How to Remove Dreadlocks From Hair

A common myth about dreadlocks is that you need to cut them off in order to get rid of them. While cutting your dreadlocks off is the easiest method, it is not the only method. Determine how much hair you want to keep and set aside an entire day to allow yourself enough time to remove your dreadlocks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Hair clippers
• De-greasing shampoo
• Conditioner
• Metal comb

Cutting Dreadlocks Off

1. Use scissors to cut your dreads off. Cut at the root of the dreadlock near the scalp. This will remove the entire dreadlock and save you from having to pick out any hair.

2. Use clippers to shave your head. This will remove any fragments of the dreadlocks that are remaining. Using clippers also gives your hair an even cut.

3. Wash your scalp thoroughly with a de-greasing shampoo to get rid of any wax and/or grease that may have built up under your dreadlocks.

Picking Dreadlocks

4. Soak your dreadlocks in hot water for 10 minutes. Use the hottest water you can stand during this time. The heat from the water will help remove and grease that has built up inside of your dreadlocks

5. Thoroughly wash each dreadlock with shampoo. Massage the shampoo into the dreadlock and work from the top to the bottom. Try to get the shampoo into the middle of the dreadlock to remove grease and residue inside the dread.

6. Rinse your dreadlocks completely. Run the water over each dread and be sure the stream is clear and no shampoo remains inside.

7. Add conditioner to each dreadlock and comb out your hair. Start by combing the bottom of the dreadlock and work towards the top. This step is very time consuming, but it ensures you will not have to cut your dreadlocks to get your hair back.

8. Re-condition your hair once all of the dreadlocks are combed out. Leave the conditioner in for five minutes. According to dreadlocks.org, leaving the conditioner in will repair the damage caused from combing your hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not wash your hair after you start combing the dreadlocks; it will cause more knotting and matting. Cut the tip of the dreadlock off to expose hair that will be easier to comb through. You will shed excess hair when combing; this is hair that would have normally fallen out if your hair was not dreaded.

References

• Dreadlocks
• Treasured Locks
• How to Dread

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