Retwisting definitely "seems" to have more pros than interlocking, however it is actually the high maintenance method for locs. In order to have either neat locs or maintain loc integrity, (for those whose hair grows away from their locs) a retwist has to be done after every wash. My hair falls into that category mentioned, so it was a chore having to do my hair after every wash. I felt like I was back in my loose natural days of constantly having to do something to my hair. So, while retwisting has more pros on the surface, interlocking is better in the long run. It is the lower maintenance option for locs and really allows for a more carefree hair experience.
Exactly! All the categories shouldn't have equal weight. Even though retwisting won more categories, it lost in the one that carries the most weight (imo) - which was durability
I started out interlocking for the first two years of my loc journey. I had sisterlocks and then combined them. Then I switched to retwisting because I felt like that was gentler on my hair. I don't mind frizz, I don't mind that my retwists don't last long, and I'm not trying to have a super neat look with crisp parts. So like other comments have said, it depends on your hair type, your lifestyle, and the look you are trying to achieve. Basically what works best for you. This was a great, informative video!
Interlocking is preferred for me especially in the summer. I sweat so easily from my head so retwisting would not work for me at all. Also my hair texture is 3a ish and let me tell you, it does not cooperate with anything but interlocking. Plus the fact that I only interlock every 2 months.
Hello! Like most others, I agree with your assessments on both maintenance methods. The only thing I might add, is that the size of your locs might be a determining factor in whether you retwist or interlock. For those of us with very fine strands of hair on small sized microlocs, it may not be advisable to retwist at all, because of the potential to over-stress the base of the loc. In those cases, interlocking is the best method.
Great point! Super small microlocs probably should be interlocked. Plus I've noticed that the very smallest locs on my head dont even stay retwisted as long as the other locs on my head when I have done retwists. So someone with super small locs may find that a retwist only lasts a few days despite not getting their hair wet.
You're locs are so pretty! I am ok with the pattern and ok with the additional time it takes to retighten bc in the end my hair stays pretty neat (minus the frizz since I am 8 months in). I think I will keep getting my hair retightened but it is good to see the comparison. Thanks for the video.
I started interlocking my locs the first year. I would get them done every 3 months, but over the past year, my locs started thinning out from the roots, so I decided to switch up to retwisting my locs this year
Amazing video! I exclusively interlock and wouldn't have it any other way. The reason I got locs was because I was a slave of my hair and I wanted to be done with that. I do pay a good dollar to have it done but the freedom I get from interlocking to me is worth every penny plus the tips.
@@NapsAreTheNewBlack you're about to be a whole doctor! you'll get there! I will say though, it is an advantage yo know how to do it yourself, you never know. As you stated in the video, interlocking does not look "neat" for long and plus I sweat A LOT. Girl my front locks look raggedy by the 6th day after a fresh retie. I wish I knew how to interlock so I can at least retie the front in between sessions. Also, you were one of my biggest inspiration to get my locs, best decision ever, thank you. Keep up the good work ❤️❤️
My method of retightening is interlocking. I have microlocs and that is the method my loctician uses. Your locs are gorgeous but I don't have any problem with frizz; retwisting won't work in my locs where I sweat in my scalp among other issues.
Hey Love.... THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO..... I'm 1 month into my DYI mirolock Jounrey.... This was definitely informative... I do interlock as of right now.... You are one of my inspirations in starting my locs myself..... Thanks so much...😍😍😍
So I agree with EVERYTHING you said. I started with sisterlocks over 2 years ago. About 9 months ago I combined my locs with 2 strand twists & decided to switch to get retwists because I loved the more "structured" & "neat" look. To date I love the look of my roots retwisted, but the shaft with the interlocked look. I'm in Texas now (was in CA before) & it's so hot here, so I've decided to go back to interlocking for the longevity of maintenance. This was a great video!! I really enjoyed it. And the new color on you is AMAZING!!! 🥰🥰🥰
thank you! and what you mentioned is the beauty of having locks. you can always do a retwist here and there for the look, and then go back to interlocking. Its not an either/or type of situation.
@@NapsAreTheNewBlack EXACTLY!! Your locs have been a huge inspiration for me. I think I've been following you since right before I was loc'd. I just don't have the density you have, & interlocking has given me a thicker look. Since I've been getting retwists my locs are tighter & smaller. There's definitely a learning curve but that's why we call it a loc journey.
Love this video! I agree 100% with everything you've said. I live an active life style, I don't want to have do my hair everyday like I did while natural. I love my loose natural hair, but I truly love the freedom! I would never switch to retwisting even though it has benefits. Stats: Loc Count- Over 500 DIY microlocks Time - 2 Yrs 1 month
Your locks are so beautiful you look so amazing! I’m starting locks and I was a little indecisive between sister locks and micro Locs and your video was so informative. Well I’ve actually seen a few of your videos, so thank you for all that you’re doing it’s amazing.
I have micro locs and they're interlocked. My hair is soft and I have lots of grays at the front. My front stills comes loose after almost 2 years but I'm here for it. Thanks for the information.
Your hair looks really pretty. That color suits you well. I too want brown hair but I'm on the fence about it because almost everyone has talked about how their hair dried out and their locs got fragile and now I'm scared and traumatized without even having gained the experience. But you're really inspiring and motivating me because you're so positive about your hair coloring experience. Idk Idk I'm scared😣😂
I see the colour difference...pretty! Love how you broke the facts down too And how have majority of your front twists not dissappeared yet?- you installed before me. Mine have become bulbous on the twisted parts all over except some of the front ones that are still as skinny. So lucky! Love the uniformity
Saw your comment on a Peterson clip and I was amazed at how articulate you are. Going through tough times and it was a small thing to see someone thinking so clearly on the internet. You don't see that.. So thank you
Wow thank you so much! Its definitely tough to stay logical when we as a society have embraced biases and fallacies, but I try to challenge my opinions by listening to opposing arguments and engaging in conversations with people.
Hello! Ive retwisted the first 11 years of my loc journey. I interlocked for the first time this week and im enjoying the way it feels. I like the natural fuzzy look so it seems like a good fit plus i dont retwist often. Im thinking maybe 3x per year will work for me. Great video!!
I love how you answered this but i wanted to give some wisdom to anyone that doesn't have micro locs. I have about 42 locs that are the same thickness of a white board marker or jumbo sharpie and i can interlock maybe every 3-4 months. I do 2 rotations because that's all i can do but i prioritize thickness and longevity. My roots dense up in a month after interlocking. I've tried re twisting and i feel like my locs get super skinny and i don't like that. Vs interlocking, they are condensed by the interlocking process but the LOC doubles in size for me over the course of 2 mo's. If anyone tried either i would say interlocking because it's limited tension on the scalp, lasts longer, can help promote consistency in the length of your LOC and can show a more consistent look. I do want someone's opinion on the number of rotations and consistency on locs tho.
thanks for adding another perspective! I used to interlock my husband's thick locs and his also stayed pretty full with interlocking. However if your technique isn't great, interlocking can lead to bumpier locs. The ends of his locs which had the early interlocking (when I didnt really know what I was doing) were more lumpy than the areas closer to his roots (when I started to get good at interlocking)
I'm so glad I took time to read your comment cause as I'm doing my first starter interloc I was afraid if this would cause my hair to thin. I figure if I did the 2 point without tension hopefully it wont cause it to be thin if I dont rotate too much. thank you!
Thanks for the information on this video. I'm getting microlocs on 07/21 and I'm super excited about it! Your hair is gorgeous! I will more than likely interloc based on the texture of my hair.
Awesome video! 😁🙌🏾 I think that tie isn’t accurate. Haha Interlocking is WAY higher risk for damage given how easy it is to mess up, over tighten and change the integrity of a loc. Where I think that tie might be coming from is your preference for neatness and your lifestyle (gym & swimming :) Understandably, for smaller locs too, retightening is more practical but for traditional and for anyone okay with less neatness, there’s no debate on damage. Overtwisting & bad method can’t compare to overtightening & bad method. Overall, I know more people disappointed with retightening/reties especially after years of effective retwists. I highly recommend gentle retwists and embracing any puffiness at the roots in terms of hair health, which is the category I hoped you’d include. Damage is one thing, long term health is another. Even for people combing out locs one day, retwisting all along is recommended.
Thanks! I've personally seen more people with damage from overtwisting and not so many people with damage from interlocking. I think all of our personal experiences are just due to sampling bias. Interlocking does not inherently cause damage (it is basically like a reverse braid). Both methods when done improperly will ruin a set of locs. I didnt include damage as a category because each method when done right will maintain a healthy set of locs.
Thank you! I learned so much. I two-strand twisted my natural hair (7 years since it has had direct heat) because I was having surgery and wouldn’t be able to wash it and I wanted to be able to go back to my natural hairstyle if I didn’t like it. I fell in love with the look and feel but, you can’t get it wet. With olive, lavender, tea tree, and argon oil, no itch, flakes, etc., for 6 weeks without a wash. But, I too am a swimmer so once I’m back in the pool/ocean, interlocking it will be!😊
Great video, and very thorough 👍🏿☺️! I have traditional size locs that were started by interlocking. But I’ve been maintaining by retwisting because I want them to be as thick as possible. I wish I could do interlocking though because of all the pros you stated. I workout a lot too so I sweat a lot. Thanks for sharing ❤️!
My roots look ready for tightening in four weeks …shit grows fast. I interlock and have my curls out on the bottom of the loc. more maintenance but it’s the look I wanted
Very informative, still not sure which route to go to start the journey 😄 retightening my fine 4c hair terrifies me and I'm nervous what it would like. Maybe I'll follow my gut and just go the old school twist route. I've always been ok with messy, frizzy hair. The idea of "neat" doesn't bother me much.
Beautiful locs. Im a interlocked girl. My hair dont hold the retwist. 10 months in i can wash my hair when i feel like it and still be intact. I only have 70 locs it takes me 4 hours i do it every 6 weeks.
Your locs are perfect.... exactly what are they? Sister (brother for me) micro, or small traditional locs. But I could see me rocking those type. Guess it'll depend on hair type.
Thanks for the comparison. I have a wedding to attend on August 20th, but I already have my tools and mind set on installing microlocs the long Labor Day weekend. I am hoping for approximately 200-225 locs, but we will see how that goes :) Wish me luck! p.s. Your hair looks great. I know you just colored it, but I am wondering if you have had any issues with dry or brittle locs thus far?
Im looking to start locs, but i noticed most locticians are doing coil or 2 strand twists. Coils don't look good in my opinion and 2 strand twists are ok, they just take a longer time to come away from the 2 strand look. I like the interlocking look of dreads.
I wanted to try interlocking this time around, however i am afraid of the holes appearing in my locs. My final decision is retwisting. I truly hope i still have those metal clamps, if not i will repurchase them.
Hey am glad I found this video and what I have to say is your micro Locs and the color of them is amazing🥰 however I would like to ask like can I use super dread for for extension or what did you use for your hair? Please help me cz I want to begin my Locs journey too
@@mai-linhmainor5965 It really depends on your hair type. Some folks new hair grows into the Loc base naturally, some folks hair grows away from the base. Mine grow away, but even with that, I find after almost 8 years that my hair stays where it should better than earlier in my loc journey. 🤷🏾♀️
I love everything stated. I'm currently trying to decide the loc size that I'd like and I'm pretty indecisive so it's been like 3 months of youtube research lmaoo. How did you dye your hair?
Im trying to decide if i should just comb mine out, switch to getting them twisted or keep maintaining them myself. My stylist does them in 3 hours but it take me forever lol I didnt anticipate that. I live in Iowa yall lol.
Thanks! I was only taking them for this month. if you available like next monday or tuesday you can message me on instagram: @_napsarethenewblack, or email me (if you don't have an IG): kmarshallwatkins@gmail.com
For those who live on the east coast would you recommend getting re-twist during the winter, and interlock during the summer? My natural hair starts to thicken and become frizzy when it’s hot and humid and i start to sweat. That’s my only reason to loc my hair. It’s natural and it’s just too much to deal with lol
I live on the east coast. Summer humidity definitely favors interlocking, but also interlocking and retwisting leave different patterns. you have to decided if you would be okay with your locs having different patterns/widths along their length.
Wait. So did you cut your hair (the twisted part)? The twisted sections look much shorter now than from how they looked on "day 1" of your twist-loc journey.
nope, i did not cut them, they just shrank to a fraction of their starting length. thats why I regret waiting until I had alot of hair to loc. I shouldve just locked on 3 inches of hair since it shrank to about that length anyway. basically the more loose hair you start with, that more itll shrink.
I loveeee interlocking 😍 my microlocs , Retwisiting is nice but it just look like worms on top on your head to me 😂but it is beautiful, but I just can't get with it
This was a great video. I prefer interlocking because my daughter’s hair grows close to an inch a month. Which rotation do you prefer? 2 point? 3 point? Or 4 point? Do you feel like the rotation matters?
@@NapsAreTheNewBlack I think I will take your advice and try the 2 point. I had been doing the 4 point, but this will save so much time. Thank you for your reply. Your locs are gorgeous.
ur locs are amazing but i have a question, i got instant locs and wanted to see if my locs would shrink after my basketball games,because i used to have 2 strand twist and after my games they would have shrunken a ton and i hated that, jus wanted to see what u thought!
Best video about the 2 methods. I want both. Neat look and longevity. My career requires me to look neat all the time, but I love my hair down all the time so interlocking wins. I’m always very busy (mom, work, student, and taking of my parents) so I need very longevity. HOWEVER I have medium sized locs so how in the world is that going to look when matured with interlocking method?!!!! 🫣🫣🫣
if you are going to a salon I think retwisting is less expensive, but also has to be done more often, so it would probably even out over the course of a year. But im not 100% sure since I maintain my own hair. But for reference I interlock about 4 times per year. I would probably get retwists every 5-6 weeks (if I did not interlock), which is about 10 times per year.
I always go back and forth 😩. I'm sensitive and ive heard of the way black medical students get criticized online. Idk if I want to expose myself to that.