Dreadlock Care: What If I No Longer Want My Dreadlocks?
Step 1: Intense Conditioning
The first step in removal of dreadlocks is to condition the hair very well. To do this, you will need a cholesterol creme conditioner, which can be found at African or African-American beauty and hair supply stores and salons. It can also sometimes be found at Walgreens, Wal-mart, and other chain stores that carry beauty supplies. This type of conditioner is thick and will provide a much softer result, which is what you are looking for. Follow the instructions on the jar for the deep conditioning treatment. Once the hair is rinsed, you are ready for step two.
Step 2: Leave-In Conditioning Spray plus extensive combing
Next you will need to saturate the hair with leave-in conditioner. Once all of the hair is wet, take a thin-toothed comb and begin to comb the first dreadlock from the bottom. Start from the bottom (the last dreads underneath the rest at the back of the neck) and section off the rest out of the way. Work your way up. Get your first dread and start out with a very small part of the dred at the bottom. Once that part is combed out, move on up. Continue this process all the way to the top of the lock. Once you have completely combed it out, section it off and move on to the next dreadlock. This process can take from five to thirty minutes per dreadlock, depending on how locked the dread is. For some, this portion will take more than one day. For others, it may only take a few hours or less. To make it go quicker, ask a few friends to help (the more, the better).
Step 3: Intense Washing
Once you have completely combed out all of the hair, you will need an intense washing. For some, buildup won't be a problem, but for others, there may be extreme buildup on the hair from inside the dreads. For this washing, you will need clarifying shampoo. Wash the hair 2 to 4 times with the clarifying shampoo, being careful to scrub and rub the hair and scalp thoroughly during washing. Make sure each rinse cycle is thorough as well. Once there is no longer any buildup in the hair or on the scalp and the shampoo does not produce anymore grime, you are done. The water coming out of the hair during rinsing should also run very clear.
Step 4: Intense Conditioning
Once the hair is clean, do another intense conditioning, just as described above in the first step.
Step 5: Leave-In Conditioner With Shower Cap
Now, you should spray on a leave-in conditioner and sleep with it on overnight. You must place a shower cap over the conditioner-filled hair to allow full benefit.
Step 6: Wait A Few days Before Washing Or Styling And Be Gentle
Your next step is to pretty much leave the hair alone for a few days. Your scalp will be very tender and the hair needs time to rest. If you must style your hair, do not use any heat or any products. Use only water and very light brushing and combing, so as not to stress the hair. Do not even wash or condition the hair again for a few days or more. Once 3 days has passed, if your scalp is no longer tender, you may move on to step seven. If the scalp is tender, do not move onto step seven until it is no longer sore or tender.
Ste 7: Enjoy your hair free of dreadlocks
Now you may go back to styling your hair however you desire. Use the products that are appropriate for your skin and hair type and enjoy your renewed free hair.
Please be advised that the author is neither a professional hairstylist nor a medical professional. Neither AC, nor the author claims responsibility for any damages, injury, loss, or any other action caused by following these recommendations. Always consult a professional before starting or stopping any beauty regimen.
Published by Lyn Lomasi - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Lyn's the Community Advocate at Yahoo! Contributor Network. Contact her with community issues & ideas. She's been contributing since 2007 and previously acted as a Community Guide. Read her tips for success... View profile
-
Create Smooth, Clean Dreadlocks, No Matter the Texture of Your Hair
As the mother of a 3 year old with clean and smooth dreadlocks, I have had plenty of experience with this hairstyle. Here, I will take you on the journey to clean, smooth dreadl...
-
Dull, Boring Hair? How to Make Dreadlocks!
Here's a user-friendly guide to debunking Internet mythology about the formation of dreadlocks, and a how-to for those looking to lock up.
- How to Repair Scratched CD's Compact discs can easily be scratched or scuffed just like vinyl records. Find out how you can repair your CD's by reading this instructive article today!
- How Husbands are Affected by Postpartum Depression Many husbands are confused and are not sure what is going on with their wives during this time. They begin to wonder how their wives can all of a sudden become unusually unhappy, literally becoming a different person.
- How to Care for Your Fingernails How would you react if someone wanted to take a look at your nails? Would you be too embarrassed to show them, or would you be happy to show off your nails. For women this is a very important topic.
- How to Brush Out Dreadlocks
- Caring for Your Dreadlocks: Maintainance to Keep Smooth Clean Locks
- Starting Dreadlocks: What to Know Before You Lock
- Tips for Starting Dreadlocks
- How to Start and Maintain Two-Strand Twists as an Alternative to Dreadlocks
- The Care and Feeding of Dreadlocks: Beat Dry Scalp with Essential Oils
- Tips for Maintaining Dreadlocks
|
|
15 Comments
Post a CommentRemoving Dreadlocks is a serious process that should not be taken lightly.
There is a product on the market called Take Down Remover Cream. It was specifically designed to take down dreadlocks fast, easy and salvage your hair. They have testimonials on their site......
much success with your hair transitions
Good tips; I don't think i would have had the patience for that though. When I got tired of my locks I just cut them off and ended up with about two inches of hair left. It was definitely a shock to look in the mirror and I actually had to laugh at myself. But in a way it gave me a greater appreciation for my hair - since I hardly had any left - and it's been fun growing it long again.
The results all depend on the person. I would contact a hairdresser for advice on your specific hair. I would say that 6 weeks is probably a good time to wait before re-locking, but each person is different, so it's always best to get an opinion from a professional. You might even want to ask more than one for a balanced look at your situation. :-)
I have had my locks for mor than ten years and I want to take them down to start them over smaller. Will this method work fro me? If so, how long do you reccomend before I start locking again?
You're welcome you two! Glad I could help! :-)
Thanks for the tips... I figured I would need to condition my hair considerably.
This article really helped me to understand better how to remove the loc from my crown...I've had locs for a year and a half now, and my heart is telling me, it's time to be spontaneuos. I love loce. They are beautiful and for me, spirtual and I feel connected to them. But, I guess, when you love something let it go, if it comes back then it's there to stay. I will definitely enjoy the natural hair free of locs...everyone is doin' it nowadays like it's the new "in" thing...I love to be different. I'll let the newcomers have their time with it..As for me, I've already started taking them aloose and it is coming along very well. Thanks for the tips!
LOL Alyce. Yeah, it does take some time, but if you like the style, it's well worth the effort. :-)
LOL. I just thought people would cut their hair off at the roots. I may seriously consider doing this, although I have no idea how they would look in relation to facial size and structure. Again, thanks for sharing. As I was reading these articles, I began twisting and backcombing a tiny section of my hair. Of course it is too soft and did not hold in place with bands, now to go find a mirror to practice in front of. : >
Yeah, it's not as easy of a hairstyle as some people seem to think. LOL :-)