How to Comb Out Dredlocks

Dreadlocks are great, but sometimes it's time to move on.

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Removing dreads is not impossible- but it is tedious, so make sure you can dedicate a long weekend to the task. That said, if you'd like to lose your dreads but keep your hair, it can be done.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Conditioning Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb- unbreakable, pref. rat-tail
hair clips
hair shears
clean spray bottle
movies, audiobooks, etc. for distraction (optional)

Step1

Cut the at least the last 1/2 inch from the ends- this is the oldest part of your hair, and likely to be the most securely locked part. You can cut off all of the locked hair and comb out only the new growth as a short cut. However, if you choose to keep most of your hair, cutting the ends is still recommended.

Step2

Shampoo your hair, blotting with a towel to remove excess water. Use a generous amount of shampoo on the hair, from end to root. Pick the locks apart using the comb (a pin will help you pick apart very tight locks), working on one dread at a time, combing through the hair as the lock comes apart. As hair dries, moisten with water from a spray bottle and apply more conditioner as needed. This is essentially a massive detangling of the hair.

Step3

Place unlocked hair in clips to keep it out of the way while you unlock the remainder. Once all hair is unlocked, wash and condition hair as normal, and style using gentle techniques and tools.

Tips & Warnings

If your dreads are quite short, cutting off the dreads completely may be the best option- hair grows a half inch per month.
Be patient! This can take anywhere from one to five days, depending upon the length and age of the dreads.
Your hair will seem much thinner and shorter- treat your newly unlocked hair gently.
Ask a good friend to assist with hair in the back.
There is generally no need for dread removal kits, but consider one if you've used substances like beeswax to lock the hair. However, regular shampoo and conditioner should be sufficient.
Don't pull hard on hair- you will simply wind up putting more stress on your hair than is healthy.