Sisterlocks: Complete Guide To Cost, Installation, Maintenance, And Styles

Women wearing sisterlocks standing a field of grass.

If you've ever seen Sisterlocks (some written as sister locks), we'll bet that you were enamored with the hairstyle.

The beautiful fashion was created in 1993 by Dr. JoAnn Cornwell, a well-known pioneer who wanted to create a natural hair intendance system that celebrates your natural beauty and textured hair.

Ever since their inception, Sisterlocks have gained widespread popularity in the black community. In this commodity, we'll fill up you in on everything y'all demand to know about Sisterlocks.

Table of Contents

1 What are Sisterlocks?
2 How to Install Sisterlocks
3 The Cost of Sisterlocks
4 Sisterlock Maintenance Cost
5 Can I Practise My Own Sisterlocks?
- 5.one Self-Retightening
- 5.two Installation Fourth dimension
6 Who Can Get Sisterlocks?
7 Is Breakage a Business?
eight Longevity: How Long Do They Terminal?
9 Can You Mode Sisterlocks?
10 Caring for Your Locs Between Retightening Appointments
11 Washing Your Sisterlocks
12 Oiling Your Scalp
xiii Pros and Cons of Sisterlocks
- 13.ane Pros
- xiii.2 Cons
fourteen Find a Certified Sisterlocks Consultant
- xiv.i Conclusion

What are Sisterlocks?

Sisterlocks are miniature-sized dreadlocks or micro-braids. They are maintained using the interlocking method. The principal matter that differentiates Sisterlocks from traditional locs is their tiny size.

Note: The terms "sisterlocks" and "locs" will be used interchangeably in this article.

Your Sisterlocks consultant tin can make your locs as modest as you'd like, within reason. Sisterlocks parts commonly range from i/8 inch to 3/8 inch in width.

Your consultant'southward ultimate goal is to create a way that you similar. So, when you lot go for your consultation, speak with your consultant straight and inquire them which sizes they offer.

As a general estimate, about people end up with 250 to 400 locs. If you have a larger head, you may get more than 400 Sisterlocks, especially if you want them to be small.

For smaller heads and those who prefer larger locs, you may end upwardly with closer to 250 locks.

Want Sisterlocks? xiv Things You Should Know

How to Install Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks are installed by certified consultants who have been formally trained in the fine art of creating the way. The Sisterlocks visitor safeguards the specific method for installing the tiny dreadlocks.

They offer preparation to individuals who want to learn the coveted technique.

When a certified consultant does your locs, they volition get through the following general steps:

Department your hair. Sisterlocks consultants section your hair according to the system taught in their certification class. While every consultant is trained to be systematic with their parting, in that location may be slight differentiation. The teeth on the rummage are used to make sure that the sections are the correct size.
Function each section in rows. After your hair has been parted in several large sections, the consultant volition go back through and role each section into rows. These rows will act equally a guide when departing the hair for each Sisterlock. They may flat twist each row to proceed unwanted hair from getting in the way during installation.
Install the locks. Using a special locking tool, the consultant will begin to interlock tiny sections of your hair from tip to root.

The Cost of Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks are expensive. Almost people tin can expect to pay at to the lowest degree $500 to $800 for installation.

In some cases, you could end up paying even more than $800. This does not include the consultation cost you must pay before getting them installed (around $fifty).

Ultimately, the installation price volition be determined by the following:

The size of your caput – The larger your head is, the more locs you volition crave. This will bulldoze upwards the toll.
Your desired loc size -- The smaller you want your locs to be, the higher the cost.
The consultant you choose – If you choose a consultant who already has an established clientele, their prices may exist higher than a new consultant'southward prices.
The length of your pilus – The longer your hair is, the longer it will take to do a single Sisterlock. Often, consultants volition increase the toll for every inch of pilus on your head.

Due to the very steep pricing of Sisterlocks, many people choose to become the more than cost-constructive route and get traditional dreadlocks.

Sisterlock Maintenance Cost

Some make the mistake of non considering the cost of maintenance.

Afterward the initial installation, your natural pilus will grow as usual, and this new growth will need to exist incorporated into each loc.

To maintain your manner, a consultant will need to interlock the new growth (or additional hair length).

For professional retightening, it could toll anywhere from $150 to $200. Yous will need to retighten your locs several times per yr (every 6-x weeks).

Can I Do My Own Sisterlocks?

If yous love Sisterlocks but don't have the funds to get them professionally installed and maintained, know that there is an culling. You can install your own version of Sisterlocks.

The sisterlocks technique requires you to part your hair into small sections and interlock each section with a miniature interlocking tool.

With a ton of patience and many hours, you may be able to create a wait that is like to Sisterlocks. This is a good pick for some due to the money saved.

According to the Sisterlocks website, it is not recommended to do your ain locs. The website goes on to mention that unlike locking techniques are required for dissimilar pilus types, although Sisterlocks are achievable on near whatever hair type (more on this later).

They also say that using a Sisterlocks consultant gives yous a better take a chance of having long-lasting positive results with your locs.

Self-Retightening

While the Sisterlocks company doesn't recommend that you lot do your own locs, there is a way for you to acquire how to do your own self-retightening.

In that location is a retightening class that yous tin can take to learn how to maintain your locs without a consultant's assistance. Classes are offered by the Sisterlocks company and cost $250. With newbies, we recommend having your hair retightened professionally.

Installation Time

Sisterlocks have a very long time to install. For mid-length pilus, it could have anywhere from 8 to 12 hours to go sisterlocks installed.

If your hair is shorter, it will have less fourth dimension. Conversely, if your pilus is long, it could take 12 to 24 hours or longer to become a completed set of Sisterlocks.

When you go for a Sisterlock (installation) appointment, make sure that you accept a snack or two and something to continue you entertained.

Y'all may also want to bring a cervix pillow to prevent neck pain. Staring at a wall for several hours at a time can be maddening.

Depending on how long your installation is expected to take, you should exist prepared to see your consultant two or more times to complete your whole caput.

Who Tin Get Sisterlocks?

Sisterlocks were created for black women with naturally curly, coily, and kinky hair textures. So, the manner is all-time suited for African American women with type four afro-textured hair.

All the same, women who are transitioning from relaxers tin can get the mode, per the Sisterlocks website. If your hair is relaxed, information technology is even more important to have your Sisterlocks done professionally.

Sisterlocks will also work for you if you accept fine hair. The almost important thing is that your hair should not be badly compromised.

Putting whatever actress stress on severely damaged hair will merely exacerbate the issue. If your hair is damaged and falling out or breaking off, it is advised to wait until your pilus is in a healthier state before you get it locked.

Is Breakage a Concern?

There is a long-standing misconception that Sisterlocks crusade breakage, thinning, and balding. You may have fifty-fifty seen someone with thinning Sisterlocks.

According to the Sisterlocks company, the style does not cause breakage and thinning. Instead, they state that the technique is gentle to the hair and scalp and fosters hair growth.

According to Sisterlock gurus, the leading cause of breakage or thinning is lack of maintenance. The manner requires ho-hum retightening several times per year.

Your roots should also be separated if they brainstorm to intertwine. If you don't go your locs maintained regularly, they volition commencement to sparse and interruption off.

Longevity: How Long Do They Last?

Sisterlocks hairstyles are meant to be permanent. They are intended to exist installed and so immune to mature over time with periodic retightening sessions.

While they are a permanent natural hairstyle, they can be removed without cut the pilus off.

Taking down each Sisterlock one by one can be a long, heed-numbing process. Most people would rather cut their hair off than spend time combing out each loc.

If y'all are not 100% sure that you want Sisterlocks, you should not become them. Wait until yous are sure that you're prepare for a long-term commitment.

Can Yous Style Sisterlocks?

Quick & Easy Sisterlock Hairstyles

Sisterlocks are incredibly versatile, and the more length you take, the more you tin can do with your locs. Withal, if your hair is very short when you start your locs, you lot won't exist able to practise much with them.

Y'all volition not exist able to put them in a ponytail or a braided updo. But as your hair gets longer, y'all will exist able to do updos, braided sisterlocks styles, braid-outs, curls, or anything else that yous can imagine.

The main appeal of Sisterlocks is that they are small enough to be manipulated into but most any style.

Caring for Your Locs Betwixt Retightening Appointments

In a perfect world, you lot would exist home-free once you're done getting your locs installed. Only like anything else that is worthwhile, there will be work necessary on your part.

You will need to take steps to maintain the style in between retightening appointments.

Washing Your Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks are relatively depression maintenance, existence that y'all don't need to detangle or mode your hair every day.

However, you practise need to proceed your locks clean for the all-time results. Washing your locs can be a tricky process because they tin unravel, especially when they are new.

When washing your new Sisterlocks, you may demand to put them in rubber bands to go on them from unraveling during the washing process. Take the following steps to ring your locs before washing them:

Separate your locs into several two-inch sections. Feel free to brand them smaller if they are short.
Braid each department down to the ends and put a rubber ring at the end to secure.
If y'all have the Sisterlocks brand shampoo, mix it with water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture onto each braided section. If you don't take the name brand shampoo, you tin use whatever shampoo y'all have.
Wash your hair as all-time equally y'all tin can while it is in the braids.
Rinse your hair thoroughly and allow your pilus to air dry out.

Watch this video for a visual demonstration of how to wash your Sisterlocks.

SISTERLOCKS - BRAIDING & BANDING WASH DAY

Oiling Your Scalp

If your Sisterlocks are already locked and don't unravel easily, you lot tin oil your scalp as often every bit needed. Only when you lot showtime go your locs, oiling your scalp can cause them to slip.

Pros and Cons of Sisterlocks

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of Sisterlocks tin help you make up one's mind whether the style is for you. In this section, nosotros will go over all of the pros and cons.

Pros

Versatility. There is no natural hairstyle more versatile than Sisterlocks. Since they are and then small, they can be manipulated into just about any style you can imagine.
Freedom. Outside of retightening your locs, all y'all need to practice is launder your pilus and go.
Fewer products are required. Sisterlocks do not like a ton of products. They look and behave all-time when they're clean and complimentary of product. This means that there's no need to buy tons of stylers, serums, or other products.

Cons

Toll. Inside the start year of having Sisterlocks, you lot volition have spent around $1,000 on the initial installation and maintenance sessions. Besides, the price of sisterlocks may include a consultation fee with a certified sisterlocks consultant.
Thin appearance. Your locs may beginning off thin, and this tin can exist difficult for some to bargain with.
They crave patience. Your hair will take fourth dimension to get longer, which tin can be frustrating for some. Only with dedication and regular maintenance, your locs will abound long and luscious.

Find a Certified Sisterlocks Consultant

It is strongly recommended to find a Certified Sisterlocks Consultant to install and maintain your locs.

To locate a consultant in your expanse, go to the Sisterlocks website and select your state. You volition and so see a list of certified consultants and their contact information.

We recommend scheduling an in-person consultation before going through with an installation.

The consultant will cover each Sisterlocks parcel in item, including Sisterlocks cost, maintenance, what to practise every bit your locks mature, pilus products, and how they differ from traditional locks, loose natural hair, permed hair, relaxed hair, and other common natural hairstyles.

Now you know a ton nearly Sisterlocks, how they are installed, the pros and cons, and more. If you have whatsoever boosted questions, contact a Sisterlocks consultant.

Nosotros hope that this article is helpful to yous equally you seek out information about Sisterlocks.

Conclusion

The sisterlocks hairstyle is a new take on the traditional dreadlocks hairstyle. Sisterlocks are a super cute permanent hairstyle that is smaller in size than most dreads.

Your sisterlocks consultant volition inquire for your input during your consultation so they tin can create a expect that you'll love as you kickoff your sisterlock journey. This article should help requite you an idea of how to start sisterlocks and wear this innovative hairstyle trend!

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Source: https://www.curlcentric.com/sisterlocks/