Butterfly dreadlocks are a trendy and stylish variant of faux locs. They’re characterized by a mix of loose and structured curls along the length of the locs- this is perfect if you’re going for a bohemian style!

Some have described them as the perfect mix of goddess locs and passion twists, and I would agree.

If you’re anything like me, you research things closely before making decisions, especially when money and time are involved. In my research, I learned everything there was to know about this hairstyle, both from stylists and from those who have previously worn it. 

In this article, you’re going to learn the pros and cons of butterfly locs and by the end, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether you want to get them or not. If you do, you’ll also learn how to install, maintain, and style them. 

This post is all about butterfly locs (also known as distressed or soft locs). In this post, I’ll be using those terms interchangeably but they all refer to the same style. 

Are butterfly locs the right choice for you?

First, I want to answer some common questions so you can determine if this is the right hairstyle choice for you. 

I have read countless threads from people who shared their experiences after wearing these types of locs, and while there are plenty of positive comments, there are a good amount of negative ones too. 

So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty! 

What type of hair are they made from?

Distressed locs can come in different colors and are made from straight or textured/ kinky hair including: 

• Synthetic (plastic-derived) braiding hair: Synthetic hair can be made from a variety of ingredients to resemble human hair.
  
  These ingredients include single-filament polyester, silicone, silk, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile, acrylic, vinylidene chloride, nylon, modacrylic fiber, and others.
  
  These ingredients are known for causing scalp irritation and other health issues as extreme as cancer. 

+ Modacrylic fiber (Kanekalon): This is a high-end synthetic fiber that closely resembles human hair and doesn’t unravel as easily as other synthetic fibers.

Unfortunately, this material was found to be toxic to humans. It’s discouraging to hear but I’m mentioning it because you deserve to know what you’re putting in your head (and body, for that matter). Here’s the reference to that claim.

++ Marley braiding hair: This is a type of Kanekalon that is very popular for distressed dreads. It has a coarse texture, similar to Afro hair, and can be used on all lengths of hair. 

• Water wave hair: This is wavy hair that can either be made of synthetic fibers or human hair. You’ll pay a lot more for human hair, obviously, but you’ll at least have peace of mind that it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. 

How are they installed? 

Although we’ll discuss the methods of installation in detail below, you should know the basics of how they can be done (and undone), since this is the deal breaker for most people.

Two of the most popular ways to achieve this look are by using the crochet or wrapping methods.

• Cornrow and crochet method: For this method, you’ll start with cornrows and a set of premade locs. In essence, you’ll be pulling the small loops (on one end of the loc) through your natural roots with the help of a crochet needle, and then pulling the loc through the loop to secure the knot. 

• Braid and wrap method: For this method, you’ll typically start with box braid (or two-strand twists) and loose hair extensions. Contrary to the crochet method, you’ll wrap or twist the hair extensions around each of the individual braids.
  
  There is also a way to use pre-made locs with this method but it could cause hair damage during the removal. This process involves making small braids with your natural hair and pulling those into the loc with the crochet hook.
  
  The wrapping method requires more patience to remove and is more likely to damage your natural hair strands. 

Will they damage your hair? 

Distressed locs are supposedly in the category of “protective hairstyles”. I say supposedly because in a perfect world, that would be true. 

However, several Reddit threads have people complaining that their hair got super damaged by them. Several even claim that they lost so much hair near the nape of the neck that they had to do an undercut to even it out. In an extreme scenario, someone said they nearly became bald as a result. 

…so much for a protective style, right?

The wrapping method seemed to be the less popular choice among the majority of commenters. One person said that they didn’t have the follicle strength for a proper takedown, while another person said that they got tension bumps on the scalp and it was extremely painful to sleep with. 

The verdict leaned heavily in favor of the crotchet method. 

How long do butterfly locs last?

Once installed, these dread extensions can last you between 4 and 8 weeks. You may need to do some touch-ups every 2 to 4 weeks to keep the frizz and new growth at bay. 

Hair experts recommend not having them in for more than 8 weeks, even if you’ve done the proper maintenance. Going longer than the suggested time period can cause your hair to become matted, making the removal process much more difficult. 

Are they suitable for all hair textures?

Yes! Soft locs can be worn by women and men of all hair textures, however, they are most commonly worn by black women with Afro hair types (Types 4A, 4B, and 4C). 

Can you do them on short hair?

Yes, they can be installed on any length of hair.

Are they beginner-friendly?

Soft locs require a basic level of skill to install but for the most part, it’s an easy style that you can do on yourself. That is, if you have a little bit of experience doing braids and that kind of thing. 

On the other hand, for someone like me who would be attempting something like this for the very first time, it might be too much fuss trying to achieve this look on your own. 

The best way to know if you’re able to do it is by watching YouTube tutorials beforehand (I’ve included two below). Then you can decide if you’re able to accomplish this look on your own or if it’s better to go to a professional. 

How much does it cost to do butterfly locs?

You can expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $500, although based on the client reviews I’ve read, the average is around $200. 

Several factors influence the cost of distressed locs. These include:

• The length of the hair: the longer the extensions, the more expensive they will be.

• The materials used: Synthetic materials are much cheaper than human hair.

• Doing them yourself or going to a professional hairstylist: If you do these on your own, you’ll be saving yourself the cost of going to a professional.

• If going to a loctician: The cost will vary based on the stylist’s level of expertise and location.

How to do butterfly locs

If you’re planning to do your own installation, then there are a lot of great resources to get you started. 

I watched a lot of videos to understand the installation process myself and be able to explain it. But honestly, it’s so much easier to show you than it is to explain it in a blog. For this reason, I’ll be including two of the most helpful videos I found. 

I recommend you read through this section all the way through and watch the videos before deciding how to install them yourself. Then get all the materials you’re going to need, such as the hair extensions, rubber bands, a crochet hook, etc.

How many packs of faux locs for a full head? 

To cover your entire head, you’ll need 6 to 8 packs of hair. If you have more hair density or want fuller locs, I’d lean closer to 8 packs. Either way, the package instructions should have more details or recommendations based on that product specifically.  

For short butterfly locs styles, like a bob, you can get 8 inch extensions. For shoulder length, you can get 12 to 14 inches.

For longer styles, you’ll want to get the ones that are between 22 and 36 inches long. For reference, 22 inches will go a little bit below your chest, 28 inches will go right past your waist, and 36 inches will go past your butt.

What hair brand should you get?

If you’re looking for premade locs to have them crochet in, some popular brand options are ToyoTress, Niseyo, Guohui, ZRQ Beauty, and Janet Collection.

• ToyoTress ranges from $38 (8 inch) to $66 (36 inch) and they have a wide range of colors available including ombre styles.

• Niseyo are slightly cheaper but they have a smaller variation of colors available. Their prices range from $27 (14 inch) to $50 (36 inch).

• Guohui has a wide range of natural and non-natural hair colors as well as a handful of ombre colors. Their prices range from $35 (12 inch) to $40 (18 inch).

• ZRQ Beauty has a nice selection of handmade pieces that are light weight and soft. Their locs have a lot more curly loops than the other brands mentioned, but the overall look is nice. Their prices range from $43 (12 inch) to $50 (42 inch).

• Janet Collection has the Nala Tress collection with a few options with natural hair colors. Their packaging and pricing are a little different than the other brands, but you can compare them on Amazon. 

If you’re going with the braid and wrap method, you’ll use a combination of synthetic braiding and twisting hair. For the braids, some popular brands are Freetress Equal and Outre Hair. For wrapping, you can check out Dorsanee and Sensational Lulutress. Janet Collection has human hair options as well.

Step-by-step installation instructions

1. Prepare the hair

First, read the package instructions. If you’re using synthetic hair, you’re probably going to have to treat it before putting it in.

You can treat it by soaking the hair in a bowl filled with water and a cup of apple cider vinegar. Let it soak for 20 minutes and then hang them in a hanger to dry. This will remove some of the chemicals to prevent your scalp from getting itchy. 

2. Choose the installation method you want to use

Next, you’ll want to decide how you’re going to put them in, whether it’s with the crochet or wrapping method. Pay attention to how the hair is separated and tied differently for each of the methods. 

This is the crochet method without wrapping:

This is the braid and wrap method: 

3. Part your roots 

Separate your roots evenly into triangles or squares. Then tie your hair according to the demonstration in the video. 

4. Follow the tutorials

Follow the steps in the video.

How long does it take to install them? 

The entire process takes an average of 4 to 6 hours. 

How to take care of butterfly locs

Washing routine

Your locs should be washed once a week to keep your scalp clean and free of buildup. Wash your scalp with a residue-free shampoo and use a microfiber or lint-free towel to dry them. 

Soft locs absorb a lot more water than natural hair so you should give them plenty of time to dry throughout the day. If they’re damp around bedtime, blow dry them. 

Maintenance tips

The maintenance routine for distressed locs is very similar to natural dreadlocks. Here are some suggestions:

• Sleep with a silk cap at night. To prevent frizz and lint, protect your hair at night.

• To keep your scalp clean and itch-free, apply a natural hair moisturizer like this one. You can apply it to your roots every day or a couple of times per week. You can add some carrier oils like grapeseed, argan, or coconut oil to lock in the moisture. 

• To keep your locs frizz-free and the new growth on your roots looking neat, use a loc mousse and edge control. 

Butterfly locs hairstyles

Whether you have short or long butterfly locs, there are a lot of cool new styles you can achieve, from up-dos and half-do’s to space buns, pony tails, and even an elegant individual braid. 

Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration, but YouTube is an even better place to find demos. 

Here’s a really good tutorial. Even though she has a bob, all of the styles work for longer hair too. 

How to remove them

When the time comes to take them off, YouTube will be your best friend (again). If you’re removing them at home, it’s probably gonna be easier to have a loved one help you or if you’re not comfortable doing it on your own, you can go to your stylist. 

If you did the cornrow method, removing them should be fairly easy. Find the loop at the top of the extensions and undo them or cut them and pull them out. If you’re cutting, be very careful to not accidentally cut your real hair. 

If you wrapped them, the removal process is a little more complicated. Here’s a tutorial that may help- I’ll admit, she kind of makes it look easy.

There are a lot of take down videos on YouTube, you can search for more there.

Trend forecast 

This hairstyle rose to popularity between 2020 and 2022 and has since declined. It was most popular in Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.

Like many trends, it’ll likely become popular again in the future. It is a stunning hairstyle, after all! 

I would love to know, is this a style you’re planning to try? Or have tried in the past? Tell me what you think about it in the comments below!