My 5-Year DIY Microlocs Update: What Real Long-Term Microlocs Maturation Actually Looks Like
- Queen Eleem
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since I self-installed my DIY microlocs in January 2020.And yes — before anyone points it out — I’m technically six years loc’d at the time of this upload.
This blog post reflects my 5-year microlocs update, which I filmed in January 2025. Life was life-ing last year (I created two microlocs courses), and this video sat on the back burner longer than planned.
The good news? My 6-year update is coming soon.
In the meantime, this post walks through what actually happens to microlocs over time — from maturation and uniformity to buildup, lint, shrinkage, and the truth about DIY microlocs success.
Addressing the “Salty Comments” About DIY Microlocs
Before getting into the update, I want to address a few recurring critiques I’ve received over the years — especially under my early self-installation videos.
Some comments insist that:
Only licensed professionals should install microlocs
DIY microlocs “don’t work”
People without 4C hair “shouldn’t” have locs
I’ve even received racially coded comments questioning my hair texture because I’m light-skinned.
So let me be very clear: I have 4C hair.And after five years of healthy, uniform, thriving microlocs — I’m living proof that DIY microlocs can absolutely work.
This blog (and my journey) exists to challenge the idea that success only comes from professional-only narratives.
One Full Year Without Braiding and Banding — What Changed
It has officially been one year since I stopped braiding and banding, and the differences are extremely noticeable.
What My Locs Look Like Now
Only a few locs in the front still show visible interlock patterns
Most of my locs are fully “yarned up”
Even the front locs — which took the longest — are now fully locking
When I say “yarned up,” I mean the loc has matured to the point where the internal structure looks smooth and uniform rather than patterned.
In some cases, what people mistake for interlocking is actually old two-strand twists from years ago — not current interlock patterns.
Interlock Patterns vs. Old Two-Strand Twists
This is a common point of confusion, so I want to clarify it clearly.
Some locs that appear to have visible patterns are actually two-strand twists done early in my journey, not interlocking. When you look closely, you can tell the difference.
At this stage, my locs are very close to their final diameter. While they may not be at full “elder loc” status yet, they’re nearing full maturity — and it will be interesting to see how they continue to evolve over the next two to three years.
Would I Have Stopped Braiding and Banding Earlier?
This is a question I get a lot — and my answer is no.
Even with the changes I’ve seen over the past year, I would not change when I stopped braiding and banding.
Why I Stand by That Choice
I love how uniform my locs are from root to tip
That uniformity comes from:
My rotation choice
My natural hair texture
Consistent maintenance
Braiding, banding, and waiting
Braiding and banding isn’t optional or cosmetic — it’s structural.And it’s not one-size-fits-all.
There are actually four different ways to braid and band, depending on the maturity stage of the microlocs. Many people do it incorrectly simply because they don’t understand why or when each method is appropriate.
Dryness vs. Buildup — Let’s Clear This Up
What I do experience occasionally is buildup, especially when:
I don’t wash frequently enough
I work out heavily without washing
The sign? White residue on the scalp — not inside the locs.
The buildup stays on the scalp and does not penetrate the locs, largely because I use the appropriate shampoo and wash correctly.
If you’re still unsure how to interpret what you’re seeing at different stages, my free microlocs guide breaks this down step by step.
My Shampoo Routine (And Why My Hair Costs $2–$3 a Year)
Before locs, my hair product costs were hundreds of dollars per year.
Now?
Two to three dollars a year.
One bottle of shampoo lasts me one to two years because of how little is needed and how I use it. This completely changed:
My wash routine
My mindset around hair care costs
Healthy microlocs do not require expensive products — even for tightly coiled hair.
Lint — Is It Really Unavoidable?
Short answer: no.
I rarely have lint. When I do:
I remove it immediately with tweezers
Yes, this disrupts the loc pattern
But that’s preferable to letting lint embed and spread
Lint can be prevented with:
Bonnets or silk pillowcases
Edge wrapping
Consistent habits
I’ve seen firsthand what happens when those steps are ignored — and in some cases, the only real option is restarting the loc or dyeing over the lint.
Swelling, Shrinkage, and Length — What’s Actually Happening
Swelling and shrinkage happen at the same time:
Swelling = horizontal
Shrinkage/length = vertical
In my early years:
My locs swelled horizontally
They shrank vertically
Once I stopped braiding and banding at around four years, my hair finally began to drop in length.
Yes — the length is there.Shrinkage just had other plans.
Why Comparing Your Microlocs Journey Is a Trap
I fully expected floor-length hair by year five.
Instead, I got maximum-effort shrinkage.
When you compare microlocs journeys, you’re often comparing:
Different textures
Different densities
Different starting lengths
Different maintenance methods
Comparison without context creates unnecessary stress — and unrealistic expectations.
My Long-Term Microlocs Endgame
I have a very clear endgame length in mind — and yes, I’m committed to it.
Microlocs are a long-term journey, not a quick transformation. And part of maintaining them successfully is understanding how long-term maturation actually works.
If you’ve been reading this and thinking, “I’m not fully confident interpreting what my locs are doing,” that’s exactly why I created my free guide:
It breaks down:
Microlocs maturation stages
How to retighten safely
Lint and buildup prevention
What actually matters at each phase
And so much more...
So you’re maintaining with intention — not guessing.
Final Thoughts
To everyone who’s been following my journey since 2019–2020 — thank you.And if this is your first time here, welcome.
I’m Queen Eleem, and my mission is simple:to help people start and maintain healthy, uniform, long-lasting DIY microlocs — confidently.
