subject: Maintaining Dreadlocks [print this page] Caring for your dreadlocks properly is essential for them to stay looking groomed and in good condition, so read the follow article for our advice on how to do this.
Advice for new dreads
Keeping your dreads in good nick while theyre new will mean they lock up and develop into dreads more quickly than if you leave them alone, in as little time as two months, but it varies on the kind of hair you have.
After putting in your dreads, theyll be waxy and fragile so sleep on a pillow case you dont feel sentimental towards because youll get wax all over it, and tie the dreads up if you can so to avoid the dreads matting or dislodging.
In order for the new dreads to dry out, dont shampoo your scalp for a week. After the first week, feel free to shampoo your scalp with a dread shampoo when its needed, followed by a re-waxing of any dislodged hairs when the hair has dried.
A clean scalp is good for dreads as it promotes knottiness in the hair.
A good way to dry new dreads is to press them with a towel.
Waxing new dreads
Re-wax twice a week for the first 2 6 months, to keep them nicely together.
Try to wax after youve shampooed your scalp, but only apply wax to completely dry hair as wax can seal moisture in, encouraging the growth of mildew in the lock!
Amount of wax to use: think about how much you need to use, youll be using a lot less than when the wax went in the first time, so only use a tiny amount where you think its most needed, getting another small amount out of the container if required.
Look at your dreads every few days for the first 6 weeks to see if theyre staying bound together. If any of the dreads need some attention then backcomb, twist and re-wax to get the dread sticking together again.
Looking after established dreads
Real dreads can take anywhere between 2 6 months to develop.
Youll find established dreads will become less frequently in need of wax as time goes on.
Focus on getting wax into the roots so new growth is supported into becoming part of the dread.
Wax is useful for keeping your dreads looking professionally styled.
Real dreads are quite dry, so as the dreads develop, the hair will stay waxy for as little as a day after a re-waxing.
With new growth, always backcomb it into the dread, put some wax on there, twist it and then palm roll the entire dread.
Its important to make the palm roll a regular part of your maintenance routine as it keeps the dreads well bound together, encourages locking up and keeps the dread looking good.
To palm roll, energetically rub the dread from the root downwards between the palms of your hands energetically means you should feel a burning sensation on your palms.
To obtain blunted ends on your dreads, have a look at the information on the article on how to dread. Make it a habit to keep up the backcombing and rubbing the ends around in circles in the palm of your hand to get the ends knotting up.
Also, knots are a crucial part in the formation of dreads so it really helps to grab any flyaway strands, pulling them apart so they form knots in the dread.
A loose hair tool can be used to pull these hairs back into the dread.
Letting your dreads dry properly is just as important in mature dreads, including letting them dry completely before applying wax.
Cover your dreads if your going to be an environment with strong smells, or will be exposing your head to dirt or insects.
Knotty Boy and DreadheadHQ make some products especially for getting dreads to stay tight and develop faster.
Also look out for the sprays Knotty Boy make that can ease itchy scalps and frizzy dreads.
We hope this advice provides lots of useful information and motivates you to take good care of your dreads so they stay in top condition and looking cool over their entire life.
