Dreadlocks - FAQ
I'M THINKING ABOUT GETTING DREADS...
- Q: Is it very damaging to my hair?
- Q: Should it be done professionally?
- Q: Is it a painful?
- Q: Should I wash my hair before I get dreads?
- Q: How long does my hair need to be for dreads?
- Q: Do I have to shave my head when I don't want locs anymore?
- Q: I heard from someone else that I should...
- Q: What's the difference between crochet dreads and a dreadperm?
- Q: Why are my ends not dreading?
- Q: Why does my scalp itch?
- Q: Why does my scalp flake?
- Q: Why do my dreads smell funny?
- Q: I have little bumps on my scalp, what are they?
- Q: Can I colour my dreads?
- Q: How often should I wash my hair?
- Q: How often should I get maintenance?
- Q: Can I do my own maintenance?
I JUST GOT DREADS
I'M THINKING ABOUT GETTING DREADS...
Q: Is it very damaging to my hair?
A: Define damaging. A dreadperm will chemically damage your hair. Backcombing and knotting your hair will do some damage too. The whole idea behind starting locs is to "damage" the hair. However maintenance on the re-growth should not be nearly as damaging as the initial dreading process.
Q: Should it be done professionally?
A: This is a matter of personal opinion. If you can find a friend who is patient enough to sit and dread your hair be advised of two things. Start your dreads with clean dry hair and keep your sections defined. If you do decided to seek a professional, do your research. Ask questions; ask for photos of their work and price compare.
Q: Is it a painful?
A: Sometimes yes sometimes no. Everyone has a unique tolerance to pain. (fun fact: women handle pain for longer periods of time)
Q: Should I wash my hair before I get dreads?
A: That'd be much appreciated, thanks. Clean dry hair, no conditioner and no products. Try using a clarifying shampoo or dish detergent. Tough on grease, soft on hair.
Q: How long does my hair need to be for dreads?
A: Some people recommend at least 4-5 inches. Here at Knot Just Dreads your hair can be dreaded with as little as 2 inches of length!
Q: Do I have to shave my head when I don't want locs anymore?
A: No. Dreads can be cut off and/or combed out. The more hair you want to salvage the more time it will take. Often people will cut the majority of the loc and comb out the top 2 to 3 inches.
Q: I heard from someone else that I should...
A: Uh huh. It isn't fair to dismiss what anyone else says because there is no right or wrong answer. You do what works for you. Always get a second opinion.
Q: What's the difference between crochet dreads and a dreadperm?
A: Crochet dreads imply the use of a crochet hook to matte or knot the hair into a loc. A Dreadperm involves using a chemical to permanently alter the structure of the hair. In the case of dreadlocks, the hair is chemically fixed into a matted position. Both methods are instant and permanent. They look different in the beginning but ultimately serve the exact same purpose.
I JUST GOT DREADS…
Q: Why are my ends not dreading?
A: Locking hair to the very bottom is an aesthetic and not imperative to the rest of the dread forming. Often the last inch of hair dreads at all. Blunt ends can be achieved by waiting for the dread to properly form, then cutting off the un-dreaded tips.
Q: Why does my scalp itch?
A: Your scalp is adjusting to the fact that your hair is permanently sectioned. This is normal. Itching goes away in time.
Q: Why does my scalp flake?
A: This can be due to one of several reasons:
You are shampooing too frequently and drying out the scalp
You are shampooing too infrequently and the scalp is producing oily flakes
Weather
Diet
Heredity
Don't panic. Try alternating your shampoo routine.
Q: Why do my dreads smell funny?
A: It could be mildew caused when moisture is trapped in the hair. Make sure your dreads are completely dry before tying them up or going to bed at night. On the other hand, it could be an excess of sebum in the scalp. Everybody has a unique scent. Some are stronger than others. Shampoo or other naturally scented products such as rosemary, lemon or mint can help. Be careful not to go overboard and mask odors like a bad perfume! Use common sense.
Q: I have little bumps on my scalp, what are they?
A: Tension bumps. This happens when dreads or extensions are too tight. Usually shows up 12-48 hours after the service and goes away in a few days.
Q: Can I colour my dreads?
A: Of course. Remember that dreadlocks will soak up colour like a sponge so it is important to know that you will likely need 2 to 3 times the amount of hair-dye. The colour may also appear a little richer and a little darker than how it would look on natural un-dreaded hair.
Q: How often should I wash my hair?
A: It is not necessary to wet or wash locs more than once a week. Some people go two to three weeks and others go months without shampooing their locs. If you are someone who, before locs, washed their hair daily, it might be smart to wean yourself down before you stop shampooing altogether.
Q: How often should I get maintenance?
A: As often as you feel like. Some people get maintenance every 2-4 months and others don't come back for years.
Q: Can I do my own maintenance?
A: We encourage people to take care of their own dreads. Check out homecare for more information. A little professional maintenance doesn't hurt from time to time.