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1. When you first started, what method did you take? Did you have a loctian or other stylist twist your hair?


2. How long after your first twisting did you wash?


3. How often after your first twisting did you have it re-twisted, or did you just twist to your hearts content whenever the spirit moved you? Every day, once a week, once a month, or just leave them alone and let them be? If you twist, what do you use?


4. a. I have relaxed hair just passed my shoulders and I want to go natural. I was trying to avoid cutting all my hair off and just gradually letting the relaxer grow. Eventually I know I will have to cut the chemically treated hair off but by then I should have plenty of natural hair to work with(lol). Can you recommend some good shampoos,conditioners or pomades to use?

b. What products do you use?

5. Please tell me the process of re-twisting locs once a great deal of new growth has grown. I would appreciate it if you could tell me the exact steps so I will not mess up. I am quite new to the locs and I dont want to mess them up. I also want to learn how to do them myself so I wont need to go to the salon to get them retwisted.


6. a. How long did you wait to initially wash your hair?

b. How often do you wash your hair?


7. The other thing is my boyfriend isn't really feeling my decision I hope he'll come along. Did you experience any flack for going natural?


8. Any suggestion on what kind of shampoo to use or any other products to maintain my locs, such as oils or gels.


9. My hair is itchier than itchy after 5 days of being twisted, how long after you had your hair loc'd did you wait before you washed it?

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1. When you first started, what method did you take? Did you have a loctian or other stylist twist your hair?

The method that I took was the comb coil method. See <http://www.ourhair.net/howto_coil.htm>. Believe it or not, I have never been to a shop to see a loctician. Actually my wife, started my locks and is currently maintaining them. It helps to have a partner to share the journey. BTW, she wears locs too! She went to a loctician shop where they used the black beeswax. After that experience from the major BUILD-UP from that product, unfortunately, she went back to relaxers. If you choose to go to one, please be aware of what product they are using.

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2. How long after your first twisting did you wash?

The beginning is tough. I believe that I waited about three weeks before washing. I had a really difficult time the "itchies." Until I discovered relief with Sulphur 8 Light Formula (blue can). & I still use it!

In addition it helps to have a product that has a super hold on your beginning babies. From a msg board, it was recommended that African Supergro Gel was pretty good. So I ordered it off the net. See <http://www.smileherb.com/Smilebiz/585935.asp> This stuff worked like a champ! I also found that when washing, you really want to minimize agitation of the locks. I didn't fool with the stocking caps or the other stuff that have now, but if you trickle the water over your hair and use a spray bottle to apply the diluted shampoo to your hair & scalp, this really helps in the beginning.

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3. How often after your first twisting did you have it re-twisted, or did you just twist to your hearts content whenever the spirit moved you? Every day, once a week, once a month, or just leave them alone and let them be? If you twist, what do you use?

From month 0 - 3, after two - three weeks apart, I would wash and retwist. I learned that you do not want to twist your hair when it is dry. Found myself struggling with the "Hand-In-Locks" Disease (also called "LocPaw"). But I fought it. You really do not want to OVERTWIST your hair, or it will lose it's elasticity and eventually you will damage the hair, and that 'bad-boy' will rebel and break off! So try not to over-twist. It is not necessary to retwist after you wash. I just chose to do so with my hair, especially when I had a someone available to do it.
Again, in the beginning I used African Formula Supergro Gel. I eventually switched to Carols Daughter Loc Butter which I still use today. Yes, this product contains beeswax, but there is very little in it. I have yet to have to experience the major buildup issues, people experience with the beeswax product. So for now, I'm sticking with Carol (Or until I find something better!)

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4.

a. I have relaxed hair just passed my shoulders and I want to go natural. I was trying to avoid cutting all my hair off and just gradually letting the relaxer grow. Eventually I know I will have to cut the chemically treated hair off but by then I should have plenty of natural hair to work with(lol). Can you recommend some good shampoos,conditioners or pomades to use?

b. What products do you use?

First, I would like to commend you for wanting to make that naptural move. Now, I wasn't sure if you were going to make that move to loc'ing your hair. But to first assume not, just to fro it out first. You stated that your hair is shoulder length. You may want to braid your hair (popular is the two-strant twist) and cut half the length (relaxed hair) and to continue this process every six months until you grow a significant amount of natural growth. If you wish to loc your hair, and wish to keep your relaxed hair, you may want to look into Sisterlocks technique for your transition. When I started, I used the following products.

Dr. Bronners - Nice mint smell, but really dried my scalp out. You really have to watch how you dilute the mix.

African Formula Supergro Gel - Great product to start locs with

*Sulphur 8 (Light Formula) - This stuff is great to deal with the "itchies"

*Carol's Daughter Loc Butter - Moisturies great and holds new growth well

Carol's Daughter Khoret Amen Oil - Smells wonderful and moisturies

*Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three - Great for taking out chlorine and buildup out of hair

*Paul Mitchell Teatree Shampoo - Makes your scalp tingle!

*ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) - Great rinse after washing your hair. Dilution w/water helps

*Olive Oil - Good for when I'm out of the CD Khoret Amen Oil! Just doesn't smell as nice.

* Denote still use now

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5. Please tell me the process of re-twisting locs once a great deal of new growth has grown. I would appreciate it if you could tell me the exact steps so I will not mess up. I am quite new to the locs and I dont want to mess them up. I also want to learn how to do them myself so I wont need to go to the salon to get them retwisted.

In the beginning, you may wish to have a loctician to start your locs for you. When choosing one, make sure you are aware of what products they use. Beeswax is highly "shunned", due to it heaviness and attraction to dirt & lint which causes MAJOR buildup. If you haven't gotten your hair twisted yet, you really want to decide on the width of the lock. Do you want you locs thin, pencil-size, or thick. Also too, there are different methods where people choose to have their locs to free form. Meaning that all they do is separate the strands and that's it. No twisting or palm rolling is involved. I believe that the brotha on television show CSI is free forming his locks. Also, Bob Marley hair is a result of free forming as well. However, the other method that I am using and considered more professional is the cultivated locs where the hair is twisted, or palm rolled. Going back to the loctician, after deciding the width of the locs, the loctician will separate and twist your hair. After the first visit, your hair will look good for about a week and then the itchies will kick in. Here is when you want to decide to do it yourself or go back to the loctician. You can do it yourself which takes a lot of patience or have a friend twist your hair for you. Before re-twisting, you will want to first wash your hair very gently, avoiding agitation of the loc so when you are done, you will still have the hair parted. When twisting choose a product that will hold and not flake.

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6.

a. How long did you wait to initially wash your hair?

b. How often do you wash your hair?

When I just got my locs started, I tried to wait as long as I could. This was very difficult until I learned to wash it about every week because those itchies are no joke. I learned when washing, try not to agitate the locs. Let the water trinkle over your hair and gently rub your roots all over. I did not retwist after washing. I retwisted about every other wash to prevent over twisting which may cause problems.

Now, I usually wash my hair between every 2-3 weeks, depending on how it looks and feels.

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