Just dread

To some, dreadlocks have become more of a status symbol rather than a spiritual decision. Others began locking their hair so that they are seen as conscious and Afrocentric.

Locks are now worn by all races and ethnicities as a fashion statement, a political message or as a form of rebellion.

A website —theearthcenter.com, states “dreadlocks have been a part of the history of nearly every spiritual system. From Christianity to Hinduism, locked hair has been a symbol of a highly spiritual person who is trying to come closer to God(s). If one is to research the spiritual history and meaning of locks, they will be mentioned in all holy books and cultures like the Biblical Sampson and the Hindu God Shiva.”

The demand for locktitians is high (technicians who are skilled in locking hair). Hair can be locked either naturally or by using the Afro kinky braid as an extension.

The majority of our locktitians are self-taught and their prices range anywhere from $100 upwards while locks maintenance starts at $60 depending on growth and formation.

Locktitians have acknowledged that growing locks requires commitment to the style. It is important to remember that once the hair starts to mat and lock together, there is no going back as the only way to remove them is to cut them off. Deciding to lock your hair, therefore, needs careful consideration. Nakisha “Farri” Murray, a locktitian at Nu Melinium Beauty Salon in Port-of-Spain, has been locking hair for over four years. She started with her own hair and eventually learnt the different techniques. Generally, she accommodates five or six persons per day. Locking hair, she says, takes up a lot of time.

“Locking hair is a very time-consuming business as it takes anywhere between a half-an-hour to two hours. You need to be gentle and patient when working with your clients. You also need to know proper techniques because you can damage someone’s hair if you don’t lock it properly,” Murray noted.

Another locktitian, Sarana Lewis also admitted that there is a big demand for locktitians. Lewis revealed that customers per day at her St James establishment can range anywhere from eight to ten and as much as 22 on a Saturday.

She began her trade in New York under Taylor Kennedy who is responsible for Stevie Wonder’s locks. She has been in business for over six years.

“I have new customers everyday but they must book at least two days in advance. Locking hair takes me anywhere between 11 minutes and two hours.”

New City Mall in downtown Port-of-Spain is also home to over 15 locktitians. The majority of them began doing locks because of the high demand. Candice Arthur who operates at the mall said, “I don’t think that there are a shortage of locktitians anymore. The only issue is that locking takes time, depending on the type of hair and it’s time that determines the flow of customers so if you want to lock your hair, you might not be able to get an appointment at a time suitable for you.”

On meeting your potential locktitian, it is necessary to discuss all your needs and concerns with them as certain problems like hair loss and dandruff can arise if the hair is not locked properly. Gwyneth Lord of Realistic Image Beauty Salon said that hair loss — temporary alopecia — can occur if hair is locked too tightly. She said there is a product available in the serum, shampoo and tablet form for men and women. Dandruff can also be treated and prevented if non-greasy products are used and also if the hair is tied down at night.

Patricia Neptune, trichologist at The Beautique Unisex Salon recommends personal evaluations with a trained trichologist to determine the treatment for the client’s needs.

Trichologist Germain Williams-Beckles said, “Locks contain a significant amount of dead hair which creates weight. For someone with fine hair, this could create a strain on the hair and damage to the hair follicle and cause the hair to thin out even more. if the locks are pulled too tight, the follicle could also become damaged and result in a significant amount of hair loss.” She said that using a lot of heavy jells and waxes without washing the hair often and properly massaging the product into the locks can cause scaly scalp as well as fungus type conditions.

General Tips for lock care (Courtesy www.tytecurl.com):

Always sleep with a satin/silk head scarf.

Re-twist new growth no more than every three to four weeks. Avoid products which contain beeswax, petroleum and heavy greases as these all create a heavy build up of residue which makes hair look dull.

To give your locks some body, gather locks into a loose ponytail on top of your head before stepping into the shower. Allow the steam and mists from the shower to moisten locks (do not get them wet). Allow hair to dry, remove the ponytail and the hair will have lots of body.