How To Start and Care For Dreadlocks

[EzraFree]

In this tutorial I am going to give my own advice on starting and caring for dreadlocks. This is only my advice, and there are many other methods out there which may or may not have equal results.

First allow me to dispel a couple of common myths regarding dreadlocks.
1. Yes, you may wash your hair if you have dreadlocks. Failure to do so is not only bad for your general hygiene, it will also not result in the best-looking and most healthy dreadlocks.
2. No, you should not use toothpaste to dread your hair. Most toothpastes contain a chemical called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is clinically proven to be a harmful chemical.

Starting Your Dreadlocks

The main thing that causes your hair to dreadlock is no longer combing it. You will not want to comb your hair anymore if you are starting dreadlocks. Another thing of importance is no longer using any shampoos or care products which use abrasive chemicals that remove your natural oils. Your scalp needs natural oils as a natural defense mechanism. Most commercial shampoos achieve the foaming effect using the equivalent of engine degreasers to strip off not only dirt and grime but also valuable natural oils that your scalp needs.

Some prefer to start their dreads "from scratch" by shaving their head first, while others prefer to start their dreads while their hair is a little longer. Some say you shouldn't use beeswax to help your locks dread, and some say you should.

If you're starting while your hair is short then you will probably want to just put beeswax in and twist, if you're using beeswax. An alternative to using beeswax could be to just use tea tree oil. When twisting your hair into locks, imagine a line right down the center of your head diving your head in half. On either half of your head, you'll always want to twist so the top of the lock is twisted towards the back of your head. If you're starting when your hair is longer, you'll probably want to tease it first before putting in wax or tea tree oil. You can tease or back-comb your hair using a metal flea comb or if you do not have one a regular plastic comb will work as well. However, the teeth of the plastic combs tend to break.

Washing Your Dreadlocks

You should wash your locks once every 3 days using Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap. Lather the soap in your hands and keeping your hands flat, rub your scalp with your palms. You can also use Dr. Bronner's as a body wash. Either shake dreads out vigorously before leaving the shower, or pat them dry with a towel.

Putting Beeswax in Your Dreadlocks

Whenever you put beeswax in your locks, you should wait a few of days before you get your hair wet or put in any oils. Beeswax holds in moisture, so failure to obey this rule could result in mold developing on the inside of the lock.

Tightening Your Dreadlocks

Tighten your dreadlocks with aloe vera, lemon juice or salt water. You can either get salt water from the ocean, or mix sea salt with tap water. However, do not get saltwater or lemon juice on your scalp, as they can dry out and irritate the skin, leading to a dry and itchy scalp.

Moisturizing Your Dreadlocks

Once your hair has locked up, after awhile you may notice your dreads become dry and brittle. If left unattended, eventually this could cause the entire lock to break off. You should moisturize mature locks whenever they feel dry and brittle to prevent breakage.

There are a number of methods of moisturizing your hair. Tea tree oil, rosemary oil or grapefruit seed extract are all good for moisturizing. Another method is to mix a pea-sized squirt of aloe vera with water and rub evenly on your locks. This will moisturize the locks while also keeping down frizz.