One Month

We are one month of the loc'ing process and we are still both pretty excited about the process. I had thought that given my 7 year old's tendency to change his mind the way he changes channels on the tv that this journey would've ended about 3 weeks ago. But I've come to understand that this decision was not a whim for him. He has two people in mind that we have known awhile, both with locs. I had not realized the impression that was made on my son. He is looking forward to his hair growing as long as Mr. ____ and our teen friend, I'll call him Isaiah.

So, today, I washed his hair again. I diluted Bronner's Hemp Almond Castille soap with equal parts of water. It is all natural, no detergents, and provides a very gentle but thorough cleanse. I also covered his hair with a stocking cap and washed through the cap in order to avoid disturbing the little baby plaits.

Once the hair was clean, I lightly rubbed it with an oil that I found at Whole Foods Market. It's called Sensuous by Hugo Naturals. It is a vegan blend of sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, vitamin E, glycerin and essential oils of Patchouli and Sandlewood. His hair really loves this oil and it softens as well as provides a nice sheen.

Then, I latched his hair for the first time. He had a little more than 1/4 inch of new growth, but it was enough to allow the latching tool easy entry. I stumbled through the first couple and he complained that I was pulling "too hard", but I eventually figured it out and his whole head took less than an hour to do.

I'm proud of the results of the results of my research and of my first attempts at latching. And I'm really proud that it looks like I'll be able to maintain his hair myself without going to a salon. The prices that some shops charge should be criminal!!

Updates

We are approaching one month into this loc process. His hair is growing on and strong. I have washed it using a stocking cap so as to avoid messing up the little plaits. I re-plaited a couple of them; I think what I will let his hair grow a little more because I'm having trouble latching, both with the finger latching or with the hook. It's growing but because of it's length, hair is coming out of the plaits. I know a certain amount of fuzziness is to be expected especially in the beginning of the loc'ing process, but he was pulling the hair out of the plaits.

I am planning to re-do at least once more and then let nature take it course. Will be back with pictures.