OK so I have looked at countless blogs and I think I have come to a conclusion. I have been bewildered by how some people locks can start off so thin and then once they mature end up so thick. Now I know density plays a part in this but I truly believe it is due to how much your lock unravel between retightening.
Now I have been watching my locks very closely as I'm sure you have realized by now and Many of my locks are unraveled at the end almost halfway down the shaft and many of those locks are locking in this manner. They are way thicker than when they started due to the fact that they are unraveled and my hair has shrunk and expanded due to my curls and my loose hair which does what it wants to do best which is shrink, curl and stay. Now the locks that have my 4pt pattern all the way to the end are still as thin as they were at installation and some of them are locking as well. Now it is my belief that if at your retightenings your hair isn't tightened to the end then it will definitely expand fully and become really really full and fat. Although this looks great on lots of lock wearers, I have never really been a fan of big hair on me. Probably due to the fact that my natural hair is thin an dwhenever I had relaxers in my hair was very fine and thin and I was ok with that ( for the most part)
Solution? 
For my retightening this week I'm going to ask my consultant how she feels about what I just mentioned and if she will retighten my hair all the way to the end, it may take a while but I really do not want my locks to expand a whole lot more. Where they are now is great to me and with my ends unraveling, (all part of the process I'm sure) my hair doesn't look as tailored as I would like it too. Obsessing I know, I can't help it! Anywhoo we shall see if my hypothesis is correct and if my pockets can handle my consultant taking the time to retighten to the ends if this in itself wont hinder my locking.
What do you think?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Plump Locks Vs. Skinny Locks
Posted by Kay exquisite at 6:22 PM
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7 comments:
thats a good assumption and I have asked that of my own hair will the ends eventually get smaller, I can't give an definite answer but my cousins locks were puffy for the first 3yrs but as they became more tightly wound then they were skinny from root to tip in a more uniform look so maybe we just need a little more patience and let it do what it do
What do you mean by retighten to the end? As I started to retighten myself, I've noticed a few in the back that have unraveled a bit and they are skinny. Like you said though as they lock they will probably lock fatter than those that have not unraveled at all. Good analysis!!! Lol-and I feel you, I don't want thick locks which is why I opted for SL's.
Locs go through various stages and one of them is a very puffy stage, when they shrink and swell. They eventually condense down to a thinner and more uniform loc. However, if the puffiness you're experiencing is 'bunching' then it's better fixed sooner rather than later. I'd be interested to know what your consultant says.
Glad you posted this! Mine unravel at the ends too, but during retightening sessions my consultant ignores them. (Are they meant to stay unravelled?) It bothered me but I haven't been brave enough to mention it as yet...
My hair is also fine and thin. I would say it's like cotton candy. My loose ends adds more volume to my styling. I have recently had my loose ends repaired and definitly notice the length was there but not the volume I like.
Dear Kay E., I have been following your blog and watching your babies grow and develop. I’ll say this; let your hair do what it needs to do on its own. I believe that when some people start their locks, they interrupt the natural locking process in the early stages by manipulating them too much. In the long run, they do not get their desired result and often end up with an over-twisted or over-manipulated mess :) I would even urge lock wearers to be careful with roller sets and color. Seemingly harmless, roller sets put tension on the locks potentially weakening them/causing breakage, and permanent hair color can damage and change the lock texture/structure by rearranging the color molecules within the cortex layer of the hair strands. Ladies, have you ever noticed how strong and good men’s locks look? That’s because they don’t do all the manipulation that we do to our hair. Too much manipulation is not good.
Technically, your hair is not even locked yet. With the right conditioner, hair tools and two good friends, you can still take out your SLs at this stage. Let your hair be. Spritz with water daily, use a light moisturizer (if needed) and cover up at bedtime. In time, those curly Q’s will take on their own shape. Your loose ends are going to do some different things, some will turn into little balls and break off over time, some will stay curly, some will fuzz up and then lock, etc…you get the picture. That’s the beauty of natural hair and locking and why no two heads look alike. Also, those ends will need trimming in a couple years anyway. Now, if some of your locks have slipped or bunched, your consultant will fix those. If your consultant locks all the way down, your SLs will lose their springiness (which they’re supposed to have in this settling-in stage) and you don’t want that look so save your money. Another reason why locks expand as they mature is because the hair that you are not naturally shedding is intertwining within the locks and making them fuller.
Locking is a true test of patience. Watching your babies grow and develop is what makes them so special. Each one is unique. Try not to do too much too soon. Allow them to do their thing without much manipulation. Accept their natural transformation. In a year or two, your SLs will look nothing like they do today. Your SLs will mature and those ends you are so concerned with will lock naturally (or not). Peace and Love.
@afrinet - what a great response. You made all the right points, just let your hair do its thing and don't fuss with it.
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