maintenance

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?

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?

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?

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

What is the difference between dreadlocks that are “locked” and dreadlocks that are “mature”?

Within the dreadlock community there is a lot of terminology that is sometimes thrown around and not a whole lot out there to clarify what exactly that terminology means! “Locked” is a term used to describe a dreadlock or set of dreadlocks that are completely knotted with few to no sections of loose, undreaded hair. … 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?

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?

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?

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?

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

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

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?

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