How to Maintain New Dreadlocks

In order to get nice-looking healthy dreadlocks it's important to care for them from the beginning. Maintenance may take a few hours but the bulk of it only needs to be done once a week. Learn how to maintain your new dreadlocks.

Things You'll Need

• Residue free shampoo
• Small rubber bands
• Nylons
• Dreadlock wax
• Fine tooth comb

Instructions

1. Wash your dreadlocks once a week. Find a good shampoo that won't leave behind residue and moisturizes your scalp. Concentrate on the scalp.

2. Use rubber bands for brand new dreadlocks at the roots and the tips when shampooing. After a couple of weeks use the leg of a nylon, it's much easier than rubber banding each dread. This keeps the dreads from separating during the wash.

3. Dry your dreads. Mold can grow in your dreads if they're kept moist. Squeeze or shake out any excess water and dry with a blow dryer or in the sun.

4. Tighten each dreadlock. Use a dreadlock wax and roll the dread vigorously back and forth in the palm of your hand from the root down. Apply the wax twice a week for the first few months on completely dried dreads.

5. Back comb with a fine tooth comb and re-twist any new growth, loose or stray hairs.

Tips & Warnings

• When shampooing, don't worry about washing the dread itself as this can loosen it. The soap will wash down the dreads as you rinse.

• Palm roll your dreads everyday. The more you palm roll, the tighter they will get.

• If you have any bugs in your dreads, you may have to cut them off. Don't ignore the problem because you're afraid of losing your dreads because it will only make a bad situation worse.