The locs maturation is a long process that takes a long time. In addition, it depends on various factors, such as hair type and maintenance. For instance, some hair types grow quickly while other types take longer. There are different phases of locs growth. At the beginning of locs installation, you quickly get the dreadlocks to look, but you may find the hair strands straight up. If you have short hair, you will indeed have this side effect, but the hair strands settle within time. In the first four weeks, the locs feel like loosening, and most of the hair comes out of the loc. This is the first phase of locs maturation. Don't panic. Try to get retwisting done from a loctician or retwist the dreads at home. Use palm rolling, dread balling and other retwisting methods to keep your hair locked. Additionally, rubber bands are quite helpful in keeping the locs tightened. The locs proceed into their next maturation phase for the next two weeks. In this growth phase, you may notice that the locs tighten and mature simultaneously. Further, the locs shrink a lot and get lumpy and crooked. This is the teenage phase of the locs, and the locs keep growing in length. After three months of locs installation, the locks become soft and tight. At this point, the locs have additional hair growth that needs to be fixed. For this purpose, use the retwisting methods such palm-rolling at home. Further, use residue-free shampoo to keep the locs clean and fresh. After the initial phases, the locs enter the maturation phase after six months of tightening, shrinkage and growth. The locs grow in length quickly and become soft and smooth. The locs hold a lot of water at this stage. So, it becomes tough to dry the locs after a wash. Make sure you keep your locs moisture-free to avoid mildew formation. After one year of patience and struggle, you will be able to celebrate mature locs that give you the perfect locs. From this time onwards, it becomes easier to manage and maintain the locs. Still, keep the locs clean, tight and soft by following the hair care maintenance tips.