Dreadlock Troubleshooting

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

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 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

I have lots of crazy bumps/loops/zig-zags! What do I do about them?

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You don’t *HAVE* to do anything! Bumps, loops, and zig-zags are completely normal, expected, and even can be a good sign! They are what happens when a part of you dreadlocks tighten up before another right next to it. Think of a set of blinds with only one side pulled up; One side is tight and scrunched together … Read more

My dreadlocks are frizzy! What can I do to fix it?

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First of all, it’s important to realize that frizz is COMPLETELY normal and expected!!! We always say that everything with dreadlocks is two steps forward and one step back. Although your baby dreadlocks may have started off looking super sweet, over the next few months, they are going to turn into rebellious toddlers and get … Read more

I work out regularly and I get pretty sweaty! What can I do between washes to keep my scalp and my locks fresh?

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As mentioned on the page about Washing, you should only wash your locks 1 – 2x per week. If you’re someone who is really active, it can be really challenging to limit yourself to so relatively little when you are sweaty and feeling a bit gross! The first thing you’ll want to invest in is … Read more

I have a really sensitive scalp/dandruff. What can I do that’s safe for dreadlocks to help?

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Whatever you do, AVOID USING “TRADITIONAL” DANDRUFF TREATMENTS (such as T-Gel, Head & Shoulders, Selsun Blue, etc.)!!! The products commercially available for treating dandruff at the store have tons of ingredients in them that are detrimental to the health and longevity of your locks. Check out the page on shampoos & soaps to learn more. … Read more