I haven't seen any recent threads for those of us that have locked our hair so I decided to start one. The purpose of this thread is to offer support those of us who have decided to embark on a loc journey and others who are considering loc'ing. Please feel free to share your experiences, pics, regimen, or even ask questions.
Please answer the following questions:
1. How long have you been on your loc journey?
I've been locked since December 2010
2. What made you decide to embark on a loc journey?
My hair was breaking off and I was tired of fighting with it.
3. How long do you plan to stay loc'd?
Most likely until i die
4. What type of locs do you have? Sisterlocs, Traditional, Cultivated, Freeform?
I started my locs with extensions done by our very own BlackMasterpiece. I would say they are looking kinda freeform because i rarely retwist
5. What process did you use to start your locs?
Extensions
6. How do you maintain your locs?
I wash at least once a week. that's it. I don't really hav a regimen
7. What, if any, products do you use on your locs?
Bronners for shampoo and my mix of oils (coconut, grapeseed, castor, tangerine essential oil)
I'm going to answer these questions in another post. In the meantime, I'm tagging a few loc'd members. If you know anyone else who's loc'd, formerly loc'd, or interested in loc'ing, please tag them. Thanks!
ChasingBliss Foxglove *Happily Me*
Just so ya'll know, I'm lurking in the shadows of this thread
I may be making some moves this weekend
Retwist today. She was especially brutal today
I think I'll go every two months from this point on. DH is free forming now. Not sure how I feel about it but hey...
What do you mean by brutal?
What resources if any did you guys use to learn more about locs?
Fsve youtue channels? Websites? Books?
Anyone check out this website? http://locdglory.com/
I read this book a while back.
http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Dreads-I...UTF8&qid=1413063178&sr=1-4&keywords=locs+hair
I think I am going to reread it because I am planning to loc before the end of the year. My hair is rebelling on me and I am not about this loose hair life anymore. No ma'am.
I also came across these but have not ordered them yet. http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Loc-Ba...TF8&qid=1413063178&sr=1-11&keywords=locs+hair
http://www.amazon.com/Loc-Journey-B...UTF8&qid=1413063178&sr=1-7&keywords=locs+hair
I think some of my locs are budding but I don't know if 8 weeks is too early. My hair is 4c so I figured it would loc fast but I didn't think the process would start this early. I have my retighten in 1.5 weeks so I'll ask my consultant then. I tried to get pics of a couple of the buds
Platinum that's a gele, normally worn by Nigerians for special occasions. To replicate it you would need stiff fabric so it will keep its form even during the folding and bending
*Random thoughts*
I was planning to do a personal "no retwist until the new year challenge" but my Dad wants the family to get together for a family portrait around Thanksgiving. I already know I'm going to get the side-eye from my Mom and she'll probably suggest that I borrow one of her wigs.
I love Dudu Osum shampoo. This is going to be one of my staples.
I can't wait to get some length. Right now, I'm looking like
1. How long have you been on your loc journey? since april/may
2. What made you decide to embark on a loc journey? my loose hair is too high maintenance for my lifestyle
3. How long do you plan to stay loc'd? no current plans to return to loose hair, but you never know
4. What type of locs do you have? Sisterlocs, Traditional, Cultivated, Freeform? traditional
5. What process did you use to start your locs? two strand twists
6. How do you maintain your locs? wash once a week and separate. retwist when i feel like it. usually every 5-6 weeks but because of some issues i'm having i think i need to retwist more often
7. What, if any, products do you use on your locs? i use castor or olive oil but lately ive been using kinky curly products just to get rid of it
so glad i found this thread! i need some major help. up until a few weeks ago i only used oil in my hair and aloe vera gel to retwist but i'm dealing with major buildup. i don't think it's product buildup because i had the same issues when i was loose but it was much easier to wash out back then. the only thing that helps is washing with acv and baking soda but that is much too harsh to do with any regularity. how do you all combat scalp buildup?
i also have very visible shed hair around my hairline. i shed the most there for some reason. i usually pick it out with tweezers but doesn't that defeat the purpose of having locs?
last issue is locking of the roots. when i wash i make sure to separate but my roots are still a mess. i will find hair that should be in one dread somehow makes it over to a dread in a totally different part of my head. how/why does this keep happening? is this an issue that will lessen once they are more mature?
But you are seeing growth right?
One question i can answer you on is the build up. ACV and baking soda in a warm tub of water. Soak your head, swish it around squeeze your locs gently as you are doing it...also massage your scalp. I also tend to squeeze the base of my locs at the temple. This is where I see some build up due to me geling my temple hairs for neatness.
I dont have scalp issues though. I think this soak may even help with that. My scalp is always clean and clear. I am currently washing once per week as well. Well I try to hold out for two weeks after a wash/retwist at the salon.
ChasingBliss, how often do you do the acv and baking soda? i was planning to do it once a month but it is so harsh and drying even monthly seems to often.