Falling in love with Microlocs: How to love your Microlocs journey through every stage

By Serethia Scott

The purpose of creating a book on how to fall in love with your Loc journey is to show how to be patient and enjoy each step of your journey. We will teach and explain what to expect from the beginning of your journey and give you key po

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Regency Publishers
• Release date: Oct 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781959434726

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Falling in Love with Microlocs

How to love your Microlocs journey through every stage

Serethia Scott

Copyright © 2022 Serethia Scott.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author and publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

ISBN: 978-1-959434-73-3 (Paperback Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-959434-74-0 (Hardcover Edition)

ISBN: 978-1-959434-72-6 (E-book Edition)

Some characters and events in this book are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Book Ordering Information

The Regency Publishers, US

521 5th Ave 17th floor NY, NY10175

Phone Number: [phone] ext 1007

Email: [e-mail]

www.theregencypublishers.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Loving Your Microlocs Through Every Stage

Chapter 2: Help! I Need a Microlocs Consultant

Chapter 3: What’s Your Diet Like?

Chapter 4: Microlocs Maintenance and Care

Chapter 5: Is Your Loctician Your Friend?

Chapter 6: Locs: Shedding, Thinning, and Hair Loss

Chapter 7: Know Your Hair

Chapter 8: Loving Your MicroLocs Every Step of the Way

Conclusion

Introduction

Hello, Luxbeauties!

Now, from the very moment that you decided to install your microlocs, you set sail for a journey of self-discovery and self-confidence. I am on that journey myself. Having microlocs will teach you many meaningful lessons that will change you for the best. I went through a lot in the beginning phase of my loc journey, but as time passed, my hate and regret grew into love and acceptance for who I am and where I stand.

It has not been easy, and I can assure you that this journey does not have the most accessible paths. But once you get the hang of it and go with the acceptance flow, it is only up from there.

I want to take all of you on this journey of self-discovery and self-confidence. In Falling In Love With Microlocs, we will dive into the world of tips, tricks, do’s, and don’ts and, most significantly, rediscover our unique journey.

This book’s essence is to teach you all the ways you can maintain your microlocs, inform you on what comes with having microlocs, what to expect, and what to do if something goes wrong. This book will also teach you to embrace your journey, accept your journey, and own your journey. It is nobody’s journey but yours.

Me to a Client: What do I mean by, this your journey?

Her: It means that what works for someone else might not work for you.

This journey is peculiar to you.

At the end of this book, I hope you learn, discover, get the hang of the ropes, accept the things you cannot change, and above all, I hope you fall in love with your microlocs just as much as I have with mine.

Chapter One

Loving Your Microlocs Through Every Stage

Deciding to get microlocs is a journey, a trip with phases for each stage of hair growth. And just like every journey, you need a guide. When you started your locs, one of the biggest things you did was that you let go of what people expected from you. If you are wearing microlocs right now, it could be because you desire the freedom that comes with being all-natural, and you have a thing for the infinite styling options that come with it, all while owning your natural hair. It means you are most comfortable being your most natural and authentic self.

Starting microlocs can be a life-changing process for a lot of people. Think about it; you went against all the odds, all the negative talks, and people asking you, Are you sure you want to go through with this? Microlocs might not be the best choice for you. You went ahead and did it. You will discover new things about yourself during your loc journey. Things that were probably buried because you didn’t find that spark. But now, you have found something that lights you up.

Being in a community is an integral part of your microlocs journey. So many platforms, Instagram accounts, Pinterest pages, and YouTube communities provide a safe space for Black women to share their tips and tricks while learning as they grow their locs. There is also a lot of love on these platforms for the days you feel down or if you need happiness and joy. So, remember that you have many resources available to help make this journey as wonderful as possible.

Life is better with locs!

It is entirely up to you how many locs you decide to have, how you part them, and whether you want to start them with plaits or tightens are all up to you. All locs eventually come out beautifully in the end. They only require time, love, and patience.

Getting the locs you have always wanted is part of a process, and it is essential to know and own your different stages of locs journey so that you know what to anticipate.

There are five stages of locs which are the starter stage, nascent stage, teen stage, maturity stage, and rooted stage. All these stages could take 18-24 months upwards, after which you will be able to have the long, shiny locs you desire. If you are already on your locs journey, knowing that you are on the right track can be exceptionally comforting, and if you are still debating whether to lock your hair, knowing what to expect along the way can be helpful. Without further ado, I will delve right in and walk you through the details of what each stage entails.

Here are the five stages of locs:

3 - 6 Months: The Starter Phase of Your Loc Journey.

The starter phase also referred to as the baby stage of your locs development, could last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. The duration largely depends on your hair type and how fast your hair growth is, but the important thing here is that your hair can form coils entirely from the roots to the ends. Usually, this stage is challenging because many people discover that their locs can become unraveled or look puffy as they wash their hair. But, it’s essential to remember that this stage is just that- a stage.

When installing your microlocs, consider what type of locs you want (free form, plaited, tightened, comb coiled, palm rolled, or interlocked) and consider your hair type and if you would like to have a parting pattern. Just ensure you keep an eye on their moisture levels since microlocs can easily break when they are thin and dry and you don’t want that. They are pretty easy to spot as they are usually small in size, with neat and clean parts. Yes, they might look way too short and ugly, but at this stage, you are mostly excited as you wait for them to bud.

6 - 12 Months: Budding Phase of Your Loc Journey.

The budding phase, also known as sprouting, is that beautiful time when the magic starts to become evident, as you may see your new growth is puffy or tumid. In other words, your hair will begin to tangle at the tops of your coil after shampooing, and the coils will begin to have some thickness. This is the point where you will have to consistently and thoroughly shampoo your hair or clean them to avoid those awful build-ups, bumps, and weak spots.

If you start your locs with tightens or braids as your starting patterns, you will notice that those lines in your hair may start to fade out. Remember that this is part of the process, and you shouldn’t let it disturb you. Ensure you maintain the original scalp partings to establish the spinning process for each loc. You may want to incorporate retightening into your regimen at this stage. This will help you maintain the aesthetic of your microlocs. These locs are easy to identify because they are usually frizzy and swell in size.

12 - 15 Months: This is the Teen Phase of the Loc Journey.

Some people refer to this stage as the locking stage, while many of us see it as the ugly phase since. This is the time your microlocs could become a little rebellious and may appear a bit awkward because of their in-between length. But it is the exciting time when the buds and sprouts start to resemble microlocs because they have swelled up to nearly twice their original size. At this stage, you begin to visualize your locs potential. It is also the best time to rock your hair by investing in accessories so you can play around and experiment with a few styles. At this time, shampooing will no longer loosen the microlocs since the growing stage of your microlocs development, where your hair has developed enough to hang down (again, this depends on how fast your hair growth is).

If you waited long enough for this moment, you may either feel elated because you can now see the changes clearly, or you might begin to wonder what is going on with your hair, thinking you have made a very big mistake. The reason you may wonder is simply that the teen locs may appear they are not growing length-wise or they are shrinking. Just remain calm, breathe deeply, and have faith in the process.

15 - 18 Months: This is the Maturity Phase of the Loc Journey.

As your microlocs become thicker, visible in length, and have little frizz, your excitement climbs higher up the ladder. The duration of this big girl stage is somewhere around 1-2 years. However, the speed at which your locs will grow depends on your hair’s texture, your hair care regimen, and your products. You know you have reached the mature stage when your locs are closed at the ends, and they are ultimately long enough to lie flat or hang down your back. At this point, your microlocs are firm, and you will have a very established locs routine.

From 18 Months Upwards: Rooted Phase of Your Microlocs Journey.

This stage is similar to the shedding stage of hair growth, which usually occurs after the second year. Typically, your locs should feel heavier and simultaneously more slender by this time, having generally grown to the same length. You can simply choose to let them go below your waist, or you can trim them if you prefer a style you can manage better. After a few years of wearing your microlocs, there is a good chance that some locs may start to thin and break off at the ends. Caring for your locs and being consistent can help minimize signs of age.

If you fall in any of these stages, wear your microlocs with pride and confidence. Love them through all these stages (hair trails and tribulations) and discover yourself. You have stepped out of your comfort zone and embraced a hairstyle you probably were not sure of. That connotes bravery.

When speaking about the loc journey, it is so tempting to only speak about the aesthetics, but it is good to face the facts. You won’t just wake up in 48 hours and have dazzling waist-length locs. Microlocs require patience, commitment, dedication, and love to grow, and you will only notice your progress when you are patient. Having locs will test your patience, wear your emotions down and sometimes you may even regret your decion to go on microlocs. But remember that you require baby steps and a lot of guts. Also, make sure you avoid loc-envy. Focus on your journey with the mind that the people with long locs once started like you and are still in the process.

Even when your hair is going through unpleasant phases, and you feel like tearing out your locs one by one, remember to appreciate your