Well, 10 months have passed since my locks were installed at the end of November last year. I can honestly say that I have not had a moment of regret about locking my hair. In the beginning I had moments of insecurity about how looked, but I have never regretted it.
Here is a picture taken a few days ago before re-tightening. It is very fuzzy and is looking a bit untidy.
Yesterday, I had it re-tightened. Here is a picture after re-tightening, washing and setting. Looking and feeling much better.
My consultant is pleasantly surprised at the rapid growth of my hair. She is also urging me to braid and band when I wash. I stopped doing this months ago, when I found it to be too much of a chore. Since she asked me to do this yesterday when I was feeling tired and grumpy, after sitting for 5 hours getting my hair done, my immediate response (in my head) was "She has got to be kidding me".
Today, I am well rested and in a much better mood, so I am considering it. I have already been cussed by N'Drea and JaStu for not braiding and banding, and for committing all sorts of other sins, so I know all the arguments for braiding and banding. But, grrrrrrr, it really drives me nuts.
For the most part, my hair is very far along in the locking process, but there are a few areas which are steadfastly refusing to lock. In fact, along my hair line in the front, the short length plus the texture of my hair in this area is such that the locks won't even stay in place. Some of them completely unravel by the time the next re-tightening is due.
I still get lots of compliments on my hair, which is very encouraging, and the people who see me fairly infrequently are astounded by the rapid growth that they observe each time they do see me.
The gray hair at the front is beginning to drive me crazy. I don't think I want to colour them though. I am just afraid that I will have to colour forever and ever if I start.