Mature Lock Maintenance: LINT -brush those locks!

My Sisterlock journey has been a major fulfilling process for me, I will be a natural head until my very last day. I do sometimes watch and wonder at my middle sons lovely natural head of hair and consider what I would do if I was a loose natural, but I lack in adventurous hair styling techniques,  loose means EFFORT, time is limited!          

Effort however, is also required with mature locks that are beyond the shoulders, around the 3rd to 4th year. The lock network at the back of the neck especially holds, hides and harbours residue of all kinds, in my case, that MUST be removed.  Always had one particular nape neck lock that seems to have accumulated stuff, build up and lint etc more than all the others. 

So I pay homage to all the bloggers out there who have left behind a trail of wisdom, especially
http://therealknottytruth.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/over-40-and-natural.html

I have been reading her avidly, esp regarding lint and mildew ... eeww!
So I followed the examples and advice given, and loosed out a lock slightly and found this ...

So its not product build up  ...  hmm. Now I have a very 'dust prone' environment, and I am researching ways to reduce this problem.

In the meantime however, I am using a simple old fashioned hair cleaning unit, a BRUSH!

I have seen various videos and read various articles and emails on the type of brush used. Some prefer the baby brush, a soft bristle brush is recommended, I have a slightly more sturdy bristle, to help me be rid of those bits pictured above! 

I brush in the morning and last thing at night, carefully. I try especially to do a good brisk brush before shampoo, but if I forget, I gently brush through the damp locks, focusing on the locks at the back of my head and around nape of my neck area.

It does make a difference! I have a few specks of white here and there, but I know if I continue to brush regularly I can at least try to prevent an increase of crappy bits of white fuzz in my lovely locks!

SIMPLE BRAID OUT.

So one evening I braid my locks into about six braids, I usually have to sleep with it up in a loose pony tail high on my head to sleep comfortably.  I used Crinkles and Curls - love-  to help set the style.

This was last Friday's braid result, but it looked similar the the one I did last weekend. I didn't separate the hair that morning as I had an evening event and my curls don't last long. I like the look, the longer the locks the better the curl, I realised. So this is my new habit, until I can't be bothered, or get bored.
I took these pics in the car first thing in the a.m. because the curls look different by the end of the day.
Like this.

My SisterLocks priorities: Wash regularly, now one day a week, (the exception being my occasional need) brush when required.
Use products that are clear and mainly clarifying. Since my big cleanse, my weekly wash has been to mix it up, first cleanse is DAX vegetable shampoo, second BIG salt shampoo and final Cowlick Gentle shampoo. No conditioners for me. The closest I came to conditioner is moisturising/conditioning shampoo, which I noticed began to soften and loosen my locks a few began to loose quite a way up the lock.

I am blessed to be able to experience caring for my locked hair and young master K's loose hair (its a lot of work and he doesn't always listen and follow instructions) . I have thought about letting my locks loose just to see what it would be like, but have no idea what I would do with it day by day. This locked life, is the way for me.

Battle against the Build Up ...

I really appreciate Cheleski's Blog  http://therealknottytruth.blogspot.co.uk/  I have not had much time to do much over the last few months, but I did manage to read 'Why I took my locks down' I found this post  so informative it made me even more vigilant in regard to build up.

When I paid attention to my own locs, I saw it, and really have to be very careful as I am in the zone of 3 to 4 years where the issue becomes increasingly prominent.

So this weekend I used 2 new moisturising products which appeared initially to be water based, they were both 'opaque' and both appeared to become clear when rubbed between palms, but suddenly I noticed white spotting all over my head! Not too sure but i think it was the Matrix Biolage, hair tonic.

It was clarifying time, I gently brushed my locks first, then to bath, using Dax vegetable oil shampoo,  I tried to wash my hair as if I were 'washing clothes' a section at a time, rinsed and then applied ACV all over, I left it on for 5 minutes or maybe more, rinsed again and shampooed using Awapuhi Shampoo which also removes build up as well as hydrates. (During the process I recalled that my BIG salt based shampoo was a very good clarifier, and that maybe I would use that next time, followed by my Matrix Biolage Hadratherapie shampoo which is very moisturising, bringing a balance to the drying effects of BIG. People it really does pay to mix it up, products work more effectively when alternated, all the reviews and studies I have encountered always say the good effects wear off, after regular use.

YES, I do have a LOAD of products but I also have a 15 year old who has been growing a MASS of natural hair  for almost 3 years and his hair is guzzling down my hair products and shampoo etc like nobodies business. Not to mention my natural sisters who I product test and recommend for, so all I do is hand the goods over, simple! Waste not, want not!! :D ...

I took a few pics after cleansing and could still see a little bit of residue, but not as bad as before, I plan on buying a new brush and gently brush out the ends before bed, then snugly cover my head before sleep. Low maintenance does not mean NO maintenance, but I am happy to take care of that which I value! Best Moisturiser to date is still my number one PAUL MITCHELL Awapuhi moisture mist, water based, and perfect for my loc type.

Longer Locs.

Some are looonger than others ...

I just have to mention the length variance I am going thru, its very obvious at the moment, take a look at the pic, can you guess where this longer lock is growing from?
I am due a ReTi this weekend and I had to re tighten this one yesterday because the regrowth was quite a lot, its one of many, but I will not complain. Its actually growing from the very front line of my head, which is very strange as it used to be the shortest area and slowest growth!! Suddenly, its in my food! Lol!

BEWARE,

Some loc types are quicker to unravel than others! As I have soft hair it appears to unravel easily, because I use moisturising shampoos I have some locs that have loose ends. Could you then imagine the effects if I did use conditioner? Interesting huh?
Any way until next time, thanks for passing by my blog. You are all appreciated, I know I don't respond as quickly as before but my time is rare and short. So please take a moment to let me know if you have been browsing or have any constructive comments to add. N'joi xx