What are sisterlocks? If I had a quarter for every time someone asked me that question, I’d be a millionaire by now!
You are probably here because you are considering joining the thousands of women who have fully embraced their natural hair and have gotten sisterlocks.
If you have a question about Sisterlocks, this is the place to find answers. In this blog post, you will learn about the maintenance and styling, as well as how to get them.
1. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SISTERLOCKS AND TRADITIONAL LOCS?
This is probably the most popular question and is always up for debate among the black hair community. Often confused for micro-braids, sisterlocks are miniature-sized locs that use the interlocking method. “The main thing that differentiates sisterlocks from traditional locs is their tiny size” (https://www.curlcentric.com/sisterlocks/) and how they are installed and maintained.
Traditional locs are installed and maintained using the palm roller method with a holding product, and sisterlocks use a tiny crochet-looking tool to interlock the hair to create the loc look.
2. WHO INVENTED THEM?
Dr. JoAnn Cornwell, a well-known hair pioneer who wanted to create a natural hair care system that celebrates natural beauty and textured hair, created sisterlocks in 1993.
The sisterlocks motto is, “Sisterlocks is not about a hairstyle, it’s about a lifestyle.”
“Sisterlocks invites women who are interested in self-empowerment and cultural self-expression to embrace a natural hair care system that is self-affirming and truly gorgeous.”, JoAnn Cornwell, (https://www.sisterlocks.com/about-us.html).
3. ARE THEY GOOD FOR THINNING HAIR?
Sisterlocks are a good option for thinning hair. Depending on your hair type, it may take until a year for them to settle in, mature, and thicken. They will become thicker after a few washes and can even double in size. The ends will always remain a little thicker than the root. If you have thin hair and are considering locking your hair, feel confident that this natural style will improve the health of your hair and its thickness.
COST AND INSTALLATION
4. ARE THEY WORTH THE MONEY?
Yes, 100x yes. Look, sis, I will admit sisterlocks can be pricey, so I highly recommend that you prepare your pockets in advance and save up for it! Most people can expect to pay from $400- $1000+ for installation. I paid $800 at the time of my install 4 1/2 years ago. Sometimes, you may have to pay a consultation cost before getting them installed and that can range from $25-$50.
Ultimately, the installation price will be determined by:
- The size of your head – The larger your head is, the more locs you will require. This will drive up the price.
- Your desired loc size – The smaller you want your locs to be, the higher the cost.
- The consultant you choose – If you choose a consultant who already has an established clientele, their prices may be higher than a new consultant’s prices. Whether you have a trainee or consultant each locktician sets their own prices based on their experience and knowledge.
- The length of your hair – The longer your hair is, the longer it will take to install a single sisterlock. Frequently, consultants will increase the price for every inch of hair on your head.
- The city you live in – Like everything else, every city has its own mini economy. A sisterlock install will cost more in cities like New York City, than they would in a smaller city (or town).
5. HOW DO YOU INSTALL THEM? HOW MANY HOURS DOES IT TAKE?
Sisterlocks are installed by certified sisterlock consultants and trainees who have been trained in the art of creating the style, created by Dr. JoAnn Cornwell.
They offer training to individuals who want to learn this technique. When looking for a sisterlock consultant, make sure they are certified. You can do this by finding their name on the Sisterlocks consultant registry. Every consultant who has done the proper training and received the certification will be listed here by state.
In general, when a certified consultant installs your locs, they will go through the following steps:
- First, they will section your hair – Sisterlocks consultants section your hair according to the system taught in their certification class and they make sure that each section is the correct size.
- Next, they will part each section into rows – After they have parted your hair in several sections, the consultant will go back through and part each section into rows. These rows will act as a guide when parting the hair for each sisterlock installation. The consultant may flat twist each row or use clips to keep unwanted hair from getting in the way during installation.
- Lastly, they will install the locks – Using a special crochet-type locking tool, the consultant will interlock tiny sections of your hair from tip to root (https://www.curlcentric.com/sisterlocks/). Sisterlock installations can typically take 2 days for completion but it could be longer or shorter depending on the consultant’s speed. So be sure to block your schedule and prepare accordingly for your install days.
Your consultant should give you progress updates and should let you know if your hair is experiencing– thinning, hair loss, dry scalp, dandruff, etc. It’s very important that your consultant tells you what’s going on with your hair.
6. CAN THEY BE DONE ON RELAXED HAIR?
Yes, they can. You don’t have to cut your relaxed hair to start your sisterlocks. If you have been gradually transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair and have been letting your new growth grow out, then sisterlocks can be established on your hair. Although the relaxed portion of your hair will be too soft to lock, the upper part of your hair, where your loose natural hair is, can be locked.
As your loose natural hair grows, it will lock, and then your relaxed ends can be trimmed. The other option, of course, is a big chop, which is cutting off all your relaxed hair and starting sisterlocks with 100% of your loose natural hair. This is the most reliable way to ensure strong locs because sometimes you can experience weakness and potential breakage where the natural hair and relaxed hair meet at.
STYLING
7. CAN YOU COLOR THEM LIKE LOOSE NATURAL HAIR?
If you don’t have locs yet, dye your hair BEFORE getting your locs installed. Do it like 2 months prior to your installation. If you do already have locs, make sure your locs are mature, stable, and strong. If you have mature locs and want to get hair color added to your locs, then get the hair color prior to a retie or 2 weeks after your retie.
When getting locs colored, go to a professional who specializes in loc coloring. They know how to properly apply hair color specifically to locs, which is different than applying color to loose natural hair. Lastly, make sure that your hair is in a good condition for it to handle coloring.
8. CAN THEY BE TRIMMED?
Avoid cutting your locs if they are not mature as they might unravel, causing slippage, etc. Also, avoid cutting knots and buds, because then it is going to be difficult for your locs to loc. Once they are mature, then you can trim your locks.
9. CAN THEY BE STYLED?
Once installed, sisterlocks can be styled just like micro braids can be styled. It can be braided, put in bantu knots, buns, curlers, lock loops, flexirods, curlformers, foam rollers, anything you would normally use. Sisterlocks are super fast to style each day and can take as little as 1 minute to 45 minutes to achieve a variety of beautiful natural hairstyles.
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
10. HOW OFTEN TO RETIGHTEN?
As your locks mature, your consultant will determine how often you will need to come in for regular your re-tightenings. The average time between visits is 4-8 weeks, depending on the hair type and rate of growth, yet everyone’s hair is different.
11. WHAT SIZE SHOULD I GET?
The size of your sisterlocks depends on your hair density, your head size, etc. Your consultant will be able to determine the appropriate size for your sisterlocks. While the smaller sizes look really gorgeous, it results in having a much longer retightening time. For example, the medium sizes can range from a retightening time of 1-5 hours while the smaller sizes can range from 9-24 hours for retightenings.
So ask yourself how long do you want to spend sitting in that chair for your retie every time you need a retie. To get an idea of what small, medium, and large sizes would look like on someone and to get inspiration before you meet with your future consultant, you can follow these beautiful sisterlock sistas on instagram.
12. Can I add oil?
Be careful with using oils. Whenever you use oil on your hair, it is highly suggested to not oil your scalp directly like how you would typically do if you were a loose natural. Instead, add a small amount of oil to a spray bottle with water. Lightly spray directly on the scalp area, close to the root. For more hair care tips, download my free sisterlocks hair health guide.
13. CAN THEY BE INSTALLED WITH EXTENSIONS?
Yes, similar to regular traditional locs, you can add extensions to create the sisterlocks look without permanently making the commitment. However, while extensions do provide the desired length at the time of install, it is not encouraged because it is a very long, tedious process. When considering getting sisterlocks, it’s best to use the same mindset approach you did when you decided to transition to natural hair or when you decided to get a relaxer. You wouldn’t relax your hair just to unrelax it later. You would relax your hair with permanency in mind.
Think of sisterlocks in that same way and take your time to weigh all the pros and cons, your lifestyle, and your budget when making this decision. Continue to educate yourself and learn all you can so that you can make the best decision for you and your hair.
Watch this video: “Sisterlock: I Finally Found the Fastest Natural Hair Style” to learn more about maintenance, styling, and the ups and downs you may experience on your journey.
CONCLUSION
Overall, if you are still on the fence, I say go for it! You will significantly love your hair and your new look much sooner than you think. It’s a lifestyle investment that’s well worth the cost and I’ll be here (virtually of course) to guide you along the way.
Lastly, if you have additional questions about sisterlocks, you can find even more tips in my free guide: “Taking Care Of You and Your Sisterlocks“.
You can connect with me via:
- DM me on Instagram at @TashaOnLock
- Email me at hello@tashaonlock.com
Alice Aeda
Thanks for these amazing tips!!! I just joined the sisterlocks community about 2 weeks ago. These tips are so helpful! At first, I was considering getting some colour on my hair before my installation day but I decided to just get the locks and I’m so glad! My locs are healthy and I’m excited to take care of them and watch how they develop!
tashaonlock
Alice AedaHi Alice! Thank you for reading my tips! I hope they help you on your sisterlock journey. Congrats on getting your sisterlocks installed and welcome to the sisterlock community! Yasss to healthy locs! If you ever need some more sisterlock tips, I have a few resources you can check out. On my IG page under Guides, there is a guide with some more tips. If you have questions you can ask me and my fellow moderators in our clubhouse room:Sisterlocks Speak on the clubhouse app. Or you can always send me a DM or an email and I’ll respond! Chat soon!
Tiffany Carpenter
Love my Locs and def wish I would’ve done it sooner & not let fear keep me from doing so but I would be lying if I said they didn’t cause me some stress, some days of dislike and wanting to start over because of all of the bunching, fat ends, thinning, breaking etc. At the same time I love the freedom, despite the breaking and thinning my hair is still thicker than it ever was with a perm and I get lots of compliments. Going on 4yrs soon still “trusting the process “😆
tashaonlock
Tiffany CarpenterTiffany, thanks for such a transparent and real comment! It’s easy to think that the sisterlocks journey is a perfect one. But just like with all other types of journeys, it’s not. I’m glad that despite the struggles you faced in your sisterlock journey, you chose to see the greater picture. Yasss trust the process, easier said than done, but rewarding in the end. Congrats on 4 yrs locked!
Jordan
love the tips! 1 month sisterloc’d and loving it!
tashaonlock
JordanHey Jordan! Congrats on being loc’d for 1 month and welcome to the sisterlocks community girl! Reach out if you have questions or need some support throughout your sisterlock journey. Also, you can come chat with myself and my fellow moderators in our clubhouse room: Sisterlocks Speak on the clubhouse app where you can ask us questions or listen in to others who share their journey.