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Two Strand Twist Dreads Before and After
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Twist and Style Dreadloc Meaning
If you have come across the phrase “twist and style dreadloc” or “twist and style dreadlocks,” it usually refers to a loc maintenance and styling service, rather than a particular type of dreadlock.
What Does “Twist and Style” Mean for Dreadlocks?
With dreadlocks, “twist” generally refers to retwisting the new growth at the roots.
As your hair grows, the section closest to the scalp becomes loose and separates from the established loc.
A retwist gathers that new growth and twists or rolls it into place so the roots look neater and more defined.
The “style” part means arranging the locs into a particular hairstyle after the retwist.
Depending on the length and number of locs, this might include:
- Two-strand twists using the locs
- Braided locs
- Ponytails
- Buns
- Half-up, half-down styles
- Loc updos
- Criss-cross styles
- Other arrangements chosen by the wearer
Hair salons commonly list “DreadLoc Retwist & Style” as a combined service, meaning the locs are retwisted and then put into a finished hairstyle.
Is “Twist” the Same as Creating Dreadlocks?
No. This distinction is important.
Starting locs is the process of forming new dreadlocks from loose hair.
Techniques can include two-strand twists, coils, backcombing, interlocking, or crocheting, depending on the desired result and hair type.
Retwisting, on the other hand, is normally maintenance for locs that already exist.
The stylist works primarily around the roots and incorporates the new growth into the existing loc structure.
So if someone says:
“I got my dreadlocs twisted and styled.”
they will usually mean that their existing locs were retwisted at the roots and then arranged into a hairstyle.
What Might “Twist” Look Like?
One common styling option is to take two existing locs and twist them around each other. This is sometimes called a two-strand loc style. It produces a rope-like appearance while allowing the person to temporarily wear their locs in a different arrangement.
This is different from retwisting the roots. The word “twist” can therefore refer to two different things depending on the context:
- Root retwist — tightening or organizing the new growth at the scalp.
- Twist style — twisting two or more established locs together as part of the finished hairstyle.
What does “dreadloc” mean?
Dreadloc, dreadlock, and loc can all refer to the hairstyle made up of sections of hair that have become intentionally knotted, matted, or felted into rope-like strands. “Loc” is particularly common among people who prefer that term over “dreadlock.”
The spelling “dreadloc” is also used by some hairstylists and loc businesses as part of their service names. It does not necessarily describe a different hairstyle.
So, what is the meaning of “twist and style dreadloc”?
In simple terms:
“Twist and style dreadloc” means maintaining existing dreadlocks by retwisting the roots and then arranging the locs into a chosen hairstyle.
If you saw “twist and style” as the name of a salon service, it most likely means retwist + styling, rather than a special variety of dreadlocks.
This interpretation is also consistent with salons that separately list retwist services and retwist-and-style services.
Is 2 Strand Twist a Style of Dreads?
Yes, two-strand twists can be a style of dreads, but it depends on whether you mean twists used to create dreadlocks or twists made using dreadlocks that already exist.
There are three related hairstyles, and the distinction is important.
2 Strand Twist Dreads Meaning #1. Two-strand twist starter locs
These are dreadlocks in their beginning stage.
The hairstylist divides natural hair into sections, splits each section into two strands, and twists the strands around each other from root to tip.
The twists are left in place so the hair can gradually mat and lock over time. Initially, they look like ordinary two-strand twists, but as the hair locks, the texture and appearance change.
The result: Each original two-strand twist develops into an individual loc.
2. Two-Strand Twists on Existing Dreadlocks
This is a different hairstyle. Instead of twisting loose hair to start locs, the stylist takes two existing dreadlocks and twists them around each other.
The locs remain individual locs underneath the temporary style. When the two-strand twist is undone, the wearer still has the original locs.
The result: A temporary hairstyle made by twisting established dreadlocks together.
3. Ordinary two-strand twists that are not dreadlocks
Two-strand twists can also be worn as an ordinary hairstyle on natural hair without any intention of creating dreadlocks.
The hair is divided into sections and twisted in pairs. The wearer can later unravel the twists, wash the hair and return to another hairstyle.
The result: A twist hairstyle, not necessarily dreadlocks.
What is the difference?
| Hairstyle | What is being twisted? | Are they dreadlocks? |
|---|---|---|
| Two-strand twist starter locs | Two sections of loose hair | They are intended to become locs |
| Two-strand twists on existing locs | Two established dreadlocks | Yes, the individual locs already exist |
| Ordinary two-strand twists | Two sections of loose hair | No, unless the hair is being left to lock |
So, is a two-strand twist a style of dreads?
Yes. Two-strand twists are associated with dreadlocks in two ways. They can be used as a method of starting locs, or they can be used to style locs that have already formed.
The key distinction is that, with starter locs, each twist is intended to become one loc. With a two-strand twist style on mature locs, two existing locs are temporarily twisted together.
If you see someone wearing long, rope-like two-strand twists, you cannot always tell from appearance alone whether they are starter locs, ordinary twists or a temporary style created with existing dreadlocks.
Two Stand Twist for Short Dread
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Photo Credits: CurlyCraze, Cici, u/MissMariee93, Bona Braids
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