safe

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

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

Can I use hair dye/bleach on my dreadlocks safely?

Just like dying “normal” hair is damaging to the hair, it is also at least mildly damaging to dreadlocks. (After all, they are hair, too!) However, the process is slightly different. You really only need to be concerned with covering the OUTSIDE of your dreadlocks with whatever color you are dying. Don’t try to force … Read more