My Personal Recommendations for Giving Your Locs Some Love
Me Myself and I, Savannah Gowdy – Yes that’s me!
Caring for your dreadlocks
The amount of home care you are willing to do with your dreadlocks will significantly impact the way your dreadlocks mature and the kind of experience you will have along the way. So whether your dreadlocks are brand new or years along their journey, these are my best recommendations for caring for your dreadlocks at home and in-between your professional maintenance sessions.
When to wash your dreadlocks
It’s essential to wash your dreadlocks once every 7 to 10 days. Keeping your scalp and roots clean/oil-free is essential for the locking process to take place. The action of your hair drying also aids in the maturing process. If you have a very active lifestyle and feel that you need to shampoo more regularly, it is ok to wash more often; just be extra sure your hair is clean of any soap residue and that it gets completely DRY! If any soap gets left behind then your hair will struggle ever to become completely dry, and materials such as lint, dust, sebum, etc. will cling in your hair more than usual.
Going too long between washes (or some method of scalp cleansing) can create some problems in your hair. If too much oil/sebum accumulates on your scalp and roots, then it can become a magnet for lint and dust. It can also become increasingly difficult to wash out if it regularly accumulates thoroughly. Finally, if your roots are too oily, then your new growth will not be able to lock properly, making both home-care and professional maintenance more difficult. Not to mention stinky scalp.
It’s crucial to find a balance that suits your scalp, hair, and lifestyle needs. However, it may take some time to learn what works best, and it may also change according to the season.
*WASHING YOUR DREADS FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER INSTALL
Wait a minimum of 2 weeks to wash or wet your hair after installing new dreadlocks. If you have permanent extensions, it is advisable to wait longer. The water can disrupt the position of your hair and increase the risk of thin spots. After your first wash, please find a consistent routine for washing your hair.
Selecting the right shampoo for your hair
Please purchase a residue-free, clarifying dreadlock shampoo. Consider what oil level you experience on your scalp, as well as your typical activity level when choosing a shampoo. Some shampoos will suit dry or oily hair types better than others. My valuable advice to you is to do your research. There are many great options out there. If you’re unsure which product might be best for you, I would be happy to consult with you about this.
How to get the best clean
I recommend using a shower head to adjust the spray settings, or better, one that has a removable spray handle. First, adjust the settings to create a dense or solid stream like you’re running a gentle garden hose over your hair. Then, adjust water to the preferred temperature and begin by rinsing thoroughly through all of your hair.
I recommend constantly washing and rinsing multiple times until you have achieved a proper clean for the best results. This number will vary depending on your natural oil level, your activity level, and how dirty your scalp and locs are.
Mentally divide your hair into 4-6 sections and work with one section at a time. Use a quarter-size amount of shampoo (per section) and emulsify between palms before applying to roots. It’s common for the first shampoo application to seem like the soap has disappeared. Don’t worry! I assure you it’s working! Spread and scrub across your scalp, working into the roots and between each section/row. Rinse. Then do all of that over again. You’ll notice that this second application of shampoo creates a lot more noticeable cleaning action, perhaps even a lather! However, if the second wash is the same as the first, repeat it a third time. After each wash, be sure that you RINSE VERY WELL! If you think you’ve rinsed enough, rinse more! It is vital to LIFT your dreads and rinse thoroughly throughout each row and section. Allow your roots to fill with water, and then squeeze it out and repeat many times. (Imagine you’re rinsing dirty, soapy water out of a sponge)
MORE ESSENTIAL TIPS
Your dreadlocks will hold a lot of water, especially while new. Do your best to squeeze out the water after washing, and then you can wrap your hair into a fresh, clean towel. Wear this for around 10-20 minutes. A hairdryer can also be used to hasten the drying process.
Check your sections.
Especially after washing, it is normal to find that the tiny hairs near your scalp have decided to attach themselves to a nearby dreadlock. This is sometimes called “webbing .”Run your fingers along your part lines and pull away all the loose hairs going the wrong way. It works well to get into a routine of doing this daily.
PALM ROLLING:
Palm rolls your dreadlocks from root to tip once a day for the first two weeks. Feel free to use a tightening spray or gel while you do this. After this period, you can switch to palm rolling only as needed or after each wash. (Tip: an overly excessive amount of palm rolling can sometimes lead to dense dreads for some hair types) Palm regularly rolling from the beginning will help train your hair to compress and mature in an even pattern. It’s more of a precautionary measure to keep dreads round, even, and smooth rather than a cure for already developed lumps/bumps. Palm rolling is especially effective when your hair is damp and while using a tightening product.
Stretch + Smooth your dreadlocks. This is a critical and powerful technique to keeping your dreads long and straight like a sister method to palm rolling. Use your hands to massage your dreadlocks in a downward motion from root to tip. You will be surprised how much more smooth and more straight your dreadlocks will appear after doing this. You can also use a tightening spray or gel while doing this.
Purchase and use a satin pillowcase to sleep on. This greatly reduces the amount of friction on your dreads as you move around in your sleep. (Tried and tested…this works! Don’t skip it!)