Friday, January 2, 2009

Freeform Pro and Cons

So far I have noticed some pros and cons to freeforming that I feel inclined to share with you all.
Pros
  1. I don't have to do a thing but shampoo and go (maybe a little dryer time, but not much).
  2. I love the look.
  3. I love the feel mentally.
  4. I am learning to not to be moved by the opinions of others about "the way locks should look".

Cons

  1. Because I suffer with HIHD I still want to twist every now and again.
  2. I notice shedding sometimes and I am not used to seeing that. It makes sense though because my roots will behave more like Afro hair as they are not in a *protective hairstyle.
  3. People always have something to say.

*A protective hairstyle is one that keeps your hair safe from the cold in winter (or other harsh environmental issues to include heating systems or extreme dryness). If you have an Afro for example, I would suggest that you keep your hair in 2 strands, braids, or plaits through the winter months. These style help to maintain moisture and keep you from combing your hair. Obviously I am not combing my hair, but the moisture is being zapped. To add insult to injury my steamer broke. That made me just a little angry to say the least.

All that to say that I am wondering about twisting in the winter months and leaving it be in the other 9 months. I just can't seem to control the dryness and that is my main issue. Let me know what you think.

4 comments:

new2locs said...

Hey Jus Locs,
I don't quite understand the whole freeform idea so instead of having a suggestion I guess I have a question. If you are freeforming are you doing anything at all with the new growth ie separating it, scrunching it? I can see why you're shedding hair because it's loose new growth. I think maybe you should try twisting during the winter months to control the dryness.
I see that this freeform journey is making you stronger since you have to deal with all of the questions of why you're freeforming. I commend you for that because we have to answer crazy questions just because we went natural or decided to lock our hair but you're on a whole other level with freeforming.
I would like to see updated pics since you started freeforming do you have any that you'll be posting? Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Happy New Year & God Bless You!

Earth Mother Guidance said...

I don't know alot about this area of locking either. I guess the reason being the it seems to be an area that is not very popular and so there isn't a lot of information out there. Yes, I separate them and that is about it. I add oil and all that stuff but I don't twist it.
Yes, this has made me MUCH stronger. I don't mind the questions, because I like to share information with others. The strength has come from REALLY learning to accept myself in ways that I would have never considered previously. Thanks Sis. I'll upload some just for you. LOL

Anonymous said...

I think you had the same question about your hair that I was going to ask you. I have not latched since Nov. so when I washed this morning the roots where quite exposed (almost looked as if was broke. I was a little nervous I was thinking this may not be for me if my loc broke. So it is a normal look huh?

Earth Mother Guidance said...

Niada,
I guess so. Yesterday, I had what looked like a clump of hair come out. I will be honest and say that it was only about 5 pieces, but they were all clumped together. I also can't seem to keep it moist. I think that I will twist it for the winter and try it again this summer.