Hi all,

I thought I would let you guys know about my products challenge in my first year with sisterlocks.

Following the installation of my Sisterlocks I was told to use nothing on my locs except for shampoo. This was recommended as I needed to let my hair settle and start to lock.  Using other products on freshly installed sisterlocks soften the hair, which leads to locs slipping out, lumpy buckled locs, holes in locs and a list of other annoying problems.

I used T/Gel dry hair shampoo as it was gentle enough for frequent use, helps prevent dandruff and the non-drying formula removes build up on my scalp without drying out my hair. Rather than using the sisterlocks official shampoo I opted for a product that was cheap and easily available to me.

While researching sisterlocks I read a post about someone using nothing on their locs except shampoo. As a product junkie, I thought was madness. I thought her locs must be stiff, dry and dull. We need products which is why they have been created, right? Nope. Her locks were beautiful and she had no dry scalp problems.

During the first few weeks of this challenge I often asked my consultant if I could use anything in my hair as my scalp felt tight and a very itchy. As she had seen, felt and worked with my hair she would be the best person to give me advice regarding the best way to look after my sisterlocks. My hopes were dashed when she told me “use only shampoo” means, “USE ONLY SHAMPOO”.

I listened and I stuck to the original 1 product philosophy from November 2009 to November 2010. My routine was to shampoo once a week, spritz my hair with only water  daily and that was it. When I first started the challenge my scalp was itchy and a bit flaky. I keep looking at my raw shea butter thinking a little wouldn’t hurt, but knew that with my luck my hair would unravel at the first touch of a product. I stuck with it, and I think my scalp just adjusted within a few weeks. My hair felt soft, light and fluffy locked well. The picture at the top of this page is a close up of my locks during the first year. You can see my full journey here. I stuck with this challenge for only one year as at the 1 year mark, I coloured my hair. This meant my routine needed to change. I will save this for a future post, as I have been rambling for a little too long.

I would love to hear about everyone else’s experience during their first year, so please comment below.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog.

H