Braiding/banding can actually prevent locs from locking. Continuously stretching your hair really delays the locing process bc locs need to compact. I only braided and banded for 3 months. I have small locs not sisterlocs so it might be a little different. Now I just make sure my locs aren’t bunched up just by gently pulling the ends (after securing the roots so i don’t pull on my scalp) ALSO braiding and banding definitely prevents thorough washing of our locs and scalp. It’s very very rare that hair that’s already loc’d will unravel on its own. Even if your ends stay loose, the body of your loc is loc’d. You don’t have to worry.
I haven’t gotten my locs yet but I often see people don’t like braiding and banding and im trying to find out why lol putting braids in hair you don’t have to comb seems like the easiest and fastest thing to do
I find it time consuming. I had traditional locs for 4 years. Never had to do it. I'd just wash in the shower normally. This is an extra step to many who just want to wash their hair and move on. I have forgotten a couple of times, because I'm so used to just washing like she demonstrated in the video. I think it's a freedom thing. For me it is anyway. I just want to wash my hair an go. Thsts why I got locs. For the freedom.
I think it’s mostly the stage of locs it resembles, if you are still braiding and banding it also means your hair is still prone to unraveling, so just the time which you are trying to survive without your loctician having to restart some locs lol
I don’t braid and band prior to washing because it more difficult to properly wash my hair and it is time consuming. I have 4c hair and have had sisterlocs for 7 months
Your hair looks beautiful and well moisturized after your wash!! I'm 21 months and just stopped about a month ago but my locs started bunching so back to braiding and banding for me😩
Kelly, thank you!! I wish I could keep the “just washed/full of moisture” look all the time 😩 haha. Your comment about bunching after 21 months just shook me to my core 😬🤭.... omg. What is your curl pattern if you don’t mind me asking?
@@ambyressence I have 4b/4c hair and my ends are loose. If you don't notice anything than you're good. As soon as my hair dried I saw it, so my hair still needs to compact some more before I can wash it freely.
I’ve only had my SL for 6 weeks and washed my hair twice and I am already tired of braiding and banding-LOL. I’m hoping that at 6 months my 4c hair will allow me to stop. Your hair looks great!! Thanks for the video
Braiding and banding is the absolute worst 😩😂. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you won’t have to do it past six months! How many inches was your hair when you got your locs established??
@@blackmarketbraids4734 my consultant told me to wash every 2-3 weeks. I haven’t had any slippage at my 4 week follow up so far, my hair seems to have been waiting for me to lock it my curls on the ends are very tight. They don’t unravel
@@CarynSistaLocked Locs that are started on shorter hair tend to loc faster! 😊 I think that you have a great shot of being able to stop the braiding and banding at 6 months! We'll just have to wait and see! ✨
I’m a little over 2.5 years with my sisterlocks and I’m still braiding and banding, my hair is soft and all of my ends are still open. I tried washing without braiding and banding a few times and my locks unraveled. I had to have some repairs done. It works for me, because I love wearing braidouts
I'm about 14 months loc'd with Sisterlocks and asked my loctician at my most recent re-tie if I could wash my hair regularly and finally got the okay! I'm excited about it because twisting and banding was a tedious process. I was also told from the beginning to twist and band, and not braid and band so it's interesting to hear the different methods. I have 4C hair, as you can see in my picture.
It is interesting how many different methods there are! I've seen some people with locs who don't braid or twist. They just band. 🤔 I'm so happy you got the all clear to stop twisting and banding!! Yay for hair freedom!!! 🥳
Your hair is growing so beautifully! I am 15 months into my journey and I have a mixture of 4b/4c textures. Lady, I stopped braiding and banding maybe at the 10 month mark. Ok I am a weeee bit of a rebel!🤪 I still have some curly ends like you however most of my hair is locked. I have even bleached them recently. I use a little moisturizer conditioner once or twice a week because of the color and I still haven’t ran into any issues (thank the Lord!). Seriously, I believe you will be fine! 💙
This is the second time that I have washed without braiding and banding. I love it. My location just told me to hold my ends when I rinse my hair. I have also been using Melanin to wash as well. I don't know how I feel about it yet. But looks great.
You are a brave woman! LOL, I'm 8 months loc'd and I feel you...I was hoping that by the 1 year mark I would be able to wash my hair free of braiding and banding but according to my consultant she does not think I will be loc'd by then. Your locs are coming along beautifully.
Definitely can’t wait to see if you try out conditioner!! I never thought about my hair becoming dry and brittle as it’s been very soft and moisturized as it now and I too have 4C, but now you got me thinking
For some weird reason, I have a hard time washing my hair thoroughly unless I put it in sections and the same applied even when I was a loose natural. I am one year in with my Sisterlocks and I actually prefer to band before washing (I 2 strand twist and band instead of braiding per my loctician recommendation due to my hair being fine)
That’s so interesting! I’ve met a lot of people who don’t mind braiding and banding, but I think you’re the first person I’ve met who actually likes it! 😊 I definitely preferred to wash my hair in sections when I was a loose natural as well. I’m not sure why that changed for me after I locked! 🤔
@@ambyressence I also like how stretched my hair is when I take it down after it dries. She told me to always get my locs stretched so that I avoid bunching.
Thank you Dana!! 😊 I’m definitely planning to tell my loctician the next time I see her. I’m hoping it’ll prompt her to officially give me the “all clear”. If she doesn’t, I don’t know if I’ll have the guts to go against her recommendation TWICE 😂.
I am five months into my microloc journey, and my hair still unravels even with braid and banding. I hope i will quite it after a year but i doubt that will happen
Do you still have under 400 locks? Edit; I’m asking Bc I too have under 400 and I’m trying to see what my hair could “potentially” look like later with less than 400 lol.
Braiding/banding can actually prevent locs from locking. Continuously stretching your hair really delays the locing process bc locs need to compact. I only braided and banded for 3 months. I have small locs not sisterlocs so it might be a little different. Now I just make sure my locs aren’t bunched up just by gently pulling the ends (after securing the roots so i don’t pull on my scalp)
ALSO braiding and banding definitely prevents thorough washing of our locs and scalp.
It’s very very rare that hair that’s already loc’d will unravel on its own. Even if your ends stay loose, the body of your loc is loc’d. You don’t have to worry.
I haven’t gotten my locs yet but I often see people don’t like braiding and banding and im trying to find out why lol putting braids in hair you don’t have to comb seems like the easiest and fastest thing to do
I exactly wonder the same and I've been locked for 5 months now
I find it time consuming. I had traditional locs for 4 years. Never had to do it. I'd just wash in the shower normally.
This is an extra step to many who just want to wash their hair and move on.
I have forgotten a couple of times, because I'm so used to just washing like she demonstrated in the video.
I think it's a freedom thing. For me it is anyway. I just want to wash my hair an go. Thsts why I got locs. For the freedom.
I think it’s mostly the stage of locs it resembles, if you are still braiding and banding it also means your hair is still prone to unraveling, so just the time which you are trying to survive without your loctician having to restart some locs lol
It’s honestly super easy. A lot easier than washing my loose hair
I don’t braid and band prior to washing because it more difficult to properly wash my hair and it is time consuming. I have 4c hair and have had sisterlocs for 7 months
Beautiful hair and it looks like your hair will be just fine without the banding. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Your hair looks beautiful and well moisturized after your wash!! I'm 21 months and just stopped about a month ago but my locs started bunching so back to braiding and banding for me😩
Your hair Looks good!
Kelly, thank you!! I wish I could keep the “just washed/full of moisture” look all the time 😩 haha. Your comment about bunching after 21 months just shook me to my core 😬🤭.... omg. What is your curl pattern if you don’t mind me asking?
@@ambyressence I have 4b/4c hair and my ends are loose. If you don't notice anything than you're good. As soon as my hair dried I saw it, so my hair still needs to compact some more before I can wash it freely.
How did u get rid of the bunching?
@@latishacarter3975 If you interlock through the bunching it literally straightens it out. It really works!
I’ve only had my SL for 6 weeks and washed my hair twice and I am already tired of braiding and banding-LOL. I’m hoping that at 6 months my 4c hair will allow me to stop. Your hair looks great!! Thanks for the video
Braiding and banding is the absolute worst 😩😂. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you won’t have to do it past six months! How many inches was your hair when you got your locs established??
Why are you washing so frequently?
@@ambyressence my hair was tapered so in the back and sides it was 3-4 inches in the crown 5-7 inches. My fingers are crossed.
@@blackmarketbraids4734 my consultant told me to wash every 2-3 weeks. I haven’t had any slippage at my 4 week follow up so far, my hair seems to have been waiting for me to lock it my curls on the ends are very tight. They don’t unravel
@@CarynSistaLocked Locs that are started on shorter hair tend to loc faster! 😊 I think that you have a great shot of being able to stop the braiding and banding at 6 months! We'll just have to wait and see! ✨
I’m a little over 2.5 years with my sisterlocks and I’m still braiding and banding, my hair is soft and all of my ends are still open. I tried washing without braiding and banding a few times and my locks unraveled. I had to have some repairs done. It works for me, because I love wearing braidouts
Braiding and banding also helps prevent bunching
I'm about 14 months loc'd with Sisterlocks and asked my loctician at my most recent re-tie if I could wash my hair regularly and finally got the okay! I'm excited about it because twisting and banding was a tedious process. I was also told from the beginning to twist and band, and not braid and band so it's interesting to hear the different methods. I have 4C hair, as you can see in my picture.
It is interesting how many different methods there are! I've seen some people with locs who don't braid or twist. They just band. 🤔 I'm so happy you got the all clear to stop twisting and banding!! Yay for hair freedom!!! 🥳
@@ambyressence It really is! Yes, I love the hair freedom!
Your growth is AMAZING!! your locs are crazy BEAUTIFUL! thanks again for another great video❤❤❤
THANK YOU!! And thank you so much for watching! 😊💛💕
Your locs are looking nice. I'm 14 months in and I banded my hair once, the 1st time I washed it.
Your hair is growing so beautifully! I am 15 months into my journey and I have a mixture of 4b/4c textures. Lady, I stopped braiding and banding maybe at the 10 month mark. Ok I am a weeee bit of a rebel!🤪 I still have some curly ends like you however most of my hair is locked. I have even bleached them recently. I use a little moisturizer conditioner once or twice a week because of the color and I still haven’t ran into any issues (thank the Lord!). Seriously, I believe you will be fine! 💙
Your hair is nice and you have such a personality! Enjoyed your video!
This is the second time that I have washed without braiding and banding. I love it. My location just told me to hold my ends when I rinse my hair. I have also been using Melanin to wash as well. I don't know how I feel about it yet. But looks great.
You are a brave woman! LOL, I'm 8 months loc'd and I feel you...I was hoping that by the 1 year mark I would be able to wash my hair free of braiding and banding but according to my consultant she does not think I will be loc'd by then. Your locs are coming along beautifully.
Lol thank you, Nette!! 😊 And I'm sorry you're having to braid and band for the long haul. What is your curl pattern if you don't mind me asking??
@@ambyressence Not at all, I have 4a texture. Recently she recommended I spray my hair with pink salt/distilled water to speed up the locing process
Definitely can’t wait to see if you try out conditioner!! I never thought about my hair becoming dry and brittle as it’s been very soft and moisturized as it now and I too have 4C, but now you got me thinking
You and your locks look gorgeous!
For some weird reason, I have a hard time washing my hair thoroughly unless I put it in sections and the same applied even when I was a loose natural. I am one year in with my Sisterlocks and I actually prefer to band before washing (I 2 strand twist and band instead of braiding per my loctician recommendation due to my hair being fine)
That’s so interesting! I’ve met a lot of people who don’t mind braiding and banding, but I think you’re the first person I’ve met who actually likes it! 😊
I definitely preferred to wash my hair in sections when I was a loose natural as well. I’m not sure why that changed for me after I locked! 🤔
@@ambyressence I also like how stretched my hair is when I take it down after it dries. She told me to always get my locs stretched so that I avoid bunching.
I’m digging your locs. I want skinny locs. I want people to have to look real close to see if I’m loc’d.
I always enjoy your videos, so informative. Thank you.
I’m 7 months into my journey. I just washed my hair yesterday and had the exact same thoughts. I’m so sick of braiding and banding.
😩 Isn't it just the worst? Any idea when you'll be allowed to stop braiding and banding??
Even if the ends stay curly forever, your hair is so cute! Do you plan to tell your loctician about your successful experiment?
Thank you Dana!! 😊 I’m definitely planning to tell my loctician the next time I see her. I’m hoping it’ll prompt her to officially give me the “all clear”.
If she doesn’t, I don’t know if I’ll have the guts to go against her recommendation TWICE 😂.
I am five months into my microloc journey, and my hair still unravels even with braid and banding. I hope i will quite it after a year but i doubt that will happen
Here watching 🎉
Lol your hair was exactly like mine. Take a leap of faith I did the same thing and it all worked out if not it helped. Do you self retighten?
I didn’t know this and my grid was ruined and she also had to combine locks.
4 years in and my ends never locked😁.
Wait you can’t use conditioner?
Loving the length sis! Also, if you ever need help with lighting just lmk 😌
The length didn't come to play haha. Thank you sis!! 💕😊
I love your locs they are beautiful.
Thank you so much! ✨😊
Watching
Do you still have under 400 locks?
Edit; I’m asking Bc I too have under 400 and I’m trying to see what my hair could “potentially” look like later with less than 400 lol.
New subbie! I appreciate your updates 😄
Beautiful locs
Thank youu! 💛
Those are loose hair and it’s gona take a while to lock unless your loctician fix then
More meat, lol! Great video 😌
One of these days I’m gonna get through a video without using weird descriptors like “meat” 😂. Thanks for watching! 😊