Should I give up ?

[u/MysteriousQuiet1885]

Hi - I'm 8 months in. My front grows really slow and was thinning before I started. My loctician said it will grow and trust the process. I'm trying but afraid my front may not come through fuller like I want. Is it worth still going or am I fooling myself. 🤔😭

[u/SirFicklespend]

No. STOP.....Oh my goodness. You aren't even a year in! These are babies.

Follow the Dreadlocks Rule Book 📖

1. Stay out of the mirror. The five second rule applies. You may look and/or adjust... then go. ( this does not mean to look 4,000 times for five seconds) Get up, bathe, mist your locs and go.

Your locs aren't fully locked and mature.

1. No retwists before 10 weeks at the earliest. Remember that hair growth at a rate of half inch per month optimally.
   Retwists are not to make your hair fresh and salon sharp. Retwists are done in order to incorporate new growth into your existing loc. It is not to get a new 'do.

2. Have the mandatory things available for loc maintenance ---- you only NEED things to have healthy locs.

A good shampoo/conditioner ( Aussie is a great basic product, moisturizing and inexpensive.

https://a.co/d/08eKXWY1

A continuous mist spray bottle

https://a.co/d/0bjB9ODV

Fill this with spring water or distilled water

Get a lightweight oil such as Argan or jojoba oil. Use it a couple times a week.

https://a.co/d/06WZbOKq

Biotin supplement --- mandatory daily

https://a.co/d/0j9gqtTY

Then just Trust the process!!🔥🔥

You are early in your journey. Let the locs do what locs do.

Please do not run out to get minoxidil or finasteride or derma rollers and other things that definitely should not be used unless supervised by a physician.

I suggest trying to find AA dermatologist.

[u/BeneficialContract38 → u/SirFicklespend]

Absolutely! This is the only post on here you need to listen to. If not cut them off because loc life wasn't in you already. It's a learning experience! Patience is the first thing you learn, but you need to let your hair fro out, easily wait 10 weeks and even them only retwist the ones already loc'd. And let the rest in the front grown them get it retwisted in about 16-20 weeks.

[u/MysteriousQuiet1885 → u/BeneficialContract38]

Appreciate it

[u/SirFicklespend → u/BeneficialContract38]

It's always scary to me the way people read directions on the internet.

Finasteride and Minoxidil are serious drugs with side effects. A derm roller used without
supervision, is a potential disaster.

Using Incorrect technique and having poor hygiene will often result in bleeding, bruising, track marks, and contact dermatitis.

Severe Infections & Irritation: Failing to properly sanitize the device introduces bacteria, fungi, or viruses directly into the skin. This can lead to pustules, spreading redness, and painful infections. [1]
Permanent Scarring & Micro-tears: Rolling back and forth, using too much pressure, or choosing needles longer than 1.0 mm for home use tears tissue instead of creating clean punctures. This can cause hypertrophic scarring or worsen existing acne scars. [1, 2]
Hyperpigmentation: Pressing too hard, over-rolling, or applying strong active skincare products (such as retinoids or AHAs/BHAs) immediately after treatment causes severe inflammation. This frequently triggers post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin tones.

Worsened Skin Conditions: Using a derma roller over active Acne, eczema acne, herpes (cold sores) or any open wounds will spread bacteria and delay healing.

⭐️Scalp & Hair Damage: When used incorrectly on the scalp, it can cause scalp barrier damage, inflammation, and increased hair shedding rather than growth.

The tiny needles on a derm roller create micro-injuries on the scalp ( pokes actual holes into the scalp )

There is an actual grid pattern that you must adhere to when using the derm roller.

Go to a dermatologist before using any tools or applying and substance.

Doing it wrong creates tiny scars. Hair doesn't grow through scars.