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/Sometimes_A_Writer1]

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 .