In a world where many still believe the lie that curly, mixed, or straight hair is good hair but coarse, tightly coiled, or “nappy” hair is bad hair…Don’t believe the hype.
A Word…
My Favorite Thing About Sisterlocks
Hair freedom. No products. No combs. Yes, all of those things that I no longer have to worry about are still at the top of my list of favorite things when it comes to having sisterlocks. HOWEVER…my new favorite thing is new growth. That fullness that my locs get when it’s almost time for a retie. To me, that is when my locs are the most beautiful.
Full look vs. fresh retie
I think back to when I was a loose natural. My hair looked it’s best when it was due for a wash. That was when I’d receive the most compliments because my hair was full and it behaved. Well, the products I had in it helped, but if you experienced this yourself, then you know what I mean. Reties leave you with straight locs that seem plastered to your scalp. I don’t like that look. There are many who love how their locs look after a fresh retie because they feel their locs and grid look neat and fresh. I like and prefer the messy and full look.
Hidden growth
Another thing I love about sisterlocks is every time I think my hair isn’t growing one day out of the blue my length will show. I’ll feel something brushing against my neck and back thinking it’s a bug crawling on me only to realize it’s my hair! As you may know, I don’t do anything to my hair. I don’t style it. I just let it be. Every so often I’ll plait it up to stretch it, and that’s when I’ll notice the growth. Other times it’s been my husband who’d tell me, “Your hair is growing.” And then I’ll look closely at it and say “You’re right! It is!”
plaits or braids at night
Currently my hair is in plaits. It’s summer, and I sweat a lot in my head so having my locs in plaits or braids helps with that. I was told that plaiting or braiding your sisterlocks every night trains your locs on how to hang. I’ll never remember nor feel like braiding my locs every night, but I try to do so every so often. I’m seven months into my journey, and I’ve experienced growth from leaving my hair alone as much as possible. I think it’s working out for me so far. 🙂
Seven Months Sisterlocked!
I had a lot of mixed emotions about reaching my seventh month of being locked because I had to make some serious health decisions in the month and weeks leading up to it. For one, I had major surgery recently, and making that decision and then waiting for that day to come had me very stressed, concerned, and anxious.
The surgery
Any surgery is major. What I had done came with many serious risks. Thankfully, I have an excellent doctor who surrounded herself with the best team of doctors to assist her with my surgery and everything worked out fine. I reflected on many things, such as my family, my future, and the possible outcomes of my surgery. That reflection brought on a flood of hard realities and tears. But I refused to participate in that pity party. I refused to subscribe to the negative thoughts and feelings that tried to overtake me. I had to think positive, and I had to believe in those positive thoughts.
My locs weren’t my focus. My locs were last on the totem pole of things that needed to be done before my surgery. Ironically, my retie was the day before my surgery. It felt good having a fresh retie before my surgery! While life took on a more serious note, I still remembered to take photos of my locs so I could document their growth, changes, etc. Overall, I saw growth and fullness. I’m still washing my hair as little as possible. I spritz with water as needed. During my retie my loctician commented on how much new-growth I had. I have a lot of new baby locs in my kitchen (the nape of my neck) area because of the new-growth.
Recovery
As I recover, there are other decisions that will have to be made that may or may not affect my locs. (Huge Hint: Refer to my previous blog post and you’ll know what I mean, and what kind of surgery I had. 😉 ) I’m trying my best not to worry about the what if’s and concentrate on the here and now. There are things that are simply out of my control, and I don’t have time to worry that. I can only focus on the things I can change. My only hope is that I fully recover from my surgery and that my locs continue to grow and flourish. I can’t wait for the day when they are fully locked.
Special meaning
My sixth month of having sisterlocks will always have special meaning because that was when major decisions were made. My seventh month of having sisterlocks will have special meaning because that’s when I had major surgery and will experience more changes and or challenges following. Having sisterlocks have taught me patience, and once again I will be forced to have patience during my recovery and beyond. I’m up for the challenge. Happy Seven Month Locversary to me!!
Hysterectomy and Hair Loss
This is a rarely discussed subject that I feel needs to be out in the open more. Women can experience a myriad of issues relating to the female reproductive organs starting as early as their teens well into their 50’s. Some of these issues are fibroid tumors (which is experienced by African American women at higher rates than other races), endometriosis, cancers of the ovaries, uterus or cervix, etc. All of these can require surgery of some kind. One of the most common surgeries is a partial or full hysterectomy.
During my last retie, my consultant and I spoke at length about hysterectomies. She informed me that many women experience hair loss at the crown of their heads after a major surgery like a hysterectomy. She strongly recommended keeping the ovaries or even one ovary to avoid hair loss and loss of hormones after a hysterectomy. Unfortunately, for some women keeping their ovaries isn’t always an option. I thought back to when my mother had her hysterectomy when she was 46 years old, and she never lost any hair.
Seeing that I’m knocking on 46’s door myself, it has me wondering what will happen to me if and when that time comes. No, I’m not wishing doom on myself. It’s just that female issues run rampant with the women in my family, particularly on my mom’s side. In addition to my mom, both of my older sisters have had surgeries to address fibroid tumors, endometriosis, and other issues. I too have my own issues, so my time is coming.
Doing some research on the correlation between hysterectomies and hair loss, I’ve learned the following from https://reliawire.com/hair-loss-hysterectomy/
“The hysterectomy itself is not the main cause of the hair loss that woman may be experiencing; rather it is a side effect of the hormone replacement treatments that she is taking. The exact cause of hair loss is not known and there is no cure for hair loss, however, it is thought that testosterone and the way that is it converted to dihydrotestosterone (otherwise known as DHT) is the underlying cause of the problems.
Most hair loss is attributed to genetics and the way that the testosterone is metabolized. The same is true for those who have had a hysterectomy. The body is completely changed and the hormones that are created are dramatically different.
The body will cease to make the hormones needed for normal functioning after a hysterectomy and a woman will be forced to take what is called hormone replacement therapy.
With hormone replacement therapy, a doctor will prescribe the estrogen and testosterone in either a pill form or an injection. The body will react differently to these new forms of the hormones and it may have an effect on the way that the body metabolizes those hormones which lead to hair loss.
So you see, it isn’t the actual hormone that is responsible for hair loss in women after a hysterectomy, it is the way that the body transforms that testosterone into DHT. There is nothing that you can do to prevent this hair loss since you do not know whether your body will react in this manner or not after the surgery, however, if you do experience hair loss, there is hope.”
What is that hope? Rogaine or Propecia – drugs that can help grow your hair back. It is important to note that these methods don’t always work for everyone, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to try. The last resort would be to have hair replacement surgery, which many women have done. Hair loss for women can be devastating and a huge blow to our self-esteem and ego, so it’s not surprising that many are willing to go to great lengths to have hair again.
If you are experiencing female health issues, be sure to discuss all of your options with your OB-GYN. Also, inform your loctician/consultant, or hairdresser. My consultant is also a trained trichologist (a trichologist is someone who has been trained specifically about scalp and hair conditions. Qualified trichologists undergo intensive training in trichology — the scientific study of hair and scalp disorders.), so she can offer informed and educated advice when it comes to hair loss and scalp issues.
If you are having a hysterectomy, be sure to educate yourself as much as possible about all the side effects you may experience after the surgery. Including possible hair loss. It is imperative that you discuss hormone replacement options with your OB-GYN. There are several options out there and it’s important that you make an informed decision with your physician on which one is best for you. Hair loss can be devastating, but there are options out there. Don’t give up hope if you experience it after a major surgery like a hysterectomy.
Your Loc Journey Is Your Own
Whenever you embark on something new – be it a new job, move to a different city or state, make a major lifestyle change or embark on a natural hair journey, you must remember that it’s your journey and no one else’s. You will receive a lot of advice from well-meaning people, and you will read a lot of do’s and don’ts from the experts. And let’s not forget the hundreds if not thousands of Youtube videos giving you advice. You will also get negative comments from family, friends, and co-workers. Some are well-meaning, albeit ignorant because they don’t know nor understand the journey you’re on. Tune out the negative. Tune out too much advice and listen to your gut.
Don’t give up
So many give up on their natural hair journey or loc journey because of negative and discouraging words from others. You don’t embark on personal journeys for other people. You do it for yourself, and that’s what I’ve learned through my loose natural hair journey and now my loc journey. You have to be confident within yourself to not only start your loc journey but to continue it. This means going through all of the stages, the good, the bad and the ugly. Also, it means not tucking your hair away and hiding it but working with it and letting it do what it do.
Don’t follow the fads
There are so many remedies and concoctions floating around that people swear works for their locs or hair and insist that everyone should try. DON’T. If you’re new in your loc journey and still have baby locs, don’t do anything to them that your consultant hasn’t told you to do. If you’ve installed your locs yourself, still be careful of what you put on them and how you care for them. Sisterlocks, in particular, are purposely low maintenance. All you need to use on them is water and the sisterlocks shampoo during the baby phase. Some choose to continue with this method even after their locs are fully mature.
Oil and too much water will cause slippage, which means your locs will come loose. Don’t defeat the purpose of trying to loc your hair by putting things on it that will cause it to come down. Apple cider vinegar is full of acid. Acid eats and erodes the hair which means breakage and hair loss over time. Rice water, while it is proven to stimulate hair growth, must be done correctly. Otherwise, you can receive a fungal infection of the scalp which can lead to severe itching and sores. Rose water also should be used sparingly. But when you have sisterlocks, nothing should be used but a spritz of water occasionally and the sisterlocks shampoo until your consultant tells you otherwise.
Find your tribe
One of the best things I’ve done in my loose natural hair journey and now sisterlocks journey was to find support groups. However…you also need to beware of some of these support groups because I’ve come across some very strange, controlling, and childish ones. Also, if you have family or friends with locs or natural hair, reach out to them as well. They can provide encouragement and reassurance that you need. Please remember that you are not alone. There is someone out there going through the same insecurities, anxieties, or frustrations as you and it helps to talk about them and receive encouragement and tips.
Make the best of your loc journey
Never compare your journey to someone else’s. It’s ok to look at someone else’s locs as inspiration, but never think your locs are supposed to look like someone else’s who have been locked for 2+ years. The only way you can enjoy your loc journey is to embrace your own loc journey. Embrace all the stages and remember that every stage leads to a milestone in your journey.
Celebrate those milestones! Have you started to get budding at the end of your locs? Have your locs begun to swell and thicken, hence making them look and feel fuller? Are you noticing more hang time versus shrinkage? All of these are milestones in your loc journey that should be celebrated! Document them by taking photos of your hair every month so you can see the changes happening with your hair. You will be amazed and you will fall in love with your locs more and more as you make your loc journey your own.
Going Back to my Natural Roots 