Frequently Asked Questions - Lots of Locs Natural Hair Studio

Sisterlocks™

Sisterlocks™ “creates a stable woven framework in a lock of hair within which the natural interlocking process can take place.” — Dr. JoAnne Cornwell

Hair Length

Sisterlocks™ can be installed with just 1½ to 2 inches of natural, unprocessed hair.

Relaxed Hair

You do not have to cut the perm out of your hair in order to start Sisterlocks™. You need 1½ to 2 inches of unprocessed hair to transition from a relaxer to Sisterlocks™.

Relaxed Hair After Installation

Sisterlocks™ are installed on the new growth portion of the hair, not the permed portion. Once installed, you style your hair as you normally would. As your locks grow, you slowly cut away the permed portion of your hair. This way, you do not have to start your locks with a very short length of hair.

Choosing a Consultant

Sisterlocks™ is a trademark Hair Maintenance System taught in an approved training class by Master Trainers or Certified Training Associates handpicked by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell.

A list of those certified to install Sisterlocks™ may be found on the official Sisterlocks™ website. Certified Sisterlocks™ Consultants and Qualified Sisterlocks™ Trainees must maintain their certification and remain in good standing with the Sisterlocks™ Home Office.

Sisterlocks™ Package

Certified Sisterlocks™ Consultants and Qualified Sisterlocks™ Trainees offer Sisterlocks™ as a package that consists of at least three visits:

• Initial consultation
• Locking session, which may be split into 2 or more sessions
• Follow-up appointment, where your Sisterlocks™ are retightened

Consultation Time

You can expect to spend approximately one hour with your Consultant. During the consultation, you and your Consultant will discuss the hair locking process and your lifestyle as it relates to your hair care practices.

Installation Appearance

Although there are particular traits that are pertinent to Sisterlocks™, there is no stencil to ensure that every grid is “perfect” and every part and line is “straight.” Every head is different, with differing textures, shapes, and densities throughout. Sometimes adjustments have to be made within an install.

Installation Time

The initial install can range from 16–20 hours. Sometimes it may take longer depending on the length and density of the hair. Installations are broken up into 2–3 day increments.

Your installation is the first and only time you will sit that long for Sisterlocks™ services. Unlike extensions, the hair does not have to be taken down. Only the new growth is retightened, which usually takes anywhere from 3–5 hours.

You should schedule retightening services every 4–6 weeks.

Sisterlocks™ Package Cost

Sisterlocks™ are offered as a 3-part package: Consultation, Installation, and Follow-up visits.

The cost can begin at $1,350 for up to 3 inches of natural, unprocessed hair and may increase $50–$100 per inch of hair thereafter.

The cost of the consultation is $85 and is due in advance in order to schedule the appointment. A 20% deposit is required to secure your installation dates. The balance of the cost of your installation is paid in full on the first day of the installation prior to starting.

*See Service Fee Page for Lots of Locs Natural Hair Studio’s listing of service fees.

*Service fees are not just based on hair length.

Traditional Locks

This is not recommended for many reasons. The exquisite look of Sisterlocks™ is due in part to the way Sisterlocks™ are started. With Sisterlocks™, the hair is sectioned according to a pre-set parting structure.

When you change locking techniques within a single lock, such as going from a twisting or palm roll method to a woven interlocking method, you create a vulnerable area at the transition point. This weak area may open up over time, exposing individual strands of hair that are prone to breakage.

Because the parting size for traditional locks is usually too large for Sisterlocks™, this shrinkage may result in too much scalp showing.

Hair Health

Sisterlocks™ will not damage or thin your hair. Sisterlocks™ incorporates a woven pattern that makes the hair extremely resilient.

Because there are no chemicals, beeswax, or gels used to install or maintain the locks, the scalp and hair have an ideal environment to thrive and restore naturally.

With Sisterlocks™, you may actually experience hair growth in areas that had once stopped growing altogether.

Settling Process

Often, you may hear the phrase “your locks have not settled yet.” This means that when Sisterlocks™ are installed, the locks have a beautiful woven pattern that may be mistaken for braids. The hair can slip and slide within the Sisterlocks™ structure, causing an undesirable look called slippage.

After several months, the locks will settle or mature, making them less prone to slippage. Signs of settling or maturation include locks beginning to look more like uniform matted locks and less like braids. The settling phase is different for each individual and can range from 3 months to a year or longer.

Mature Sisterlocks™

Sisterlocks™ work with your natural hair texture. Your natural hair texture affects the appearance of your Sisterlocks™, and they have a unique look on each Client.

Loose Ends

There will be loose ends when your Sisterlocks™ are established because of the method used to start them. Sisterlocks™ are created with a backcombing method starting right at the matting. They are not braids or twists, so there is no way to determine how much hair will actually be in the locking formation during establishment.

Contributing Factors

• Straight or permed hair
• Damaged ends
• Chemically treated hair
• Processed hair
• Excessive heat
• Hair texture

Altered hair will remain loose. The loose hair will shed away or erode over time. It is strongly recommended that your hair be trimmed prior to consultation and install for the most accurate measurement.

Appearance Over Time

Your Sisterlocks™ will not remain as small as they appear after they are first installed. Sisterlocks™ mature over time, and the initial look will change.

Depending on your hair type, it may take anywhere from 2 weeks to up to a year for your Sisterlocks™ to settle in. Your Sisterlocks™ may increase in thickness after a few washings. The ends will always remain a little thicker than the root.

Settled Sisterlocks™

You will know that your hair is completely locked as it increases in volume. The ends will become defined and your locks will not slip. At that point, you may stop using the locking bands.

Styling Sisterlocks™

Though the daily routine and care habits of your hair will change, you may wear your Sisterlocks™ in many of the same ways you wore your unlocked hair. You can wear updos, roller sets, or freestyle looks.

You will need to use your Starter Shampoo in the beginning until your Sisterlocks™ mature. You should avoid heavy products and avoid heat styling initially. Always use gentle styling techniques.

Damaged Hair

Damaged hair occurs when aggressors such as friction, heat, products, and harsh chemical treatments attack the protective outer layer of the hair, also known as the cuticle. This can leave cracks in the exterior and lift the cuticle.

Damaged hair includes, but is not limited to:

• Dry or brittle hair
• Hair that is constantly dry due to damage to the cuticle layer
• Hair that is thick at the root and thin at the ends
• Shedding hair
• Hair that tangles more than usual
• Hair that appears dull

Natural Hair

Natural hair has not been altered by products or chemical straighteners, including relaxers and texturizers. It is hair in the condition in which it has grown from the scalp.

Pressed hair may still be considered natural because once washed, the texture usually returns to its unaltered state as long as no heat damage has occurred.

Natural generally refers to Black hair that has not had its texture altered by chemicals or products. Some define it further as hair without chemicals or anything that does not occur in nature.

Measured Hair

A tape measure is used to measure various sections of your hair to gain an idea of the amount of hair the Consultant may be working with during the Sisterlocks™ establishment.

Measurement is not the only factor considered in the establishment quote, because there is no way to predetermine how much of the measured hair will be enclosed or encased in the locking formation.

*Measured hair does not equate to the amount of hair that will be locked or considered viable hair.

*It is strongly recommended to have your hair trimmed prior to consultation, as damaged and straight hair may increase the amount of loose hair during establishment.

Viable Locking Hair

Many times, measured hair will differ from the amount of hair considered viable lockable hair. Lots of Locs Natural Hair Studio will make every effort through evaluation of the Client’s hair and sample locks to consider viable locking hair in establishment quotes.

For example, straight, permed, damaged, chemically altered, and non-natural hair may not lock. Those amounts may be deducted from the base starting length fee. This is considered on a case-by-case basis and at the sole discretion of Lots of Locs Natural Hair Studio.

*Measured hair does not equate to the amount of hair that will be locked or considered viable hair.

*It is strongly recommended to have your hair trimmed prior to consultation, as damaged and straight hair may increase the amount of loose hair during establishment.

Establishment Quotes

There are no changes to pricing once the establishment quote is given, the dates are accepted, and deposits are made. This is because the dates are scheduled and blocked according to the consultation.

It is strongly recommended that your hair be trimmed prior to the consultation. Your base starting quote will be provided based on the highest length measured during the consultation, as hair length can vary throughout a Client’s head.

The hair length is a starting base price point only. Many factors are considered when providing establishment quotes, including but not limited to time required, length of hair, size of locks, head size, and density.