Retightening, Braiding & Banding at 5 months

I got my hair retigtened on Friday. As usual it was great to see my consultant, GiGi. The difference after a retightening is more visible scalp and less fullness. But my head feels wonderful. Notice the precise parting - an important distinction of Sisterlocks. The parting patterns allows for more styling flexibility.

I decided to wash my hair after the retightening just to gain some more volume. These pictures show banding and braiding before washing. This along with a gentle washing technique is required until the locks have matured enough not to unravel. You should not scrub or aggressively manipulate the hair during washing. Instead the shampoo is massaged or pressed through the braids and rinsed thoroughly. I bet you never thought of washing your hair after coming from the salon (o.k. I'm from Texas) after coming from da beauty shop...lol. Just another benefit of Sisterlocks!

I'm still banding and braiding. In fact, I didn't even ask Gigi if I could stop during this visit. There are still several ends that haven't sealed yet. You can tell by the remaining curly q's on some of them. Probably at my six month mark in December I won't have to band and braid anymore. But I'll definitely wait for my consultant's o.k. My locking journey has gone so smoothly, I don't want to do anything to hinder my progress.

I asked Gigi how soon she thought I'd be fully locked. She estimated at the nine month juncture. That's only three months from now! But it doesn't matter, the time is going by so fast. And I'm so thoroughly enjoying learning how to care for my natural hair and the freedom of Sisterlocks; I'd be happy no matter when my hair fully locks. (Click on any photo to enlarge for greater detail.)

So many black women have straightened, relaxed and permed their hair for years, they have never had the opportunity to experience its true natural beauty. The average 30-year-old woman has been straightening her hair since childhood to adoloscence; perhaps at least 20 years. And even though she may comb and groom her straight hair daily, she is not likely to experiment and explore what her natural hair texture can or cannot do.

"Let's Talk Hair - Every Black Woman's Personal Consultation for Healthy Growing Hair" - Pamela Ferrell

8 Wks - Wash & Freestyle

This is my hair after braiding, banding and washing. It is still damp here and you can see the curly q's on the ends, which is typical of Sisterlocks before locking. I experience quite a bit of shrinkage when I wash. It usually takes about 3 days before my true length starts to show again.

I usually braid it in 10-12 large braids and tuck them under for a nice krinkly look, but this time I simply slept on it and actually freestyled to work for the first time. It was cute; but I didn't have my camera at the time to take pics. Next freestyle - I'll post -promise!

But I'm still luvin' my Sisterlocks!