Locs Anyone??

[Lovealious]

I am very interested in finding out about anyone's personal experiences with growing there locs. What types of products do you use to shampoo your locs, treat your scalp if you do so at all? Any advice for a sistha who was wearing a relaxer for about 12 years? Any books on spirtuality that may have helped you through the process of living with natural/loced hair?

I notice a lot of sisthas are returning there hair to it's natural state? How do you feel about this natural hair wearer or not?

[ZetaAce]

Hey there,

I don't have locs (as a matter of fact I just got my hair braided) but there is a website that can help answer your questions. It is: http://www.blackhaircare.com . If you click on discussion group, you can find a lot of valuable info there. I hope it helps.

ZetaAce

[This message has been edited by ZetaAce (edited July 28, 2000).]

[moe.ron]

Any other thoughts?

[Sistermadly]

I've had mine for three and a half years now. I hated it during the growing stages where you look like "who did it and why did they do it to you", but now that they're mature and look neater, I love them. I can wear them up, curl them, or just let them hang free-form. I never worry about rain, humidity, or getting sweaty at the gym.

You don't really have to use a lot of product on your hair, especially if it's thick and kinky. It's not the "goop" that makes your hair lock - it's the motion of rolling, or the method you use to lock your hair (latch hooks, sisterlocks, etc). My best friend only uses hair oil when she locks her hair -and she's had hers for over 8 years (and they're beautiful).

If you can swing it, start out with a loctician and regular appointments to keep them groomed. Once they've started to fully lock, then you can learn to maintain your hair on its own.

Good luck.

[Aduladi]

I've been locked for just over a year. My hair grows REALLY fast so my locs are touching my shoulder. I started off with about an inch of hair and my hair is NOT kinky. So in the beginning it was difficult for me to stick with. But now they are pretty cool.

I started off with a loctician, but my loctician was in NY (down state) and I live in Vermont about six hours away, so I figured out how to do it myself around the third month. I wash with tea tree shampoo, motions and Pantene clarifying shampoo. I also use Dr. Bonner's mint soap. I guess it depends on my mood, which one I use. I don't condition. I twist with a mixture of Isoplus tea tree and aloe hairgrease and Carols' Daughter Hair milk, clip it down and let it dry naturally.

I went from relaxing my hair and grew it out without perming for about 6 months, then cut it off and let it grow another 6 months before locing. It has been a fun and interesiting journey. I have gotten to know my hair in a way I never expected to and my hands are ALWAYS in my hair.

Another place where you can talk about the locing experience is at yahoo groups' kinksrus. Great groups lots of support.

Good luck.