Ah, freeforming. My method...

So now that we've seen how freeforming has truly helped me to regain strength in hair follicles that were losing gusto (see pics from last post, and my lamenting in previous posts) I can testify to what I've found is the biggest benefit of freeforming, and how for those with thinning hair, manicuring becomes an addition of insult to injury.

Now, when I had my locs manicured, I loved how they looked, except I could easily see my thinning hair, and just, iono, felt, that my hair was getting thinner due to the twisting. when you've developed traction alcopecia, why add more traction by having them manicured all the time?

Also, I knew from the outset that when my locs were developed, I would have a problem. See, because I had thinning hair up top, my loctician thought it would be best to make fewer locks. I admit fault for not telling her to make more on the top of my head, but that's what a lack of foresight gets you. Sometimes its good to put your foot in your mouth, and just say what is coming up. Believe that.

So yes, I went through the arduous process of creating new locs while at the same time treating my older locs accordingly (feeding them water and shampoo). Which of course really slowed the locking process for the noobs. Many a day spent with my bandana on when I would have preferred to rock my locs...

The clinch for me was the amount of... of versatility in influencing how these locs would start and develop (newbies) now I have a total of six locs where before I had two. had I continued to have them manicured, even if less often to combat the traction, I would have developed a very few, slowly thinning locs on top of my head.

So my message to those who have thinning hair and are considering locs... First, determine what your goals are.
If you want to cultivate locs in order to try and strengthen hair growth, then have a loctician start them, but only after you've discussed that you believe your hair can grow back, and you want the begining locs to reflect that belief. Have them wash and twist them, but don't pin them down to the root when going under the dryer. allow some breathing room (and growing room) for the hair that can't take that stress.

If on the other hand, you want locs and are unconcerned about continued alcopecia, then so be it. but if I know the human condition as far as aesthetics, then we all want a full head of hair (read: locs) so do what thou wilt.

Love, Lux, locs.

For Real Freeforming

Hello all, it's been quite awhile since I have posted. And while much has been going on in my life, we'll take things slowly.

First locs, then love, then life.

LOCS

My hair is... no words can describe it. the two locs in the front got clipped of much of their length, because I was bent on the hair at my crown being more evenly distributed. In stead of two locs, there are three now.
I'm deep off into the freeform. Just wash, oil, and go. and even the oiling has become much more simple: spread some jojoba on my hands, rustle them through the drying hair, and that's about the story of oiling. the length of hair that was comb coiled is definitely loc'd, while the new growth is in varying stages of locing. I enjoy playing with the ends that, only months ago, I was begging to seal. now only about a handful of them havent sealed. I've got this sort of "halo" of new growth that makes me feel such like a lion. Seperating the roots is my biggest maintenance task now, and one that I undertake with plenty of enjoyment. Anything to do with my hair is savored! Mid December will be the one year mark for my locs. SO much growth in the past ten months...
In the past month and a half, as I embrace the freeform, people have started complimenting my hair. I hear awe as I walk Atlanta. At massage events, those with locs touch their fist to their heart and give me a small bow, which I'm only to happy to return. I wear a jamaican flag bandana, and yellow and green armbands. People ask if I'm from Jamaica, and I tell them no, but that I identify with the country as if it is my home. Looking in the mirror at my locs, in all their unkempt glory, I feel a profound sense of gratitude and self love (more on that later) and a gratefulness at my ongoing decision to remain loc'd. LUV

another day of locing and travesty

So today was pleasant. Had a community event at united way downtown (ATL) and really enjoyed the opportunity to massage so many bodies. my skills are blooming. I listened to the christ consciousness isochronic last night, so I was very zen and flowing today. Went to a book store in the west end mall and heard about a woman who has done 20 years of research into dreadlocks's spiritual aspect, and discovered that locs have code written into them, individual to every person. Makes sense to me since everyone's hair is different. I love being around afrocentric brethren, building mathematics, and so on...I'll be sure to be back on the 19th with an update on how that turned out. I CAN'T WAIT!

Oh, and a question for those of you...Since I'm freeforming, and my hair is more or less used to the pattern of locing, can't I just sleep on it now? Do I have to wrap it all careful? It makes sense that I should If I don't want lint and stuff in it, but other than that, is it really necessary? it almost seems counterintuitive. Like my hair could be accomplishing something while I'm asleep. LOL.

I was feeling a little down today. I'm not sure what my locs are gonna teach me, but as the days go by, and my unkempt lovely universe grates on people's idea of decorum, tempers are flaring. Funnily enough, I have a lone loc that stands straight up on my head. I'll post some pictures of it soon, since it doesn't appear to be going anywhere. SOOOO many people at school are saying things like: " u should twist that one" or, "its getting on my nerves" or "whats up with the antennea?"...ok, I like the antennea thing, but the other ones are.... well, they're not discouraging, cause I love my process. But they're...well it hurts to have people who were sooo down with locs while they're manicured totally turn and flip the script and start behaving like it...scares them almost. This one lady came up and just started flicking it, telling it to go down. My lovely loc, it bounced back ertime, and she just gave up...My locs lend me resiliency....

But then there's Dion, the lovely who first opened my eyes to what my hair wanted to do. She asked me today if I loved the journey, and I gave her a very sincere yes. I LOVE IT.


My locs are teaching me something everyday. People who understand give u ups for the bravery, people who don't understand just...stare. but its a different look. At united way with the massage, I had a bandana covering the new growth. Everyone I touched LOVED me. said I had magic hands. I wonder how dif things wouldve spun if I'd had my stubborn lovely loc flipping the luv to all in attendance, daring someone to comment....

IONO, INI...

LUV, LUX, and BUX