Your First Year Of Sisterlocks: 7 Things No One Tells You

Finally, you’ve taken the sisterlocks leap!

You’ve met with a loctician consultant. You’ve decided on the width of your sisterlocks and the date you’ll start. Now it’s time to go! It will take you at least 12 hours with your loctician - over 2 or more sessions - to get your sisterlocks installed.

But this is just the start of your journey. The first year of sisterlocks is pivotal to growth, hair health, and understanding the requirements. However, people with sisterlocks often overlook the many challenges that come with it.

Here are 8 things you may experience during year one (and how to deal with them).

1. Your Hair Will Look Different Than You Expect—And That’s Okay

If you’ve been scrolling through flawless photos of mature sisterlocks on Pinterest or Instagram, it’s easy to believe your locs will look just as polished from day one. But here’s the truth no one tells you: your sisterlocks will probably look nothing like that for at least the first 6 months—and that’s perfectly normal.

Beginner sisterlocks go through a specific locking cycle, regardless of the length of your hair. On the loctician’s chair, your hair can look great when you’re finally done. Then it will seem to have a mind of its own.

Your hair will frizz, your parts won't be as crisp, and your ends become puffier than expected.

But don’t panic—this is all part of the locking process. Frizz is a sign that your hair is expanding, swelling, and trying to settle into its loc’d state. In other words, it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to.

This stage can last months, and it might feel like your hair is taking forever to mature. Just remember: mature locs don’t happen overnight. They take time, care, and a lot of patience.

Expectations vs. Reality

You might go into your sisterlocks journey expecting immediate neatness and uniformity. The reality? Your locks may look “thin,” “loose,” or even a little wild at first. It’s not uncommon to question whether it’s “working” or if something went wrong during installation. Don’t worry—this is just the foundation.

What you're seeing is a transitional phase. Over time, your locs will swell, thicken, and take on a shape and texture unique to you. And that’s the beauty of Sisterlocks—they’re not a one-size-fits-all look. They evolve with your hair’s natural tendencies.

Your Texture & Pattern Matter More Than You Think

One of the most overlooked factors in your sisterlocks journey is your natural curl pattern and hair texture. Tighter coils (like 4C) may lock faster and create a fuller appearance early on, while looser textures (like 3B or 3C) might take longer to loc and appear thinner at first.

It’s important to understand how your hair behaves so you can adjust your expectations accordingly. No two sets of sisterlocks are the same and every journey is unique.

2. Scalp Issues Can Creep In

“Why didn’t anyone tell me about the scalp issues?”

It’s not uncommon to hear this comment from someone on their sisterlocks journey, especially in the first year of sisterlocks. Not only is your hair locking, but your scalp is adjusting to the new normal.

Dry scalp, itching, and flakiness can occur within the first few months. During this time, you’ll be washing less and will no longer use thick oils, gels, and creams. As your scalp adjusts to this new normal, you may get these issues. Don’t be tempted to slather on your trusted oils or wash your hair too aggressively as you may undo your sisterlocks.

Instead, use moisturizing sprays with aloe vera, rosewater, or tea tree oil. These calm inflammation and offer hydration without causing buildup. Spray directly onto your scalp.

Heavy oils may feel soothing, but they attract lint and cause buildup over time, especially near your roots. 

Avoid thick, heavy oils and use lighter stuff (jojoba or grapeseed), using it sparingly.

Resist the urge to scratch your hair (gently massage instead) and keep your scalp clean, only washing when instructed by your loctician. This should be enough to soothe your scalp as it goes through this new phase of hair growth and development).

(If you’ve been having scalp issues before your sisterlocks, it’s wise to resolve them first with the help of a dermatologist. For instance, Dr. Ife Rodney is the nation's leading hair and scalp expert. Her practice, Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics, is located in the Washington DC / DMV area.").

3. You’ll Probably Doubt Your Decision (More Than Once)

You probably have a vision of what your sisterlocks will look like. That vision will not come to pass in year one. Your locs may go through a period where you’ll be questioning your decision. 

During that initial locking stage, your locs may look thin and stringy. It may just look weird, and you won’t be able to style them in the way you envisioned.

Don’t panic. Put the scissors down.

Remember, the first year of sisterlocks is about allowing them to lock and mature. They will go through that ‘awkward teenage phase.’ But give it time. It’s normal to feel unsure and impatient. We often see the end result of others online and become anxious, wanting ours to fill out the same way. Everyone’s journey is different. What you’re seeing online is at least 1-2 years of growth, and that’s being conservative. Or you’re seeing someone with sisterlocks extensions.

Trust the process and work with your hair. Good things take time.

Stress can impact your hair growth, so be confident that it will grow and mature into the beautiful set of locks you envisioned.

4. Washing Becomes a Whole Process

Your loctician will give you some instructions on washing your locks and you’ll quickly realize that it’s a brand new process. You’ll need a new set of shampoo, conditioner, and other products to wash your hair. The regular, sometimes aggressive style of washing loose hair goes out the window. What steps in for sisterlocks is a new process that focuses on washing your hair without disrupting the locking journey.

Washing your sisterlocks, especially during the first year, requires you to section your hair into small braids or ponytails, securing the ends with a soft band. It helps keep your locs intact and prevents them from unraveling. You’ll then use a clarifying or residue-free shampoo that’s formulated for sisterlocks, then a light conditioner. It won’t be like your wash days of old. Don’t expect lots of suds.

Overwashing can actually cause more harm than good. Too much manipulation and moisture can lead to unraveling, dryness, or thinning—especially if your locs haven’t fully locked yet. Most sisterlock wearers find that washing every 1–2 weeks is ideal, but always listen to your scalp’s needs.

5. Retightening Is a Commitment

During the first year of sisterlocks, people tend to underestimate the effort it takes to retighten your hair. The loctician will recommend you return to them every 4-6 weeks to retighten the locks to prevent them from unraveling and locking the way they are supposed to, which can be time-consuming.

With our busy lives, scheduling that time can be challenging, especially if your loctician is a couple of hours away or is constantly booked. The cost, time investment, and logistics can lead to frustration.

This is why sisterlocks are so expensive.

You can work around it with some proactive planning. Immediately after your sisterlocks are installed, get in your loctician’s calendar for the next 2-3 retightening sessions. Retightening is cheaper than installation, so if you can pre-pay for 1-2 sessions, do so.

Instead of the 4-6 weeks, some people can get away with 6-8 weeks to help manage the time and money commitment. 

Here’s an option; learn how to retighten your locs yourself.

Yes, DIY retightening is a thing. If you have experience with your hair, you can learn using YouTube, or take a retightening class from your loctician. You’ll pay upfront but save hundreds of dollars and many hours commuting on the back end.

6. People Will Have A LOT of Opinions

Sometimes, it will feel like you not only have to protect the health of your hair, but its honor and reputation too. Everyone has an opinion, especially when it comes to locking your hair. Some people love it and will compliment and praise you for your choice. Others will not understand your decision and will say something out of pocket.

You will get unsolicited advice, questions, and comments. In certain settings, like work, you may get some questions or looks depending on your profession. There is always a conversation about Black hair, especially Black women’s.

There’s a saying that goes, ‘what people say about me is none of my business.’

And that’s the stance you should take. Good or bad, you should feel indifferent about it all because everyone will have an opinion. How YOU feel about yourself matters more. This journey is about you, building confidence in yourself, and achieving your hair goals.

The funny thing is the same people who had something weird to say in year one will praise your hair in year two or three. That’s why you can’t take anything at face value. All that matters is YOU love YOUR hair on YOUR journey.

7. The Emotional Growth is Real

Sisterlocks may start as just a hairstyle decision—but don’t be surprised when it turns into something more profound. The first year, especially, can spark a journey of emotional growth, self-acceptance, and unlearning beauty standards you didn’t even realize you were holding onto.

At first, your locs might not look like what you envisioned. You may miss the versatility of loose natural hair, or feel hyper-aware of how people respond to your new look. But as time passes, you begin to let go of unrealistic expectations and embrace what your hair wants to do naturally.

Sisterlocks require patience, and in turn, they teach you patience. You’ll watch your hair evolve month after month, thickening, changing texture, and finding its shape. This slow, steady transformation has a way of shifting your mindset. It helps you to learn patience, self-control, and self-confidence.

Many people say their sisterlock journey helped them reconnect with their identity, their heritage, and their sense of inner beauty. So the investment goes beyond your hair. It hits you at the core.

Final Thoughts

Your first year of sisterlocks will be filled with ups and downs. Your hair will go through some slow but steady stages of growth as it buds, locks, and matures. This can take at least 1-2 years, depending on factors like your hair health, genetics, locking skills, and attention to detail.

The journey will require you to change to achieve the hair you envisioned. Your hair care routine will change, your hair products will change, and your mindset will change. 

The first year may be full of surprises, but one of the most powerful ones is this: you’ll grow just as much as your hair does.