Things You'll Need:
- Hosiery
- Bedsheets
- Lukewarm Water
- Body-building Shampoos
- Deep Conditioner
- Hot Oil Treatments
- Protein-based Shampoos
- Special Shampoos For Normal Hair
- Deep Conditioner
- Video Game Consoles
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Step 1
Resist the temptation to shampoo a new set of dreads for at least two weeks. Your scalp will eventually acclimate to the new schedule. When your locks are secure, consider a wash every four days to two weeks, depending on how your scalp feels.
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Step 2
Choose a low-lather shampoo that will leave no residue or film behind. Wash your hair with tepid to lukewarm water. Hot water may melt any wax you've used to secure your twists.
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Step 3
Look for shampoos that tend to the new needs of your scalp. Many people with dreadlocks experience dry and itchy scalps, as well as dandruff. Consider products made by other "dread heads." These products will be formulated to cater to your specific needs.
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Step 4
Skip the conditioner. Its emollient nature may loosen your locks.
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Step 5
Consider slipping a nylon stocking or hair net over your head before you wash. This will help keep all your locks in place and keep them from unraveling.
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Step 6
Shake your clean head, then squeeze excess water from each lock to begin the drying process. Blot water with a bedsheet, as towels may leave bits of fuzz in your hair.
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Step 7
Let your hair dry completely, then begin the wax and twist process again. Comb each lock back toward the scalp to achieve the matted texture needed to optimize the twist.
Comments
isborn7 said
on 4/10/2009 every time you wash you dont not need to retwist and yes washing your locks is very important! depending on the different products you use, your hair is prone to collecting visible residue. a good locktition will tell you wash as often as once a wk, but retwist as often as every 4-6 wks.
isborn7 said
on 4/10/2009 wow! you folks are plain CRAZY! 1. you can comb out locks...with a needle or an instrument as small. it's nothing but tangled hair...DUH! it's not something you want to start if you dont have patience, kinda like embarking on the whole lock journey anyway (i untangled my husbands and it took 7 looong days!). 2. i have a curly soft texture of hair and i had to start my locks over 3 times until someone said to try the nylon stocking cap. it worked for me and now i'm 2yrs locked. 3 who the hell with any type of sense (common anyway) would retwist every 2 wks? duh that constant stress on the root thins and weakens the lock and as they grow the sheer weight of the lock becomes to much for the root to support! See this is why you dont look to the internet for "all" information, lol. people,like with most hair situations you basically have to find a regime that works for you. every time you was
isborn7 said
on 4/10/2009 wow! you folks are plain CRAZY! 1. you can comb out locks...with a needle or an instrument as small. it's nothing but tangled hair...DUH! it's not something you want to start if you dont have patience, kinda like embarking on the whole lock journey anyway (i untangled my husbands and it took 7 looong days!). 2. i have a curly soft texture of hair and i had to start my locks over 3 times until someone said to try the nylon stocking cap. it worked for me and now i'm 2yrs locked. 3 who the hell with any type of sense (common anyway) would retwist every 2 wks? duh that constant stress on the root thins and weakens the lock and as they grow the sheer weight of the lock becomes to much for the root to support! See this is why you dont look to the internet for "all" information, lol. people,like with most hair situations you basically have to find a regime that works for you. every time you was
noteworthybyjaz said
on 1/28/2009 You should wash your hair EVERY two weeks when your hair is freshly twisted. Not washing your hair every two weeks is gross! You wash them then get them tightened again. Washing your hair every 4days will dry your scalp & hair out plus will make your hair weak from all the re tightening. I've had locks for almost 3yrs and have never had dandruff. Look for moisturizing or cleansing shampoos. This person is an idiot! CONDITION YOUR HAIR!!! Get hot oil treatments, use Daily Doctor leave in conditioner, spritz with virgin olive oil. Locs are dry and need the moisture! WTF?!! Who washes their hair with a cap on? Wash your hair the normal way and wash it well to get any build up out. Why do you need to use a bed sheet? I never had towel crumbs in my relaxed hair, how the hell would it end up in my locks?! You can twist your hair while it's wet or dry, it doesn't matter. I don't mean to sound
1QueenOfHow said
on 12/10/2008 (cont'd from below)
So, in essence, there is NO magical formula (or conditioner) to untangle REAL locks. There is NO WAY to COMB out REAL locks. Anyone who overstands the science of hair (natural AND processed), would know that.
YES, if you've ONLY had your locks for a few months you CAN comb them out, because the matting and interlocking process is not yet permanent. Now, if you've had them for about a year (or a little more), in a a lot of cases, you can probably save most of it.
...20 years in the game like mine,
THERE IS NO WAY!! They would just desentigrate, EXCEPT the 3-5 inches I spoke of.
Ther.
The truth about locks...
spoken.