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 spend a significant amount of time answering DMs, in-person queries, and emails and one of the most common questions people ask is “Is —[insert product brand/name here]– good to use on dreads?” Well, I’ve put together a list of shampoos that I either think are good, bad, OR we’re undecided on. The “undecided” list … Read more
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’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
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
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
This is question that we have puzzled over for years to come to a conclusion that we feel comfortable sharing here and the general answer is: YES. However, it’s not a step that we would call absolutely necessary to your dreadlock journey, but it can help things along nicely if it’s one you choose to … Read more
NO!!! Honestly, we’re not exactly sure where this myth comes from. Our best guess it that people are associating lice with uncleanliness; another myth about dreadlocks. (We promise that dreadlocks absolutely SHOULD be washed and cleaned regularly!) In fact, if anything, dreadheads are LESS likely to get lice due to the fact that we generally … Read more
Well, first of all take a deep breath! You’re probably pretty freaked out right now and every itch is making you feel like grabbing a pair of clippers and shaving your head a little bit. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to treat lice with dreadlocks (contrary to what you may have heard) … Read more
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
