Lock It Up! Support Thread (Sisterlocs, Dreads, Freeform, Etc)

Guinan

Re-Branding
Well I just got my hair retightened yesterday. Got to her house at 8:20 am and was done at 6pm. Yes you read that right. A 10 hour reti. She didn't even take a break to eat. We both only took 1 potty break. I told her I need to have these combined. It just makes no sense to have these tiny locks with the amount of hair I have. Now my loctician will admit that she is slow at retightening. She does reti every lock, never skips any and she does do maintenance on them if they need it. But this is ridiculous. So she asked me how many locs do I want to go down to?
Now just so you know I started off with 691 I told her I would like to have 350ish. She said it's not possible. She said she can do to low 400s and I can still keep my grid. I guess that's a start. But I was telling her how I would be fine with pencil sized locks. She is not trying to hear it. I wish I knew how to upload pics so you all can see what I'm talking about. I just need a place to vent. I can't vent on those facebook groups because she is on there.
I'm just over these small locks. I just can't deal with sitting in her chair for more than 4 hours. Sorry to be on here complaining.

On another note I have signed up to take the sisterlocks training when it comes to my city in August. I told her and she was like, well do you have a client lined up? I said no but I might want to do my daughter's hair. Plus my mom has sisterlocks and I can retighten hers. I love locks of all kinds and just want to learn about them and know the process. I'm even starting traditional locs on my son.

Would you ever consider getting traditional locs but small ones?
 

Lynnerie

Well-Known Member
@Guinan initially I did not even consider the traditional locs. I feel like I'm too far in to take these out or cut them off. If anything I would consider combining them to a more manageable size. I did get a great deal for my sisterlocs and my consultant doesn't charge a lot for reties but I just can't deal with the time spent sitting on my bum getting them retightened. My sister-in-law has them and she just self maintains hers but she only has like 350. That's what I want. I just have too much hair that is dense to be trying to rock these micro locs. lol
 

mz.rae

Well-Known Member
Something really must not have been right this last retighten. I am having all this slippage that I am finding and its only a week later. I havent washed my hair yet and the only oil on my scalp is the oil that my consultant put on it after my retie. So I am not understanding what is going on. For some reason this is making me feel really discouraged. The whole time so far that I have been sisterlocked I've never had an issue with slippage. I go back to my consultant tomorrow to fix the ones that have slipped.

This is making me want to combine locs and just rock traditionals. Or at least this is how I am feeling at the moment.
 

msdeevee

Well-Known Member
Well I just got my hair retightened yesterday. Got to her house at 8:20 am and was done at 6pm. Yes you read that right. A 10 hour reti. She didn't even take a break to eat. We both only took 1 potty break. I told her I need to have these combined. It just makes no sense to have these tiny locks with the amount of hair I have. Now my loctician will admit that she is slow at retightening. She does reti every lock, never skips any and she does do maintenance on them if they need it. But this is ridiculous. So she asked me how many locs do I want to go down to?
Now just so you know I started off with 691 I told her I would like to have 350ish. She said it's not possible. She said she can do to low 400s and I can still keep my grid. I guess that's a start. But I was telling her how I would be fine with pencil sized locks. She is not trying to hear it. I wish I knew how to upload pics so you all can see what I'm talking about. I just need a place to vent. I can't vent on those facebook groups because she is on there.
I'm just over these small locks. I just can't deal with sitting in her chair for more than 4 hours. Sorry to be on here complaining.

On another note I have signed up to take the sisterlocks training when it comes to my city in August. I told her and she was like, well do you have a client lined up? I said no but I might want to do my daughter's hair. Plus my mom has sisterlocks and I can retighten hers. I love locks of all kinds and just want to learn about them and know the process. I'm even starting traditional locs on my son.

Long response:

I’m so sorry that you are having this experience. Sisterlocks gave me freedom.

Not to bash anyone but your consultant seems to be inexperienced. The amount of locks you get does depend on your head size and the density and length of your hair.

My whole install took 12 hours and I have dense hair and a large head ( I was told) I cut my hair shorter though to save cost of install. I’m in NY.

My retights take no more than 3 hours and my hair has tripled in length since install last year. As much as I love my Sisterlocks there’s no way I could sit 10 hours for a retight every 6 weeks. That would be a deal breaker for me. I have about 450 locks. My locks are thinner around the perimeter but the crown and back are a bit larger. I have taken the retight class and it is a job but I just retight as the days go on. I may do a bunch for a couple of days and as I’m looking at tv I feel through and retight as needed so it’s not a big overwhelming job to me. I’m assuming as I go along I will get better and faster.

Is your consultant new at this or a trainee? That might be why she’s so slow.

As women we don’t want to hurt feelings and all that but I’m sorry 10 hours for a retight every 6 weeks is not acceptable. You are free to search out another consultant too. You paid her. You are not signed to her for life.

How much are you paying for this? Being that slow she’s losing money too. She can’t book anybody else after working on 1 person for 10 hours. My consultant would do my retight and have 3-4 more clients after me. You have to do what’s best for you. Taking out my locks is not an option for me. I made a lifetime commitment barring sickness or unforeseen occurrence.
 

Foxglove

A drop of golden sun
My loctician changed her availability and with the holidays and visitors it’s been like 3 months since my last reti. I’m slowly making my way through but I just got to my hairline and I’m realizing postpartum shedding kicked my ass. I’m probably going to cut this and start a baby one there. The other side is similar so I will probably lose a few more by the time I’m done

 

nothidden

TeamNatural95-Fractals/Zigzags
As women we don’t want to hurt feelings and all that but I’m sorry 10 hours for a retight every 6 weeks is not acceptable. You are free to search out another consultant too. You paid her. You are not signed to her for life.
OKAAAAAAY!!! And women kill me with this "i don't want to chair hop" mindset. I watch YouTube videos where they complain and complain and complain, but they go right back to the stylist they're complaining about.

To anyone considering SisterLocks please know that a 10-hour re-ti is not the norm. My re-tis take exactly 60 mins. Shop around. DO NOT SETTLE!!!
 

mz.rae

Well-Known Member
OKAAAAAAY!!! And women kill me with this "i don't want to chair hop" mindset. I watch YouTube videos where they complain and complain and complain, but they go right back to the stylist they're complaining about.

To anyone considering SisterLocks please know that a 10-hour re-ti is not the norm. My re-tis take exactly 60 mins. Shop around. DO NOT SETTLE!!!

This all day!! 10 hours is extreme!! That is like the consultant is doing a whole nother install every six weeks.
 

BillsBackerz67

Well-Known Member
My loctician changed her availability and with the holidays and visitors it’s been like 3 months since my last reti. I’m slowly making my way through but I just got to my hairline and I’m realizing postpartum shedding kicked my ass. I’m probably going to cut this and start a baby one there. The other side is similar so I will probably lose a few more by the time I’m done

im so sorry you have to deal with this. Id be crying right now and mentally chanting to myself "Babies are a gift from God...babies are a gift from God...babies are a gift from God":lala:". ...Im dramatic don't mind me:lachen:. The good news is that it appears to be easily concealed because you have so many locs. I feel like if this were me id have several noticeable patches because my locs have a very thick base. Lordt. Im glad to hear that at least the hair is starting to fill back in. Keep us updated.
 

TracyNicole

Well-Known Member
@Foxglove I feel your pain. I have now lost 5 of my locs due to postpartum shedding. I dread what my hairline will look like when I wean the baby.
@Lynnerie I had to come in to join the chorus encouraging you to consider another consultant. Even when I retighten my own locs in a pinch I can do it in half that time. 10 hours is not normal. I have about 430 locs and my retightening appointments are between 90 minutes and 2 hours. My previous consultant took 3 hours. I cannot imagine how you have been coping with that kind of madness but Sisterlocks are supposed to be freeing. With that length of time, I would be having flashback to my braid or relaxer days when all Saturday was spent in the salon and I would be livid. Good luck!
 

Foxglove

A drop of golden sun
im so sorry you have to deal with this. Id be crying right now and mentally chanting to myself "Babies are a gift from God...babies are a gift from God...babies are a gift from God":lala:". ...Im dramatic don't mind me:lachen:. The good news is that it appears to be easily concealed because you have so many locs. I feel like if this were me id have several noticeable patches because my locs have a very thick base. Lordt. Im glad to hear that at least the hair is starting to fill back in. Keep us updated.

I have peach fuss that comes out to about an inch stretched. I tried twisting the new growth around the base of some of the more sturdy ones and interlocking from there. The peach fuzz is finer and silkier than the rest of my hair. I’ll see what my consultant says once I get back to see her
 

Foxglove

A drop of golden sun
@Foxglove I feel your pain. I have now lost 5 of my locs due to postpartum shedding. I dread what my hairline will look like when I wean the baby.
@Lynnerie I had to come in to join the chorus encouraging you to consider another consultant. Even when I retighten my own locs in a pinch I can do it in half that time. 10 hours is not normal. I have about 430 locs and my retightening appointments are between 90 minutes and 2 hours. My previous consultant took 3 hours. I cannot imagine how you have been coping with that kind of madness but Sisterlocks are supposed to be freeing. With that length of time, I would be having flashback to my braid or relaxer days when all Saturday was spent in the salon and I would be livid. Good luck!

Noooo you lose more hair when you wean? Lord Jesus pray for me lol
 

Nicarie

Active Member
Just popping in to say hi!

I’m prepping my soapnut black soap shampoo and fenugreek tea rinse for later today. I’m in head wrapping mode so I’ll just separate, oil, steam and air dry when I’m done. I may curl them next month around hubby’s birthday. Depends on how I feel.

It’s been easier to wrap my locs since I started keeping them in a beehive instead of a bun at the base of my neck. No tugging at my edges and it’s not heavy. She has sisterlocs but this style is very doable on my tailbone freeform locs. It only takes me 5 minutes to do now and I usually do it in the dark.

 

Lynnerie

Well-Known Member
@msdeevee
Sorry for the late response. She charges a flat fee if $65. I pay her $80 tho. She was an approved trainee when she did my install but she's now certified. My install took 5 days and I thought it was because of my density and length. I do believe my locs could've been thicker but she explained everything to her mentor with pics and they said it was fine. So with about 690 locs do y'all think I should combine to 450 or just get another consultant to reti all these locs? My loctician said she would combine for me. She said she doesn't understand how everyone else is getting done in 2 hours but she said she is taking the refresher course.

Oh when my reti took 10 hours I was 9 weeks post. I usually takes 7 hours when I go every 6 weeks. And I know that's still bad.
 

msdeevee

Well-Known Member
@msdeevee
Sorry for the late response. She charges a flat fee if $65. I pay her $80 tho. She was an approved trainee when she did my install but she's now certified. My install took 5 days and I thought it was because of my density and length. I do believe my locs could've been thicker but she explained everything to her mentor with pics and they said it was fine. So with about 690 locs do y'all think I should combine to 450 or just get another consultant to reti all these locs? My loctician said she would combine for me. She said she doesn't understand how everyone else is getting done in 2 hours but she said she is taking the refresher course.

Oh when my reti took 10 hours I was 9 weeks post. I usually takes 7 hours when I go every 6 weeks. And I know that's still bad.


That explains it. She’s relatively new so she hasn’t picked up speed yet. She’s probably taking her time so as not to make mistakes so she can get her certification. She has to do that on her families heads though.

I still say look for someone else and if you really love her you can go back to her in a year or so. Your time is valuable. 7 hours for a retight is too long. Like the consensus says, 2-3 hrs. My loctitian takes about 3 hours and I’m starting to get antsy. 7 hours is a whole days work.

Her price is great though. 80.00 for a 10 hour job! Being a Sisterlocks consultant is labor intensive, standing on your feet for that long she’s making less than minimum wage per hour.. look around for someone else just to show yourself it can be done. Plus I would want a more experienced consultant to check her work.
 

Platinum

Well-Known Member
Just popping in to say hi!

I’m prepping my soapnut black soap shampoo and fenugreek tea rinse for later today. I’m in head wrapping mode so I’ll just separate, oil, steam and air dry when I’m done. I may curl them next month around hubby’s birthday. Depends on how I feel.

It’s been easier to wrap my locs since I started keeping them in a beehive instead of a bun at the base of my neck. No tugging at my edges and it’s not heavy. She has sisterlocs but this style is very doable on my tailbone freeform locs. It only takes me 5 minutes to do now and I usually do it in the dark.


I haven't used Fenugreek tea on my locs. What kind of results are you getting from it?
 

Nicarie

Active Member
I haven't used Fenugreek tea on my locs. What kind of results are you getting from it?

Fenugreek tea has thickened up my roots and I’ve had hair sprouting up in places that were thinner. It definitely adds to the curl of my new growth. I’ve seen more spiral curls at my roots as well. I get lots of side budding too. I don’t know what that’s from but a lot of freeformers with 4a-c hair get them.

I like fenugreek so much I just add it to everything hair related.
 

Platinum

Well-Known Member
Fenugreek tea has thickened up my roots and I’ve had hair sprouting up in places that were thinner. It definitely adds to the curl of my new growth. I’ve seen more spiral curls at my roots as well. I get lots of side budding too. I don’t know what that’s from but a lot of freeformers with 4a-c hair get them.

I like fenugreek so much I just add it to everything hair related.

I have some Fenugreek tea that I’m not using. I’ll have to try that! Thank you!
 

RoundEyedGirl504

Well-Known Member
I look a mess lol! I was supposed to get my hair retwisted last week. But I was out of town due to a family situation. I wanna shave this mess off at this point. But I’m going to try and get a reschedule this week.
 

Nicarie

Active Member
I switched to freeform about 6 years ago. I had to combine them from 200+ to my now 77. That left me with a lot of 2-3 head dragons. Over the years the combined well and I’ve gradually snipped the DHDs to single. Now that those thinner parts of my locs are older and in the booty zone, they were getting a lot of wear and tear.

Soooo.... last night I cut them all off to midback length . I know it doesn’t seem like much but I’m used to my locs being at my butt. My sister laughed me off the phone when I told her

I was sad for about an hour.

This morning I like it. They are all the same size without that noticeable taper at the ends. I’m going to deep clean and do all the pampering I’d planned for last weekend.

The only thing I miss for now is my beehive hair style. I’m not sure if the length will allow it. Back to buns.
 
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