands-On Durability Tests
If the locs pass the first check, sacrifice one loc from the bundle for these two tests.
The "Shed Test" (Pull Test): Hold the loc at the top and give it a few firm tugs down its length. A couple of hairs are normal. But if you get a whole handful, or the loc starts to feel loose, the craftsmanship is poor. It wasn't crocheted tightly and won't last.
The "Wash Test": Wash that one loc with some shampoo and warm water, then let it air dry. Look for two things:
- Color Bleed: Did the water turn dark? Signals a cheap, unstable dye that will bleed on your clothes and pillows.
- Shape: Did the loc fall apart, unravel, or get extremely puffy? A well-made loc should hold its shape and might even look better and more natural after a wash.
Your 3-Test Quality Checklist: A Final Summary
Before you install, remember this 3-step check on a single loc:
- The Burn Test: Confirms it's 100% real human hair (melts like plastic = fake).
- The Shed Test: Confirms strong craftsmanship (pulling out clumps = bad).
- The Wash Test: Confirms dye and loc stability (bleeding color or unraveling = bad).
Passing these three tests gives you the green light for installation.
Final Thoughts: Investing in Quality Human Hair Loc Extensions
You don't have to gamble when you buy human hair loc extensions. You now have the complete checklist. You know how to define your goals, check your hair, and perform the 3 key quality tests. You can invest confidently in your loc journey. At DaixiDreadology, we live by these standards. We make our locs 100% by hand from high-quality human hair, which ensures they are durable, uniform, and comfortable. Ready to find your perfect set? Check out our full collection of loc extensions and afro kinky human hair for locs to get started.
Human Hair Loc Extensions: Your Questions Answered
Q1: Which loc style lasts the longest?
Permanent loc extensions made from 100% human hair last the longest. When they're attached to your natural hair, they grow out with it and become a seamless part of your locs for life.
Q2: What is the healthiest type of hair extensions?
The healthiest extensions are the ones that are lightweight and installed correctly, so they don't pull on your scalp. For locs, 100% human hair is a great choice because it's breathable and less likely to irritate your scalp than synthetic fibers.
Q3: What type of human hair extensions are best?
For making dreadlocks, the best hair extensions for dreadlocks are made from 100% Remy or Virgin human hair with an Afro kinky or kinky curly texture. This coarse texture is perfect for matting and locking.
Q4: Can human hair loc extensions be permanent?
Yes, that's what they're made for! When attached to your starter locs, they grow out as one piece. Over time, your hair and the extension will lock and mature together.
Q5: What is the minimum hair length for LOC extensions?
As we covered, the minimum recommended length for your natural hair is 2 to 3 inches. You need this much hair to create a strong, secure attachment that can support the extension.
