One of the inevitabilities of deciding to wear your hair in its natural state…you know, the way it grows from your scalp…is some of the unusual questions people ask you about your hair. Some of the questions are rude (not maliciously so in 99% of the cases), but most derive from ignorance about black hair, in general, and the motivations of black women who choose to wear their hair in its natural state, specifically. 

These are some of the questions (or blanket statements) I encounter on the regular:

How long are you going to wear your hair “like that”?

The installation of Sisterlocks is not only an emotional investment, but a financial one. The cost of the installation of Sisterlocks is not akin to a micro-braiding session; you’re going to drop off some cheese for a professional installation. This fact, alone, means that Sisterlocks is not simply a temporary hairstyle, but a lifestyle. To answer the question…I am going to wear my hair like this until I die. 

How long are you going to let your locks grow?

When I wore my hair cropped and relaxed, the hairstyle dictated frequent cuts, relaxer retouches, shavings, and regular maintenance. I chose to cut my hair to maintain a distinct hairstyle-short, cropped, and relaxed. At this point in my maturation, I’m quite fascinated by the growth pattern of healthy, natural hair in adult women. Shrinkage is a certainty, but even with the shrinkage, my hair, after one year of Sisterlocks, is longer than it has been since 2000-proof that even while I am aging in years, my hair thrives in its natural state. To answer the question…I have no plans to cut my hair during the first five years of my Sisterlocks growth.

How does your husband feel about your Sisterlocks? 

To answer the question…I don’t care how My Frank feels about my Sisterlocks. He is bald and chooses to maintain that look for himself. I choose Sisterlocks, and I maintain the look for myself.

How often do you shampoo your hair? I mean, don’t they “stink” after a while? I knew this guy with dreadlocks…

I suppose if you don’t shampoo your hair regularly, it won’t be appealing in numerous ways. One of the things I learned during my research of loc styles is that your hair should not be shampooed as often as relaxed hair or even other natural hair styles. The locs need an opportunity to well, lock, so water is not a friend to that particular process. The maintenance of Sisterlocks does not include the application of a daily hair care product, so you don’t have the normal attractants that cause hair to smell or cause product build-up. If you work out a lot, sweat profusely, or add products to your locs (a “no-no”), you’ll need to shampoo more often. To answer the question…when my locs were forming, for the first nine months, my hair was professionally shampooed every 5-6 weeks during my retightenings. Once my locs were formed well enough to shampoo on my own, I shampooed once between my retightenings, or every three weeks. Now, I shampoo with a clarifying shampoo (no conditioner) every two weeks and follow-up with a rosewater spritz every other day. Pictured below is the brand of rosewater I use full-strength, and I purchase it in bulk from Amazon.

How much do your Sisterlocks cost?

It’s impossible for me to answer. Each head of hair differs. The density, length, and overall health of your tresses will determine the installation cost and periodic retightening cost. Prepare yourself by saving for the installation. The region of the country where you live may impact the cost, as well as the proficiency of your consultant or trainee. At this point in my Sisterlocks progression, I pay $25 per hour for my retightening sessions which happen every five weeks. 

Do you ever miss your relaxed hair? I mean, your hair was sooooo cute, Andi!

That’s a resounding, “No!” Followed by all the nopes in Nopedom. There was a time and there was a place. I’m good now…I promise.

Until next time,

Andi D 😘