Q&A Can I wash my hair in the first three months of locking?

Question 
I started my locs three weeks ago with plaits. My hairstylist told me that I shouldn't wash my hair for at least the first three months but my scalp is itching me like crazy. What can I do?


Answer
There is a common myth that you hair should not be washed in the first few weeks of washing. Besides being unhygienic, this practice is simply unnecessary. Nevertheless, there are "advantages" to not doing a regular wash and there are alternatives but please keep the following things in mind. Actually, Let's play a game of fact or fiction.

1. Your hair takes longer to lock when you wash it frequently. TRUE!Your hair may take longer to lock but it will likely smell. Do you really want to trade poor hygiene for extending the locking period by 3-6 months. What's the point in rushing the locking process anyway? 
2. You will get more frizz and flyaway hair. TRUE!Your hair will fuzz whether or not you wash your hair but yes, washing does create fuzz. But check out this video on how to manage frizz and flyaways when locking your hair. This will likely be an issue throughout your journey so it's good to know what to do about it. 
3. Your hair will not lock if you wash it regularly. FALSE!
   I dunno who came up with this nonsense. Remember when you washed your natural loose hair and it got tangled? The same thing happens when locking. Each time you wash or wet your hair it gets more tangled. What you need to be careful of is separate locks meshing together so ensure that you separate after each wash. Also, you need to maintain the flyaway hairs that loosen from the lock. Click here to see how to manage flyaways and loose hair.
4. All your locks will unravel if you wash them. FALSE!Can your locks unravel if you wash your hair? Yes, but not if you know the proper techniques. Some people experience no unravelling while others are at risk of having all of their work go to waste. Check out this link (coming soon) to see how you can wash your new locks  to ensure that they do not unravel. 

Dirty hair is unsanitary... and often stinks. Also, you will end up with a lot of build-up from products used over the period during which you are not cleansing your hair. Just wash your hair and stay far from anyone who tells you craziness about not washing your hair for the first 3 months.