DOs & DON'Ts OF LOCING

BABY STAGE (0-7 months) to TEENAGE STAGE (7-17 months/2 year mark)

*DO WASH LOCS VERY REGULARLY!

I really did not like the idea of people suggesting that I should not wash my new locs regularly; I was told by a loctician in the area that every 2 weeks she should be the one to deal with my locs for shampooing. I had none of that! I wanted to deal with my hair and wash these fragile locs whenever I wished- so I did. Looking back, I should have washed them less because I could've avoided the unneeded stress of having to re-do my locs everyday. If I had washed my hair less (I shampooed every
other day), I would be letting them into place better instead of having them unravel all the time.

Essentially, it is up to you -but PLEASE keep your scalp and locs clean!

If at any time, your scalp is itching, please wash your locs!

*DO NOT CUT OR DISTORT NEW LOCS.
Those feathery tips were my definition of what made my locs look like locs or still "on the way" locs. My hair looked undefined because I started with thin braids and the ends were untied and loose. So as I was washing, they would unravel and curl. I remembered how this annoyed me so much! BUT, I never touched them. I let my locs get used to themselves. As a result, they loced at the top of each braid and continued being thick 'till the end. If I had touched them or cut them, I would not have
the thickness or length that I have now.

*DO KEEP WRAPPING LOOSE HAIRS AROUND YOUR NEW LOCS
This is a crucial time to get your locs into the right shape, it hasn't loced yet so hairs need to be tamed into place. Having braids to start is one of the easiest ways to keep everything in place. Take the time to wrap those loose hairs around -get those cylindrical shapes flowing.

*DO NOT USE WAX IF POSSIBLE
Every time I used wax, I just ended up with a sticky mess. Sure, it helped keep things in place but my hair never recovered from the wax, even after I shampooed. Trust me; you don't need wax to get those locs in shape.

*DO USE THE SALT MIX
I found it helped SO MUCH. It was the only product I used while my hair was locing up. Info in my 'WHAT WORKED FOR ME' section
of the site. The only advice I would use is not too spray on your scalp if possible. Salt on the scalp is not a good thing as it makes your scalp very dry and itchy.

*DO NOT TIE YOUR HAIR TOO TIGHT OR FOR TOO LONG
My mistake was to tie my hair too tight and to bend my upcoming locs to hold on my head. Now, I look in the mirror and some of my locs have formed that shape at the ends into a bent U-shaped. I had a choice to leave or cut them off. I cut them, losing a lot of length on the ends -Remember that your locs during these stages are still forming shape. Even locs need to be kept in good 'free-living' conditions. Use head wraps and headwear if you want to hold your hair.

*DO TAKE TIME TO KNOW EACH LOC
Would you believe that each of my locs has its own history. Some have been so damn difficult during the process while other locs never needed to be touched -they just did their own thing. I got to know each one with their own personalities. I made a mistake in not wanting to look at my locs much at the beginning. Take the time to love them. Just don't try to alter them during the journey. All that can be done when the locs are old enough to be trimmed. Just keep on wrapping the stray hairs
around.

*DO NOT USE TOO MANY PRODUCTS
Throughout the whole journey, I have used products for my hair to a real minimum. When I did use products, my hair became too soft to hold into place and it was all a waste of time because they never worked anyway! While locing, just use a good cleansing shampoo, natural if possible. I recommend Tea Tree Oil shampoos because it is very refreshing, natural and antiseptic -good for both scalp and hair. Don't use any shampoos that have a conditioner. That comes later when your locs are mature enough to use it without it affecting them. If you do need something to moisture your scalp (not those locs!), use light oils
like almond oil which will absorb quickly and not leave a sticky mess. Why wash when you are going to replace grease back into your scalp! I recommend cocoa butter (light). Within an hour, my scalp took it all in and my locs were not affected.

*DO EAT PROPERLY
Your hair is affected by anything that goes into your body, so keep it healthy. Don't go on diets and avoid the exercise!
It doesn't work that way. If you eat healthy, you should have enough good food to keep your hair glowing and growing. I was
told exercise really help the growth of hair.

* DO LOVE YOUR FUZZIES!

I miss my fuzzies! I really do! I can't believe I wasted all that hoping they would go away and now that they are gone, I want them back! Love each stage and appreciate it for what it holds.

*DO NOT STRESS
I am hardly a good example of this! I was stressing like crazy at the beginning. I was used to going to get my hair braided
and coming out looking the way I wanted within the same day...so this process stressed me out! Other people and their perception
of me stressed me out too -I had changed in my appearance and I was now open to comments (good/bad). But seriously, its not
worth it! This process takes time, all that frizziness is a NORMAL part of it. Get used to it!
*DO MASSAGE THE SCALP
Relaxing!
Massaging the scalp helps keep your hair healthy and can also promote hair growth. Nourishment is sent to the capillary vessels
in hair papillae to activate the hair cells. Many hair stylists, while shampooing hair, will give scalp massages.

1. Start from the forehead hairline along the arteries in the front, side, and back of the head, making small circles with
your fingertips.

2. Work your way toward the top of the head as if drawing a circle.

3. Massage your hair/scalp for just ten minutes a day: once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Do not give up after
a few days. Make it a habit! You can also massage your scalp when shampooing your hair.

*DO NOT EXPOSE TO THE ELEMENTS
England is just one of those places where the weather is cold, wet and dull all year around so we are all used to it. The only thing that still bugs me about it is when I want to wear my hair out and it starts getting dull too. Thats where the head wrap comes in handy, keeping out all the nasty city fumes and stopping it from frizzing up with the rain. When my locs
were fragile (first 3 months), it took just one big scoop of wind to puff up the whole lot.

*DO KEEP A LOCING JOURNAL
If you like experimenting, its always a good idea to write down what made your locs do this or that and with the product's names on hand. Just for future reference. I wish I had more pictures and writing to look back on. It would have been amazing to see the total difference, the change and to have a laugh about!

*DO NOT BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
There's always someone on hand to help you out, whether its to wrap your loose hairs or to help you out with the whole process.
I didn't, but its always nice to have some help around -would have saved me from the aching arms after a good hour each time.
Its an option. If you have someone whos willing to help, ask.
There are plenty of FORUMS around the internet to ask anything you want about the process ...and the people are always willing
to help and learn. Its great! -check it out for some good help.

*DO BE OPEN TO PEOPLE WITH QUESTIONS
Its very easy at the beginning when you're not used to it yet, to not answer questions or to not acknowledge your hair either.
People are curious by nature, tell them why you did it even if their comments are not to your liking. I remember when my friends
would ask me why and for what reason I decided on locs (was it spiritual, why the change...etc). I still get those questions
now. I am not ashamed, I told them exactly what I thought (even when some still did not understand and thought I had lost my mind).

*DO NOT BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT
Its fun, it does not always go right but I feel that if I want to learn, I have to be open to the experience of good and bad.
I remember at one point at the very beginning when I didn't like washing my hair because of the frizz ball I was left with ...I reminded myself each time that I shouldn't be afraid of anything, let alone with my own hair.

*DO ENJOY A NEW STYLE
This was the bit I loved most. Now that all my long braided hair was gone, my clothes suddenly looked odd without all that hair and besides, I felt like I wanted to splash out on myself with a new way of doing things. My face was now on show and the hair was no longer a center point. Have fun, I did. Go out, enjoy a new found freedom of styling yourself, evolving to a new outer look.

* DO NOT WORRY ABOUT SHRINKAGE

During these stages, locs may look like they are shrinking in length. This is a good sign -it simply means your locs are starting up the process and the hairs inside your locs are curling up and entwining themselves so the loc can form. After these stages, your locs will stop shrinking and the rapid growth will begin.

* DO KEEP THINGS SIMPLE

When you are done with all the experimenting, stick to a good routine! Keep it simple and your loc health will thank you for it.