Dreadlocks are a popular hairstyle for African-Americans, but they've also gained popularity in the Caucasian community as well. After the initial four to six months of growing and setting your dreadlocks, you need to care for them properly to ensure the best look with the least amount of effort. A hairstyle born from the need for easy, carefree hair, you'll find caring for your dreadlocks surprisingly simple.
Wash Regularly
It's a myth that dreadlocks never need to be washed. If you don't wash your dreads, they'll become dirty and matted. The technique for washing is much different from washing a typical hairstyle. Instead of scrubbing shampoo through your hair, lather up and allow your hair to soak up the shampoo. Then, squeeze your dreads out the way you would a sponge, with clean water running over your hair. Make sure to choose shampoos that have natural ingredients and won't leave a soapy residue in your hair, warns Dreadlocks.com.
Air Dry
Never use a towel to scrub your dreads. It will leave them frizzy and messy. Instead, gently pat your dreads with a towel and allow your hair to air dry. You don't need to use a hair dryer or other heated styling tools on your hair; they'll be ineffective and can actually cause damage to your hair.
Ditch the Comb
When you make the decision to facilitate dreadlocks in your hair, you can ditch the comb as part of your efforts. A comb or brush will become tangled in your hair and could leave your dreads matted and frizzy. That's why the best way to style your dreads is with your hands and fingers only, says DreadlocksToday.com. Any other styling tool is unnecessary and may even undo some of your hard work in growing and setting your dreads.
Oil Your Scalp
Dreadlocks may have the tendency to make your scalp feel dry, especially if you have dry skin. Oiling your scalp weekly can help reduce some of the dry scalp symptoms you may encounter, such as itching and flakiness. You can use store-bought hair oil, or coconut oil purchased from a health food store. Dab oil along your scalp and then use your fingers to rake it down through your hair to keep your dreads shiny.
Sleep Tight
Sleeping with your dreads free may be comfortable, but it can rough the dreads so they're frizzy and unkempt. By tying your hair up in an elastic band before you got to bed, you help reduce some of the friction from your pillow on your dreads. If you can't sleep with your hair tied up, invest in a silk pillowcase that allows your dreads to slide over the pillow with less friction and less frizz.
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