5 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self Before Getting Sisterlocks
As someone who has had sisterlocks for 5 years now, I have learned a lot about the maintenance, styling, and overall care of this unique hairstyle. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I had known before getting sisterlocks.
These 5 tips would have been invaluable in helping me navigate my journey with sisterlocks, and I hope they can be helpful to others considering this hairstyle.
#1 Be Careful With Self-Retightening
If you have been following me for a while, then you know that back in 2020 during the COVID lockdown, I was a big advocate for people learning how to self-retighten. It was a crucial moment for us sisterlock gals during that time because we couldn’t go to our regular retightening appointments in person. Well thank God I took the retightening class a year prior. It came in handy with being able to continue retightening my hair myself.
But here’s the thing, I wasn’t doing a good of a job as I thought I was. Eventually I started noticing holes in my locks, formed by retightening in the same direction multiple times. I didn’t know how to fix them and ended up cutting some of them. I also accidentally intertwined multiple of my locs too during my self retightening journey.
No, I’m not telling you all this to scare you away from learning how to self-retighten. But what I will do is highly recommend that if you do choose to self-retie, I know it is not for everybody, make sure you have a mentor. It’s important to have support during your self-retie journey so that you can get another pair of eyes on the way you are retightening. That way you don’t go months and months of self-retightening the wrong way for some reason. A mentor can help you correct what you are doing wrong and can also help refresh your memory on proper retightening.
Lastly, I definitely wish I did that and if I could go back in time, I would have only self-retightened if I had an in-person mentor who I could contact for questions or if I just need them to look at what I’m doing wrong. And I would find them early on, and not wait until problems are starting to appear.
#2 You Don’t Have to Stick With the Same Loctician
The journey of maintaining and caring for your sisterlocks is a personal and unique experience. While you may have found a loctician who initially met your needs, it’s important to acknowledge that not all locticians will be in alignment with your lifestyle, schedule, comfort, and needs as time goes on. It’s perfectly normal to outgrow a loctician or feel that your needs are no longer being met.
Your comfort and safety should always be a top priority, and it’s okay to transfer to a new loctician who better aligns with your needs. Don’t feel guilty or obligated to stay with a loctician who no longer serves you. Finding a loctician that fits you and your unique journey is crucial to maintaining healthy, beautiful sisterlocks. Remember, this is your journey and your hair, and you deserve to feel comfortable and heard throughout the process.
#3 Your Locs Will Not Be Perfect
It’s important to remember that everyone’s loc journey is unique and may not always result in the “perfect” set of locs. Even after years of being loc’d, you may still have skinny locs, lost some locs, or have some that are shorter due to breakage. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of having flawless, uniform locs, but the reality is that they won’t all be perfect.
It’s important to embrace the imperfections and appreciate the beauty of your individual journey. Your locs are a representation of your personal growth and journey, and they should be celebrated for their uniqueness. Don’t compare your locs to others or hold onto a perfect locs vision in your head. Embrace the journey and the beauty of your locs, no matter how they look.
#4 You Might Have an Itchy Scalp Throughout Your Journey
You might struggle with having an itchy flaky scalp all throughout your loc journey. It might not go away after the first year. While it may be discouraging to deal with an itchy, flaky scalp throughout your journey, there are several things you can do to help reduce the symptoms.
- Consider incorporating a healthy diet and lifestyle habits, such as staying hydrated and reducing stress, as these can also have a positive impact on your scalp health.
- Incorporating regular scalp massages can help increase blood flow and promote a healthy scalp environment. It helps soothe the scalp and helps promote hair growth.
- Do a rosemary tea rinse on your scalp.
- Use a dandruff control shampoo or a shampoo that helps soothe the scalp. Here are a few of my favorite ones that are light enough for locs:
#5 Join a Sisterlock Support Group Early On
Joining a sisterlock support group early on in your journey can be incredibly beneficial and help you feel supported and connected with others who are going through a similar experience. It’s common to feel alone or unsure of what to expect during the early stages of your loc journey, but connecting with others who have gone through or are currently going through the same process can provide a sense of community and comfort.
Support groups can offer a safe space to ask questions, share experiences, and receive advice from those who have been through it before. Additionally, being a part of a support group can help you stay motivated and inspired throughout your journey. You’ll be able to see the progress and successes of others, which can help you stay on track and committed to your own journey.
Overall, joining a sisterlock support group can be a valuable resource for anyone starting their loc journey and can provide a sense of community and support that can make the journey more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Below I’m sharing a few of my favorite support groups that are great for people who have sisterlocks.
My Favorite Support Groups
- Facebook: LockCrushing On Sisterlocks, Microlocs,& Braidlocs💗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1022222728226937
- Instagram:
- Lock Sisters https://www.instagram.com/locksisters/
- Curly Crown Studio https://www.instagram.com/curlycrownstudio/
- Clubhouse App: Sisterlocks Speak https://www.clubhouse.com/house/sisterlocksspeak
- Follow Your Fave Loc Crushes. Most are super sweet and will respond to your DMs if you have questions or need help.
Getting sisterlocks is a personal and unique journey that comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Looking back, there are several things I would tell my younger self before embarking on this journey. First and foremost, be careful with self-retightening and consider having a mentor to help you avoid damaging your hair. Additionally, don’t feel obligated to stick with the same loctician if your needs and preferences change over time.
Remember that your locs will not be perfect, and it’s important to embrace the imperfections and appreciate the beauty of your individual journey. Dealing with an itchy, flaky scalp can be a frustrating experience, but there are several things you can do to help reduce the symptoms. Lastly, consider joining a sisterlock support group early on in your journey to feel supported and connected with others who are going through a similar experience. Overall, with patience, care, and support, your sisterlock journey can be a fulfilling and empowering experience.
What would you tell your younger self before you got your sisterlocks? Tell me in the comments below. For more sisterlock tips, be sure to grab my free guide about how to navigate your sisterlock journey with ease.
