So I have made it to the two-year mark! Happy loc birthday to me. If you haven’t already read my 1-year loc’d post go ahead and read that before you jump into this year’s update.
Year two has been the year of the drop, of the hang-time. My hair has really blossomed and changed from day one. There has been a lot of growth over the last few months which has been exciting to see, looking back at the pictures I have taken.
Going into this loc journey I had always said I would keep my regime simple. I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t over doing it as I didn’t want product build up in my babies.
For that reason, all my products have remained the same for the most part (have not used aloe vera as much- need to get back on it). Although a few months ago I started to look into flaxseed gel. I tried it and it was a success! Using the gel has really given my retwists longer life which is great, considering previously, I was only using oil and water.
I have noticed that in the second half of this year, my issue of hair growing away from the loc at the root decreased. This is likely due to the locs maturing. I would also assume that using a slightly heavier product to retwist (flaxseed gel) reinforces the hold for a lot longer, somewhat training my new growth to stay with the loc. Now I don’t have to worry about some of my locs that were thinning in places where new growth was not meshing.
In the last couple of months, I have been styling my hair a little more. Straight locs are still my go-to but I love the way braid outs look especially when I haven’t retwisted in a while. There was a recent attempt at Bantu knot (win) and a rope twist attempt (failed- let’s just say I need some practice with that). Looking forward to trying a lot more styles in year 3.
If you are on a loc journey, or any journey for that matter, I would really recommend documenting it. Being able to look back at pictures or something that was writing in a journal really allows you to see what has changed and any growth that has happened. Taking regular photos of the various stages of my hair is something I am learning to do more in order to have something to look back at as a way of encouragement. My hair journey often teaches me something. I am reminded that in order to see my vision (of healthy locs) come to fruition I must patiently commit. Committing to this loc journey has allowed me to smile in the growth.
James 1:3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
