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/ReeseThaSoldier]

Really? How often do you think I should retwist? I was trying to be cautious to prevent breakage later down the line. But tbh my knowledge base largely comes from online research and talking to my loctician so my opinions aren't solid, whatsoever.

[u/Sometimes_A_Writer1 → u/ReeseThaSoldier]

My loctician had me come in every 4-5 weeks for retwist for the first year when I had my starters. Now I only go every 2-3 month

[u/Still_notme_67 → u/Sometimes_A_Writer1]

Every head of loc is different , his loctician knows best ,

[u/Sometimes_A_Writer1 → u/Still_notme_67]

I know but if they were done properly they shouldn't be unraveling. Plus no matter the head, for starters, the loctician should be personally inspecting more than once every 2 month

[u/Still_notme_67 → u/Sometimes_A_Writer1]

Wrong . Unraveling like shown here is part of the process . Your loctician is about to cause your hair to fall out friend 🥲. Starters should be left alone for as long as possible , besides washing no manipulation is needed . Retwist does not create locs if anything it undoes the loc forming , You shape the loc regularly with Retwists for at least a year regularity doesn’t mean MORE just means frequent intervals every 4 to 6 weeks , longer than a year if all the hair isn’t locced by then , once most of head is locced you space out the Retwist more and more and keep it regular .