Lock It Up! Support Thread (Sisterlocs, Dreads, Freeform, Etc)

[msdeevee]

@msdeevee and @mz.rae: How are your edges? On a video someone gave the opinion that SLs aren't good for edges, but I had never heard this before. Also did your scalp hurt after install/retightening? I'm assuming scalp tenderness varies by consultant and client (sensitive scalp).

Though I wanted to be locd by now, looks like my next window of opportunity for traditional starter locs will be in a few weeks, but I'm still researching (and collecting lots of loc porn). I'm also getting color this weekend. Meanwhile, I came across this microlocs install video yesterday. They did a pretty darn good job, I think:

So sorry for the late response. I've been incognegro.

My edges are great. In fact my edges have filled out since my install. Yesterday 4/25 was my official 9 months locked. I had sparse spots on each side at my temple area from years of braids & twists. My whole head of Sisterlocks is growing like a weed. I am now able to pull it into not a ponytail but a rooster tail like my Mom used to call it. When I was installed I was growing out a balded fade.

Like said upthread if you go to a skilled consultant they won't be trying to pull every last inch or piece of tender edge hair into your lock which will break it right off just like braiding.

Since I've been locked I use a drop or two of JBCO on each area and massage it in and I've noticed that those spots are filling in nicely. No type of locks are good for edges if they're pulled too tight or get too heavy on your edges. Sisterlocks are not heavy.

My neighbor had traditional locks for years and because they were heavy she had to cut them all off last year because they were pulling out her hair.

As for the tenderness, I don't remember feeling the tenderness after my initial install but yes, sometimes my scalp is tender for a day or 2 after a retight. Not painful just a little tender. I just got a retight on the 19th and I didn't have tenderness this time. Maybe it's the time of month or something. I'm not tender headed so the tenderness did surprise me. I guess it's just the manipulation of the scalp or not really manipulation but the tool touching your scalp as they do the rotations that causes the tenderness. Like said it's not painful though. I've heard some take a Tylenol before a retight but to me it's not necessary.

Bottom line Sisterlocks is the best hair decision I've ever made. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner or start it when my hair was longer.

@BillsBackerz67 ..You're locks are thriving and growing like crazy . They are beautiful.

 

[Transformer]

@msdeevee

Are you doing your own retightening? If so, which tool are you using?

 

[msdeevee]

@msdeevee

Are you doing your own retightening? If so, which tool are you using?

@Transformer

No, not yet but I told My consultant last week that my next appointment will be the retight class.

I want to be able to do my own retights. I was never a salon person even when I was permed or a loose hair natural. My experience with my consultant is much different. She has a private salon and she's very sweet and knowledgeable but having to spend almost $200. Every 6 weeks forever is not in my plans.

I have the easy lock tool and the nappy lock tool already but I'm looking forward to getting the SL hook and I'll see which one I feel most comfy with. My consultant uses the latch hook tool for at least half of my retight. I won't be using that but I can see using it on longer thicker locks.

I plan on still seeing her every 4-5 months though until I have it down because ultimately I want to always maintain my grid.

What are your plans?

 

[Transformer]

@Transformer

No, not yet but I told My consultant last week that my next appointment will be the retight class.

I want to be able to do my own retights. I was never a salon person even when I was permed or a loose hair natural. My experience with my consultant is much different. She has a private salon and she's very sweet and knowledgeable but having to spend almost $200. Every 6 weeks forever is not in my plans.

I have the easy lock tool and the nappy lock tool already but I'm looking forward to getting the SL hook and I'll see which one I feel most comfy with. My consultant uses the latch hook tool for at least half of my retight. I won't be using that but I can see using it on longer thicker locks.

I plan on still seeing her every 4-5 months though until I have it down because ultimately I want to always maintain my grid.

What are your plans?

I took the class last Aug and receive the SL Hook. I need to develop a schedule--do 1/8 of head every x days. Right now I just find it easier to hand the lady 125.00 every 6 weeks. I'm wondering what will happen when I get old, especially since I already suffer from severe carpal tunnel.

 

[msdeevee]

I took the class last Aug and receive the SL Hook. I need to develop a schedule--do 1/8 of head every x days. Right now I just find it easier to hand the lady 125.00 every 6 weeks. I'm wondering what will happen when I get old, especially since I already suffer from severe carpal tunnel.

That's my plan too. When I'm doing it on my own I will do it as needed a little bit at a time.

My cost for retights is 165.00 every 6 weeks and my hair grows fast she would really like for me to come every 4 weeks.

I love my Sisterlocks but I've got other things to do. I love good clothes and shoes too .

 

[Transformer]

@msdeevee

By the way, I don't have the grid. I didn't want it because of fine hair strands--the parts would be more pronounced.

 

[nothidden]

So sorry for the late response. I've been incognegro.

My edges are great. In fact my edges have filled out since my install. Yesterday 4/25 was my official 9 months locked. I had sparse spots on each side at my temple area from years of braids & twists. My whole head of Sisterlocks is growing like a weed. I am now able to pull it into not a ponytail but a rooster tail like my Mom used to call it. When I was installed I was growing out a balded fade.

Like said upthread if you go to a skilled consultant they won't be trying to pull every last inch or piece of tender edge hair into your lock which will break it right off just like braiding.

Since I've been locked I use a drop or two of JBCO on each area and massage it in and I've noticed that those spots are filling in nicely. No type of locks are good for edges if they're pulled too tight or get too heavy on your edges. Sisterlocks are not heavy.

My neighbor had traditional locks for years and because they were heavy she had to cut them all off last year because they were pulling out her hair.

As for the tenderness, I don't remember feeling the tenderness after my initial install but yes, sometimes my scalp is tender for a day or 2 after a retight. Not painful just a little tender. I just got a retight on the 19th and I didn't have tenderness this time. Maybe it's the time of month or something. I'm not tender headed so the tenderness did surprise me. I guess it's just the manipulation of the scalp or not really manipulation but the tool touching your scalp as they do the rotations that causes the tenderness. Like said it's not painful though. I've heard some take a Tylenol before a retight but to me it's not necessary.

Bottom line Sisterlocks is the best hair decision I've ever made. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner or start it when my hair was longer.

Sounds good and congratulations on your install. I'm sure I will be elated when I get my starter locs.

 

[msdeevee]

Sounds good and congratulations on your install. I'm sure I will be elated when I get my starter locs.

Believe me, you will.

If you haven't already join the FB forum Sisterlocked & lovin' it. You will see so many newbies and ladies that have had SL's for years with all edges in tact. You'll get a lot of great info.

 

[Oasis]

i've never been into sisterlocs or any thin locs for that matter. i like them fat and juicy and a little bit messy and i don't want a retwist to take longer than 30 minutes. even that is too long.

BUT i'm drooling right now. her locs are sooooooo beautiful! i love how full and fro-y sisterlocs tend to look. that is something i really miss.


i want to start mine over because my parts are ****ed. at the time i didn't think parting was that important because i knew i would never wear the super manicured, pulled back in a painful intricate style hairdo. because of my laziness and carelessness i have 1 loc the size of a fettuccine noodle and another the size of one of those big crayola markers side by side all over my head. i definitely don't want them perfect but i would like to them be relatively uniform in size.

im 100% not picking them out and i don't want to start from scratch so i feel like the only option is to cut my hair and install fake but permanent locs. last time i checked a few years ago that was like $1000+.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

i've never been into sisterlocs or any thin locs for that matter. i like them fat and juicy and a little bit messy and i don't want a retwist to take longer than 30 minutes. even that is too long.

BUT i'm drooling right now. her locs are sooooooo beautiful! i love how full and fro-y sisterlocs tend to look. that is something i really miss.


i want to start mine over because my parts are ****ed. at the time i didn't think parting was that important because i knew i would never wear the super manicured, pulled back in a painful intricate style hairdo. because of my laziness and carelessness i have 1 loc the size of a fettuccine noodle and another the size of one of those big crayola markers side by side all over my head. i definitely don't want them perfect but i would like to them be relatively uniform in size.

im 100% not picking them out and i don't want to start from scratch so i feel like the only option is to cut my hair and install fake but permanent locs. last time i checked a few years ago that was like $1000+.

Is it possible that you can split the larger loc?

 

[nothidden]

i've never been into sisterlocs or any thin locs for that matter. i like them fat and juicy and a little bit messy and i don't want a retwist to take longer than 30 minutes. even that is too long.

BUT i'm drooling right now. her locs are sooooooo beautiful! i love how full and fro-y sisterlocs tend to look. that is something i really miss.

I've never been into them either, nor microlocs, but have recently found some beeeeautiful pics online...mostly on Pinterest.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

I've never been into them either, nor microlocs, but have recently found some beeeeautiful pics online...mostly on Pinterest.

Yep I LOVE the way they look but thats about it. The cost alone is why id never consider them. Plus i dont have the patience to do retighten them myself. Im struggling with the mere 120 I have already Lol.

 

[nothidden]

Yep I LOVE the way they look but thats about it. The cost alone is why id never consider them. Plus i dont have the patience to do retighten them myself. Im struggling with the mere 120 I have already Lol.

For me they are just too small. It's the start/maintenance time that would kill me. I struggle hyping myself up to section for washday.

 

[Oasis]

Is it possible that you can split the larger loc?

i probably could but i want them all marker sized not fettucinne sized.

 

[Guapa1]

Aw ladies, it's so nice to see your pictures!
I haven't been looking after my hair at all.
I really don't like the freshly loc'd look, I like big hair, so I've been tightening the perimeter and letting the middle do what it does
It got really tangled at the root though, so I separated them yesterday and I'm going to do an acv rinse and oil treatment.

 

[mz.rae]

I'll be sisterlocked for a month come the 8th. I'm trying to be patient but I am really anxious for some length! I'm missing my long hair.

 

[TeeKay21]

I been sisterlocked for a month now and I LOVE IT! Being military, they make my life so much easier.

I've been using my steam rollers to curl them and the steam makes them so soft and moisturized! It's the best hair decision I've ever made.

 

[KimPossibli]

So I kinda got my locs started yesterday ...

I say kinda because I was so sure I wanted medium to big locs, but now I'm not so sure...

Welp

I'm going to hold onto them for at least 6 weeks and see how it goes

 

[nothidden]

I been sisterlocked for a month now and I LOVE IT! Being military, they make my life so much easier.

I've been using my steam rollers to curl them and the steam makes them so soft and moisturized! It's the best hair decision I've ever made.

Gorgeous! OMG...y'all and these sisterlocks. I am really beginning to consider these. You cannot beat the versatility, but they are so different from traditional locs.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

So I kinda got my locs started yesterday ...

I say kinda because I was so sure I wanted medium to big locs, but now I'm not so sure...

Welp

I'm going to hold onto them for at least 6 weeks and see how it goes

You can always marry and merge....with smaller ones to go larger.

 

[mz.rae]

I been sisterlocked for a month now and I LOVE IT! Being military, they make my life so much easier.

I've been using my steam rollers to curl them and the steam makes them so soft and moisturized! It's the best hair decision I've ever made.

View attachment 397961

Your hair is gorgeous!! I'm going to have to give steam rollers a try!

 

[TeeKay21]

Your hair is gorgeous!! I'm going to have to give steam rollers a try!

Thx! I'm loving my starter phase and looking forward to this journey.

Definitely give the rollers a shot! I've always loved them on my relaxed hair, my natural hair and of course now. Can't beat the speed once you figure out how much steam to let in the roller and get your system going.

 

[TeeKay21]

Gorgeous! OMG...y'all and these sisterlocks. I am really beginning to consider these. You cannot beat the versatility, but they are so different from traditional locs.

Than you!

I love traditional locs too, but I have strict guidelines on how large my locs can be being military. Plus, when they grow out, they can't get too thick to make a neat, medium-ish bun to stay within regulations. That's why I chose sisterlocks.

An additional plus was being able to wash weekly right away since we workout all the time and my head gets sweaty so much. It's been great!

 

[RoundEyedGirl504]

I'm getting a consultation for sisterlocks next week. I'm excited but nervous, they're so tiny and I feel like they will take forever to install.

 

[nothidden]

Than you!

I love traditional locs too, but I have strict guidelines on how large my locs can be being military. Plus, when they grow out, they can't get too thick to make a neat, medium-ish bun to stay within regulations. That's why I chose sisterlocks.

An additional plus was being able to wash weekly right away since we workout all the time and my head gets sweaty so much. It's been great!

So cool that you guys can wear them!!

I'm kinda nervous about how thick my locs will become which is why I want to start small, and would prefer that they not expand beyond the size of a pencil. It occurred to me while watching a video that using an interlocking method is a cool way to maintain the size. At the same time, I'm interested in seeing what my hair does as it locs. Ugh...

 

[Platinum]

View attachment 396209 Ok so i went to a loctitian in Rochester. It's about 70 miles east of Buffalo. I did google search after google search and found a lady named Erlande. She did an amazing job! Shes from Haiti and very much into holistic living. Specializing in locs for over 20 years. She commented that whomever started my locs knew what they were doing because the ratios were perfect. Thanks Damien!

My ONLY complaint when i left her shop was "damn my hair is oily/greasy AF" but thank god it was. I fell asleep on the couch and it absorbed all that oil and then some had not an ounce of frizz or anything. Hair still nice and moisturized.

She uses her own products and depending on how my hair holds up I may buy the loc pomade she used and have my girl use it on my edges in Dallas once I go back. My edges are still laid and thats rare. So ill be going to her for my retwists until August, and whenever I come to Buffalo, I now have someone to go to.

I posted my one year collage on instagram! I really really appreciate this thread! I learned so much from you lovely ladies and yall were so kind to be "here" for me when all my progress was washed out after 3 months! I can now laugh about it! Lol. Time flies!





View attachment 396205 View attachment 396207

The ingredients are:
Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Castor Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cera Alba, Black Seed Oil, Fragrance: Papaya.

I don't know why I haven't been getting notifications from this thread. I would love to to try that loc pomade. Does she have a website?

 

[BillsBackerz67]

I don't know why I haven't been getting notifications from this thread. I would love to to try that loc pomade. Does she have a website?

Sometimes you have to resubscribe or rewatch the thread. Same thing happened to me.

Erlandeslocks.com is the website. Click on shop and scroll down. i believe she provides a refund if the product is returned within 21 days.

 

[msdeevee]

@TeeKay21 ...your Sisterlocks look beautiful. Have you asked your consultant about the steam rollers?

I forgot I have some from way back in the day I may have to pull them out again.

I ask because I asked my consultant if I could use my steamer now and she said not yet. I'm 10 months in. She said my Sisterlocks were too new and not fully locked yet. I know it's more steam than the steam rollers but I Would ask to be sure. These locks are an investment. I don't wanna do nothing to mess them up.

If I curl my locks I use old fashioned sponge rollers or lock loops. My consultant even showed me how to pin curl to get a soft curl.

 

[Oasis]

what are yalls go to methods for curly/crimpy/wavy locs? any tips or tricks to share?

ive found that when i wash my hair and braid it while it's wet it results in lackluster curls that dont last long - even if my hair is completely dry when i remove the braids.

i've found it works so much better on dry hair that i dampen with spray bottle.

 

[BillsBackerz67]

what are yalls go to methods for curly/crimpy/wavy locs? any tips or tricks to share?

ive found that when i wash my hair and braid it while it's wet it results in lackluster curls that dont last long - even if my hair is completely dry when i remove the braids.

i've found it works so much better on dry hair that i dampen with spray bottle.

I think the same concept applies to locs as it would loose hair in that waves and curls hold better on "dirty" hair. If i wanted my hair curled for any type of event 1-2 week old dirty straight hair was my best bet for the style to look great and hold! They have a few youtibe tutorials on paperbag curs on locs. The results are very pretty. Im not sure how cumbersome the process is