My reasons for wanting to lock my hair

H

Harina

Well-Known Member
So I think I am going to lock or sisterlock my hair. As much as I love my natural 4b hair, it's far too much work. The natural hair has won this battel. Too much twisting, and detangling, oh the detangling, and deep conditioning. I know that dreadlocks don't necessarily mean carefree hair, but I'm under the impression that they are the most low maintenance afro hair style of all time.


1. I want hair that has natural hang. That is absolutely impossible with my fluffy, light, -20lb hair. I don't have time for shingling and twisting

2. I don't really want to go back to chemicals. I like being natural.

3. I want to be able to curl my hair without worrying about heat damage (pipe cleaners)

4. I want to be able to wash my hair or get into a swimming pool without worrying that It's going to look a hot mess afterwards.

5. I always wear braids and twists anyway. I'm in twists now. And I especially like the way my hair looks in yearn braids or the african threaded style.

6. I'm already kind of "alternative" as it is. :look:

Downsides would be the price for installation and not being able to wear my hair straight occasionally. I'm thinking about doing a 5 year lock plan then maybe removing them robably not without a lot of hair loss so I can play with my loose hair and do straight styles , then eventually relocking them.

Looking at these reasons, do you think it is a wise decision?
 
You sound like you have already made up your mind or know what you want to do, and from what you have said your reasons are, I think you should do it if it would make you happier and help you enjoy your hair more.


Good luck on your journey!
 
I think it wouldn't hurt to get temporary loc extensions before you shell out the cash for sister locs :yep:
 
shortycocoa said:
You sound like you have already made up your mind or know what you want to do, and from what you have said your reasons are, I think you should do it if it would make you happier and help you enjoy your hair more.


Good luck on your journey!
Click to expand...

Thank you. It's not completely finalized but I'm like 75% sure. Am I mistaken or are you sisterlocked? How are you liking it? What finally caused you to do it?

Janet' said:
:congrats: on your decision!!!! Keep us posted with pics!
Click to expand...

Thank you.

Daeuiel said:
I think it wouldn't hurt to get temporary loc extensions before you shell out the cash for sister locs :yep:
Click to expand...

That's what I was planning on doing. I was literally just googling loc extensions in Atlanta. Btw, does anyone know of any good places to get this done in Atlanta.
 
have you tried getting kinky twists long term? that should give you similar but less permanent effect
 
My advice to you is to not only think about the time when your locs are mature and it's all smooth sailing. But also understand the process, which could mean very messy looking hair for several months or more.

Also I don't know how or whether you plan on maintaining your locs, but be aware of the cost of having someone else do that, particularly sisterlocks—or the amount of time it will take to do it yourself on a regular basis. Think of these things and your lifestyle when deciding your method and how many locs you would like to have. Some people have no problem with any of it and love maintaning their locs. Others don't want to be bothered.

I started my locs almost a year ago and though I thought I was prepared for what would happen, I did not truly realize the stages my hair would go through. It's been a journey. My hair is not locked yet and probably won't be for another several months to a year. I have a different hair type than you do and I don't have sisterlocks, so I'm not saying this will be your situation. My point is just to be aware of the varying possibilities and realities of the journey.

I wouldn't change a thing, even given the unexpected I've encountered. I love this process and I love my dreads, as messy and crazy as they are right now. I am in no way discouraging you. Just giving a little advice and hoping you will LOVE your experience. Keep us posted!
 
alive said:
have you tried getting kinky twists long term? that should give you similar but less permanent effect
Click to expand...

I've gotten kinky twists before, but only left them in for like a month and a half. When you say long term, how long term do you mean? Do you leave them in for longer than 1.5 months or do you mean that you just get them done all the time?
 
As a someone with 4b+ hair who's had locks more than once everything you've listed makes perfect sense. I've only ever had braidlocks - the affordable alternative to sisterlocks and I was a diy'er. If I do them again I will get sisterlocks coz I want to sit in a chair and let someone else install this time.

I found this out on youtube last year - you can cornrow locks (esp if they're not the big bulky ones) and wear weaves or wigs if you want a change. I think might still have my last set of locks if I'd known that but I found out after the fact. But it's good to know if you're like me and like a change every now and again.
 
Cichelle said:
My advice to you is to not only think about the time when your locs are mature and it's all smooth sailing. But also understand the process, which could mean very messy looking hair for several months or more.

Also I don't know how or whether you plan on maintaining your locs, but be aware of the cost of having someone else do that, particularly sisterlocks—or the amount of time it will take to do it yourself on a regular basis. Think of these things and your lifestyle when deciding your method and how many locs you would like to have. Some people have no problem with any of it and love maintaning their locs. Others don't want to be bothered.

I started my locs almost a year ago and though I thought I was prepared for what would happen, I did not truly realize the stages my hair would go through. It's been a journey. My hair is not locked yet and probably won't be for another several months to a year. I have a different hair type than you do and I don't have sisterlocks, so I'm not saying this will be your situation. My point is just to be aware of the varying possibilities and realities of the journey.

I wouldn't change a thing, even given the unexpected I've encountered. I love this process and I love my dreads, as messy and crazy as they are right now. I am in no way discouraging you. Just giving a little advice and hoping you will LOVE your experience. Keep us posted!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your honesty. Yeah, I have been reading about some horror stories in terms of loc maintenace, hair not locing for a really long time. However, as you pointed out, we don't have the same hair type. I have straight up, cottony kinky 4b hair. Everyone asks me if I'm going to loc my hair because I have the perfect hair for it. So I don't think that will be the problem. It's keeping it from not tangling and locing which seems to be the problem.

My biggest concern is the length and whether they will be full or not right now. Because right now I have roughly a little longer than shoulder length hair, and I don't want them to look scrawny because I'm starting with locs that haven't collected the shed hair...if that makes sense.
 
Tiye said:
As a someone with 4b+ hair who's had locks more than once everything you've listed makes perfect sense. I've only ever had braidlocks - the affordable alternative to sisterlocks and I was a diy'er. If I do them again I will get sisterlocks coz I want to sit in a chair and let someone else install this time.

I found this out on youtube last year - you can cornrow locks (esp if they're not the big bulky ones) and wear weaves or wigs if you want a change. I think might still have my last set of locks if I'd known that but I found out after the fact. But it's good to know if you're like me and like a change every now and again.
Click to expand...

Interesting. How long did it take you to do them yourself? So the only reason you wanted to take your locs down was for a change once in a while??

Wow, at the weaves and wigs with the locks. That must be bulky though? Do you have a link to the cornrowing locs video?
 
You're going to only keep them in for 5 years? If you're going to do that why not just keep your own hair in twists and redo the one's that need refreshing? Also I know some lockers that if the locs are tiny enough they can straighten them. Really amazing what locs can do. Good luck on your journey!
 
Riverrock said:
Thank you for your honesty. Yeah, I have been reading about some horror stories in terms of loc maintenace, hair not locing for a really long time. However, as you pointed out, we don't have the same hair type. I have straight up, cottony kinky 4b hair. Everyone asks me if I'm going to loc my hair because I have the perfect hair for it. So I don't think that will be the problem. It's keeping it from not tangling and locing which seems to be the problem.

My biggest concern is the length and whether they will be full or not right now. Because right now I have roughly a little longer than shoulder length hair, and I don't want them to look scrawny because I'm starting with locs that haven't collected the shed hair...if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

Don't forget about shrinkage. ;-) It's real.

Most definitely your experience will be different than mine. But let me just tell you that I cut my hair to just below bsl before starting my locs. And over the first months it shrunk to above shoulder length! I was warned ahead of time about that from nearly everyone of all different hair textures who had locs. But wow, when it happened, I was stunned!

It's all worth it though, as in the end, with a little patience you will, no doubt, have gorgeous locs! Go for it!
 
Riverrock said:
So I think I am going to lock or sisterlock my hair. As much as I love my natural 4b hair, it's far too much work. The natural hair has won this battel. Too much twisting, and detangling, oh the detangling, and deep conditioning. I know that dreadlocks don't necessarily mean carefree hair, but I'm under the impression that they are the most low maintenance afro hair style of all time.


1. I want hair that has natural hang. That is absolutely impossible with my fluffy, light, -20lb hair. I don't have time for shingling and twisting

2. I don't really want to go back to chemicals. I like being natural.

3. I want to be able to curl my hair without worrying about heat damage (pipe cleaners)

4. I want to be able to wash my hair or get into a swimming pool without worrying that It's going to look a hot mess afterwards.

5. I always wear braids and twists anyway. I'm in twists now. And I especially like the way my hair looks in yearn braids or the african threaded style.

6. I'm already kind of "alternative" as it is. :look:

Downsides would be the price for installation and not being able to wear my hair straight occasionally. I'm thinking about doing a 5 year lock plan then maybe removing them robably not without a lot of hair loss so I can play with my loose hair and do straight styles , then eventually relocking them.

Looking at these reasons, do you think it is a wise decision?
Click to expand...
Sounds like you have your mind made up! My cousin has sisterlocks and they are beautiful! If she gives me her permission I will post a pic. She loves hers.
 
Riverrock said:
Thank you. It's not completely finalized but I'm like 75% sure. Am I mistaken or are you sisterlocked? How are you liking it? What finally caused you to do it?



Thank you.



That's what I was planning on doing. I was literally just googling loc extensions in Atlanta. Btw, does anyone know of any good places to get this done in Atlanta.
Click to expand...


Yes I have Sisterlocks. April 15th of this year marked my one year anniversary of having them. I had contemplated getting locks at various stages of my natural journey, and in 2007-2008 the bug bit me really hard. I had started locks on my own a few times (because I thought I was ready) only to take down my braids or twists after a few weeks or a few days. Then I thought about sisterlocks again, but at the time my husband (bf at the time) and I were going to be relocating to a new city because he got a promotion. It wasn't financially feasible at that time, and I had put it on the back burner since then.

Fast forward a few years later, and I kept thinking about it more and more because I kept feeling like I was at a crossroads regarding my hair. I wanted a change, I wanted more freedom and I wanted my life and my time back, because I was at that point where detangling and the maintenance was taking up too much of my time and my life. I was tired of protective styling all the time and dropping so much money every month on products, and tired of not really being able to wash and go, etc. Plus, I was getting ready to start school and knew I wasn't going to have time to maintain loose hair and I was just read for locks.

So I revisited the thought of getting Sisterlocks and since it was in the budget at the time, I went for it. I have had many challenges over this past year with my hair and am still going through the locking process, but I love it and am glad I stuck with it. Now I am looking forward to seeing what they will look like when they are mature.

Cichelle said:
My advice to you is to not only think about the time when your locs are mature and it's all smooth sailing. But also understand the process, which could mean very messy looking hair for several months or more.

Also I don't know how or whether you plan on maintaining your locs, but be aware of the cost of having someone else do that, particularly sisterlocks—or the amount of time it will take to do it yourself on a regular basis. Think of these things and your lifestyle when deciding your method and how many locs you would like to have. Some people have no problem with any of it and love maintaning their locs. Others don't want to be bothered.

I started my locs almost a year ago and though I thought I was prepared for what would happen, I did not truly realize the stages my hair would go through. It's been a journey. My hair is not locked yet and probably won't be for another several months to a year. I have a different hair type than you do and I don't have sisterlocks, so I'm not saying this will be your situation. My point is just to be aware of the varying possibilities and realities of the journey.

I wouldn't change a thing, even given the unexpected I've encountered. I love this process and I love my dreads, as messy and crazy as they are right now. I am in no way discouraging you. Just giving a little advice and hoping you will LOVE your experience. Keep us posted!
Click to expand...

Very good advice! I couldn't have said it better.

Cichelle said:
Don't forget about shrinkage. ;-) It's real.

Most definitely your experience will be different than mine. But let me just tell you that I cut my hair to just below bsl before starting my locs. And over the first months it shrunk to above shoulder length! I was warned ahead of time about that from nearly everyone of all different hair textures who had locs. But wow, when it happened, I was stunned!

It's all worth it though, as in the end, with a little patience you will, no doubt, have gorgeous locs! Go for it!
Click to expand...

I totally agree!

And Cichelle, if you are who I think you are, your loose hair was the business! I need to see your locks. If you are not who I think you are, do you have an album?

Riverrock, there's a sisterlocks/braidlocks/locks support thread around here somewhere. If you do a search, you should find it. If you have any other questions, I'll be glad to answer them for you.
 
Last edited:
Riverrock said:
Interesting. How long did it take you to do them yourself? So the only reason you wanted to take your locs down was for a change once in a while??

Wow, at the weaves and wigs with the locks. That must be bulky though? Do you have a link to the cornrowing locs video?
Click to expand...



If you're doing small locks then maybe expect maybe a day - it depends on how much hair you have and how fast you can braid. Doesn't have to be in one sitting. Basically you start with micro braiding the hair - without extensions. Then you maintain them by tightening the new growth with a latching technique - if you go to the locks blog exchange (use google to find it) there are lots of ppl with info on how to do it.

Sorry don't remember the youtube user with the weave. i don't follow her and didn't book mark it - she's carribbean - Bajan I think and she did a weave using bohemian proten curly hair if that helps. But underneath she has locks. Yes you can cornrow locks just like loose hair - only thing to keep in mind is the tension issue of course. Locks are stronger than single strand hair but they will still fray and break if you're not careful.

I'm the type of person who gets bored with hairstyles easily so it's exceptional that I committed to locks :) . So yes, for me change is the only reason they come down.
 
I've always admired people's locs, but my experience was not like I expected. I went from bsl length natural hair to hair above my neck due to shrinkage, but I was loving them anyway. By the time they started to drop below my shoulders, they were very thick & heavy, mainly because of the texture of my hair. After washing, they stayed wet for too long, and I was always freaking out about things like mildew, pollen, dust and lint. (I never actually had mildew, but reading about it online freaked me out). Also, I couldn't get to my scalp good enough when washing. I missed the feeling of my scalp being scrubbed by a brush. I ended up cutting them off, and the build-up on my scalp was crazy! I have a twa now, but I still look at locs with longing in my eyes :lol:, especially sisterlocks. Maybe smaller locs don't have the same issues. Mine were pencil-sized & larger.
 
Ipanema said:
I've always admired people's locs, but my experience was not like I expected. I went from bsl length natural hair to hair above my neck due to shrinkage, but I was loving them anyway. By the time they started to drop below my shoulders, they were very thick & heavy, mainly because of the texture of my hair. After washing, they stayed wet for too long, and I was always freaking out about things like mildew, pollen, dust and lint. (I never actually had mildew, but reading about it online freaked me out). Also, I couldn't get to my scalp good enough when washing. I missed the feeling of my scalp being scrubbed by a brush. I ended up cutting them off, and the build-up on my scalp was crazy! I have a twa now, but I still look at locs with longing in my eyes :lol:, especially sisterlocks. Maybe smaller locs don't have the same issues. Mine were pencil-sized & larger.
Click to expand...


Oh wow...how long did you have them for? Got pics? I bet they were beautiful! Do you think you'll lock again in the future?
 
Ipanema said:
I've always admired people's locs, but my experience was not like I expected. I went from bsl length natural hair to hair above my neck due to shrinkage, but I was loving them anyway. By the time they started to drop below my shoulders, they were very thick & heavy, mainly because of the texture of my hair. After washing, they stayed wet for too long, and I was always freaking out about things like mildew, pollen, dust and lint. (I never actually had mildew, but reading about it online freaked me out). Also, I couldn't get to my scalp good enough when washing. I missed the feeling of my scalp being scrubbed by a brush. I ended up cutting them off, and the build-up on my scalp was crazy! I have a twa now, but I still look at locs with longing in my eyes :lol:, especially sisterlocks. Maybe smaller locs don't have the same issues. Mine were pencil-sized & larger.
Click to expand...

I cut mine off because of the same issues - I would wash them and they'd still be wet like a week later. Also I smoked cigarettes and there was no getting rid of that smell :nono:

I originally wanted to comb them out instead of cutting them off. After I spent 8 hours combing out the first one, I grabbed the scissors.

My husband has been growing his for 10 years they're really beautiful and require pretty much no maintenence at all. He just oils his scalp and shampoos. I know mine would have gotten to that point if I had the patience
 
shortycocoa said:
Oh wow...how long did you have them for? Got pics? I bet they were beautiful! Do you think you'll lock again in the future?
Click to expand...

I had them for maybe a year or more. There are some old pics in my fotki, but I keep my albums closed now since I'm not into hair pics anymore.

I'm so tempted to lock again. I'll twist a couple pieces of my hair together sometimes, but it's just not for me.
 
I'm combing my locs out right now. I locked because detangling was a nightmare and I just couldn't deal with it anymore. I've had my locs for 2.5 years, and it's taken about 3 months to get them out, probably because I maintained by latching instead of twisting.

I decided to take them out because I just missed my loose hair and wanted to play with it again. I did like then though. They are pretty low maintenance, and it's easy to make then look nice.
 
i love dreads and i'm itching to relock. and contrary to popular belief there are sooooo many different styles you can do with them.

i may be joining the Air Force and they aren't allowed so that's why i haven't locked now :( but if for some reason i don't join i'm locking up ASAP!
 
Riverrock said:
I've gotten kinky twists before, but only left them in for like a month and a half. When you say long term, how long term do you mean? Do you leave them in for longer than 1.5 months or do you mean that you just get them done all the time?
Click to expand...

hi Riverrock :wave:
i meant that you could put kinky twist in and "refresh them" as time goes by. i haven't done this personally, but i've read about several women that leave their twists in indefinitely and just go through occasionally to redo whatever needs to be redone and they wash and condition the twists -- just like you would regular hair.

If i'm not mistaken, I think Nonie does this with her natural hair sans extensions
 
alive said:
hi Riverrock :wave:
i meant that you could put kinky twist in and "refresh them" as time goes by. i haven't done this personally, but i've read about several women that leave their twists in indefinitely and just go through occasionally to redo whatever needs to be redone and they wash and condition the twists -- just like you would regular hair.

If i'm not mistaken, I think Nonie does this with her natural hair sans extensions
Click to expand...

alive dat's exactly what I do. Put my twists in in August 2010 and I'm still wearing twists. I just redo one at a time as I feel like it or as they need it. If they look really untidy, I'll redo the ones that are on top and that show first and then slowly get to the others. When watching TV, my hands are usually free to play in my hair and that's when I redo them.

I didn't jump in to suggest twists that coz while reading OP's reasons, she said she didn't feel like doing twists so I figured that meant even redoing them.

Riverrock, I hardly spend more than 2 hours a week on my hair. Mid week wash is less than 10 minutes. Weekend wash is at most 30 minutes because it includes a DC. The rest of the time, styling my hair could take anything from a few seconds (when I take off the plastic to reveal my set do) or 5 minutes when I put my twists in some kind of do. I'm lazy and wearing twists 24/7 works nicely for me and my hair is never a chore.
 
Nonie said:
alive dat's exactly what I do. Put my twists in in August 2010 and I'm still wearing twists. I just redo one at a time as I feel like it or as they need it. If they look really untidy, I'll redo the ones that are on top and that show first and then slowly get to the others. When watching TV, my hands are usually free to play in my hair and that's when I redo them.

I didn't jump in to suggest twists that coz while reading OP's reasons, she said she didn't feel like doing twists so I figured that meant even redoing them.

Riverrock, I hardly spend more than 2 hours a week on my hair. Mid week wash is less than 10 minutes. Weekend wash is at most 30 minutes because it includes a DC. The rest of the time, styling my hair could take anything from a few seconds (when I take off the plastic to reveal my set do) or 5 minutes when I put my twists in some kind of do. I'm lazy and wearing twists 24/7 works nicely for me and my hair is never a chore.
Click to expand...

Nonie
isn't it funny how a random person online knows what you do to your hair? :lol: thanks for confirming, i wish i liked twists as much as you do--my hair is fairly easy for me to manage, but it would be a dream come true to never have to do anything to it 90% of the time :yep:
 
Fhrizzball said:
You're going to only keep them in for 5 years? If you're going to do that why not just keep your own hair in twists and redo the one's that need refreshing? Also I know some lockers that if the locs are tiny enough they can straighten them. Really amazing what locs can do. Good luck on your journey!
Click to expand...

this is actually what i have been doing for the past 2 months, i wear my same twists and i wash,condition, oil,trim, moisture and just redo the ones that need redoing. I hair still looks very new and nice, i like doing this because i dont have alot of time either to spend on hair.
 
I'd try braidlocs if I were u to see if I liked them or not. One thing many people deal with getting locs is scalp issues even if they never had them as a natural and as for your hair looking a mess after swimming don't forget that awkward stage that people go through when locking. I feel you should do what pleases you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

darkflame213
Dread Lock Extensions
Replies
7
Views
2K
JFemme
JFemme
Fine 4s
Braids lock in moisture better than twists
Replies
1
Views
1K
JustKiya
JustKiya
newslady
my MAN has a hair question
Replies
9
Views
2K
Dayjoy
Dayjoy
Piscesgirl718
Your reasons for transitioning
2
Replies
53
Views
5K
MD_Lady
MD_Lady
GreenD
Taliah Waajid Lock It Up Gel Review
Replies
2
Views
6K
La Colocha
La Colocha
Back
Top