How to Undo a Dreadlock

Removing dreadlocks--especially if they've been part of your mane for a while--can be challenging if you intend to save most of your hair. You could cut your dreadlocks down to the scalp and grow new hair without the dreads, or you can restore your hair and preserve most of it.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Strong metal comb
• Low-residue degreasing shampoo
• Heavy, slippery detangling conditioner

Instructions

1. Trim your dreadlocks to remove the dead ends. Every inch you can trim prior to the dreadlock removal is one less inch you will have to fight to unravel later. Because you will start at the end of each dreadlock and work up toward the scalp, trimming the ends will help get you started.

2. Fill a tub or basin with hot water. Soak the dreadlocks for 15 to 30 minutes.

3. Apply shampoo, one small section at a time, working it into the center of each dreadlock as much as possible. Rinse the shampoo in water as hot as you can tolerate to melt and release some of the built-up wax. Repeat the shampoo application and rinse to make sure you've thoroughly washed and rinsed each section of dreadlocks.

4. Soak the dreadlocks in large amounts of conditioner for 5 to 15 minutes. Apply extra conditioner to the first dread you will comb and work it in with your fingers.

5. Comb out the dreadlocks, one at a time, starting at the bottom and working your way up to the scalp in small increments, adding conditioner as necessary. Use both the tines and the pointed end of the comb to work through the tangles as you reach them, loosening without pulling or stressing the hair. Take breaks when needed.

6. Soak hair in conditioner and allow it to rest for 5 to 15 minutes after working out all of the dreads. Rinse with warm water. Cut and style your hair as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• It may take days to accomplish this task if you have very long, thick hair. Get a friend to help work through the dreads when your arms get tired.

• Pick your hair gently when removing dreads, to avoid damaging it.

References

• Dreadlocks.org: How to Remove Dreadlocks

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese