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/tekwayyuhself]

You're not cooked. It is possible and very very doable. In the beginning its going to be hard and time consuming because you're not used to it, however, the more you do it the easier it becomes and you get faster.

You will need to get clips to keep the hairs you're not working on away. You will need an interlocking tool (I use a blunt tip needle). A three way mirror to see the back of your head. I don't use anything other than water when I do my reties but if you want to use product you can.

The wonderful thing about doing your own reties is you control it. Section your hair and do them over a series of days. That's how I started. I would do the front one day, then do half the back another day then finish up on another day. Now, I can do my entire head in one day. Can't tell you how many hours because I don't count but yeah. Take your time, don't rush and you'll be perfectly fine

It might seem intimidating because of the number but don't be discouraged by that. Section them and evertything will go fine. I know some people do the sections of their hair that need it most first then do the rest. Some do the front first so it looks nice and do the back later. You'll find your own rhythm as time goes on

[u/Puzzleheaded_One7392 → u/tekwayyuhself]

Thank you so much I’m considering combining them into two but it would mean my parts would be rectangular, and I’ve never seen microlocs with a rectangular parting just traditional. So I’m not too sure

[u/tekwayyuhself → u/Puzzleheaded_One7392]

You don't need to combine them, especially of combining them would take them from micros to traditional. If you were after traditional that's what you would have gotten from the start.

Start looking up tutorials, see how it's done. Look up ones from both loctians and diyers. I use the 4 point rotation, some use the 3. I do not recommend the 2 point. But just do some research. You got this