Comments on: How to Wash Dreadlocks

on 12/3/2009 The problem with most of these comments is that many people have different hair types. Even between 'black' people there are many different hair types and many are calling a person stupid or crazy without taking that into consideration.

I just thought about looking dreads up on the internet today- i have my current set of dreads going past 4 years now. I asked people about how to do dreads for awhile before i gave up and just did it myself- for the people i spoke to wouldn't tell me.

I am sick and tired of people thinking i am dirty just because i have dreads!!!! I would recommend a person washing their hair as much as they wanted to- before i looked up the subject today- i just believed a person had to deal with the consequences of their hair coming undone- I discovered this on my own.

There is so much ignorance about dreads out there that i am very grateful for this forum, readi...

on 4/10/2009 every time you wash you dont not need to retwist and yes washing your locks is very important! depending on the different products you use, your hair is prone to collecting visible residue. a good locktition will tell you wash as often as once a wk, but retwist as often as every 4-6 wks.

on 4/10/2009 wow! you folks are plain CRAZY! 1. you can comb out locks...with a needle or an instrument as small. it's nothing but tangled hair...DUH! it's not something you want to start if you dont have patience, kinda like embarking on the whole lock journey anyway (i untangled my husbands and it took 7 looong days!). 2. i have a curly soft texture of hair and i had to start my locks over 3 times until someone said to try the nylon stocking cap. it worked for me and now i'm 2yrs locked. 3 who the hell with any type of sense (common anyway) would retwist every 2 wks? duh that constant stress on the root thins and weakens the lock and as they grow the sheer weight of the lock becomes to much for the root to support! See this is why you dont look to the internet for "all" information, lol. people,like with most hair situations you basically have to find a regime that works for you. every time you was

on 4/10/2009 wow! you folks are plain CRAZY! 1. you can comb out locks...with a needle or an instrument as small. it's nothing but tangled hair...DUH! it's not something you want to start if you dont have patience, kinda like embarking on the whole lock journey anyway (i untangled my husbands and it took 7 looong days!). 2. i have a curly soft texture of hair and i had to start my locks over 3 times until someone said to try the nylon stocking cap. it worked for me and now i'm 2yrs locked. 3 who the hell with any type of sense (common anyway) would retwist every 2 wks? duh that constant stress on the root thins and weakens the lock and as they grow the sheer weight of the lock becomes to much for the root to support! See this is why you dont look to the internet for "all" information, lol. people,like with most hair situations you basically have to find a regime that works for you. every time you was

on 1/28/2009 You should wash your hair EVERY two weeks when your hair is freshly twisted. Not washing your hair every two weeks is gross! You wash them then get them tightened again. Washing your hair every 4days will dry your scalp & hair out plus will make your hair weak from all the re tightening. I've had locks for almost 3yrs and have never had dandruff. Look for moisturizing or cleansing shampoos. This person is an idiot! CONDITION YOUR HAIR!!! Get hot oil treatments, use Daily Doctor leave in conditioner, spritz with virgin olive oil. Locs are dry and need the moisture! WTF?!! Who washes their hair with a cap on? Wash your hair the normal way and wash it well to get any build up out. Why do you need to use a bed sheet? I never had towel crumbs in my relaxed hair, how the hell would it end up in my locks?! You can twist your hair while it's wet or dry, it doesn't matter. I don't mean to sound

on 12/10/2008 (cont'd from below)

So, in essence, there is NO magical formula (or conditioner) to untangle REAL locks. There is NO WAY to COMB out REAL locks. Anyone who overstands the science of hair (natural AND processed), would know that.

YES, if you've ONLY had your locks for a few months you CAN comb them out, because the matting and interlocking process is not yet permanent. Now, if you've had them for about a year (or a little more), in a a lot of cases, you can probably save most of it.
...20 years in the game like mine,
THERE IS NO WAY!! They would just desentigrate, EXCEPT the 3-5 inches I spoke of.
Ther.
The truth about locks...
spoken.

on 12/10/2008 (cont'd from below, lol)

If you NEVER EVER twist or "tighten" your hair, it will STILL lock.
The less twisting, the faster it will lock and the STRONGER the lock.
The thinner the locks the weakest...

Even though this IS what I do as a profession (and clients actually ask ME to twist their roots), I properly educate my clients so that they aren't ignorant about locks OR the reality of the locking process.
I give them the truth and they respect me for that.

P.S.
Last one...
**REAL locks CANNOT be combed out!!
My hair is 3 1/2 to 4 ft long and after the locks are cut, ONLY about 3-5 inches of that can ACTUALLY be "patiently" combed out. The probability also depends on the thickness of the locks, too.

So, in essence, there is NO magical formula (or conditioner) to untangle REAL locks. There is NO WAY to COMB out REAL locks. Anyone who overstands the science of hair (natur

on 12/10/2008 (cont'd from below)

I share this because a lot of "new lockticians" tend to lure the client into using thick, waxy products AND wearing their hair dirty 'so it can lock' and that's usually under the false premise that Black people aren't suppose to wash their hair often. NOTHING can be FURTHER from the truth!

Whatever people CHOOSE to do behind closed doors is their business, but I NEVER encourage my clients to leave their hair filthy... under ANY circumstance!

**Also, conditioner does NOT untangle locks. It keeps them moisturized and healthy.

"Twisting" or "tightening" the untangled portion of the locks does NOT lock it. It merely keeps it lookin "neat" and palatable for those of us who are still dealing with self-hate issues and aren't ready to see Black people accepting and rockin our own natural, nappy hair.
It is ONLY a style.

If you NEVER EVER twist or "tighten" yo

on 12/10/2008 I'd like to share some info and smash all these "myths" about locks.

I've been a PROFESSIONAL Locktician/Natural Hair Designer for 20 years with almost 100% client satisfaction.

**I've been wearing my looooong lovely locks for 16 years and when I first started MINE, I shampooed AND conditioned (and oiled) them EVERY SINGLE DAY. They are long, strong, healthy and fresh-smelling...ALWAYS!

**Contrary to popular and incorrect beLIEf, my hair locked in a few weeks (about 1 month).

**I DO NOT subscribe to wax or waxy products, as they clog the scalp and leave an unwashable and damaging residue on the hair. It causes flakes and dries the hair (opposite of the effect expected).
There is nothing worse than sporting DULL, dirty, smelly locks WITH flakes...

I share this because a lot of "new lockticians" tend to lure the client into using thick, waxy products AND wearing their hair

on 12/7/2008 Washing your hair will not make your dreads fall out, even new ones. I never went two weeks without washing my dreads. I think it's rather unhygienic and really just adds to the stigma of dreads being dirty. When they're new, wash them in a nylon stocking every three to four days. Never use conditioner, and use a shampoo made specifically for washing dreadlocks, which will leave no residues in your hair.
After a few weeks, or months, depending on how fast your hair locks up, you won't need to use the nylon stocking any more. Wash your dreads however often they need it with a non-residue shampoo. I wash mine once every three days.

on 9/11/2008 the hair net & stockings when washing dreads was helpfull, i have had my dread for 4yrs & i love them,i go to a hair dresser in elizabeth street in brisbane called paris texes to get my dread tightened they are a great hair dressers, i cant tighten them my self and have no one to help me i had my dreads done at an african hair dresser,but they were not very good at tighting them, they use glue to tighten them and after a while it mess up you dreads so then i started to go to a hair dressers in the city they had to fix them up for me, it took over 1yr but they a great again i wouldnt part with my dreads

on 4/25/2008 1. Wax is terrible for dreads, as it does not completely wash out and merely glues the dreads together, and does not allow them to "dread", I.E tighten over time via movement and friction. If you're okay with potentially having wax in your dreads for the duration of having them, then go ahead and use them but I personally do not put anything in my dreads that will not come out completely in a shower.

2. Dreads need not be combed out when it's time for them to go. A good soak in conditioner, a comb and lots of patience will leave a person with hair free of dreadlocks without it being an inch long all around. Cutting out dreadlocks is merely the fastest way to get them out, not the only way.

3. The nylon stocking also restricts movement needed for dreads to tighten. New dreads, if done right, need not be protected like some fragile thing, and the tossing and turning on a pillowcas

on 4/25/2008 1. Wax is terrible for dreads, as it does not completely wash out and merely glues the dreads together, and does not allow them to "dread", I.E tighten over time via movement and friction. If you're okay with potentially having wax in your dreads for the duration of having them, then go ahead and use them but I personally do not put anything in my dreads that will not come out completely in a shower.

2. Dreads need not be combed out when it's time for them to go. A good soak in conditioner, a comb and lots of patience will leave a person with hair free of dreadlocks without it being an inch long all around. Cutting out dreadlocks is merely the fastest way to get them out, not the only way.

3. The nylon stocking also restricts movement needed for dreads to tighten. New dreads, if done right, need not be protected like some fragile thing, and the tossing and turning on a pillowcas

on 4/25/2008 1. Wax is terrible for dreads, as it does not completely wash out and merely glues the dreads together, and does not allow them to "dread", I.E tighten over time via movement and friction. If you're okay with potentially having wax in your dreads for the duration of having them, then go ahead and use them but I personally do not put anything in my dreads that will not come out completely in a shower.

2. Dreads need not be combed out when it's time for them to go. A good soak in conditioner, a comb and lots of patience will leave a person with hair free of dreadlocks without it being an inch long all around. Cutting out dreadlocks is merely the fastest way to get them out, not the only way.

3. The nylon stocking also restricts movement needed for dreads to tighten. New dreads, if done right, need not be protected like some fragile thing, and the tossing and turning on a pillowcas

on 10/9/2007 Ive just realized that even though wax helps with hold and moisture its really not healthy. I was starting to get a little mold problem in some of my strands. Now what else can I use leftover beeswax on... people stop using waxy things in the long run its not good and ull be sorry :oj Id rather use good thick olive oil to moisturize my scalp and hair with.