To Cut or Not to Cut.........That is the Question

      Since it's been a couple of months since I last updated the blog, I thought I would post some recent pictures in response to a request for an update from a friend. These pictures are a little different since my hair is in need of a retightening.  My curls have also fallen out, but I still have a little body.   I also have a question of my own, as you might have guessed from the title of this post.

       In two weeks, it will be my first year lock anniversary.  It may be hard to tell, but my hair has grown quite a bit.I have continued to cut my hair to maintain my style, and because I want to cut off as much of the relaxer as possible. I do not treat my relaxed ends differently than the locked ends, so my hair routine remains simple. So what's the problem?  From what I understand, the relaxed ends slows down the locking process, because cutting the relaxer off opens the ends.  The ends will then need to form another bud to reseal. I'm not sure how big a deal this is. However, I have noticed that the relaxer has a tendency to "draw-up"  in the ends and create bunching. Some of my bunched ends are fairly large (an inch long or more), and I'm debating cutting them off to let them rebud.

Of course,  I am "SOOOOOO" tempted to just cut off all the relaxer (often called the Big Chop).  I actually have gone "under" the style and cut a lot of the relaxer that isn't needed to maintain the cut (as you can see in the following picture).  
  So what do you think? To cut or not to cut? Big Chop or just cut the big buds?

Summer Swimming and Swelling

This summer I really put my locks to the test.  Due to swimming lessons and invitations from friends, we have done a great deal of swimming.  I was curious to see how my relaxed ends would fair.   I have continued to treat them like the locks.  The relaxed ends lightened because of the chlorinated water; unfortunately, the locks did not.   This summer I have finally seen seen some changes in the appearance of my locks.  They have started to swell.  In order to keep my hair neat, I have primarily trimmed my ends only to maintain my style and to alleviate bunching.  I started with the back and continued to trim in order to blend the style. However,because I started with relaxed ends, the balls on the ends of my locks are fairly large.  I hope to cut those off once all of my relaxer is cut off. 

Summer Progress

          Because I am keeping my hair in this style for a while, my hair doesn't seem to be changing much.  However, it is growing. This picture was taken shortly after having my hair re-tightened, therefore, you can still see the parts in the front.  It will change more, as I swim this summer.

No Drama Hair

        I have recently returned to blogging. I have been traveling for happy reasons and not so happy reasons. During this time, I realized that I was finally FREE from the Drama of "our" hair! One of my trips included a fun/business trip to Cozumel, Mexico.  I didn't have to plan activities around my hair, I didn't have to take hair products and equipment, I didn't have to worry how my hair would look after swimming. I didn't realize just how freeing that would feel.
       I decided to take a private "action tour" that included a whirl-wind bike ride through town, horse ride through the jungle, snorkeling and lunch.  I've never snorkeled before, and my tour guide was was very patient and kind.   We were very comfortable exchanging stories and talking with one another. Perhaps that was why he felt free to tell me that he "was impressed that I was willing to put my head under the water".  He further explained that most of the black women on his tours would refuse to put their heads under the water. I began to laugh and told him it was probably because they didn't want to get their hair wet.   Directly after snorkeling (I forgot to band my hair, but it was fine), we rinsed the salt off and ate lunch, while we dried off in the sun. My hair, relaxed ends and all, dried free-style.  I then went shopping (all of the photos were taken after snorkeling).  No fuss, no drama.  I LOVE LOCKS!!!!

Sisterlocks and Relaxed Ends

I have seen several people who wonder what their relaxed ends will look like and how to take care of them. I will only offer my routine and observation.  I am not a consultant. This is based on my own hair and experience:

Some of my relaxed ends were put into the lock.  Surprisingly, they are trying to lock.  However, they are not swelling like the unprocessed hair. It looks fine, but eventually I will cut off the relaxed portions for a more uniform look.

I do not comb my relaxed ends. I treat them like locks.

I do not oil my hair (I do, however, rub oil into my hands before separating locks)

I do not use heat on my ends.

I encourage the ends to look stringy like locs.

Although my locks are now at the point that I don't have to braid and band, I will have bunching if I wash my hair while completely down.  I divide my hair into four large sections and wash. It's quick and easy.

Bantu Knots Only

I decided to try Bantu Knots again. I wasn't completely satisfied with the Bantu Knot Twist version of the previous post. I assumed that twisting gave it the extra tightness. However, I was wrong. My curls came out just as tight as before. This time I have a picture taken on the same day.  Although it's tighter than I like, I still find that I like the Bantu Knots as a method of curling my hair.

Bantu Knots and Twists

The week after my first retightening, I decided to play around with more ways to wash and style my hair . This time I decided to twist my hair (like two strand twists) then wrap them into Bantu Knots.  Washing my hair this way was easy, and I let them dry that way. The results were...curly....REAL curly.  The pictures I have posted were taken the next day and do not show how curly it really was.  I had a little fro.  I was very tempted to run damp fingers through my hair to loosen the curl, but it looked o.k. with a headband.  It has been over a week, and I still have plenty of curls. 

First Retightening....Better Late than Never

     I was really looking forward to my first retightening. It was scheduled for five weeks after my initial install.  My hair seemed to be doing well. My only slippage seemed to be around the back edges.  I did have some bunching, but overall I was pleased. Unfortunately, the unexpected death of a beloved uncle forced my plans to change. Although the reason for my visit was sad, it was nice to see my family. I only took the baby (21 months) with me.
     My family is outspoken, and I braced myself for the reactions to my hair. I've always had hair that grows long and thick.  Just cutting it off would be cause for an "ear-full", but locking it was sure to draw comments. I was lucky, my cousin blazed the path of locks in my family a couple of years ago.  She has small traditional locks.  When I walked in the door with the baby on my hip (whom they haven't seen in a while), the first thing said was, "Let us see the hair."  That didn't bode well. I walked up to my oldest, most conservative aunt to let her inspect "the hair" (might as well get it over with).  "Beautiful, just beautiful", she pronounced. You could have knocked me over with the proverbial feather! Most of my family liked my hair. A couple of my aunts said they liked it, but they liked the relaxer better. You can't please everybody.
    My retightening finally occurred two weeks later (seven weeks after the install). My consultant was happy with my hair's progress. She corrected the bunching, but was pleased that my hair wasn't really slipping.  My next appointment is in six weeks.

Braid-Out Vs. Twist-Out

Last week I did the normal braid and band in order to wash my hair. I wanted to wash my hair this week, but I didn't have time to braid, band, and wash before my toddler awoke from her nap.  Therefore, I decided to try a short cut.  Instead of the normal braid-out, I did a "twist-out".  I basically took the same sized sections that I would use for braiding but twisted them instead. The hair stayed in the twist, and it was much faster than braiding.  I like the results even better than the braid-out.  The braid-out gave my hair tight crinkles, but the twist-out gave it a loose wave. Here are pictures to demonstrate what I mean. My hair is in the same style and the ends are curled under. The only change is braid-out vs. twist-out.  The back of the hair appears different because the twist out caused some of the hair to flip-up. 

                                       Braid-Out                              

 

Vs.

 Twist-Out

Braid-Out Crinkles

 

Vs.

 Twist-Out Waves

 

Braid-Out Rear View

Vs.

Twist-Out Rear View

First Wash and Braid Out

Yesterday was the first time I washed my locks. I braided and banded my hair the night before.  To control itching, I treated my scalp with full strength apple cider vinegar before washing. I used my fingertips to apply the vinegar.  Personally, I didn't care for the Sisterlocks shampoo. It didn't get my scalp clean, but in all fairness I had a lot of skin cells from the subboratic dermatitis.  I ended up washing with the Sisterlocks shampoo, a tea tree shampoo, then the Sisterlocks shampoo again to make sure the tea tree shampoo didn't leave any conditioning agents in my hair. I looked like a pick-a-ninny for a day, while letting my hair dry in a braid out. I slept on the braids overnight.  This morning I removed each rubber band and carefully curled only the relaxed ends with a curling iron. I rubbed Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil on my hands. There was a very light layer of oil left on my skin.  I then ran my fingers through my hair to separate.  The result looked pretty good. I don't think I have much slippage or bunching, and my parts seem a little less visible. Next time I think I'll wash in the evening.

Why Sisterlocks

African Orthodox Icon of Saint Mary of Egypt

    


     For black women, hair is personal. There is so much caught-up in the idea of "hair", that any other ethnic group probably wouldn't understand. Social status, economic status, self-esteem, our daily plans are often influenced by our hair. Breaking free from this hair bondage, is something that is often wished for, but never realized. The desire for convenience and the need to be accepted, often keep people on the well traveled, socially acceptable path. When black people ask why I decided to get Sisterlocks, it is a "loaded" question containing all the "drama" of our hair. I will, however, attempt to answer.  My answers are not an indictment of anyone's choice for their own hair, just an explanation of my decision.

Saint Mary of Egypt

        
                I Chose Sisterlocks Because...
...Because I want to dance in the rain with my kids
...Because my hair doesn't dictate my exercise
...Because God didn't make my hair straight
...Because I love the idea of "wash-and-go" hair
...Because there is a better way than burning my scalp
...Because shower caps don't look good as lingerie
...Because my natural hair is beautiful too
...Because I want a variety of styling options
...Because I want to swim more than once a week
...Because I can open the windows and the sun roof
...Because it's all natural
...Because umbrellas are optional
...Because I can scratch if my scalp itches
...Because I can wash my hair frequently
...Because I'm a black person with black hair
...Because I can curl them or leave them straight
...Because I have other things to do than my hair
...Because there isn't just one kind of beauty

Week 1 and Soft Spikes

      
         I didn't think I'd have anything to report during this first month, but I was wrong. Around the third day after installation, I began to experience a great deal of itching. It was highly annoying. I think it was my scalp's attempt to release some of the tension of the hair being pulled tight. Perhaps I'm wrong, but the itching has mostly subsided, and my hair doesn't feel like it's been pulled tight anymore.
        Yesterday, our normal homeschooling park-day was canceled due to heavy rain.  I decided to run errands instead.  This was my first small taste of freedom from relaxers.  I'm almost always carrying a child, so I almost never carry umbrellas. My hair got wet several times getting in and out of the car. By the end of the day, the relaxed ends were frizzy.  The Sisterlocks were great. Fortunately my Soft-spikes arrived in the mail that day.  Right before bed, I decided to just "play-around" with them. I rolled my hair haphazardly, and went to sleep.  The results were great.  The kids loved the curls. 

Locked Hair Blog Exchange: Dominica's Sisterlocks

If you are looking for a great place to start learning about all kinds of Locked hair, a great place to start would be the Locked Hair Blog Exchange.  It is run by Maryee, and it's a wonderful resource. 
Locked Hair Blog Exchange: Dominica's Sisterlocks

Things I've Learned Rearching Sisterlocks

Like many others, it was with great anticipation that I awaited my Sisterlocks install. I think I've read 3/4 of the blogs about Sisterlocks available.  I did this partly because I wanted as much information as I could gather, but mostly because I just liked looking at the pictures.  I did run across good information, tips, and advise.  Here are some things that I learned, and a few things that I wish I had known.

The Initial Consultation:
1. Research your consultant. Make sure that person really is or has been certified or trained as a Sisterlocks consultant.  I have seen several people on the web who were told " yea, I do Sisterlocks".  They ended up very unhappy. Don't be afraid to select a different consultant than the first one you interview. I interviewed two prior to selecting my consultant.

2. It is traditional Sisterlocks practice that consultants do not charge for the consultation.  However, some consultants feel like you should pay for their time and charge a small fee $15-$25  for the consultation.  I am comfortable with either option.

3.  The test locks are important.  Don't skip that step if possible. You'll find out if you're tender-headed or how gentle the consultant is. You will get a little taste of what the initial stage may look like.

4.  You should come away with a general estimate on how much time and money it will cost for your install.

5.  Pay attention to the setting. You may be spending a good deal of time with the consultant.  Is the office clean? Is the chair comfortable....you may be sitting in it for 21 hours!

6.  Is the consultant child friendly?  Some consultants don't want even older children coming to retightening appointments.

7.  Come when you can see their work if possible (an install or a retightening).  Ask to see pictures of their work.

8.  Join the Lockitup yahoo group.  The people there have lots of experience with Sisterlocks and are willing to answer questions.

9.  Find someone with Sisterlocks and talk to them in person.  It's one thing to look at pictures on the internet, but another thing to see "real" locks. 

10.  You need three inches of hair total. However, only two inches have to be natural. The other inch can be relaxed.

INSTALLED!!!!

My Sisterlocks installation began yesterday and was completed today (Oct 3-4, 2009).  It took a total of 21 hours over two days. I have 545 locks.  My consultant, Kenya Austin, and I agreed to gradually increase the size of the locks. The locks in front (ear forward) are small. The locks in the back gradually increase in size from small, to mediums, to medium large.  I did not "decide" the size of my locks.  I showed Kenya what I liked, but told her to pick what would be best for my hair. I started with two inches of natural hair (non relaxed hair).  My ends still have the relaxer, so she used the Reverse 4 pattern, which is the tightest.  My hair is fine, but I have a lot of it (it's dense).    I chose to transition to Sisterlocks without going really short, for my husband's benefit. I have been short and natural before, but he liked that I was able to keep my hair longer.  I also wanted a style to my locks, therefore, I chose a haircut that I thought might look good while the relaxer grows out.  Here are the pictures:

Relaxed hair before the cut

Relaxed hair after the cut

SISTERLOCKS