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

[Arian]

Does the fuzzy root issue get better when fully loc'd? I got a re-twist on 12/30 and I already look like I've been winging for 6 weeks. I guess my hair is growing so rapidly, since I haven't really been doing anything to it. I was just wondering if the root re-twist was less of an issue once you fully loc.

 

[Locedandloaded]

Does the fuzzy root issue get better when fully loc'd? I got a re-twist on 12/30 and I already look like I've been winging for 6 weeks. I guess my hair is growing so rapidly, since I haven't really been doing anything to it. I was just wondering if the root re-twist was less of an issue once you fully loc.

I'm two years in and still get fuzzy roots! Some people never lose them but for others they disappear when the hair fully locs. It usually depends on your hair type. If you're covering them at night and retwisting often there's not much else you can do other than maybe try latching or wearing styles where your roots are 'stretched' like updos or ponytails.

 

[LavenderMint]

Hi, everyone!! I've been on LHCF for a bit (was looking for info on the MHM) but JUST found this thread.



1. How long have you been on your loc journey? Geez.... feels like forever! I've been locked since 2002.
2. What made you decide to embark on a loc journey? I had been natural off and on since I was 14 (a poorly thought out decision to relax my hair for senior prom). After transitioning with minimal support on my college campus and coming to know my texture (coarse), density (super thick), type (4c), I was beyond distressed and desperate. No one anywhere, irl or online, had any plausible solutions for how to take care of my kind of natural hair and as it got longer (I made it to SL but shrinkage sucks), it got more challenging. So, in an attempt to avoid another big chop, save my sanity, and just come to terms with my hair, I decided to loc it up.
3. How long do you plan to stay loc'd? Well....... I'm kinda sorta planning to take them down after my wedding in June. I promised my SO I would have long hair at the wedding after he expressed some concerns.
4. What type of locs do you have? Sisterlocs, Traditional, Cultivated, Freeform? Traditional/Braidlocs
5. What process did you use to start your locs? Braids.
6. How do you maintain your locs? At first, I used a latch hook. Sometime in the last 8 years- I think-I switched over to palm rolling. I've experienced some weakening/thinning in my locs at the switchover point.
7. What, if any, products do you use on your locs? At this point, I'm a cowash only lady; I usually do a once a month dc with tea tree and other essential oils (peppermint, lemon, rosemary-separately- are my faves). I also use Taliah Waajid Lock It Up for retwists, Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter and Oyin Handmade Greg Juice. Right now, I'm using these up so I can switch to all homemade hair care products.

 

[LavenderMint]

Someone asked for hair pics. So.... I was 17 in the first and three years natural. My brother called my twists "Mea worms" lol the most recent is the red dress (I'm a Grouchy Ladybug) and pigtails. As long as my hair is, I still love my pigtails!!

 

[LavenderMint]

Does the fuzzy root issue get better when fully loc'd? I got a re-twist on 12/30 and I already look like I've been winging for 6 weeks. I guess my hair is growing so rapidly, since I haven't really been doing anything to it. I was just wondering if the root re-twist was less of an issue once you fully loc.

Loc'd for 12 years. I no longer get fuzzy roots unless I wash/rinse and agitate them, agitate during the dry AND don't retwist. I usually tie my hair down/up at night and, as locedandloaded mentioned, usually wear my hair down or in combo ponys stretching them.

 

[Arian]

Someone asked for hair pics. So.... I was 17 in the first and three years natural. My brother called my twists "Mea worms" lol the most recent is the red dress (I'm a Grouchy Ladybug) and pigtails. As long as my hair is, I still love my pigtails!!

Love!!!!!!

 

[Arian]

Nine more days to go before my second retwist. I am noticing more buds, but nothing else happening. I also notice some shrinkage.

 

[Platinum]

I haven't retwisted my locs since Thanksgiving. I'm trying to decide if I want to retwist this afternoon or just wait a few more weeks. I'm also thinking about palm rolling this time, just to see how it works for me. I usually interlock, though.

 

[LavenderMint]

I'm also thinking about palm rolling this time, just to see how it works for me. I usually interlock, though.

I started out interlocking and then switched to palm rolling. The transition area is a bit thin in each loc and I have to be careful of those areas so they don't break off.

 

[Arian]

I am now 3 days away from my 3rd re-twist. Today, I used a headband to camouflage my roots. So far, so good! I actually hate the way my hair looks after a re-twist, but...oh well.

 

[Platinum]

8 months loc'd tpday!! I can shake my Locs now. I'm almost completely loc'd as well. The top of my crown is a softer texture than the rest of my hair. Loving my journey!

 

[Arian]

Fresh retwist, 2nd one...

 

[Foxglove]

Hi guys, it's been a while since I checked in. I'm about 5.5 months locked and I did switch to a new consultant who I love. She is certified but actually charges less than my trainee consultant and she's really knowledgable and super sweet. I have to say I was a little arrogant about my hair (I thought it was 4c so it would lock fully in no time) but I'm having to eat humble pie lol. My edges are taking a lot longer to settle and even if I bundle and braid before washing they keep slipping. My new consultant also said the locks on the edges had a lot of gaps so either the trainee may have installed them incorrectly or they were getting too much water or oil. She tried a tighter pattern on the edges and I'm supposed to cut down on the amount of spritzing I do to see if they improve or she may have to do some repair on these. I didn't tell her but I hadn't been using a shower cap so I started using one after I saw her. That's it for now

 

[LavenderMint]

Foxglove I'm 12 years locked and parts of my head STILL need a lot of help staying twisted lol
You may very well be 4c on the majority of your head and have sections of other types.

The two or three rows in the very back of my head give me the retwist blues!! I know very well from six years as a loose natural that most of my head is a happy 4c but over time spent locked, I've come to realize that the very back of my head and the sections right over my ears may very well be 3c/4a. It happens. :-/

Enjoy the journey!! :-D

 

[Arian]

I notice that my hair is tightening up, if that makes sense. It seems like the twists in the back of my head are budding near the root area, which I have heard is unusual.

I still need to do some negativity cleaning during this journey--getting off Facebook was just the beginning. Have to start working on the people in my life & stay out of the parts of the forum that breed negativity. I want everything about this time period to be positive and uplifting.

I could also stand to control my temper.

 

[Platinum]

I notice that my hair is tightening up, if that makes sense. It seems like the twists in the back of my head are budding near the root area, which I have heard is unusual.

I still need to do some negativity cleaning during this journey--getting off Facebook was just the beginning. Have to start working on the people in my life & stay out of the parts of the forum that breed negativity. I want everything about this time period to be positive and uplifting.

I could also stand to control my temper.

ITA Arian! I was on the right path with removing negative influences from my life and even changed my diet (vegetarian/vegan). Lately, I have been slacking by allowing people to bring negative energy into my life. I'm going to focus on removing that negativity again, for good.

 

[Oasis]

i was able to retwist my entire head in 28 minutes! now i have no excuse for not doing it more often.

 

[Platinum]

I think I'm going to stick with interlocking. I liked the results that I got when I palmrolled a few weeks ago but it doesn't last for me.

Are any of ladies doing hot oil treatments? What kind are oils are you using?

 

[Arian]

My patience is wearing thin...I didn't think I would be in such a hurry, but every time something traumatic happens to me, I then WISH for my locs to HURRY!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[Arian]

Any product recommendations for re-twisting? I need to find something to bring to my appointments because the product that my loctitian uses causes flaking for me.

What are you all using?

 

[Platinum]

Any product recommendations for re-twisting? I need to find something to bring to my appointments because the product that my loctitian uses causes flaking for me. What are you all using?

Arian I don't really use any products for re-twisting other than Aloe Vera gel (from the leaf) because I interlock my new growth. I've talked to other loc'ers who use Taliah Waaijid with good results.

You may also want to go on YouTube and look up natural locking gel recipes. I forgot to mention that I use natural oils like coconut, jojoba and JBCO with the AVG.

 

[Arian]

Thanks Platinum.

 

[LavenderMint]

I think I'm going to stick with interlocking. I liked the results that I got when I palmrolled a few weeks ago but it doesn't last for me. Are any of ladies doing hot oil treatments? What kind are oils are you using?

I add oils to my CoWash and deep condition. I had to do some major research because most oils, carriers and commercial, made my face break out. At this time I'm only using essential oils, no carriers, to highly diluted conditioner. I've used tea tree, lavender, peppermint, lemon, lime & rosemary, separately and in various combinations.

I've been avoiding a full out oil treatment. The logistics of removing enough oil to not be a walking lint trap have defeated me. My hair has responded well to a deep condition with essential oils.

 

[LavenderMint]

Any product recommendations for re-twisting? I need to find something to bring to my appointments because the product that my loctitian uses causes flaking for me. What are you all using?

I haven't found anything I really *love* for retwisting. There have been a few I've HATED for various reasons (**cough**Jamaican Mango & Lime**cough**) If I had to choose ONE product, it would be Taliah Waajid's Lock It Up, sparingly.

Right now, I actually use a combo of Jason Naturals aloe gel or aloe oil and Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter or As I Am Doublebutter Cream. I keep a spray bottle of water nearby to keep my roots damp.... No flakes & no untwisting before I want. I guess I'm following the LOC method with my retwisting...?

 

[Arian]

I have some things under the sink. I have a Camille Rose product, but I think it is the Curl Maker gel. I wonder if that would work without flaking...

 

[Oasis]

i use aloe vera gel as well.

 

[Arian]

I'm thinking about making flaxseed gel again. I used to enjoy making it, so I will try it again.

What can I buy to thicken it up a bit?

 

[Platinum]

I'm thinking about making flaxseed gel again. I used to enjoy making it, so I will try it again. What can I buy to thicken it up a bit?

I've never tried Flaxseed Gel Arian. How did it work for you when you made it before?

 

[Arian]

I liked it, and it had solid hold.

Question: Is it wise to change loctitians in the middle of the transition? Mine is really on my bad side right now. She is unprofessional when it comes to appointments...I'm just fed up with her.

 

[ChasingBliss]

Retwist on Saturday 3/7. It's been 5 months....I did it! I free formed for 5 months. After Saturday....I may go the rest of the year without retwisting. We will see.