Sisterlocs for a young girl

[Shun34]

I am so glad I saw the post about Sisterlocs. I need help! I am thinking about having my eleven year old niece’s hair loced. I have done EVERYTHING I know how to do to get her natural 4b hair to grow longer than 4 inches. I have cut my hair three times into a TWA, and I have always been able to grow it out. My hair is apl now. I have had custody of my niece for five years, and her hair is barely chin length. I treat her hair with the same care I do mine, but it will not grow. She also has terrible dandruff that will not go away. I haven't taken her to a dermatologist as I thought it would eventually go away with time. I've made plans to see a doctor soon. She is growing up and is becoming self-conscious about her hair, even becoming envious of my hair. I DO NOT want her to have unnecessary self-esteem issues; she's a pretty girl. I feel somewhat responsible for the state of her hair, and want to get her hair on track now before she gets any older.

How do you ladies feel about sisterlocs on a young girl?
Would locs be a way for her hair to grow longer?
How would I manage her dandruff problem with loced hair?
Are Sisterlocs a hairstyle she can easily maintain with my help?
Can you recommend someone in the Atlanta area?
Is there an alternative to Sisterlocs that I should look into?

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Hey Shun!

There was a time early in my transition I was seriously considering sisterlocks myself and it originated from a spirit of frustration just like you. I eventually recognized thats never a good place from which to make a major decision and opted not to loc my hair and learn what I needed to do to get my hair to thrive and I'm happy I did because I love my coils now. Another important factor was I'm an adult making these decisions about my hair, she isn't

Honestly, I'm not down with ANY permanent styles on a child. I honestly believe that if your hair is unmanageable......its because you haven't learned to manage it yet. If her hair isn't thriving under your current regimen, then that simply means that you still need to find the right regimen for her and try new products and techniques until you can settle on staples.

I think big decisions like locs and relaxers need to be made by someone who is at the very least in their late teens or in adulthood....for now leave her hair as god made it and let her decide furthur down the line....in the mean time...do some searches using the search tool at the top right using the keywords of the issues you're having with her hair and see what remedies and products others have used.

DEFINITELY check out the chidrens hair care forum...some of these mothers have their daughters regimen on lock so well I'm about to try some of it myself and my regimen is already complete!

This site is an amazing resource....I'm sure you can find a resolution for her hair in its current state. Whats your current regimen for her? What kinds of styles does she typically wear?

 

[lilikoi]

I am so glad I saw the post about Sisterlocs. I need help! I am thinking about having my eleven year old niece’s hair loced. I have done EVERYTHING I know how to do to get her natural 4b hair to grow longer than 4 inches. I have cut my hair three times into a TWA, and I have always been able to grow it out. My hair is apl now. I have had custody of my niece for five years, and her hair is barely chin length. I treat her hair with the same care I do mine, but it will not grow. She also has terrible dandruff that will not go away. I haven't taken her to a dermatologist as I thought it would eventually go away with time. I've made plans to see a doctor soon. She is growing up and is becoming self-conscious about her hair, even becoming envious of my hair. I DO NOT want her to have unnecessary self-esteem issues; she's a pretty girl. I feel somewhat responsible for the state of her hair, and want to get her hair on track now before she gets any older.

How do you ladies feel about sisterlocs on a young girl?
Would locs be a way for her hair to grow longer?
How would I manage her dandruff problem with loced hair?
Are Sisterlocs a hairstyle she can easily maintain with my help?
Can you recommend someone in the Atlanta area?
Is there an alternative to Sisterlocs that I should look into?

Thanks in advance!

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about this. I also agree that permanent hairstyles should be avoided in young children. The bolded comment caught my attention: start using Nizoral (ketoconazole) 2% shampoo. No only will it probably take care of the dandruff, but it also has been shown to stimulate hair growth (Google it!) try it for a few weeks then go to the dermatologist if it doesn't improve (the dandruff, that is--the growth will have to wait...)

Be patient and don't do anything drastic. Best of luck.

 

[Shun34]

Thanks ladies for responding. I agree that the decision to loc my niece's hair should not be taken lightly. However, she has expressed to me that she likes them. I would rather her hair undergo a physical change than a chemical change (relaxer), if it meant she could have a head full of healthy hair. After much research, I know that locs are not as low maintenance as they seem. They may be more trouble than they are worth, which is one of the reasons why I'm still undecided. I looked into Nizoral shampoo, and I considered trying it. However, it is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Until she and I see a dermatologist, which will be soon, I will continue to use Neutrogena T-Gel. I've also considered a new styling option. I normally blowdry after washing and conditioning, which may be the source of her perpetual dry hair. Next time, I think I will twist her hair wet with a mixture of butters and oils, set ends on small perm rods, let dry under a hooded dryer, for a twist out that can be worn up in one or two a loose buns. I could moisturize and twist her hair again before bed. I think keeping her hair braided (cornrolls for maybe 1-2 years) has caused damage. I style her hair the way my mother styled mine. I never worn my hair in ponytails or straightened except on special occasions. My mother kept my hair in cornrolls or large french braids. I think my niece's hair is suffering from this type of styling. Perhaps her hair should be worn loose more often. I'll see how this works. If it doesn't, her hair will be loced.

 

[DeepBluSea]

Someone listed a natural treatment for dandruff. It involved neem or coconut oil. I have personally used tea tree oil for my DH and DD with bad dandruff. It works as well. The doctor can give her prescription strength nizoral. It works, but dries out our hair something awful. So you would have to back it up with a good conditioner. Her hair is not growing because her scalp is unhealthy. If you could fix the dandruff, I'll bet her hair would grow. She should get locs for the style, not because she thinks it is her only option for long hair.

 

[Ivonnovi]

If she has dandruff, I'm thinking the less products the better.

For natural hair care int he A-T-L check out : Taliah Waajid @ http://www.naturalhair.org

Also Motown Girls Website was most helpful ifor me: http://www.motowngirl.com/index.php/how-tos/

If your niece is admiring lenght, and your are still thinking about locs for her. Try Yarn braids, extensions. these look natural, are light, and can be made to resemble locks.
Child with yarn twists/braids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2uwii258kg&feature=fvsr

How-to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdPNZ-Ze-Aw&feature=related

Another how-to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAvISKG_pwY&feature=fvw

 

[Nubenap22]

I agree why dont you find some kind of natural herb or oil mix before trying all the other options? I had dry itchy scalp when I was relaxed and since then I've had no problem. Please please do research!!! The sisterlocs may be as bad as an option as the kiddie perm for her....or who knows???

 

[NerdSauce]

My biggest cause of dandruff was relaxing...but you've said she's natural. The other thing that helped was more frequent washing, but with less overall shampooing (also helps with the moisture.)

Also, the blowdrying after washing is not good. Some people's hair just can't handle it (mine can't either.) Definitely just stretch her hair by twisting it! It will make a world of good. Also I think you'll see results with retention since its much lower manipulation as well. Also try maybe styling it just twisted, instead of twist outs all the time? For me wearing my hair out too often = a lot of knots and split ends, especially if my hair is going through a period of dryness. It would still be easier on her scalp than cornrows right?

ALSO i just realised, I tend to have greater issues with dry scalp and dandruff when blowdrying too frequently.

I think the recommendations for natural oil mixes including tea tree oil are very good especially since her hair seems to be dry and brittle since unlike a shampoo it has less potential to exacerbate that problem.

I hope my rambling helps, lol.

 

[suburbanbushbabe]

BlackMasterPieces reply was an excellent one. ITA with everything. If she has dandruff now, she'll have dandruff with sisterlocs, it will probably be more noticeable.

And with such a focus on her hair, it's very easy to see why she's so self-conscious. Your neice is not her hair, she's a whole person with other talents and skills and beautiful characteristics. This emphasis on hair, hair, hair would make anyone feel self-conscious. The message you're giving her is -- your hair is inferior to mine and others unless it grows. It's not good enough as it is and has to be changed. Don't perpetuate that message.

I feel somewhat responsible for the state of her hair, and want to get her hair on track now before she gets any older.

You shouldn't feel responsible for the state of her hair. But IMO you bear some responsibility for her state of mind, your dislike of her current hair state, and her envy of yours.

The other thing about sisterlocs or any permanent hair change is if she wants to change her hair back it all has to get cut off. If her hair's not going past chin length, just deal with it. Wash it gently, condition it often, moisturize/oil it, protect it with twists and braids, and love it as it is. Most likely it's growing, but the ends are breaking off.

Dandruff - Nizoral and other things can be harsh and drying. Try natural remedies. Neem, nettle, fenugreek, chamomile. Neem stinks, but I use a neem soap bar to wash my hair that is scented and doesn't stink - Theraneem Maximum strength neem soap with sweet orange and ylang ylang. The "maximum strength" is 20% neem. It cleans without stripping or tangling (actually starts to help my hair smooth out). Indian stores sell neem as well as other ayurvedic powders that are very good for hair. Refined emu oil is said to be great for the scalp and hair and encourages growth.

 

[SueA2]

Your niece may have eczema, which is usually caused by sensitivity to food or product. I would advise that you have her pediatrician look at it.

 

[Shun34]

BlackMasterPieces reply was an excellent one. ITA with everything. If she has dandruff now, she'll have dandruff with sisterlocs, it will probably be more noticeable.

And with such a focus on her hair, it's very easy to see why she's so self-conscious. Your neice is not her hair, she's a whole person with other talents and skills and beautiful characteristics. This emphasis on hair, hair, hair would make anyone feel self-conscious. The message you're giving her is -- your hair is inferior to mine and others unless it grows. It's not good enough as it is and has to be changed. Don't perpetuate that message.

You shouldn't feel responsible for the state of her hair. But IMO you bear some responsibility for her state of mind, your dislike of her current hair state, and her envy of yours.

The other thing about sisterlocs or any permanent hair change is if she wants to change her hair back it all has to get cut off. If her hair's not going past chin length, just deal with it. Wash it gently, condition it often, moisturize/oil it, protect it with twists and braids, and love it as it is. Most likely it's growing, but the ends are breaking off.

Dandruff - Nizoral and other things can be harsh and drying. Try natural remedies. Neem, nettle, fenugreek, chamomile. Neem stinks, but I use a neem soap bar to wash my hair that is scented and doesn't stink - Theraneem Maximum strength neem soap with sweet orange and ylang ylang. The "maximum strength" is 20% neem. It cleans without stripping or tangling (actually starts to help my hair smooth out). Indian stores sell neem as well as other ayurvedic powders that are very good for hair. Refined emu oil is said to be great for the scalp and hair and encourages growth.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. Outside opinions from knowledgeable people are always helpful when one is in doubt. However, I did not expect to receive a response such as the one above. I am not sure what it was about my post that gave the impression that my priorities are out of order when it comes to the care and nurturing of my child. Please rest assured that I take very good care of my niece, and her state of mind is of utmost importance to me. She has adjusted well in my custody considering everything that she has gone through. She is an excellent student and an avid reader. Her math skills have a lot to be desired, but we are working on that. She runs tracks, plays the violin, and sings in her school choir. I am amazed at how fast she is growing; I suspect she will be taller than me by the end of the year. Not only is she changing physically, but her interests are also changing. She is becoming more and more adamant about what she wears to school and how she wears her hair. This is NOT my doing. It is a natural change that all children go through as they make the transition from childhood to adolescence. Since her hair is becoming more important to her, and she has expressed an interest in having her hair loced, I thought I'd look into it to decide whether it would be a viable option for her.

I have been a lurker on this board for a long time, but just recently started to post comments. I love it when women come together in any capacity to help each other, and I truly appreciate all of your help. However, having to respond in this manner when I simply asked a few questions about locs is a little disconcerting.

 

[Ivonnovi]

Shun34 , when you post here on LHCF do EXPECT the UNEXPECTED. Bottom line is you posted for outside opinions, and you will get some, and often some from outside your box. DONT BE DISCOURAGED, take it with a grain of salt, and KIM.

It's happened to me too.

 

[Desarae]

Sisterlocs are not low maintenence. They have to be retightened every 6-8 weeks and can be very costly.

I agree with BlackMasterPiece's post.

Maybe you should try braid extensions with the Crown and Glory Regimen.

www.growafrohairlong.com