Hey Gang. This is an update to a video and a post I wrote 2 years ago. What you’re about to see is my good friend and client, Shannon. I started her locking process 2 years ago. Although she had some damage/breakage around the temple area and dryness at her tips because of the color in her hair, her hair for the most part was healthy. Shannon’s hair was also coarse and I knew that she would lock in no time. Here is one of the actual videos from 2 years ago. I apologize for the delay in the video. That’s something that has happened since it’s been on YouTube and it’s out of my hands to fix. Content is still good though. Click here to view it.
The first 9 pictures represent Shannon’s initial coiling session and then returning 4 weeks later for her first grooming. The last 4 pictures represent Shannon’s hair at the 1 year mark right after a grooming. You’ll notice that her hair appears like it didn’t grow that much (the length is just a "little" longer at 1 year than it was at the very beginning of her loc journey). Actually you can definitely see how the coils have drawn up, condensed, expanded and transitioned into short locks. On the average, it takes about 10 -18 months for the coils to transition to this point - it’ll take closer to 2 years for those of you who have the smoother and straighter hair textures.
Click on any photo below to enlarge and more times for extreme close ups and detail. Read and view below to see how Shannon’s locs have come into their own!
This month (November 2009) represents Shannon’s 2 year loc anniversary. I took the photos below after her grooming session two weeks ago. Shannon (opting for the healthiest locks possible) has not colored her hair again. I want you to notice how the hair compresses so much that there is only a little color on the tips left. (Shannon’s locks have never been cut or trimmed).
The stage that Shannon is in right now is considered the "Falling Off The Shelf" stage. It will seem like her locks are growing very rapidly and she will notice significant length each year from here on out. I groom Shannon’s locks every 6-8 weeks and and we both maintain them with the Healthylocks Daily Conditioning Mist and the Soul Purpose body balms. These products keeps her locks soft and pliable and helps her to maintain a light and natural sheen.
Congratulations Shannon! Your locks are absolutely FAB-U-LOUS!
The photos speak for themselves. Just hover over the picture to access the controls…Enjoy!
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I have been in the locking process for 4 months now. Before starting, I know idea how bad the hair would look between maintenance visits. At this point, I have been going every week to get retwisted. However, I now realize that I can’t continue that because the ones in the front are already thinning. I stay motivated by looking at pics of mature locks. It just seems so unreal that the pics of Shannon’s first visit back actually turned into the latest pics. Phyllis, what do you suggest for those pockets of hair that seem to spring inbetween the existing locks?
Hi Carlton. Yes…it would definitely be a smart decision to have less grooming of your locks, which will quickly lead to pre-mature thinning of your locks. The texture of your hair will determine how your hair will behave during your locking process. Some people don’t experience the “pockets of hair” between locks, while others have a hard time seeing their scalp because of the matting of hair that goes on near the scalp. It’s different for everyone. I would suggest to continue “regular” groomings, but less often (at least every 3-8 weeks). Most of my clients are on a 4-6 week schedule. You obviously have the hair texture where the hair “creeps” to other locks. Regular grooming, but less often, will keep the “creeping” or “pockets of hair” under control. I’m surprised that your locktician is actually allowing you to come back that often.
Hope that helps Carlton. Thanks for posting and have a great hair day!
Hi, i’m just getting started with dreads. Im pushing 50 and my hair just has a mind of it’s own. It was soft, thinning, wouldn’t hold curl. My daughter started dreads 1 1/2 years ago and it looks so pretty…so why not me. . I get discouraged because it really looks ruff but i’m going to hang in there. your site and pictures are so encouraging, so I know that there is light at the end of this tunnel. It’s been 3 months. Wish me luck!
Ellie
Hey Ellie. Yes, just hang in there because it does get better…but then it gets INCREDIBLE!!!
I’m wishing you many happy hair days.
Question about maintenance of traditional locks: This lady wants me to pay $30 extra to “groom” my locks. I am thinking this is outrageous. Why? She only uses the comb to retwist the newgrowth. If she palm-rolled my hair it wouldn’t be so many frizzy ends and stray hairs that are actually growing into a different lock. Right?
Hi Carlton. You are absolutely right. There is no reason for her to be cutting the excess hair around your locks. These hairs will incorporate themselves into the locks over time during the palm rolling technique. Since she is only twisting at your roots and neglecting the rest of your locks, your locks will tend to be more frizzy. It’s all in technique really. Where I twist and palm roll all in one motion (without use of any combs), she just retwists the new growth and somewhere down the road, will charge for “grooming” excess hairs that could have been incorporated all along. All I can add on your locktician’s behalf is that she was probably taught that technique or maybe even taught herself that this is the way to groom locks…don’t know. A question that I always ask my clients if they are not sure about something as it relates to their locks is “Does It Make SENSE To YOU…? In your case, you already have the answer to your question. Thanks for sharing, Carlton. Have a great hair day.