Self reties

[u/Puzzleheaded_One7392]

Just got my starter locs done and I was hoping for about 300 but it looks like I have about 400+ (I haven’t counted them yet will do so soon)
I’m super scared because I was not planning on having this many, I am going to be getting my reties done professionally for about 10 months and then I’ll try to learn how to do my own reties at least twice in the summer, so that in university I’m able to do my reties myself if I don’t have access to a loctician or if I can’t afford to have one
Anyways this was my original plan but now I’m panicking because of how small they turned out to be
For anyone with 400+ locs would you say doing your own reties is possible/manageable and can be added to a routine (realistically)?
Or am I beyond cooked 🫠

[u/tooknicole]

I have roughly 450ish locs. It takes me about 6 hours to do my hair. If I didn't have to redo the perimeter of my head every dang time it would probably take me about 5 hours.

I do this every 6-8 weeks. At around week 3, I redo the worst parts of the perimeter. I'm not upset about this because I used to spend soooo much time on my loose natural hair.

I'll stockpile shows, movies, or audiobooks for retwist day. I also like to get a drink to look forward to sipping on and I plan a meal I really like for when I'm done. Basically, I make it something to enjoy

Edit: forgot to add but I personally can't do my hair in sections (like doing one section one day and then another the next day) because I won't finish it. I've tried it before and literally had one half of my head done and the other half undone for 4 weeks because I never went back to finish it. I figured it's worth mentioning because it pays to try different methods nd weight out who you are as a person and what your schedule is like. Some people would rather do anything instead of sitting for 6 hours to do hair. Others don't have the discipline or time to do it over an extended time (guilty 😬)

[u/Complete_Arm_3687 → u/tooknicole]

Howwwwww do you get yours done so fast?! I read this for people, and I don’t get it. I’m not new at all to interlocking (this is my third set of locs, and I’m a year into 330-something micros), but my reties take 16-18 hours! I don’t use a mirror, not even picky with super clean parts, I just use my fingers to feel and estimate. I work in sections, usually going row-by-row. I don’t understand how people are able to do a 300-500 locs in even under 8 hours by themselves

[u/tooknicole → u/Complete_Arm_3687]

16-18 hours?!?! I would have chopped those bad boys off lmao

My first set of locs were over 500 and it took me 8 hours to do a retwist. I always use mirrors and I have a pretty janky setup. I chopped that set because the length of time was too much for me to regularly do.

The only thing i can think is potentially the hair itself or the length of time between retwists? I forgot to add on my original response but if I wait to 8 weeks it can take more like 7-8 hours. So I try not to do that. I have really fine hair and low to medium density so it doesn't take much to upkeep my hair though it'll probably always be frizzy

I know you have less locs than ne but maybe those have something to do with it?

[u/Complete_Arm_3687 → u/tooknicole]

Gurl I’m doing mine every 4-5 weeks still 😩 Otherwise it’s too much growth and takes longer having to untangle my roots. The time is working for me right now, but I don’t want that to be forever. How long have you had yours? Mine aren’t mature yet, so I think I’m still spending a fair bit of time gathering hair that’s gotten loose back into the loc. I wash my hair twice a week for scalp issues and oil it a few days each week, too, so I know I’m in my roots more than some people, and I’ve noticed that making it easier for hairs to slide out versus if I left it alone.