April 15, 2003
It's been 6 months and four days since I have started locking and boy has it been a journey! There
have been so many changes taking place with my hair since the last upate. For one thing, I'm noticing a change in the texture
of my locs. Instead of looking like comb twists my hair is starting to look like actual locs. They no longer have that tube
like appearance and are starting to stick up in their own little direction and taking on a shape of it's own. They are also
taking on a more nappy apperance as opposed to the look of smooth comb coils. I'm also finding that along the way,
I have had to change my maintaince routine for my locs. Since my coils have been able to hold their own and start locking,
I'm finding that I only have to visit my loctician about every 3 - 4 weeks. Plus I don't want to overtwist the hair resulting
in the thinning of my already small locks. During the first two weeks I can pretty much get away with oiling and misting my
hair every other day. Since I let the steam hit my hair every morning in the shower I don't have to use as much water during
this period. Going on the third week, my locs are still looking pretty good and the frizzies are starting to make themselves
known, but they start to look and feel drier. This is when I have to change up. Every morning I will mist my hair with water
and apply tea oil to hair and scalp. Depending on the weather that day I may have to mist twice a day but one misting and
oiling usually lasts me throughout the day. I don't find a problem with itching, dandruff and going up to almost a month without
washing because the tea tree oil antiseptics blend keep my hair and scalp feeling and smelling tingly clean. I'm still on
the strict rule of less is more when it comes to hair product. This is probably why I can get way with going washing my hair
for 3 weeks. Oil and water are the only things I use for maintaince on my hair. As for condtioniners I hardly ever use it
on my hair; only every two months along with a hot oil treatment which I'll be due for next visit.
All in all, I am satisfied with the progress of my locs. I'm also proud to say that I can now wear
headbands! Yaayy! I love how the texuture of my hair feels in my hands. As of yesterday I added one more oil to my routine.
I'm now strictly using tea tree oil on the scalp to keep it clean and fresh and have bought jojoba oil for the hair to
protect my locs from sun damage during the summer months. My next update should be about June or July so keep an eye out!
September 13, 2003
I'm about a month away from my "Loc-versary" and there are only four words on how to describe my journey: I LOVE MY HAIR!
It's been five months since my last update and my hair has been growing and locking beautifully. Since April, I've only
had to see my loctician once a month. When it comes to maintaince I'm still sticking to my motto "Keep it simple!" The humdity
here in NC has been killing me but my hair is loving it. I only have to oil my hair with jojoba oil about once a week
- sometimes less than that. I RARELY have to spritz with water. I'm still using Dr. Bronner's Peppermint shampoo
coupled with the ocassional tea tree oil on the scalp; it's been great in combating dandruff. When it's time for my monthly
maintenance Ayana, my loctician -
www.glorylocs.com - uses the palmrolling method. She no longer uses a conditioner on my hair. She just gives me a heating
oyl treatment every two months. Now that my locs are established I plan on taking my hair into my own hands. I'll
still visit Ayana every few months just to make sure I'm managing my it correctly and to avoid hair disasters.
Did I say "I LOVE MY HAIR!"? Nothing beats the health of natural hair and the low maintenace of getting up
in the morning to head off to class. All I have to do is take off my satin scarf, fluff up my locks and go! I've
had family members who are growing to like my hair since it's been progressing. People swear that I've been using
hair color to get my hair as black as it is. I tell them it's not from the box, it's from me no longer using a harsh
chemical relaxer that strips the hair from it's natural color. I'll try to keep the pics and journals updated every 3 to 6
months.
January 18, 2004
It's a new year and I'm finally getting comfortable with maintaing my own locs. I'll still see my
loctician from time to time because she's so great, but for the most from I will have control over my own maintaince. It takes
me about 3 hours to wash, palmroll and dry my hair. For right now I'm washing about every three weeks. I STILL have
some areas that are not fully locked and come loose even over a year later. The winter months are drying out my locs more
so I've been sticking with jojoba oil. Every morning I mist with water, apply the oil and "VIOLA!" Instant softness. I hope
to have more updated pictures by the spring so stay tuned!
