This post was most recently updated on December 17th, 2022
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Cons of Sisterlocks
The popularity of sisterlocks is on the rise and for good reasons. Sisterlocks are beautiful, versatile and low maintenance. Although the list of pros goes on and on, there are some cons of sisterlocks.
*If you don’t feel like reading this post, I’ve got you covered! There is a video at the bottom of this page.
Here is my list of the cons of sisterlocks!
1. COST
Sisterlocks are can be very costly ranging from as little as $500 to over $2,000 for an installation. This makes it one of the biggest cons of sisterlocks.
The cost will depend on a few different variables including whether or not you use a certified sisterlocks consultant vs a sisterlocks trainee.
It is important to make sure that your loctician is trained to do sisterlocks!!!
Don’t get bamboozled!
The length of your hair will also be a major factor in the cost of your installation price. Most consultants will charge based on the length of your hair (i.e. $400 for the first 5 inches of hair, then $100 per inch thereafter).
You will not have to buy any more crazy expensive hair products but you may have to hand over roughly $100 per month to keep your locks beautiful and healthy. That is unless you learn to maintain them yourself.
You can learn to do self-reti’s by taking an official sisterlocks course…. or by watching YouTube… (shhh….).
The cost of sisterlocks may leave you wondering if sisterlocks are even worth the costs?! Here’s my take on that.
Ultimately that decision is up to you! You must weight the pros and cons to determine if it is worth handing over your coins!
2. INSTALLATION TIME
It takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R to have your locks installed. This of course depends on a few factors such as the experience of your consultant (certified vs. trainee).
Some people have had two people installing locks at the same time which can speed up the process.
It will also depend on the length, health and overall condition of your hair.
Just to give you a real life example. I started with 9-10″ of hair and my installation took 24 hours over a period of two days. I started with 415 locks.
It’s also worth mentioning that your butt is going to hurt like hell. I would suggest investing in a coccyx pillow unless you want your installation to be a pain in the a** literally speaking.
I personally have this pillow below and I happen to love it.
Check out my installation video here.
3. FRIZZ
The amount of frizz will ultimately depend on your hair type. I classify my hair as mostly 4A/4B with a little bit of 3C scattered about.
Frizz was a major issue until I started doing braidouts. Not time consuming braidouts, just a couple of messy “bye Felicia” type braids.
I usually have 7-10 or so for my braidouts. I sleep in them overnight and when I take them out, my braidout lasts for a week. The other thing to keep in mind is that you have to sleep in a satin bonnet if you want to keep frizz at bay.
You may also want to consider using a tee-shirt or a microfiber towel to dry your hair after washing to reduce frizz.
4. SLIPPAGE
When your locks are in the early stages, the ends of your hair will be loose. The hair will remain this way until your hair is locked.
During this time, if you do not protect your hair, your hair will unravel and you will have to have these locks repaired… (which can cost you additional coins…sigh…)
This leads to the next con of sisterlocks, which is braiding and banding.
5. BRAIDING AND BANDING
If you had images of swinging your beautiful locks around in the pool or at the beach right after your installation, I hate to tell you but you will have to wait quite some time before that happens. That is unless you want you want to be a loose natural again!
Braiding and banding is a two part process that will prevent slippage.
STEP 1 – separate your hair into several braids making sure to leave a little space between the start of the braid and your scalp. This space will allow you to get your fingers in there to give the scalp a good scrub.
STEP 2 – secure the end of your braids so that you won’t experience slippage. You can use rubber bands, bobby pins or any other items you may have on hand.
Braiding and banding can be super inconvenient and this is why it makes my list as a con of sisterlocks .
Check out this video on how I braid and band.
6. WAITING FOR YOUR HAIR TO LOCK
If you were under the impression that your hair will lock rather quickly, you may be in for a rude awakening.
There are many people out there that have had locks for 3+ years and their hair still isn’t locked.
It will depend on your hair type and how well you maintain your locks (hint: braiding and banding).
Imagine having to braid and band for the next couple of years….ugh!
7. ITCHINESS
To be honest, this should have been #1 on this list because let me tell you, the itchiness is REAL!
You can try all different types of remedies to help the itchiness. I remember trying every type of water out there on my scalp and in my body…. rose water, aloe water, spring water, tap water.
Hell, I was trying herbal blends, homemade essential oil spritzers, and even green tea. I really needed Jesus to take the wheel because nothing took the itchiness away completely.
Then magically after about 6 months it just went away. Just like that…..
8. PERMANENCE OF LOCKS
For many people, this may be one of the biggest cons of sisterlocks. Afterall, there is no more combing or brushing your hair.
If you get bored with hairstyles after a while, this may not be the right choice for you.
However for me, this is actually one of the benefits of sisterlocks!
Due to the small size of sisterlocks, you are able to practically style your hair as if it were loose. Some people even flat iron their locks. My favorite styling tool are the Caruso Steam Rollers.
Here is the result of a 15 minute roller set. You can check out how I achieved this look here.
If you get sisterlocks and decide to take them out, you will either have to comb them out (which could be damaging) or do a big chop.
TOP CONS OF SISTERLOCKS
I hope you learned something from this post. If you have any other cons of sisterlocks, please drop them in the comments section below. Until next time….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et6XQdLmY-I&t=154s
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Hi, your article is very interesting and true. My sisterlocks are 10 years-old and it’s the best decision I could ever have made for my hair. They fall all the way down my back and touch my butt these days. Sisterlocks are a journey that requires patience, faith and tons of love. It’s an investment for the long-run, the beautiful photos on Social Media are the results of years of work and dedication. It won’t happen overnight or by next year even in 2 years time. They go thru phases that will test your faith and commitment as they’ll do the opposite or what you expect at times. On their way to greatness. It’s not a fad or fashion, you have to know right from the start why you want them. Finding them cute or having lock envy because you saw them on someone else will not sustain you in the long run. I got them because I was exhausted of frying my hair with the creamy crack and ruining them in the process. I wanted locks for a very long time, but did not find traditional dreadlocks attractive. Try scary! Sisterlocks were the answer to a prayer I had in my spirit for decades. Enjoy every step that takes you to your goal and take plenty of pix to compare and laugh about the journey. The price is not in the money you pay or the financial sacrifice that you make. I paid € 525 for 625 locks, the install took 24 hours over 3 days. I would have paid double if she had asked. Why? Freedom. Freedom to love and honour my natural curls without poison overload that can melt a soda can. Freedom from the toxic creamy crack so close to my brain. Freedom from toxic cosmetics with names I can’t pronounce without biting my tongue. Freedom to enjoy my crown of glory in its natural state and stop the madness of buying what God naturally gave to women of other ethnicities. Freedom to see how glorious my natural hair can feel and look. Freedom to love the rain on my head and comb my hair with my fingers. That’s the real price of sisterlocks. Enjoy your journey every step of the way and trust what God can do. Your sisterlocks will take your breath away once they have reached their real purpose. Please allow them to and take a deep breath while they are doing just that. Greetings. Paula.
Wow! Ten years is amazing. It’s refreshing to hear that you still love your locs. The main reason I got them was for the freedom. Best decision ever. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
So well said, Paula! I am 2 years locked—I am so happy that I made this decision. The pros so outweigh the cons—and although there is an initial financial investment, the return is freedom and style, which is priceless. I struggled for years with fine 3C hair. Breakage was a constant. I went natural to try to recover my hair’s health. Unfortunately, the increased handling and manipulation required from styling my natural hair caused additional damage to my delicate hair. I was constantly searching for that perfect product for my hair. My bathroom shelves and shower were filled with all kinds of products—some of which were pricey, but useless. Now, with Sisterlocks I am experiencing a freedom that I never imagined! I truly wash and go, having to do nothing more than run my fingers through my hair to be ready. My morning routine has been cut from 1 1/2 hours to 20-30 minutes. I am at that point where I see the increased length from month-to-month. No more hair products. The banding and braiding ended eventually and now I wash my hair just as I would unlocked hair. I wear it down and up. My nightly routine is sleeping on a satin pillow. I never think about taking them down because locked hair is a commitment-one I am glad I made.
I agree! Life with locs is AMAZING!
Did it take longer to Loc due to your fine hair texture? I’m a 3 a (ish) in the front and tighter curls in the back.
The finer areas took longer and still haven’t locked completely. The ends are still curly and I am going on 3 years.
OMG, Mrs. Paula,
That was such a beautiful way of commenting on how much you love and adore your hair. I’m going for my consultation, TODAY! I’m so excited. I’m from a small town so I had to decide whether to go to Atlanta or South Carolina. I looked at the sisterlocks website and found a Brand Ambassador an hour away. I didn’t want to deal with the ATL traffic. Your explanation is how I want to feel about my locs. Thank you.
How was your consultation?
Hi Shanna,
I hope you click with your consultant, it’s very important. You have to feel comfortable with her to trust her guidance and advice to achieve the best results for your hair. Would love to know how it went. Many blessings.
Amen Sister! Your comment is on point!! I agree with everything you stated. I am in for the long haul and I’m only 6 months into the journey. I love everything about my Sisterlocks! You have to be patient and mature to stand the test. Sisterlocks are not a microwave process and if that’s what you are looking for they are not for you. Thank God for the Sisterlocks 🙏🏾
So beautifully said.
Thank you for your comment. I’m getting my sisterlocks installed this month and reading this was very encouraging!
I don’t have sisterlocks but I do think they are pretty. I thought about getting them but decided on the locs that I have. Paula states above that she finds traditional locs scary, what black or cultured person says that!!!! Scary?!?! Who raised you? I find locs to be a representation of strength and beauty. To each his or her own…thankfully I don’t feel like she does. She must watch Fox News.
Hi Tameika,
Sorry I offended you. I surely didn’t mean to say it that way. I have a lot of hair and I got scared that it would grow out of hand, that’s all. The reason I fell madly in love with Sisterlocks has mainly to do with the ability to keep new growth under control and to have that uniform, regular and tamed look. I understand it’s not for everyone, but that’s what works best for me. Once again, my apologies.
Hi Paula,
I am set up for my installation next Wednesday and totally excited. I am going for the tamed, controlled look as well. Im ready. Thank you
How did the installation go?
Why are you apologizing? You have your opines just like Tameika has theirs. If anything, they should apologize to you for attributing false and baseless stereotypes to your opinion. It’s a sheep mentality; you have to overlook people like that, not apologize to them. Enjoy your locs, Love.
This is a question. My hair is very fine. I don’t know the hair class I belong to but I want to get sister lock.
I’m in my late fifty’s. What is your opinion?
Thank you.
Pat
Hello Pat,
I have seen sisterlocks on very fine hair. My daughter has fine wavy hair (maybe 2c/3a) and my consultant said that she could even get sisterlocks. I would schedule a consultation just to make sure. Hope this helps!
Just finished a loooong installation of my sister locks. The ends are so frizzy. Did anyone else experience this? Also can I shower with them uncovered whilst that are still new
Hi Charmaine,
Congrats on your install!!! My ends were sooo frizzy in the beginning and they sometimes still are. I was told by my loctitian that I could shower with them uncovered, however, I had a ton of slippage when doing this. I would say it depends on your hair texture. For me, I had to avoid moisture…point blank. Hope this helps!
I’m looking forward to getting sister locks but am going through a mental shock of the reties every 6 weeks is it a look down if I want to get reties every 8 weeks which I know I will be more faithful after a year or two of the 6 week reties I have 4C hair….
I know several people who go 8 weeks between reties. It really depends on how your hair grows and how you maintain it. For example, do you separate your locs after a wash or do you braid/band when you wash. Things like that. I hope this helps. I still love my locs 🙂
I bought these rollers, right after seeing your video. They came, next day! 😁AMAZON is Amazing! I opened the box, turned on your video again…🤓 wanted to make sure you didn’t prep hair. Went through steps and within 30 minute I had a FABULOUS look. 🤩 My 6month old sisterlocks looked just like my “relaxed” loose hair, Roller Set. IM IN LOVE. Thanks for sharing. ❤
Thanks for watching!!!
Indeed. All the cons were 100% spot on. Itchiness was #1 for me. LOL. I am 2 years in. It’s the best choice for me. I wanted to stay natural and embrace what God gave me and stop using chemicals. The versatility of sisterlocks is really amazing. I agree with Paula 1000%. The money is worth the FREEDOM!
Yes, the freedom is E-V-E-R-Y-thing!!!
Greetings! I enjoyed your post on the cons of sister locks, a look I’ve come to admire. I have 2-strand twists now, a journey I took up 15 months ago. They are coming along nicely and are 4.5-5 inches now. However, I’m contemplating sister locks and I’d like your opinion about making the change. At 70, I’m not so sure it’s smart move. Others urge me not to change. Doing so I reckon could prove frustrating and really prolong my journey. Thanks in advance for your response!
Sorry that I didn’t see your message until now. Did you decide to go with sisterlocks?
I am into year 15 with my Sisterlocks and I feel that it was the best decision I’ve ever made for my hair. When I first decided to make the “jump” I had long permed hair with two inches of virgin growth. For first six months I sported a ‘curly natural’ that I convince people was my actual hair and not a weave. I am almost 70 and my hair is very salt-and-pepper. About six years ago when my hair was at my waist I donated 17 inches of it for a worthy cause and it’s grown back to almost at my waist again. It is absolutely true that the initial outlay for installation and every 6 to 7 weeks for maintenance may seem costly, but making the comparison of other hair systems and the upkeep it is well worth it. I would occasionally get extension braids but they would only last for 6 weeks before looking fuzzy at the roots. That was a major cost of time and money. I also knew that the cost in terms of time, money and hair loss with getting perms was worse (think of your hair dresser overbooking her clients and long strands of hair coming out from the ‘creamy crack’). I fully subscribe to the “no such thing as a bad hair day” with Sisterlocks. I am able to style my locs into various styles from a simple ponytail to an elaborate wrap done without the aid of pins. I don’t know why anyone would consider sleeping on a silk pillow case or other protective hair wrap is a con. Our hair may look tough, but it is delicate.
It’s been great sharing with you.
That’s amazing! I’m looking forward to that level of growth! Wouldn’t trade it for the world!
The best investment,the greatest mind blowing natural thing i could have ever done, wouldn’t trade my sisterlocs for anything in the world hair feeedom.
agreed!