How to Take Down Dreadlocks

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(10 Ratings)

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.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Conditioner
Rat-tail comb
Spray bottle

Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 3

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

Comments

christkid said

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on 5/24/2009 Great article, but I just wanted to suggest that there is a product on the market aptly called "TAKE DOWN Remover Cream" it removes dreadlocks from 1-9 years... according to their website. I was on the site and there is a testimonial of a lady who took her dreads out and was able to transition to any hairstyle she wanted. So may be you can relax your hair right after taking down dreadlocks. The testimonial also said that it takes like 10-20 mins to unravel one dreadlock with the Take Down Remover product. Hey check it out for your self.....sounds unique.

kellgetter said

on 4/12/2009 I have sported dreads for 8 years via the palm roll technique. My hair hangs right before my butt begins. I was depressed when I decided to take my dreads out because of the thought of loosing my length. I had the notion to just try to detangle then one by one