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.