FAQ/Knowledge Base

I just got NEW locks/had my maintenance done and now I have tiny, itchy bumps all over my scalp!! What is it?? What do I do?!

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Someone wearing latex gloves uses a magnifying glass to examine someone's scalp.

While this annoying and unfortunate development is incredibly inconvenient and unpleasant it is not altogether uncommon. This is something called “tension bumps”. The fancy, scientific name is “scalp folliculitis”. Any time that the scalp is “traumatized” such as being pulled into a protective hairstyle like braids or locks the hair follicles can become irritated. When … Read more

When can I attach dreadlock extensions to add length?

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We see this question a lot on internet forums. Although any dreadlocks that we start (or maintain) in our studio can safely and successfully have extensions attached to them immediately, the same is not necessarily true for DIY dreads that you have put in yourself (or had a friend put in) at home. First of … Read more

I’ve been told the product I’m using has residue in it, but I don’t think there’s residue in my dreads. How can I tell if I have residue or not?

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First of all, you might be wondering, “Well, what is residue and why does it matter anyway?” Great question. Residue is anything that will build up on the hair (in the dreadlocks) that doesn’t rinse away cleanly with water. The reason why residue is relevant is that any residue in the dreadlocks will cause the … Read more

I’ve heard that hard water can make soap build-up in my dreads. Is that true?

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Absolutely it is! However, this issue is one that is easily resolved with periodic apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinses. Although all the soaps and shampoos we use and recommend are formulated to ensure that they leave behind no residue, hard water can cause build-up to accumulate anyway. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, up to … Read more

I have a LOT of loose, undreaded growth at my roots. What should I do about it?

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I’m not sure where the idea came from, but when you get dreadlocks your hair does not magically start growing out dreaded! It takes time for your hair to start knotting by itself at the roots. At any point in the locking process it’s considered “normal” to have between 1″ and 3″ of loose, undreaded … Read more

I can’t afford to come in and get my locks worked on by you guys. Can I just come in to have you show me how to do it myself?

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We do offer some workshops that help teach folks how to do some home maintenance techniques, but our Dreadlock Education section of the website has a HUGE database of information dedicated especially to folks who are looking to dread their hair, or maintain the dreads they already have at home. We highly encourage all our … Read more

I have a LOT of frizz and fly-aways. Is it OK to cut them with scissors to make them manageable?

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NO!!! Absolutely not! Scissors are NEVER the answer unless you want to cut off your dreadlocks entirely. (They should not be used for separating either, for that matter!) Cutting off those loose hairs is a very temporary solution that will cause a lot of long-term heartache, hassle, and potentially even damage. When you start your … Read more

How can I round off/blunt the tips of my dreadlocks at home?

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There are a few different ways to attempt this at home. The first and least invasive way to do it (folks that aren’t really into using tools can use this method, but it does require a lot of patience!) is to simply take the end of your dreadlock and rub the end of it around … Read more

Is it better to have my ends loose and wispy OR rounded and blunted?

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Neither is inherently better or worse than the other. Ultimately it comes down to a matter of personal, aesthetic preference. Many folks believe (correctly) that having loose, wispy ends help facilitate faster, more efficient drying time after washing. However, as long as you are using the right products in  your locks, this shouldn’t be a … Read more