Caring for your Dreadlocks
New Dreadlocks!
How are dreadlocks made?
Creating dreadlocks can be broken down into 3 parts, sectioning the hair that will become the Lokk, crocheting the Lokk, and then the maturing process. Sectioning will determine how thick or thin the dreadlock will be and how they will grow and form long term. Locking the hair is done by lightly teasing the hair to create grip, then gently crocheting the hairs around the section to lock in the shape. Then you get to sit back, relax and enjoy the maturing stage!
What is the maturing process?
Once you’ve gotten your dreadlocks install, its time to start the journey of letting them mature! The maturing process is the dreadlocks changing from baby Lokks, to teenage Lokks, to mature dreadlocks!
When you first get your dreadlocks installed you have what we call baby Lokks. Depending on your hair type, baby Lokks take 3-6 months to become teenagers, and 1-2 years to fully mature. Don’t be disheartened if they are fluffy, messy and stubborn during this time, let them do there thing! We all went through our teenage years before become somewhat mature put-together adults!
Your hair has gone from being individual strand to controlled matts. After being installed they are going to expand, getting fluffy and messy, and then shrink into tighten matts locked in place!
My golden rule during the time… Leave them be!
When they are installed the shape has been created, the more you do to them afterwards the more you’re going to influence their shape. Try to avoid wrapping them, wearing beads or using tight hair bands during the maturing phase. When tying them up, you can use spiral locks designed to not put pressure on them to avoid bends forming, or larger hair ties made to fit around your dreadlocks. If you do want to touch them, salt water spray and palm rolling will be your friend! Doing this after washing can help tame the fluff and keep the lengths even.
How much maintenance do new dreadlocks need?
After having new dreadlocks installed, I recommend booking a follow up appointment around 1-2 month after the install to check they are holding well, and then book another appointment to go over the lengths and re-lock the fluff once they’ve hit their teenage stage and are about to mature. This will help keep their shape on track without constantly disrupting the dreads as they go through the process of expanding and locking.
How often do dreadlocks need root maintenance?
How regularly you get your dreadlocks maintained is a personal choice. If you like your Lokks to be super neat and tidy then you might like to get them maintained every 2-4 months. If your not to fussed about fluff and are just wanting to keep you dreads growing even and healthy then you might have them maintained around every 4-6 months. However some people choose to have maintenance once a year or longer and just let their hair do it’s own thing for a more wild and free form look.
The benefits of having maintenance done regularly are… it helps promote healthy length growth, keeps the hair evenly distributed and tidy sections, keeping the width even along the length of your dreadlocks, helping you keep your hair healthy and scalp clean.
Keeping Your Dreadlocks Clean!
How to wash dreadlocks!
I recommend washing your dreadlocks every 1-2 weeks and doing a cleanse at least every 6-12 months. However, it’s up to you and what will suits your lifestyle. I do suggest washing and drying your Lokks before you get maintenance done, so the maintenance has time to settle in before you wash your hair again.
Dreadlocks can be washed like you would your normal hair. Shampoo your scalp and the roots of your Lokks, then rising thoroughly. You can use conditioner on your dreadlocks, just be sure to thoroughly rise your hair after applying, as you don’t want to leave shampoo or condition in your hair collecting dust and dirt!
Spraying your Lokks with sea salt spray and palm rolling after washing can help tame any fluff, and spraying the roots and then rolling the base of your dreads can also help your regrowth matt. There are also sprays and hydrating oils you can get for your scalp, which can help with dryness and irritation after washing or maintenance. These are personal choices depending on your scalp and hair, and not something that needs to be done if your hair and scalp feels fine.
What products should you use?
Because your dreadlocks can be a bit like a sponge, it’s best to stay away from product that will leave build up behind in your hair. Avoid using thing like wax, gels, heavy cremes and shampoos or conditioners that leave behind residue. Try to avoid using products with parabens, sulfates, and silicones.
Natural ingredients are usually better! There are plenty of hair products fine to use on dreadlocks and also ones design for dreadlocks. If you already have a brand free from the bad stuff that you love, you don’t need to find something new for your hair! Some people also choose to make their own, which is also totally a great alternative!
What is a Dreadlock Cleanse?
I recommend doing a cleanse at least every 12 months. Because your dreadlocks can be a bit like a sponge collecting things like, dandruff, fluff or sand, a dreadlock cleanse is a great way to clear out anything that may have built up unintentionally over the past months.
When it come to doing a dreadlock cleanse, you can make one up yourself by using bicarb, apple cider vinegar and your favourite essential oils for smell! Mix Bicarb and water into a paste, cover your scalp and full length of your dreadlocks, then pour over and soak them in warm water mix with apple cider vinegar. Use your hands to squeeze out anything that has built up in your Lokks and then give them a good rinse! You might want to go back and forth a couple times, soaking in the acv water and then rinsing.
Cleansing helps clean your dreadlocks, while also maintaining a healthy ph level on your scalp. There are heaps of tutorials and recipes online, and also pre made ones you can buy for a treat or some fun. So have an explore and learn what works best for you!
Drying your Dreadlocks!
After getting your dreadlocks wet make sure they dry completely before letting them become wet again. Leaving your Lokks constantly wet gives them the potential to start to smell bad or go mouldy, and no one wants that! This is why its important to wash, cleanse and properly dry your dreadlocks! If you have a full head of dreadlocks, once the top half has dried, tie the top half up to make sure the ones underneath also dry properly. Try to avoid washing them at night. Pick a warm sunny day if possible, and wash them in the morning so it is easier for them to dry throughout the day. You can use a hairdryer, however keep in mind it may cause extra fluff and flyaways, can take a long time, and the outside will feel dry while the inside of them may still be damp.