Active Interchanging of Locking Methods

After interviewing enough long dreadlock wearers, I have concluded that you can switch and swap between interlocking and twisting the locks without any worries.  Those who have proper Sisterlocks sizing may find that their locks are too small to finger twist.  So true Sisterlocks are not applicable to this article.

However, for all the micro-locks and traditional lock wearers, many people are interlocking their locks if they go swimming or if they are going to participate in water activities.  Otherwise, they continue with palm rolling or finger twisting on a regular basis.  No one seems to find a problem with going back and forth based on their lifestyle.

I personally also started hand (inter)locking some of my locks because some of my locks seem to unravel at the roots quicker than others.  I think it has to do with the two different textures of hair that I have.  So the locks that need help at the roots, I will hand lock some periodically in my spare time, but continue to finger twist all of them during my designated tightening sessions.  We will see what difference that will make over the next five months.  I believe that I am more curious if it will cause an inconsistent look in the lock.  I doubt it based on all the feedback, but who knows .  . .

Sisterlocks-Free for a Whole Year - My Best Decision Ever!

My locks are now over a year and 7 months old however, it was about one year ago when the last certified Sisterlocks consultant retightened my hair.  One whole year of self maintaining my own locks and finger twisting. 

I keep reviewing my old pictures with my monthly check-in's and my head of locks doesn't even look like the same head of locks from a year ago.  I am so proud that I took over my own head of locks.  Otherwise, I feel that I would still be as miserable as ever with Sisterlocks.

The truth be told, there are millions of hairstylists in the world, but it is always hard finding just ONE that is right for you.  So with professional Sisterlocks technicians being so few in number, it is truly an act of the Almighty to find a Sisterlocks technician that wants to partner with you.  God forbid that technician is laid to a final resting place or you have to relocate to a city that does not have a Sisterlocks professional.  You would be absolutely screwed if you have true "Sisterlocks sized" locks in your head.  

I remember countless loc wearers telling me over and over again that they tighten and maintain their own hair.  They say that they can not be tied down to one person to rely on to get their hair done.  Well, now, I get it!

Most people want freedom to salon hop.  True "Sisterlocks sized" locks limit your freedom to salon hop.  So as I reflect back, maybe God knew what was best for me. 

If I had to do it all over again, I would NOT choose Sisterlocks for my hair because I needed to focus on volume at the root; however, I would choose small traditional locs which is overall what I was given despite my Sisterlocks initial investment.

I am scared to imagine my locs had I continued going to my local Sisterlocks practicioners in my area.  No one had any answers for me.  No one could give me any direction.  No one recommended any regimens for my unique hairtype. Everyone just took my money and tightened my hair so tight that when the last consultant tightened my hair but left it looser; I was assuming that she was less experienced, but in retrospective, that was probably one of the best things that she had done for me. Now, of course, I still would not go back to her because she went through my whole head ripping my hair buds off causing me to lose as much as a couple of inches of length from my locks.  I personally just could not win for losing with Sisterlocks.

However, on the flip side, I loved the Sisterlocks four day trainings.  I enjoyed learning more about natural hair.  I enjoyed learning troubleshooting techniques.  I enjoyed learning about the Sisterlocks' company vision.  I received all my Sisterlocks tools.  The truth be told the Sisterlocks' headquarters should probably get rid of the retightening class and just make everyone take the four day course.

As far as the future of Sisterlocks, I am not so optimistic because many hairstylists have tried to duplicate themselves, but ultimately, no matter how much training that you give other hairstylists, they will NEVER replace the original Master.  This is the same with Sisterlocks.  The brilliant select Sisterlocks consultants that are the perfect role model may never be able to fully duplicate themselves without someone falling short.

Well, I am still learning what is best for my hair.  Perhaps there is no one else better to teach me my hair maintenance routine except me.  I believe that locks are like loose natural hair - every one's natural journey will take its own unique path.  If we want nice partings, then someone else has to start the locks, but "DIY" maintenance is truly golden.

Dreadlocks: Finger Twisting versus Interlocking

 I decided to experiment on some bulk kinky hair extensions in order to figure out the difference between the finger twisting/palm rolling method and the interlocking method for dreadlocks.

So both methods elongate the curl patterns; however, finger twisting seems to allow for the maximum amount of volume.  The interlocking method allows for versatility.  In the picture, I did not use even tension as I interlocked so it is a loose and tight interlocking pattern up and down the right sample lock.  This picture does show that depending on the locking pattern, the curl pattern can be subdued or allowed to volumize.

So when a client mentioned to me that her hair was too thick for locks, I now have learned from taking this last Sisterlocks training class, that I can use the Reverse 4 pattern to subdue volume or use the Double 3 pattern to prevent Sisterlocks from looking too stringy.

I am also thinking about having some of my locks interlocked again.  Why?  If you remember in a previous article this past month, I realized that I do have two different textures of hair on my head.  The tighter coiled texture does really well with finger twisting.  It holds great.  However, I have some locks that will not stay twisted.  A few of those locks, I started hand interlocking because of the new growth that unwinded.  I am about ready to partner with a loctician that can help me with the interlocking.  There are locticians that will twist and interlock within the same head based on whether or not the lock needs interlocking or not.  I think that I am ready for this level of advanced loctician skill.  I will keep everyone posted.

Microlocks: Lost a Lock

When I was perm rodding my locks a few weeks ago, I found this lock in my perm rod case.  I suppose it snapped off of an end of a still existing lock or maybe it snapped from the scalp.  I am not sure, but my locks overall seem to still be forming fine even with two different locking methods going.

There is still relaxed hair hanging on at the last third of this microlock.  The rest of the lock that is not chemically processed is half interlocked and half finger twisted.  I really do not see a line of demarcation between the two locking methods.  I do see the line of demarcation between the chemically processed areas and the chemical free area.

So I will have to be careful with removal of my perm rods from my microlocks.  I do not want to lose anymore locks from being too heavy handed.  I may try to connect the broken lock to another lock to see if some of the lock repair methods on youtube work.  Smile.  I foresee more experimentation in my future!

SisterLocks should not be Overtightened

 Unfortunately yes, this was the back of my head in December 2012 after returning from a tightening session by the second certified Sisterlocks consultant from the www.sisterlocks.com list that I patronized.  I was only four weeks from my last retightening completed by my original certified Sisterlocks consultant. Instead of this new consultant turning me down for retightening, she tightened my whole head, charged me $75 for an hour and forty-five minutes of labor (no shampoo service) and mentioned that I probably should wait longer between tightening sessions.

By the time I made it back to my salon and really started to see at how bare my scalp was, I became desperate to figure out how to salvage my self esteem.  Of course, I was still trusting in the consultants recommended by www.sisterlocks.com, and I just was trying to deal with what was being dished out the best way that I could. This is why my yarn unit was created.  I needed a fix. I needed a "plan B" that would blend with my existing Sisterlocks. Yarn was the only thing that I could think of that would blend with locs. Then my making of the yarn unit was a combination of design considerations that I had been exposed to over the years.

I believe that Sisterlocks are supposed to be about empowering women, but for me, it tore me down over and over.  The founder of Sisterlocks was quiet throughout my entire ordeal with the exception of the fact that she did not approve of my yarn unit being promoted in conjunction with her Sisterlocks name despite all my letters of complaint as well as suggestions for improvement for the Sisterlocks organization as a whole.

I am willing to forgive, and I sincerely hope that my ordeal will help others understand that the www.sisterlock.com listing does not guarantee any more than the consultants listed have met minimal renewal qualifications.

Well, below is my head again, May 2013.  I was two months Sisterlocks free.  Big difference right?

The lighting is different in this picture.  No flash, but you get the idea.  My scalp began recovering after separating myself from the Sisterlocks technique.  For some people, Sisterlocks work because of their hair texture, their scalp's natural oilyness to keep their locks hydrated or a maybe it's their consultant.  I do not know why it works for some and not others, but it did not work for me.  What does work for me?  Finger twisting and natural hydrating styling products.

I always try to make lemonade out of lemons.  I am so happy to be far enough past my bad experiences with Sisterlocks consultants that I could share with everyone the driving force behind the yarn unit and stocking cap units.  I still like the stocking cap units for a corporate straight hair option, but I no longer feel the need to hide my locks anymore in embarrassment.  God can bring you through . . . I am a witness.

MicroLocks: My 13 Month Check-in

I am past my 13th month now.  I decided to call my former Sisterlocks . . . Microlocks.  I have found that by week 6, my roots start looking unruly and apparently, by other's facial expressions, past due for re-twisting.  Luckily, that means about an inch in new length for my micro-locks every six weeks.  My locks in the back of my head have gained enough length that I can now "whip it" around.  Can we say movement?  LOL!

 I have also received comments/questions wondering if I have extensions attached to my hair.  Nope - It's all just my hair!  No tools.  Just raw honey, jojoba oil, and my finger twisting.  No conditioning either.  Conditioners are mainly for damaged hair, but I did try an apple cider vinegar rinse.  Note for the future: vinegar burns when it runs into your eye, but no lost of eyesight so far. Smile.

I decided on the vinegar after reading one of my old blog posts reciting a regimen that another women recommended.  My blog is a great reference for me as well.

In this picture, I started re-twisting my front locks versus starting in the back which is how I have done in the past.  Since my front locks are smaller and more tedious, I decided to start with them for re-tightening.  I am happy that I did.  I was able to get my retightening session down to 3.5 hours using the honey versus the 5 hours the last go around. Yes!

You probably noticed that my front locks look more scalpy than my back.  I definitely encourage anyone who feels too scalpy, to allow their locks to get a little past due and ask the technician to not overtighten.

I am still a little sticky from the honey, but I really feel that the healing properties of the honey outweigh its messiness.

Also, as far as maintenance goes, another regimen that someone shared with them is tightening every 2 weeks.  One 2 week period is self tightening, and the other 2 week period is tightened by the loctician.  Of course, she had larger locks than mine, but they were not huge.  I assume 1 hour to 1.5 hours self-retightening.  I too am about ready for a loctician.  I am feeling a bit lazy, and I know my lock behavior now enough to instruct the loctician not to double up the locks.

Well, I am six months Sisterlocks free.  I am happy that only 25% of my head has the small Sisterlocks in it.  I have repeatedly heard stories of the really small Sisterlocks shedding or breaking.  Knowing now that the normal shedding hair drops down into the locks to form a dreadlock, extremely small locks could become weak from the weight of the shedded hair.  Even my size locks require keeping the new growth connected to the lock to support the lock's weight and updo styling.  The less stress on the locks, the less thinning. Head bands cause stress if worn for more than a couple of days.  I am learning as I have tried some tricks to hide my new growth until I had time to retighten.

Well, more and more clients are seeing how my locks will continue to lay as they get longer.  More people are excited about the idea of locks.  Thank God that I am a year ahead now.  By next year, this timeframe, I should really be on cloud 9.  Until next month's check-in . . .

One Year Locks Anniversary: Raw Honey Retightening

 July 24, 2012 was my Sisterlocks birth date.  July 24, 2013 marked my (dread) locks one year anniversary.  What a journey?  God has the Master Plan.  Because my Sisterlocks are not super small, I have began to convert my tightening method to finger twisting.  I have been using all natural aloe based gels and natural oils because apparently, based on my interviews, all those "twist and lock gels" have by-products that can cause build-up on your locks.

People with the healthiest locks are the only ones that I am interviewing, and some people only use shea butter and olive oil.  No gels at all.

I like the idea of using natural products for my locked hair.  I also realized that with the Sisterlocks being an interlocking technique that it seems to "uncoil" my natural hair pattern.  My finger twisting seen to have been in vain the last few self-tightening sessions because my hair kept unwinding until reaching the interlocked area of the lock.  So out of desperation to secure my new growth from unwinding, I decided to try the "Sweet Locks" approach using honey.  I purchased local raw honey.

I poured the honey in a disposable container.  I tasted it too.  Delicious!  Based on my research, one lady said "bees make honey from nectar, not honey from honey."  So far, no bees have been buzzing around me, but if I sweat too much I may attract some flies. Smile.  The honey seems to be holding the new growth in place. I will probably continue using the honey for my tightening until the locks get trained to coil and stay, then I will go back to the lightweight aloe vera gels.

Please note: Add an hour or more to your tightening time when using honey. So I believe it took me about 4.5 hours versus 3 hours this last self tightening session.

I used the French Perm Stabilizer Plus as my final conditioner.  It is an acidic rinse, and according to reviews, it silkens natural hair.  The foamming action was great. It left my locks soft.

It is designed to be a post-relaxer conditioner. pH is 2.5.  You do have to rinse it out. I purchased it from Sally's Beauty Supply for about $5.00 USD.  I will probably write a separate article on this conditioner at a later date.

Also, on a separate note, I have done articles about comb twisting locks, but now, I believe, only starter locks make sense to comb twist.  The finger twisting technique seems to be the best tightening technique for me.  I will continue to update you on my lock journey . . . until next time.

Dreadlock Analysis at 11 months

I wanted to do an individual analysis of one of my (Sister)locks at this 11 month period.  My dreadlocks have two transitions in them, but you probably can only see one transition in this picture.  The obvious transition is where I still have relaxed hair hanging onto the lock.  

1) From the scalp to the length of the clip is the finger twist tightening technique. (around 3 months of new growth)
2) From the end of the clip to the start of the "stringy end" is the Sisterlock interlocking technique.  (around 8 months midshift)
3) The "stringy end" is my relaxed hair that has been woven using the Sisterlock interlocking technique.

So I can not visually tell the difference between finger twisting and Interlocking as far as lock formation.  I can only tell where I have chemically processed hair.

My dreadlock pictured above measures over 5 inches in total length including over 2 inches of relaxed hair.  I actually wonder if I had enough new growth to have even started Sisterlocks 11 months ago.

So by my calculations, I gained about 3 solid inches of lock length in 11 months. Considering my coily, zig zag curl pattern never showed a lot of length until it was straightened by heat or chemical, I am comfortable with my growth cycle.  In another 22 months, I should be a nice full chin level bob without the relaxed, stringy ends.  It may even be sooner who knows?

Well, we shall see!