Microlocs and Sisterlocks differ in size, installation technique, cost, and maintenance. While microlocs require wax or gel to install, the sisterlocks don’t need these products.
When installing microlocs, you can braid, coil, or twist before applying the gel or wax, then roll with your hands.
Sisterlocks, however, require a certified professional to part the hair in a specific grid and then use an interlocking tool to lock. Sisterlocks are smaller and more expensive to install than microlocs.
This guide has everything you need to know about understanding the differences between microlocs vs sisterlocks and the pros & cons of each. We have also included a YouTube video showing the distinctions.
What Are Microlocs?
Microlocs are tiny locs that resemble the traditional ones but are smaller (tinier than a pencil).
Installing microlocs doesn’t need expertise, and you can do it yourself. There are no specified rules for microlocs, and you can do them in whatever style that suits you. If you want to be creative, this is the style for you.
With these microlocs, you can maintain a different number of strands. You can choose to have as many locs as possible or go for a few. You’ll also be free to choose the size (either small or large) since there’s no specification on this.
Like the traditional locs, you can start them by braiding, coiling, interlocking, or using a two-strand twist method.
Braiding
Starting the microlocs with braids is suitable if your hair is long. Your hair stylist will begin with making braids and then apply the wax or gel to create the locs.
If you have a good hair texture, twisting will be a good option.
Interlocking
You can opt for the interlocking technique to have smaller microlocs. This method is also perfect when you want to maintain your hair texture.
Twisting
Starting your microlocs with twisting is suitable for medium or large locs. It’s also compatible with different hair textures.
You can easily preserve twisted microlocs with palm rolling or interlocking.
Pros and Cons of Microlocs
Before installing microlocs, it’s necessary to weigh their pros and cons to know if they’re suitable for you.
Pros:
- Cheaper and easier to install than sisterlocs. You can even do it yourself at home.
- It doesn’t take a lot of time to install when coiling
- It’s easy to re-twist the locs, making it possible to preserve the style
- You can combine them to make larger locs
Cons:
- It can be challenging to style
- The locs become heavier as they get longer, making it hard to style
- They can have uneven partings since there’s no defined pattern
- Since it doesn’t need any expertise to install, it can lead to holes in strands, leading to hair breakage
What Are Sisterlocks?
Sisterlocs are trademark locs smaller than the microlocs. These locs were invented in the 1990s by Dr JoAnne Cornwell, a loctician.
Unlike the microlocs, a trained and certified sisterlock consultant can only install this hairstyle.
When installing the sisterlocks, an expert follows a specific grid pattern and uses a special interlocking tool. The specialist interlocks the hair from its ends to the roots to reduce tension at each loc’s root.
Unlike microlocs, you don’t need styling products such as gels, waxes, or oils to lock the hair. Installing the locs may take up to 24 or 36 hours.
Plus, sisterlocks are flexible. You can have them curled, braided, or colored as you desire.
Pros and Cons of Sisterlocks
Sisterlocs also have their pros and cons that are worth considering before you think of installing them.
Pros:
- You can customize sister locs for your specific pattern and texture
- They’re easy to style and maintain
- Sisterlocs are light and thin, thus easy to style in various ways
- You don’t need several hair products to maintain them, making them relatively cheap
- They’re neat compared to traditional dreadlocks due to their symmetrical grids
- There’s little tension on the roots since the locking starts from the ends
Cons:
- The initial installation cost is higher than that of microlocs
- Sisterlocks could break or become thin if you take too long before retightening
- It’s more time-consuming to install sisterlocks than microlocs. If your stylist is slower, it may take more than 36 hours of installation time.
- You need a certified consultant to style your hair with sisterlocks
- Improper styling may lead to thinning of the locs or baldness
- The style may be unsuitable for you if your hair is fine and straight
- You can’t combine the locs
Microlocs vs Sisterlocks: What’s the Difference
While microlocs and sisterlocs look similar, they have several differences. Below are some of the differences between the two hairstyles:
1. Installation and Maintenance Cost
Installing and maintaining sisterlocks is costly compared to microlocs.
You can spend between $400 and $1,000 for sisterlocs compared to $200 and $600 for microlocs. The cost depends on how qualified and experienced your loctician is.
Maintaining sisterlocks is also more expensive ($100 to $200 after every 4-8 weeks). Microlocs are relatively cheaper to maintain ($50 to $80).
2. Installation Technique
Sisterlocks require a special installation tool, and the hair must be parted into specified grids and patterns of equal size. You don’t need wax or gel to style these locs.
Since there are several locs per square inch, sisterlocks are denser and tighter. The sisterlocks’ uniform size remains the same throughout.
Conversely, you don’t need any special tool when installing the microlocs. The locs must not be equal in size and don’t follow specific patterns.
Microlocs become thicker and increase in volume over time, making them heavier and challenging to style.
3. Installation Time
It takes more time to install sisterlocks (up to 36 hours) since it starts with test locks.
Before settling on a suitable pattern, your hairstylist will perform various tests to see what suits your hair. The hair expert then installs the sisterlocks in specific rows and columns.
Since the locs must be the same size to make them neat, it takes more time than installing microlocs. However, the time it takes depends on the density and length of your hair.
Microlocs take less time to install (8 to 20 hours) since you don’t have to follow a specific pattern.
It’s relatively easy to install microlocs since it starts with braiding, coiling, or twisting the hair, followed by applying gel or wax on top.
4. Maintenance
Both sisterlocks and microlocs require proper maintenance to keep them looking new and fresh.
Due to their unique style, you can have your sisterlocs retightened only by an expert. A certified stylist also uses a special tool to avoid damaging your hair. You can have your hair specialist retighten your sisterlocs after every 4 to 6 weeks.
You can also opt for a retightening course to help cut the maintenance cost. Your maintenance routine, together with your hair texture, determines how well the locs mature.
Microlocs also need retightening every 4 to 6 weeks but don’t need a certified loctician. But this time can vary depending on how fast your hair grows.
There are no specific products or tools for retightening microlocs, unlike sisterlocs.
Final Thoughts: Which Is Better Microlocs or Sisterlocks
Both microlocs and sisterlocks are trendy hairstyles. The best style will depend on your taste, how much you are willing to spend, and the time.
If you want to get creative with your hair or DIY at home, then microlocs will be your go-to locs. Microlocs are also less expensive to install and don’t take much time. They’re also suitable if you don’t have a certified stylist available.
On the other hand, sisterlocks are suitable for you if you need tinier and lighter locs of the same size. These locs are stylish but costly than microlocs and take time to install. If you are okay with the cost and time of installation, then you can go for sisterlocks.