Adeyemi Falade
By Kenneth Atisele
Knowing the right tips for caring for dreadlocks is super important if you are trying to maintain a dreadlock look.
One slip up can cause all kinds of problems (and smells!) in your dreads and who wants that?
So, we’ve compiled a list of top eight easy tips for caring for your dreadlocks.…
- Find a good locktician
This is the most important rule especially in your beginning stages of growing locks. You want a locktician that can give you great advice and recommend good products. If you are twisting your already natural hair, please have a real conversation about your hair goals and your desired look with your potential new stylist prior to them twisting your hair.
- Use residue free soaps/shampoos
The tighter the locs are, the fewer stray hairs you will have and the smoother the locs will look.
Washing locs with the proper soaps and shampoos is essential to keeping them tight. The problem with the majority of shampoos, is that they leave scums in the hair after they are rinsed out. You can easily detect this residue by smelling the hair, or your hands, after you have used the shampoo.
- Palm roll your dreads every once in a while
Did you know that palm rolling your dreads is actually a great way to keep them tight, keep them looking awesome and to maintain their shape?
This is actually how you make your dreads too – of course, using a bit of wax is suggested when you are first starting out.
- Always make sure to blow dry your locks
When you get your dreads wet, the smell can be horrible if you don’t let them air dry or blow-dry them.
One of the worst things you can do with your dreads is to wear them up in a hat while they are wet.
Moisture gets trapped and that can cause a smell.
- Whatever you do, do not apply wax to your wet hair
If you are looking for a really sticky and hard to get out mess, absolutely apply wax to wet hair.
If you want something that is going to look good and be easy to maintain, apply your wax and palm roll your dreads only when the hair is very dry.
- Try as much to wear a band or scarf around your head for sleeping.
When you are first getting your dreads in order, it is really important to wear some type of band around your head when you sleep.
Why?
Well, because you don’t want to get wax all over your pillow and ruin it.
Instead, wrap a thick scarf around your head to preserve your pillow.
- Peppermint for itching
Maybe it’s just me, but dreadlocks can itch a little bit when they start to get tighter.
There are a ton of creams and sprays out there for the itching, but just a few drops of peppermint essential oil can really help calm the itching down; well that’s according to my stylist.
- Be Patient
By far the hardest lesson I’ve learned when dealing with my (short) hair.
This isn’t a process that will happen overnight. Locking your hair is a journey and it’s a little different for each person.
Another thing my stylist said is ‘some people’s hair lock faster than others. Thicker hair tend to lock faster.’
The good thing is that if you nurture and take good care of your hair, then the growth will come. It really will. Don’t get discouraged.
This post first appeared on thenet.ng
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