Sisterlocks Styles

Sisterlocks are the ultimate protective style. Your natural hair is never combed through like loose hair. Once mature, your sealed ends are always protected. Sisterlocks’ low manipulation experience gives your hair the best environment in which to grow long. In fact, all different forms of locs experience exponential growth due to the fact that they are basically a permanent protective hair style.

When I went for my initial consultation for sisterlocks, I’d already decided that it was a done deal. I arrived at my consultation with a down payment in hand. This is not required, however $600 was too much for me to pay in one sitting (and I’m not embarrassed to say that) but it is something I definitely knew I wanted; money I was very willing to pay. I was extremely excited about this journey.

I’d requested a mixture of small to medium-sized locks as I’d like this type much better and my hair is considerably thick. It took about 12 hours for complete installation. At the time of installation my hair was about two (plus) inches long, which brings me to a “just a part of the process” con. At this length, you can expect that some will come undone, particularly if you keep your hand in your hair as much as I did. So, first rule of installation, refrain from running your fingers through your newly crocheted locks (no matter how tempting it may be).

Retightening SisterLocks Styles Early Maintenance

Retightening is every four to six weeks at a cost of about $60 to $80 dollars per session. That may be a con for you so I just thought I might mention it. I highly recommend not going longer than two months without retightening as that leaves you vulnerable to thinning of the locks which may then need to be reattached and healed for damage that could actually end up costing you way more. So far, I’ve not experienced any of this, and I’m one year in. I’ve heard the horror stories though.

As far as maintenance goes, I don’t do a thing to my hair. I let my loctician wash it during my appointment for retightening and I use the shampoo designated for sisterlocks. I don’t use any moisturizers, conditioners, or any products for that matter. I’ve not experienced any issues even up until now besides the occasional lock that comes undone. When this would happen during the very early stages, I would just tie a rubber band around the ones that came undone to keep them from intertwining with other locks. My loctician did not advise me to do this. It just made sense, and she told me that was smart to do on my part. She did leave more loosed ends than I preferred which partly contributed to unraveling.


Understand that this is a lifestyle change. Currently you are used to combs, brushes, flat irons, and curling irons. Well kiss all of that goodbye! You will no longer be using or needing those tools. You also will not be able to use any hair products on your hair as it is not recommended while your locks mature. The best products to use are those from the sisterlocks.com website. So pack up a bag of any hair products that you still have left and give them to a good friend who can use them.


Shampooing your hair will be slightly different. There is a special technique to washing your hair as you won’t wash the same way as you are used to. If you decide to move forward with getting your Sisterlocks, which I hope that you do, your Certified Sisterlocks Consultant will demonstrate how to do this. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not totally different from how you currently wash, however you will become very familiar with the term “bundling”. Although these locs seem effortlessly beautiful, if they are not installed properly, it can cause hair breakage, tension alopecia, thinning edges, and baldness. Just like any other way you wear your hair, you must take care of these locs and see a professional to help with installation and healthy hair maintenance.


Last but not least, embrace the journey. You HAVE to be patient and understand that everyone’s journey will be different. Your hair may go through a few changes and you may deal with a term called slippage or frizz depending on the texture of your hair, but know that your consultant is along for the ride and is committed to the success of your Sisterlocks. They should be just as excited as you are.


If you decide to move forward, you will not regret your decision. For me and for the thousands of other Sisterlocked sistas across the globe, we truly LOVE our hair.

In the beginning stages I also wore a satin bonnet that helped keep the locks from unraveling. At around the eighth month I stopped wearing them and instead I slept on a satin pillow. I didn’t like the way the satin bonnet left my locks packed down and stiff. The satin pillow keeps the bits of lint away although I’ve found that lint is not such a big deal as I thought it would be as I was doing my pre-lock research. So catching lint in your hair would definitely be a con, however not one of significant concern.

How long it takes your hair to lock will depend on the texture of your hair. For me, it took about 6 months for my hair to lock in the back and sides for two reasons as I see it: one, the difference in texture

You can curl, twist, braid or do an updo or do nothing at all and my hair always looks good. I encourage sleeping with a satin bonnet because of potential lint or dryness.

Best decision I ever made. Sometimes I have hair envy when I see all the loose natural styles. Then I have a reality check of what that would take to achieve and maintain....

Sisterlock Hairstyles are Cute...

Hello, your sister locks are gorgeous. I’ve been natural for 7 years now and I’ve tried every natural style except locks. I’ve been curious lately for a change and locks in general have struck my interest. Questions: what is the original sister locks website and do you know a lock stlyist Brooklyn New York, Bed-Stuy or surrounding area for referral?

Sisterlocks can be very costly and that the install can take days to complete. From the price for installation to having to get your hair retightened anywhere from every 4 to 6 weeks, this can be a turnoff for some. However, for me I wanted to be happy and satisfied with whatever decision that I was going to make about my hair, so initially I didn’t let the cost or time deter me from moving forward. Especially when this decision would be rather permanent for the most part.

I wish you would add an updated photo. Your profile picture looks lovely but it’s too small to make out details. I’d love to see your hair growth. How many locs do you have? I just got Sisterlocs and I’m concerned that I might not have enough to get full yet manageable hair.

I really liked your infor it was concise and real, I love your Locks, your hair seems thick so I think your size choice was a good call. I will check out the other sites as well

I love them and the article. I’m going to have my daughter read as we are thinking of getting sisterlocks installed next summer. I think she will absolutely love them!!! I’m so glad you wrote about the boost in confidence!!

They can’t grow long if they snap.

Obviously. I have seen numerous ladies with Sisterlocks across the world wide web with very long locs. This long hair growth doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen without effort. Your locs will snap off and break if you don’t care for them properly.

Naturally Unique Locks examined two major causes of Sisterlocks breakage. The first was neglecting the locs. Failing to separate your root bed regularly weakens the roots. Also, very infrequent retightenings can cause breakage since all the new growth might make your original partings seem nonexistent. In an effort to find them and retighten them, the locs can get weak and break.

Ready for the second cause of Sisterlocks breakage? Over-manipulation. That’s right. This permanent protective hair style can be overly manipulated. How so? One way is by setting your natural hair on rods every single night. That constant pulling at the scalp can weaken the locs and make them break, thus halting natural hair growth.

In the Beginning, There Were SisterLocks Styles

Sisterlocks were developed in 1993 when she invented a special crochet hook designed to create micro-sized “traditional locks” for easy styling and management. Since then they have taken off. You can simply type in sisterlocks in most any search engine and watch the hundreds of photos pop up on your screen. They are indeed a beautiful sight to behold; highly recognizable in all of its lengths and stages, yet so unique among each individual adorning them.

Currently, with my immature Sisterlocks, my consultant advised me to avoid over-manipulation because it would slow the locking process. I still braid and band (a process used to protect my ends when I shampoo), so I can get a crinkly texture. My consultant said that if I want to achieve a particular style, like a braid-out, to only braid once within a shampooing cycle. That means I don’t re-braid my Sisterlocks every single night. Since I shampoo once a week, I only braid, twist or Bantu knot my hair once a week. If I’m going to see any Sisterlocks growth, I know that I’ve got to manipulate my locs as little as possible during these early stages. SisterLocks Styles