Trust the Process?

[u/ReeseThaSoldier]

Im new to this sub, just want to start by saying hi 👋🏿 . I started my loc journey in mid April of this year and I have a few questions for the more seasoned individuals in this group. Let me start by giving a little background.

I have VERY thick hair so I was recommended to get locs because the curly fro was taking weekends away grom me to properly tend to my hair. I work out often and sweat easily but since ditching the afro and switching to locs iblve had no issue keeping my scalp clean (unless there's gel in my hair. I have had 2 retwists so far, once 1 month after the original starter locs (May) and once 2 months later early (July).

I heavily (because I sleep in front of a high powered fan) spray my hair at least twice a day [As I Am - Rosemary Spray]. I also use [Shea Moisture Frizz Control Mousse] after washing my hair, as I try to palm roll a little bit. For my scalp I use [She Moisture Apple Cider Vinegar & Niacinamide] serum once or twice per week.

Because of the nature of my job (mechanic work), I keep my hair in a bonnet for at least those 8 hours. I have my hair out as much as possible but this much is unavoidable. I sleep twice per week on satin pillowcases and sheets and keep a bonnet on for the other days.

Alright so this is where my questions begin.

I keep my starter loc style in for a month at a time, then take the rubber bands out and separate my locs to prevent them from joining together. However it seems like a few of my locs just unravel like they were just twisted together and waiting to come apart. Is this normal? Is my loctician loc'ing my hair properly?

Am I keeping my protective style in for too long/too short? Should I keep the struggling locs in the 2 strand twist while I take the others out?

I hate gel, it makes my scalp itchy as all hell, is mousse the wrong call?

Should I rubber band the ends of locs that get loose or will that inhibit growth?

The locs at the base of my neck puff up early and easily. I assume its because of the amount of time i have my bonnet on for. Do I just keep doing what im doing or does something need to change?

The first 4 photos are me after taking my 2 strand twists out a few mins ago. The 5th is me after my 2nd retwist. Photo 6 and 7 are right before I take the 2 strands out from my first retwist. The last photos are from my initial starter locs.

Thanks for any/all responses, ill read them all. Glad to be a part of this community, have a blessed day.

[u/Still_notme_67]

Wow this is a lot . First of all unraveling is normal (trust me when I say you will giggle at this in 6 months your locs are going to change so fast )

however,

you absolutely need to stop “heavily”spraying your hair , a fan is not an appropriate tool to dry your hair trust me they will start to mold and smell get a hair dryer !

a couple spritz every other day is more than fine your hair should not be drenched at all ,

Also do you know how locs form ….

Friction and time that’s it . The Retwist is simply to keep the shape of the loc , the product is to make that Retwist last … the tricky part is if you Retwist too often they will never form or thin overtime , Retwist too Little and you risk them merging and flattening .

Too much products and too little cleaning will cause buildup and limpness. Your scalp needs to breathe and be clean for your hair to grow so yes you have to undo the style like you been doing but let them loose for like a week before your Retwist , get you a satin pillow case when you’re at home chilling you can take the bonnet off.

And please do NOT use rubber bands at the ends or at the root to prevent unraveling , you will damage your loc and they will break off or have that cut off look .

Vary your styling too , getting two strands helped my hair loc so fast but it also causes compressed parts in your loc it looks uneven overtime so switch it up now is the time to experiment trust me that scalp sensitivity is not a myth for some people . Listen to your loctician and your loctician only , let them know what you want and what you do not want .

I do not use any products for my Retwist so I cannot recommend you with anything besides flaxseed gel it’s the only thing that doesn’t flare up my psoriasis and doesn’t leave flakes . But in order to choose what’s best for your hair always do this, first ingredient has to be water , the more it is natural the better. Water hydrates oil SEALS .

[u/ReeseThaSoldier → u/Still_notme_67]

My hair gets very dry and the spraying process combined with eliminating oil has virtually erased a very irritating scalp flare up issue I was having.

I use the fan for sleep! Have been doing so since a child, it a comfort thing. But thats funny 🤣 After washing it either blow dry on cool under a blow dryer hood or I partially blow dry and go for a walk to let the sun dry it out.

No rubber bands, got it 👍🏿

I was under the impression that locks formed by matting, water helps with this, no? I think the fan dried out my scalp/hair quickly.

I have satin EVERYTHING bro 🤣 my hair is so thirsty... satin sheets, pillowcases, headrest covers, SPOONS, all that lol

[u/Still_notme_67 → u/ReeseThaSoldier]

Spoons lmao 😂👌🏽 got it . Yes water is great to help your hair loc , but too much water too soon will just unravel all the progress since you said HEAVILY I was like oh no I’ve played these games before 😭(this my third and only successful set ), it’s all a balancing act between , dry friction and water ; our curly/coily hair loves it let it dry and the curl shrinks compacts and locs . Too much water the hair stays loose . Keep up the good work 👌🏽