The Importance of Retightenings

The key to a beautiful head of healthy Sisterlocks - regular and consistent retightenings.   At almost 6 years, my Sisterlocks remain on a 4 week retightening schedule.

I recently went 8 weeks between retightenings due to unforeseen circumstances and a winter blizzard.   Not only did my locks not look their best,  but they were susceptible to damage and even lock loss.

Here I am at about four weeks out...(still manageable)

Six weeks out, I resorted to pulling them back....(braid out)

Seven weeks out - pinning them back....(lots of new growth)

Feeling old and not so pretty.   I gave up my "no more color" vow, colored and did a twist out.  The color came out great, but now my locks are frizzy, I have "big hair" and my new growth is even more apparent.

At eight weeks, I have a small fro growing.  My locks are difficult to finger comb without snagging and they are fuzzy....(iphone pic at 8 weeks on retightening day - FINALLY!)

Feeling pretty again!!!!  I can run my fingers through my hair.  My head feels wonderful and my locks are revived!  (Post retightening)

Hair grows an average of .5 inches a month.  The more new growth the more hair that is susceptible to pulling and snagging when finger combing or pulling back.  At this point, it is very easy to snag a lock and inadvertently pull it out.

Apply the least amount of tension possible when in need of a retight. Avoid pulling locks into tight pony tails, banding or tying up tightly, etc.   This added tension causes stress on the locks and can lead to lock loss.  Finger comb gently and slowly to avoid pulling and snagging locks.

I actually lost a lock during this  retightening session.  Between the loose hair, added tension and color the new growth became fragile and broke off.

Waiting 8 weeks caused my retightening session to last twice as long and cost twice as much.  The process was uncomfortable as the new growth had to be untangled and separated.  I had a serious headache afterwards (laughing, but true).   From the Consultant's perspective, it's no joy doing those extended retights.  It is very labor intensive.

Sisterlocks are "low maintenance" not "no maintenance."  So feel confident when your Consultant reminds you of the importance of regular and consistent retightenings.  How soon we forget those weekly or bi-weekly day long camp outs at the salon for the creamy crack.  The return on your investment of 2-3 hrs a month equals a beautiful, healthy, vibrant head of hair.  You won't save time or money by extending your retightenings - but you will save your Sisterlocks.

(Click photos for greater detail.)