After 14 years in the game I have some thoughts to share on what to consider when starting locs and how long you want your loc journey to be.
00:00 Hello
00:30 Your foundation is paramount.
03:42 Prepare your body.
05:55 Length does not equal health.
07:00 Relinquish control.
08:21 Will I have locs for life?
08:41 You are not your hair and Goodbye.
-The thickness, density, texture, and porosity of your hair + your overall scalp health should all play a part in deciding how to start and maintain your locs. All those things will affect how your locs grow and mature and what kind of maintenance they will need.
-Experimentation is research! You can't learn your own hair solely by watching other people.
-Know yourself. What are your thought and behaviorial patterns? How might having locs challenge you? Locs can be a source of profound self-love but can also bring up internalized trauma surrounding your appearance, natural hair, and Blackness. Be prepared.
-Long-term loc-wearing can affect your body.
-Traction alopecia is real. Health over length always.
-Your hair is yours, your journey is yours, and you can do whatever you want--that includes not listening to a word I say! =)
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#dreadlocks #starterlocs #locjourney #advice