Good points. You have been correcting the holes the interlocking I’ve been doing myself caused in between my visits with you. I won’t do it anymore. I do like fluffier locs.
Just started a new journey after being 4 years loc'd due to breakage from interlocking. I had really thick locs and loved the low maintenance of interlocking until I realized the damage it was causing. You're so right about it being painful/ causing breakage when you interlock and can only move your loc left to right because up and down is taut. My parts were big so it was a lot of surface area being pulled to interlock, then pulled some more when I wanted to put my hair up in a bun. I barley styled my hair because of this. Fast-forward to now, I combed out my locs and restarted. I am not interlocking with this set. I do get tempting thoughts when I sweat out my retwist after 2 days but it's better than being in pain and experiencing breakage. I can also style my locs now without it hurting!
Love that you’ve found a new journey that works better for you! Thanks so much for sharing your story with interlocking, it helps others watching/reading to get real examples that verify what I’m saying. I appreciate you, and blessings to you on your new journey! 🤍🫶🏾
I’m considering microlocs and just discovered your channel. And I’m so grateful for you and your generosity in keeping us informed about our locs! I live in a part of the country where there are not many black people, so I’ll have to travel to get my locs done - and I’ll have to maintain them myself. (I’m confident I can do this, because I’ve been doing my own hair for decades. And I went natural about 10 years ago and have a happy, healthy head of hair.) This video is the first I’ve seen that warns against interlocking, and what you said about it makes a lot of sense. Is it possible to maintain microlocs with palm rolling? Thanks again for your videos!❤
You can maintain microlocs with palm rolling. It comes with its own set of risks. But I have a client that I palm roll. Interlocking can definitely be done safely also!
Queen thank you so much for sharing this knowledge and without any form of negativity I want to say something as correction -- you said in Jamaica yiu imagine theycan't get all the gels but we can actually we can order it. Although i am from St. Lucia, however we from the Caribbean try to use more natural products like cactus ,cacoa, aloe and so much to loc our hair ,and some of us can crochet and interlock. 😊 Thanks for reading
My first set were comb coiled then interlocked. (About the diameter of a pencil) For 8 years I went to a loctician. The last 5 years I began palm rolling the new growth. However, over time the interlocked portion of many locs began thinning. Ultimately, after 13 years, I combed them out and have begun again. This time 2 strand twist and palm rolling.
@@theresabrockettingram7547 a lot of the time, we’re just learning as we go. Glad you’re viewing it as a learning experience! Good luck with everything on your new journey
Can you do a video about bleaching/ coloring locs and the color spectrum; whether or not one should go darker or lighter depending on how they want the color to come out
I've really been meaning to do a video on coloring locs, so I'm hoping to record one this week for you all! I'll make sure to include my opinions about the shades of bleaching, but want to give the disclaimer that I don't color locs nor have I been trained in it, so my expertise about the actual coloring process is limited.
@@CourtneyGrayton thank youu! I keep hearing so many opinions.. i have starter locs and wanna take the risk and color my locs at a the year point but i want to maintain them and keep em strong
Thank you for this post. I concur with everything you say. I had locs for 9 years. I went from palm rolling to interlocking. Sadly, my locs became severely thin and brittle. Eventually, I cut them, and I am presently thinking of restarting the journey after four years without them. I had a consultation this week. I'm still researching to make a decision. However, if I do, palm rolling will definitely be the method. NO INTERLOCKING FOR ME.
how do you know what’s breakage and what’s new growth around the loc? i’ve been interlocking this summer because i’ve been doing water sports and i plan to go back to retwists in the fall
New growth will still be attached to the loc, while breakage shows up as shorter pieces that are around the base of the loc. The breakage is not connected to the loc.
Thanks for the tips in this video. I also love the hairstyle. 🤩 I personally have interlocked my locs for almost two years now using the 2 point interlock method, and my locs still expand pretty good. I have only 50 locs and have been thinking lately about trying crochet retwist, but I'm not sure if it'll be an obvious difference in texture and expansion.?!
Yes I love the 2-point rotation, because it does allow more expansion than the 4-point. It’s just still not as much expansion as traditional palm rolling. The crocheting might keep them the same size but the texture/pattern will look different
Hey Courtney!! Would you be able to make a video on how to avoid flat locs? I did my own retwist and I have several that are flat on the top of my head. I'm sure I didn't use the proper method. *Newbie* Thank you if you can!!😃
thank you for this video. I'm starting a new loc journey after interlocking the ones I had for 5 yrs. I want fluffier locs this go round and wanted to know your thoughts on using the crochet needles as a method of "retwisting" the root? I've heard some people say that palm-rolling isn't really locking the hair when you retwist with this method.
Palm roll does help the hair loc but it’s not immediate. Crocheting would do that but it creates a tighter loc also. Just check out some videos of locs of a similar texture/size that have been crocheted. Crocheting is basically “instant-locking” the root
I wanted a retwist this time around since the my hair lady’s assistant did interlocking last time which I didn’t want (then again, I never said I didn’t want it so I guess it’s on me. Vowed to never go back to the salon on a Saturday, she did do a good job, but still nope). I never had breakage and went 2 1/2 months without getting maintained due to traveling for work and family (wasn’t intended). I expected a retwist last week but my lady said she had to interlock it to tighten the roots. And I am somewhat suffering. The interlocking is playing a part but she went too hard on my scalp and I should have said something. Usually I wash my hair then go to her because of my sensitive scalp and last time she washed my hair, it wasn’t that hard. The interlocking hurt in some parts but let her know when I felt it was too tight. My scalp has been itching since day 2 or 3 from the irritation. I’m planning on putting some water on my scalp to calm it down because even if I pat it until it stops, I know it will scab so I have to leave it! And I also want medium/thick locks hence why I’m also upset that I had it interlocked. I’m not the expert so I didn’t say argue with her since she said some were starting to thin due to me waiting too long(6 months in now). When I return to NY from this work trip, I will get a retwist and I may go to my cousin since she wants to do mine and I bet she will be gentler. My scalp hasn’t been this itchy in ages 💀💀💀💀. Priye pou mwen paske selman Bondye ka sove m! I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m dogging my hair lady. She’s actually helped me so much with my hair! This is the first time that I’m experiencing this itchiness. The irritated scalp plus the interlocking just might cause breakage this time, which is NOT what I want. I only have a travel size shampoo and conditioner on me so hopefully it’ll help. I should really use the “hair Botox “ test to see if something is too tight now. The test being if you can’t move your eyebrows or eat without feeling that pull after you get your hair done, it’s more than likely too tight. And yes, I will learn how to do my own retwist soon. I have the threeway mirror and the rat tail, I just need it to get the parts down.
@@CourtneyGrayton Great! I would love to know general pros and cons. Also doing the maintenance yourself vs having it done by a loctician. How crocheting changes the size and texture of the loc, etc. Also how easy it is to comb out crocheted locs. ( I know rolled and interlocked are supposed to be relatively straightforward, but I have never heard anyone discuss combing out crocheted locs. )
I’ve seen that before, but have never done it. I would imagine that your finger wouldn’t be able to get very close to your scalp so the interlocking would be a little looser. So maybe!
I’m 48 and experiencing some menopausal hair thinning in the crown. I have 140 locs that I interlock with a 2 point rotation every 3 months. I still have texture, bumps, character and expansion. I really only wanted to interlock the perimeter and crown because it is thinner, finer and prone to breakage. My hair there grows away from the loc and if I don’t lock it in somewhat regularly, it thins out. This has been working for me but I do worry about the longevity of this set. I plan on keeping it shorter to maintain thickness over length.
In my experience, hair doesn’t necessarily “grow away from the loc”. That usually means it has broken away from the loc or separated from the interlocking that you’ve done. If your hair is already thinning and prone to breakage, I would suggest trying out palm roll because it would be more gentle on those thinning areas. I definitely wish I could see your hair now to give a better assessment though lol
I have DIY locs. I wasn't aware of interlocking when I started my unlocked but I've seen videos sense and even just looking at it it looks tight and painful. It literally looks like it would weaken the base.. I know it's popular but I just can't imagine why and from what I've seen it seems like it's why some folks with sisterlocks lose them.
I’ve maintained locs via interlocking and kept them healthy, but I’ve also seen videos like you’re describing. It is very easy to make it too tight. It should be done only by someone who really understands the risks and who can advise when to stop!
I wish I found you a month ago. I interlocked my home maintained, 15 yr old (4c) locs for the first time and I think I ruined them. 😢😢😢😢 The circumference is so tiny and they were already thinner than I preferred. Ugh.
As a fellow Jamaican myself i can tell u that interlocking is more of a cultural/traditional type of style because i have locs and ive never done any interlocking and people always ask if my locs are real because of how neat it is and people can just tell the difference by just the way it look
Hello! I am about 10 months locked and I had my first interlocking done about 7 weeks ago. As I’m going through the process again I’ve noticed that there’s a bit of hair that separates the interlocking “braid” from the prior interlocking. It’s almost like two separate weavings. Is that normal or a risk? I wanted to interlock since my hair attracts a ton of lint from using gel
Hello! There’s a separation between the two interlocking instances. There’s a piece of budded hair (it doesn’t feel smooth) between the two interlocked pieces. I’m not sure if this is a result of not pulling hard enough with the interlocking?
I’ve been getting interlocking for 3+ years now. I started with palm roll and I sweat a lot in a week it was puffy. I went back, she interlocked instead ever since then my locs grew. But I never go back until 4-5 months to get it done is that bad? Right now Im almost 6 months of not getting it done 🥲
@@cakeytiffany101 okay, I personally would never recommend someone go that long unless they were going for semi-free form, but if you trust your loctician and she doesn’t think anything is wrong, do what suits you
@@CourtneyGrayton i live in New York, and prices are going up everywhere. I sometimes don’t even have the funds to do my hair. I look up videos on how to interlock my own hair but I’m scared I’ll do it wrong 😑.
I like the statement that interlocking is such a “delicate method” of hair maintenance. We need to treat it as such.
Good points.
You have been correcting the holes the interlocking I’ve been doing myself caused in between my visits with you. I won’t do it anymore. I do like fluffier locs.
I love the interlocks. I’ve been locked for 7 months and work out 5 times a week.
Just started a new journey after being 4 years loc'd due to breakage from interlocking. I had really thick locs and loved the low maintenance of interlocking until I realized the damage it was causing. You're so right about it being painful/ causing breakage when you interlock and can only move your loc left to right because up and down is taut. My parts were big so it was a lot of surface area being pulled to interlock, then pulled some more when I wanted to put my hair up in a bun. I barley styled my hair because of this.
Fast-forward to now, I combed out my locs and restarted. I am not interlocking with this set. I do get tempting thoughts when I sweat out my retwist after 2 days but it's better than being in pain and experiencing breakage. I can also style my locs now without it hurting!
Love that you’ve found a new journey that works better for you! Thanks so much for sharing your story with interlocking, it helps others watching/reading to get real examples that verify what I’m saying. I appreciate you, and blessings to you on your new journey! 🤍🫶🏾
Lies, ain’t no way you combing out the interlocking, so I call b.s. on the whole comment
I’m considering microlocs and just discovered your channel. And I’m so grateful for you and your generosity in keeping us informed about our locs! I live in a part of the country where there are not many black people, so I’ll have to travel to get my locs done - and I’ll have to maintain them myself. (I’m confident I can do this, because I’ve been doing my own hair for decades. And I went natural about 10 years ago and have a happy, healthy head of hair.) This video is the first I’ve seen that warns against interlocking, and what you said about it makes a lot of sense. Is it possible to maintain microlocs with palm rolling? Thanks again for your videos!❤
You can maintain microlocs with palm rolling. It comes with its own set of risks. But I have a client that I palm roll. Interlocking can definitely be done safely also!
Queen thank you so much for sharing this knowledge and without any form of negativity I want to say something as correction -- you said in Jamaica yiu imagine theycan't get all the gels but we can actually we can order it. Although i am from St. Lucia, however we from the Caribbean try to use more natural products like cactus ,cacoa, aloe and so much to loc our hair ,and some of us can crochet and interlock. 😊 Thanks for reading
Thanks for sharing! I know I have a limited view of the culture there so it helps my audience when people share more specifics ☺️
You are watched all over and by women as well as men who have locs or even loose natural. So keep it coming , share the knowledge and that smile omg
My first set were comb coiled then interlocked. (About the diameter of a pencil) For 8 years I went to a loctician. The last 5 years I began palm rolling the new growth. However, over time the interlocked portion of many locs began thinning. Ultimately, after 13 years, I combed them out and have begun again. This time 2 strand twist and palm rolling.
@@theresabrockettingram7547 a lot of the time, we’re just learning as we go. Glad you’re viewing it as a learning experience! Good luck with everything on your new journey
Can you do a video about bleaching/ coloring locs and the color spectrum; whether or not one should go darker or lighter depending on how they want the color to come out
I've really been meaning to do a video on coloring locs, so I'm hoping to record one this week for you all! I'll make sure to include my opinions about the shades of bleaching, but want to give the disclaimer that I don't color locs nor have I been trained in it, so my expertise about the actual coloring process is limited.
@@CourtneyGrayton thank youu! I keep hearing so many opinions.. i have starter locs and wanna take the risk and color my locs at a the year point but i want to maintain them and keep em strong
She definately has gentle hands!!
🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾
Thank you for this post. I concur with everything you say. I had locs for 9 years. I went from palm rolling to interlocking. Sadly, my locs became severely thin and brittle. Eventually, I cut them, and I am presently thinking of restarting the journey after four years without them. I had a consultation this week. I'm still researching to make a decision. However, if I do, palm rolling will definitely be the method. NO INTERLOCKING FOR ME.
Thanks for sharing!! Yes, not enough people know about the risks beforehand! I know people will appreciate hearing about your experience
how do you know what’s breakage and what’s new growth around the loc? i’ve been interlocking this summer because i’ve been doing water sports and i plan to go back to retwists in the fall
New growth will still be attached to the loc, while breakage shows up as shorter pieces that are around the base of the loc. The breakage is not connected to the loc.
Thanks for the tips in this video. I also love the hairstyle. 🤩 I personally have interlocked my locs for almost two years now using the 2 point interlock method, and my locs still expand pretty good. I have only 50 locs and have been thinking lately about trying crochet retwist, but I'm not sure if it'll be an obvious difference in texture and expansion.?!
Yes I love the 2-point rotation, because it does allow more expansion than the 4-point. It’s just still not as much expansion as traditional palm rolling. The crocheting might keep them the same size but the texture/pattern will look different
@@mzeveystylez4705 what’s your IG i want to see what 2 years interlocking looks like.
Hey Courtney!!
Would you be able to make a video on how to avoid flat locs? I did my own retwist and I have several that are flat on the top of my head. I'm sure I didn't use the proper method. *Newbie*
Thank you if you can!!😃
Sure! I’ve been meaning to do this
@@CourtneyGrayton Omg, thank you!!
thank you for this video. I'm starting a new loc journey after interlocking the ones I had for 5 yrs. I want fluffier locs this go round and wanted to know your thoughts on using the crochet needles as a method of "retwisting" the root? I've heard some people say that palm-rolling isn't really locking the hair when you retwist with this method.
Palm roll does help the hair loc but it’s not immediate. Crocheting would do that but it creates a tighter loc also. Just check out some videos of locs of a similar texture/size that have been crocheted. Crocheting is basically “instant-locking” the root
Like I mentioned in this video, palm rolling is more like suggesting where the hair will go. I only palm roll my locs and they are definitely locking
I wanted a retwist this time around since the my hair lady’s assistant did interlocking last time which I didn’t want (then again, I never said I didn’t want it so I guess it’s on me. Vowed to never go back to the salon on a Saturday, she did do a good job, but still nope). I never had breakage and went 2 1/2 months without getting maintained due to traveling for work and family (wasn’t intended). I expected a retwist last week but my lady said she had to interlock it to tighten the roots.
And I am somewhat suffering. The interlocking is playing a part but she went too hard on my scalp and I should have said something. Usually I wash my hair then go to her because of my sensitive scalp and last time she washed my hair, it wasn’t that hard. The interlocking hurt in some parts but let her know when I felt it was too tight. My scalp has been itching since day 2 or 3 from the irritation. I’m planning on putting some water on my scalp to calm it down because even if I pat it until it stops, I know it will scab so I have to leave it!
And I also want medium/thick locks hence why I’m also upset that I had it interlocked. I’m not the expert so I didn’t say argue with her since she said some were starting to thin due to me waiting too long(6 months in now). When I return to NY from this work trip, I will get a retwist and I may go to my cousin since she wants to do mine and I bet she will be gentler. My scalp hasn’t been this itchy in ages 💀💀💀💀. Priye pou mwen paske selman Bondye ka sove m!
I hope it doesn’t sound like I’m dogging my hair lady. She’s actually helped me so much with my hair! This is the first time that I’m experiencing this itchiness. The irritated scalp plus the interlocking just might cause breakage this time, which is NOT what I want. I only have a travel size shampoo and conditioner on me so hopefully it’ll help. I should really use the “hair Botox “ test to see if something is too tight now. The test being if you can’t move your eyebrows or eat without feeling that pull after you get your hair done, it’s more than likely too tight.
And yes, I will learn how to do my own retwist soon. I have the threeway mirror and the rat tail, I just need it to get the parts down.
I actually have so many questions about crochet maintenance. I prefer that look to a palm roll or interlock maintenance.
I’ll make a video on that soon!
@@CourtneyGrayton Great! I would love to know general pros and cons. Also doing the maintenance yourself vs having it done by a loctician. How crocheting changes the size and texture of the loc, etc. Also how easy it is to comb out crocheted locs. ( I know rolled and interlocked are supposed to be relatively straightforward, but I have never heard anyone discuss combing out crocheted locs. )
Thanks for the info. Btw, I love your hairstyle. What type of hairbands did you use?
Thank you! I use these thin satin scrunchies amzn.to/3MQpyNQ
Does interlocking with just your fingers help with preventing breakage?
I’ve seen that before, but have never done it. I would imagine that your finger wouldn’t be able to get very close to your scalp so the interlocking would be a little looser. So maybe!
That makes sense now. I have a middle part and it stays there. I can’t really move it from side to side
I’m 48 and experiencing some menopausal hair thinning in the crown. I have 140 locs that I interlock with a 2 point rotation every 3 months. I still have texture, bumps, character and expansion. I really only wanted to interlock the perimeter and crown because it is thinner, finer and prone to breakage. My hair there grows away from the loc and if I don’t lock it in somewhat regularly, it thins out. This has been working for me but I do worry about the longevity of this set. I plan on keeping it shorter to maintain thickness over length.
In my experience, hair doesn’t necessarily “grow away from the loc”. That usually means it has broken away from the loc or separated from the interlocking that you’ve done. If your hair is already thinning and prone to breakage, I would suggest trying out palm roll because it would be more gentle on those thinning areas. I definitely wish I could see your hair now to give a better assessment though lol
I have very fine hair, extremely skinny 4c strands. What’s the best method to retwist? This is my first retwist.
Palm roll!
❤❤❤❤
I have breakage prone 4 c hair and my starter locs are looking really puffy at the root, palm rolls wont stay, should I try interlocking just once ?
You can definitely try it or just get a style that will hold them in place avoid the puffiness
I have DIY locs. I wasn't aware of interlocking when I started my unlocked but I've seen videos sense and even just looking at it it looks tight and painful. It literally looks like it would weaken the base.. I know it's popular but I just can't imagine why and from what I've seen it seems like it's why some folks with sisterlocks lose them.
I’ve maintained locs via interlocking and kept them healthy, but I’ve also seen videos like you’re describing. It is very easy to make it too tight. It should be done only by someone who really understands the risks and who can advise when to stop!
Help I interlocked my thick starter locs what do I do about the little short hairs at the roots
That’s breakage! You’ll have to allow them grow out
I wish I found you a month ago. I interlocked my home maintained, 15 yr old (4c) locs for the first time and I think I ruined them. 😢😢😢😢 The circumference is so tiny and they were already thinner than I preferred. Ugh.
I understand the frustration for sure. Immediately change to palm roll! Let’s pray they expand a little!
As a fellow Jamaican myself i can tell u that interlocking is more of a cultural/traditional type of style because i have locs and ive never done any interlocking and people always ask if my locs are real because of how neat it is and people can just tell the difference by just the way it look
What do you do instead?
I know this video is about interlocking but wanna ask how long you keep your hair up in a barrel style?
If it’s not tight or causing too much tension, you can keep it in until you get your next retwist.
Thank you! ❤
Thanks for the advice on interlocking!!!😊
No problem!!
Hello! I am about 10 months locked and I had my first interlocking done about 7 weeks ago. As I’m going through the process again I’ve noticed that there’s a bit of hair that separates the interlocking “braid” from the prior interlocking. It’s almost like two separate weavings. Is that normal or a risk? I wanted to interlock since my hair attracts a ton of lint from using gel
Do you mean there’s a separation between the interlocking and the previous palm rolled portion?
Hello! There’s a separation between the two interlocking instances. There’s a piece of budded hair (it doesn’t feel smooth) between the two interlocked pieces. I’m not sure if this is a result of not pulling hard enough with the interlocking?
@@keke6924 oh yes that’s it, you got it right. There was a gap between the interlocking and it budded as if it were palm rolled.
Okay thank you! I’m glad it’s not an issue!
Or any style?
Where is your Salon?
District Heights, MD www.vagaro.com/hairgoalswithcg
@@CourtneyGrayton Thank you
Where are you located
Maryland
Are you Haitian ❤?
No! (Not that I know of. I’ve never done an ancestry check)
She has gentle hands!!!
You know it! ☺️ thanks for commenting 💓
I’ve been getting interlocking for 3+ years now. I started with palm roll and I sweat a lot in a week it was puffy. I went back, she interlocked instead ever since then my locs grew. But I never go back until 4-5 months to get it done is that bad? Right now Im almost 6 months of not getting it done 🥲
How often do you wash your hair?
@@CourtneyGrayton once a week
@@cakeytiffany101 okay, I personally would never recommend someone go that long unless they were going for semi-free form, but if you trust your loctician and she doesn’t think anything is wrong, do what suits you
@@CourtneyGrayton i live in New York, and prices are going up everywhere. I sometimes don’t even have the funds to do my hair. I look up videos on how to interlock my own hair but I’m scared I’ll do it wrong 😑.
@@cakeytiffany101 I definitely understand! You can try asking your loctician if you can pay her to teach you