Using Netting to Add Color and Cover Thin Areas

I had a follower/reader of my blog ask for help with thinning areas for her head of locs. I told her that I would complete an article on my experiment with netting.  I had another student in one of my Sisterlocks classes to share the idea with me, but I had never tried it until now.  How do you like my temporary splash of blonde in my locs above?  Ready to find out how I did it?  Well, read on!

You will need kinky bulk hair or some sort of hair to make it look like a loc.  You also need netting with holes large enough to pull your own locs through.  Worst case scenario, you can buy a scarf with eyelet holes or a headband with decorative holes or maybe even a slumber cap with eyelet holes.  You need something dark or flesh tone to pull the locs through.

I fed one long piece of extension hair through two holes in the netting.  I am just experimenting here.  You can make your own interlocked looking loc and feed it through.  The way you want your "loc extension" to look is up to you.

 I cut away the extra netting in the picture above because I only wanted to try a splash of color in my bang area.

 I started feeding two of my locs through the holes of the netting above where the loc extension is hanging.

I finally got the netting close to the scalp and anchored using my own locs to secure the netting.  I can cut the excess netting away.  I personally decided to leave this extra netting attached and just swooped my locs over it. This method gave me a thicker bang area and a splash of color. It probably helps that I keep a little new growth at my roots anyway.

The Final Look!  

I had no problem with sliding the netting back out of my locs.  It was harder sliding it up my locs versus sliding it down my locs.  This was a great experiment. I will need to make some loc extensions or buy some loc extensions that will blend with my own texture if I decide to use this method for color enhancement.

For those seeking to cover thin areas or balding areas while keeping your locs, I hope that you can see how this tutorial can help you too! Use your own locs around the perimeter of your trouble areas as anchors and as a platform to build loc extensions onto the netting.

Dreadlocks: Lessons Learned in 2013

 This is my August 2013 picture.  My last time having my hair "sisterlocked" was March 2013.  Five months Sisterlocks-free!  Same parting sizes.  Just new SELF-tightening technique!

Honey (as explained in my last article on this blog) is doing really well to keep my locks coiled.  Overall, they are not untwisting.  I did have a few instances where the honey made my neck sticky because I was sweating and the leftover honey on my scalp started sliding down. (What a visual? Right? LOL!)

Anyway, I just took a wet paper towel and wiped my perimeters and neck off.  Surprisingly, I have spoken with more and more people who use honey to avoid skin breakouts from other "lock products."  So those with sensitive skin will love honey for tightening their hair.

The honey works like a heavy moisturizer. I must admit my satin bonnet and pillow cases all look "greasy" but I have not attracted any ants nor bugs.  I will happily use the honey again and keep the wetness of my hair consistent before applying the honey if it starts to dry out as I am working my way through my hair.

Well, this picture is from January 2013.  I really suggest children start their dreadlocks between 10 and 12 years old.  Some people are born with "perfect shaped head and face" that they can look glamourous with a bald head.  And some of us, like me, need hair length to balance our distinguished features.  I found it difficult in my age 40's working in a corporate setting to start growing out Sisterlocks and/or dreadlocks.  I hated to feel forced to wear a wig to fit in with the workplace and also cause stress to my new $800.00 hairdo.  I really did not have a real support system.  People would say  "it looked great, but it was not for me. "  "My (their) husband would not go for it." Oh, "look at those little things.  Is that your hair?"

In hindsight,  I realized that I gained weight from the stress of coping with Sisterlocks and the "starter dreadlocks."  I even was laid off from my corporate hairdressing position within two weeks of initial Sisterlocks locking session.  My manager was African American, but obviously needed diversity training. I have a few other choice names to call this manager, but it would be inappropriate to post that here.  So I digress.

The founder of Sisterlocks' purpose was to empower women, but I found MY Sisterlocks journey to be a quick route through "hell" and back.  I made the best of it, and I am now back on track for happier days with my new approach to dreadlocks.  Thank God that I now see clearer skies, and I am on track to becoming more empowered as my locks gain length withOUT thinning out my hair density.  More on hair density later in this article.

Anyway, the younger you can start your little girls out with dreadlocks the better to cope with the peer pressure.  The dreadlocks or Sisterlocks need at least two years before they get to the length that most people start to really love them.  So starting at age 12 means by high school, the locks should be easy to style, and the girls should have some workable length.

This picture above shows the relaxed hair that is still hanging on my hair ends versus my matured lock.  My relaxed hair rolled up on the ends and formed knots while in the Sisterlocks' framework.  The Sisterlocks consultant really did me a disservice by locking my relaxed hair.  I honestly do not know if I had enough new growth to start Sisterlocks anyway. (Visit my July 2012 articles for my start of Sisterlocks.)

I had so much relaxed hair that I do not know if she really knew what she was looking at. My relaxed hair was never silky straight because of my natural texture. I digress again. ( I am trying to stay upbeat. Smile.)

Anyway, please do NOT pay to get your relaxed ends Sisterlocked.  They will either matte and lock on its own depending on your natural texture or NOT.  Either way, you will probably end up cutting them off at some point in time.

 Okay, my Sisterlocks consultant had started doubling up my locks within the first 3 months of getting Sisterlocks started.  She did not tell me.  I found this doubled up lock, and I was upset.  For those who do not understand the big picture, doubling up locks means your hair density is thinning.

For Christ's sake, if your hair is thinning out within months of starting locks, then something is NOT right.  Either your hair is the type that really does need some shea butter, olive oil or some sort of moisturizer  OR the interlock/Sisterlock technique is NOT a good fit for your hairtype.  It could be the Sisterlock technician's error in her interlocking technique.

Regardless, stop the madness!  If the doubled up strand is larger than the root area, then you are going to rip your hair out from the scalp trying to pass the "fat ends" through.  If you understand the interlocking process, then you know what I am explaining here.  If you do not understand the interlocking process, I encourage you to watch youtube tutorials on "interlocking dreadlocks."

By all means, watch your hair density.  In my December 2012 picture above, my second Sisterlocks consultant was twice as fast at tightening, but I believe that she was also causing me breakage and thinning.

Most of the length in this picture is still stemming from my relaxed ends that had not rolled up and knotted.   (i.e. my length above is from the relaxed hair that was put into Sisterlocks framework)

I kept asking the new consultant how is she sooo much faster than my last consultant.  Her answer was "age difference?"

No,  in hindsight, my hair was being ripped out.  The Sisterlocks consultants seem to like getting those Sisterlocks premium dollars, but they do not care if you are going bald in the process.  They just want to get paid without owning up to the fact that the interlocking technique or even the frequency of tightenings may not be working for you.  There are some exceptions . . . so yes, not all Sisterlock consultants are bad.  But definitely, do NOT trust that sisterlocks.com certified consultant list either as far as finding a caring, professional consultant.  I digress. (I swear - writing this article is taking me through an emotional roller coaster. It is amazing what I have been through on this lock journey.)

Also, if your Sisterlocks consultant is yanking your sisterlocks apart if they start to grow together, then I do not recommend this action.  Shears should be used to carefully cut the cross hair(s) if they can not be massaged apart.  Yanking on dreadlocks/Sisterlocks is what amateur locticians do; not professional locticians.  Yanking stresses the locks.

As you can see, I have learned a lot about dreadlocks over the year.  As for me and my dreadlocks, the best thing is for me was to do like so many other women with beautiful locks are doing - just do it myself and go to a loctician for updos, steam treatments, or other specialty options.  I do not want to risk too much lock doubling or combining.  I want to keep my locks as feminine as possible.

Thank God that I have found a loctician that I hope will work out. Our consultation went the best out of the three locticians I visited a few months ago.

I hope that this article helps others considering the lock journey for their children or for themselves.  Locks are a serious thing.  It's still hair and breakage still can happen.  Some sistahs with straight hair take sistahs with locked hair for granted.  I assure you that a sistah with long, beautiful locks are just as picky about her locks as any straight haired sistah is about her blow-out.  So don't get it twisted!

Sisterlocks: Snapped off

First of all, this Sisterlock did not come from my head.  Also, there is a shadow in the picture above.  The single Sisterlock is laying on top of my fingers.  Anyway,  it came from a lady who wanted my opinion.  Her consultant blamed her health as a reason that her Sisterlocks were coming from out of her head.  I decided to analyze this Sisterlock.  It is of my opinion that the coiling of the Sisterlock at the end into a knot when fed through the roots caused the Sisterlock to completely snap away at the scalp.

So her Sisterlock consultant who was the same consultant that put my Sisterlocks in, does not want to take any responsibility for her work.

With all of the knots on my ends from my leftover relaxed hair, I am guessing that some of my hair has snapped at the hands of non-caring certified Sisterlock consultants.  Because my Sisterlocks are mostly large and too large parting sizes, I lucked out that any snapping was probably to a mininum.  Although, I asked for "micro" Sisterlocks and received much larger Sisterlocks than I requested, but at least, I still have the majority of my Sisterlocks still in tact to my head.

I never imagined how scary and surreal this Sisterlocks Journey could be.

Product Review: Foltene Women's Foam

Foltene Women's Foam is a European Treatment for thinning hair. CVS pharmacy had it on sale so I figure that I would buy it. I had an area in my crown that seemed a little thin. So I took a "before picture" before I started using this women's foam off and on for about 10 days.

The foam burned my scalp a little upon application. I was thinking that it must be fighting the "bad stuff." Anyway, after 10 days of moderate usage, I took another picture, and I swear - the area had gotten worse than better. So I shampooed my hair to get rid of any traces of the foam. I also discontinued using the foam.

I have not been relaxing my hair so there were no chemicals that could have caused any side effects. So for me, I did not like the foam nor its results.

Protective Styling Options

Hair by Benita Blocker. Pictured is an invisi-part quick weave using "Gro-Protect Solutions" Serum. My client's hair is all underneath the quick weave. Please see separate article on "Glue-free quickweave." The scalp shown is her scalp! That's the beauty of the invisible part.

The Glue-free quickweave is one protective styling method that I DO approve for those who do NOT have scalp issues! The growth serum does allow the hair to grow and stay moisturized. However, you can NOT shampoo this style without full removal of the quickweave style.

How about wigs? Synthetic half wigs/full wigs are not good for long-term protective styling because synthetic hair is heavier than human hair and can cause trauma to the scalp. (i.e. thinning) Remember wherever the wig is anchored is where you will get traction and potential thinning. Just like wearing a baseball cap too often . . . it will thin where there is traction. Also head scarves, hair bonnets - when worn too often -- you can get traction and thinning in those areas.

Human hair half wigs/full wigs are good for long-term protective styling as long as they are not heavy. See my separate article on "wig weight" or "worry about weight."

Thin out all wigs that are heavy or thick. Some wigs are being made a lot thinner now; so there is less worry about thinning the wig out. Texturizing shears are great for thinning out wigs.

Lacefront wigs are good for protective styling only if you have the forehead for it. Please see separate article about "head shape for wigs." Lacefront wigs attached to the forehead in front of the hairline is perfect for less traction, but some women do NOT have the head shape to do this. That is why some lacefronts look natural on some women, and others - it screams "wig."

Sew-in weave is a good protective style for one up to 2 months at a time. After two months, the new growth will push the weave out and cause extra hair and scalp trauma from the dangling extension hair. Remember hair grows a half inch of new growth per month. Two months is an inch or more of new growth.

Box braids are a good protective style for up to 2 months. Same scenario as the sew-in weave. After two months, the braid extensions can get too heavy on the new growth. Also, if too much braid extension hair is put onto the hair then it will weigh the hair down and cause trauma as well. Sometimes braid extension hair is braided into the sew-in weave to support thinner hair, but long-term - the weight of all that extension hair is going to take its toil.

At this point, you wonder . . . is there such a thing as protective styling? Yes, but it is not cheap! The human hair half wig- thinned out seems to be the quickest protective styling that allows easy access to your scalp; however, married couples may not find this a romantic asset. So the human hair sew-in weave may be the next best option; so that you will not have to worry how you toss and turn . . .

Review: Nioxin hair products for thinning hair

The Nioxin line has been around for several years. It has been reformulated in recent years. According to the class that I took about four years ago, this product line is focussed on a healthy scalp. A healthy scalp assists in optimum hair growth.

Over the years, I have received repeated feedback that if you discontinue using this product line, the hair condition will return to its original thinness or worst.

Many hairstylists have become wary of this line as well as other "thinning hair" brands; however, I believe that many dermatologists are still recommending it.

I believe there are a few products such as a "follicle booster" in the Nioxin line that will enhance your hair growth without becoming a slave to the whole line.


Their shampoo is called a "cleanser." Their conditioner is called "scalp therapy."

If you are experiencing shedding or thinning, please consider the ceramic/ionic flat irons as a source of your dilemna. I have written separate articles on the dangers of flat irons.

If you are not flat ironing, then please consider sensitive scalp/no lye relaxers as a possible source. Those relaxers typically are calcium hydroxide based and can become unstable shortly after being mixed. Over the years of continued use, sensitive scalp relaxers can begin to thin the hair.

Also, if your hair is breaking at the ends verus thinning, then I re-emphasize that the Nioxin line is more like a medication for the scalp versus healing existing hair strands.

There are a lot of product lines out there. Please make an informed decision when buying a "medicated" product line or hair product.

Thinning Hair? Avoid Sensitive Scalp Relaxers!

For over a year now, I had been concluding that Sensitive Scalp Relaxers can cause thinning and dry scalp problems. It is now that I have started to convert my sensitive scalp clients to Paul Mitchell relaxers, that I see significant improvement to their hair and scalp.

Many sensitive scalp relaxers still have sodium hydroxide in its contents. The sodium hydroxide is held within a calcuim hydroxide unit. So then you have to worry about a calcium buildup after the sodium hydroxide unit is released.

Some relaxer systems use guanduiane hydroxide, etc. I believe all of the sensitive scalp relaxers leave leftovers deposits in the hair and scalp.

Also, according to www.long-healthy-hair-advisor.com/relaxers-for-black-hair.html:

Here are some of the problems with no-lye relaxers:

The chemical uses a calcium compound (calcium hydroxide) that builds up on the hair. This build-up keeps the hair from getting any moisture because it seals off the cuticle. They cause a dry scalp. They cause extremely dry hair. A "conditioning lye relaxer" is best.

Now, in my opinion, my clients that are on sodium hydroxide or "lye relaxers" have had no hair nor scalp challenges. Other words, no problems!

If you are slow to get off the sensitive scalp formulas, try using Organic Root Stimulator's Creamy Aloe Shampoo to remove buildup for regular shampoo services. Try KeraCare's Demineralization Wipes during the conditioning phase. Wipe in the direction of the cuticle. Straight Request brand also has an After Calcium conditioner.

These products should help remove buildup in the hair, but they may not be enough to treat any scalp challenges such as dry scalp and/or thinning.

My favorite lye relaxers are 1) Fiberguard Affirm (has Fiber Strengthening Complex) and 2) Paul Mitchell.

I used to think the sodium hydroxide or lye was bad because it caused people to burn, but now, I know that when it is mixed with the right conditioning ingredients versus a hydroxide derivative, the original is best!

In addition, Mild Paul Mitchell and Mild Fiberguard Affirm are safer to use more frequently on coarser hair. Every 5 to 7 weeks is good for extremely curly, coarse hair because the mild strength will only texturize it. Also, I add the Paul Mitchell SuperStrenghtener to every relaxer process as well as a Mizani Butter Blend spray and Graham Webb's Back to Basics Coconut Mango to balance out oil and moisture blend.

Yes! A lot of products, but it is worth it to have healthy, long hair!