Dreadlocks Hair: Natural Dreadlocks vs Faux Locs (Longevity vs Temporary Style)
By Shades of Color Salon | September 21, 2026
My natural dreadlock service starts with a clean, symmetrical parting system built for long-term wear, and that detail alone changes how your locs behave over time. If you want a long-term style that grows with your natural texture, Natural Dreadlocks are usually the right pick. If you want an immediate look you can remove later, faux locs tend to make more sense. I work with dreadlocks hair in Georgetown, and I see this decision a lot in Sun City Texas and the southwest Georgetown area, where people want great-looking hair without daily fuss.
Bottom line: Natural locs reward patience with longevity and simpler day-to-day styling. Faux locs reward you with instant length and variety, but they come with a removal date and more frequent reinstall planning.
This guide breaks down what actually matters: install time, comfort, upkeep in Central Texas humidity, and how committed you want to be. If you’re searching for a hair salon or hairdressing salon in Georgetown and you keep bouncing between “dreads hair” and “dread locks, ” I’ll help you sort it out without pushing you into a style that doesn’t fit your lifestyle.
Natural dreadlocks and faux locs are built differently, and that’s the point
Natural dreadlocks are your own hair intentionally sectioned and formed so it locks over time. The foundation matters. In my chair, that means I’m paying attention to parting size, symmetry, and consistency so your locs have structure as they mature.
Faux locs are a protective style where hair is wrapped or installed to look like locs. You get the “finished” loc look right away, often with length and color options that would take a long time to grow naturally. This is one reason faux locs stay popular with people who want a temporary switch-up, similar to how someone might do hair extensions, a Sew-in, or even box braids for a season.
I’m fair about it: faux locs win on speed-to-style. Natural locs win on long-term convenience and the feeling of wearing your own hair day after day. The best choice is the one you’ll actually maintain without stressing your scalp.
Install time, comfort, upkeep: the trade-offs I talk through in Georgetown consults
Let’s talk real life. Natural dreadlocks take longer up front. My Natural Dreadlocks appointment is 350 minutes and starts at $155, because I’m building a durable base and not rushing the details. Faux locs usually give you the “done” look right away, but you’re also committing to removal and reinstall timing.
Comfort matters: Faux locs can feel heavier, and tension is something I watch closely during any protective style. With natural locs, the scalp tends to feel freer once your foundation is set and you’re on a steady maintenance rhythm.
Longevity: permanent growth vs a planned take-down
Natural locs are a long game. They tighten and smooth out over months, and they keep evolving over years. Faux locs are intentionally temporary. That’s not bad. It’s just a different commitment level. If you like changing your look the way you might switch up hair color, highlights, or hair coloring near me seasonally, faux locs match that mindset.
Central Texas humidity changes how you plan washing and frizz
In Central Texas, humidity and sun exposure are real. Natural locs can handle summer, but you’ll want a sensible wash and dry routine so you don’t stay damp at the roots. Faux locs also need smart cleansing, especially at the base, because buildup and itch can sneak up faster when there’s added hair.
Time-to-results: instant look vs “starter loc” patience
If you want an immediate “photo ready” finish today, faux locs win. Starter locs look like starter locs at first. They’re supposed to. I’ll be honest about that before we start, and I’ll show you how to care for them so the early phase doesn’t turn into frustration.
So which one fits you best in Sun City Texas and the Highway 29, I-35 routine?
Natural dreadlocks are usually your style if you want something that becomes part of your identity and gets easier to live with as time goes on. A lot of my clients in the Sun City Texas area like that it’s low-tension day to day once it’s established, especially if they’re active outdoors and don’t want to fight their hair every morning.
Faux locs are a strong choice if you like variety, you want instant length, or you’re testing the loc look before committing. People who split time between Georgetown, Round Rock, and Austin, or who are regularly on I-35 or State Highway 29, often like that faux locs give them a finished style fast without a long maturation period.
One honest note: if you know you’ll want to take the style down soon, natural locs are not the right match. Natural dreadlocks are meant to mature, not to be undone like braids.
Why I install Natural Dreadlocks with a parting system first, and a retwist plan second
I’ve been in Georgetown for 8 years, and the pattern is consistent. People don’t just want dreadlocks. They want their scalp comfortable, their parts clean, and a plan they can stick with. That’s why I start with the foundation and then talk maintenance.
Clients regularly tell me they appreciate that I’m attentive and I take my time. They also mention leaving happy with how their hair looks when they walk out. And when someone is starting locs, I don’t send them home guessing. I show you how to care for your starter locs in a way that makes sense for humidity, pollen, and real schedules.
"I love this salon! Mrs. Evelyn is so pleasant. She took the time to show me how to best care for my starter locs."
One of our regulars
If you’re also looking around for a haircut near me, a hair cut near me, or even a barber shop or barber near me for someone in your household, I get it. You want a place that listens and can work with real texture. That’s the standard I keep, across locs, silk press work, hair color, and protective styles.
If you want to read more about how locs fit a busy routine, take a look at the low-maintenance benefits of Natural Dreadlocks.
Ready to pick your loc look? Let’s plan it around your hair and your calendar
If you’re leaning toward natural dreadlocks, I’ll help you choose sizing and a parting layout that looks good now and holds up as your hair matures. If faux locs are more your speed, I’ll talk through tension, weight, and how to keep your scalp calm so you can enjoy the style instead of counting the days until take-down.
Book a consult and bring your questions. I’m happy to talk through upkeep, washing in summer, and what your first 90 days will look like.
Serving Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, Taylor, Cedar Park, and Leander.
Address: 102 Golden Oak Dr, Georgetown, TX 78628 | Phone: +15128196266 | Email: evelynbyfaith1130@gmail.com
Natural dreadlocks vs faux locs FAQ (real questions I hear at the salon)
How long do natural dreadlocks take to form?
Most people see their locs go through an early “starter” phase first, then they gradually tighten and mature over several months. Full maturity often takes a year or longer, depending on your hair texture, your routine, and how consistently you maintain your parts and roots.
Natural dreadlocks vs faux locs, which is better for sensitive or thinning hair?
Sensitive scalps usually do best with low tension and smart parting. Faux locs can be great, but added hair and tight install can irritate a sensitive scalp if it’s too heavy or pulled too tight. Natural dreadlocks avoid added hair, and many people like the lighter feel. I’ll look at your density and your scalp comfort in consult and steer you toward the option that won’t leave you sore.
Can I wash natural dreadlocks in humid Central Texas summers?
Yes. The key is washing in a way that keeps your scalp clean and making sure your locs dry thoroughly, especially at the roots. Humidity can slow drying time, so planning your wash day matters. I’ll also point you toward products that won’t leave heavy buildup.
How much do natural dreadlocks cost compared with faux locs?
My Natural Dreadlocks service starts at $155, with more time and detail built into the foundation. Faux locs may look less expensive up front in some cases, but remember you’ll pay again for takedown and reinstallation if you keep the look. Natural locs are a bigger commitment, but you’re investing in a style that stays with you and grows out.
How long does it take to install natural dreadlocks at Shades of Color Salon?
Plan for about 350 minutes. I use that time to set clean parts and a consistent foundation, then I’ll walk you through starter-loc care so you know exactly what to do when you get home.
What do people mean when they search “dreads hair”?
Most of the time, “dreads hair” is just a casual way of searching for dreadlock styles, maintenance, and installation. If you’re not sure if you want natural dreadlocks or a temporary look like faux locs, that’s a great starting point for a consult.
Is “dread locks” the same thing as dreadlocks?
Yes. People type it both ways. If you’re searching “dread locks, ” you’re usually looking for installation, a loc retwist schedule, or a loctician who understands your texture and your goals.