How to Wash Dreads
Some people wear dreads, or dreadlocks, for religious reasons and others wear them as a fashion statement. Dreads form when locks of hair twist around each other and grow together in thick pieces rather than individual strands. Some hair types are ideal for naturally forming dreads, such as curly or coarse hair. Washing dreads requires a regimen that allows the hair to remain locked together while removing smells and dead skin from the scalp and hair. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Witch hazel
- Cotton swabs or balls
- Residue-free shampoo or liquid castile soap
- Nylon stocking
- Blow dryer (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Rub a cotton ball or cotton swab soaked in witch hazel onto your scalp if you have dandruff flakes or dry skin buildup. Stretch the nylon over your dreads to hold them in place while you wash them. Wet your head and the dreads thoroughly with warm water.
-
2
Message a generous amount of clear, residue-free shampoo or liquid castile soap into your scalp. Allow the suds of the shampoo or soap to run down the dreads, but do not add soap directly to the locks.
-
-
3
Rinse your head and dreads thoroughly with warm water with the nylon stocking still on your head. Squeeze the soap from the scalp down through the dreads with your hands. Rinse your dreads until the water runs clear.
-
4
Repeat the washing process if your scalp does not feel clean. Follow the final wash by rinsing your scalp and dreads with water as cold as you can stand it. Remove the nylon stocking.
-
5
Squeeze out excess water using a thick towel. Let your dreads air dry. Use a blow dryer to dry your dreads, if necessary. Dry the dreads completely before putting a hat or headpiece on your head or gathering them in a ponytail.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Wash your dreads no more often than every other day after the locks are mature; when the dreads are new, wash them every three to four days.
Wash your dreads early in the day so the locks have all day to dry and you do not have to go to bed with wet hair, which will prevent the dreads from drying.
Wear a hat over your clean dry dreads when you are around strong odors, dirt or insects to protect your hair.
Avoid conditioners or petroleum-based treatments; the oils work to reduce tangles, which is counterproductive to dreads.
If your dreads do not dry completely, mold or mildew could grow inside the locks, leading to a musty and undesirable odor.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
