How to Take Down Dreadlocks

The prevailing notion about dreadlocks is that if you decide you no longer want them, you must completely cut them off. However, there is a way to completely take locks down without sacrificing hair length. It is a lengthy process that requires lots of patience. It can take anywhere from five days to five months, depending on your hair's natural texture and the method used to start your dreadlocks.

Things You'll Need

• Conditioner
• Rat-tail comb
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Assess your dreadlocks. If your natural hair texture is straight, wavy, smooth or curly, your hair will unravel much easier than tightly coiled and kinky textured hair. Another important indicator is the method used to start the dreadlocks. "Free formed" and "comb coil" dreadlocks will come down more easily than those started by two-strand twists or an interlocking method.

2. Saturate the hair with conditioner. It will take a large quantity of conditioner to begin loosening the dreadlocks. An inexpensive conditioner with balsam is a good choice because of its softening properties. Apply the conditioner all over your hair, taking care to squeeze it into each individual dreadlock so that they all become thoroughly saturated.

3. Rinse your hair lightly. Rinse to the point of feeling a "film" of the conditioner in your hair.

4. Untangle each dreadlock. Using the pointed end of a rat-tail comb, begin picking out the end of one dreadlock at a time until you have completely unraveled each lock. This is time consuming and you may need to take breaks and come back to this step several times until all of the dreadlocks are completely unraveled. Use a spray bottle filled with water to keep the hair damp as you work.

Tips & Warnings

• The process of taking down dreadlocks will result in an excessive amount of shedding. Do not be alarmed.