Rubber Bands
Many sources recommend rubber bands at the roots and tips of new dreadlocks to help things lock up at the root and to help to prevent knots from migrating out the end of …
Dreadlock Education
Waxing*
The companies out there that sell dreadlock wax products and tout them as being the “only” way to lock up silky, Caucasian hair types and claim that regular washing with shampoo will remove dreadlock wax. However, by the very facts alone that wax is insoluble and hydrophobic suggests the exact opposite. This doesn’t even take into consideration that the highest that the typical hot water heater is set to is 120°F; the temperature at which even just seconds of exposure will scald the burn the skin severely. (Ten minutes of exposure at 120°F water will create third degree burns!)
Re-Backcombing*
Backcombing, in additiong to being one of the methods of putting dreads in, is used in some situations to maintain dreads. However, re-backcombing is only recommended in hair that is COMPLETELY straight, unknotted …
Felting*
We DO NOT recommend felting. Although, it can be used relatively safely on MATURE dreads VERY sparingly and only to remove un-wanted bumps, loops, and zig-zags. You should NOT, however, in any case EVER be used to TIGHTEN your dreadlocks. The barbs on felting needles inevitably break quite a few hairs while being inserted in and pulled out of the dread, and extensive use can cause SERIOUS breakage, i.e. losing whole dreads. Felting should be totally avoided if possible.
Conditioners
Often over time dreadlocks can become dry and brittle, because it is not recommended to use shampoos with residue that otherwise might “condition” and coat them preventing or stunting the locking process. For …
Separating
Of all the techniques for maintenance that there are out there, separating is one of two of the most important things you can (and should!) be doing for your locks! It is also …
Loose Hair Tool
The loose hair tool, appropriately given its name, is for helping dreadheads pull loose hairs into their dreads. We also use, and prefer in most cases except where the amount of hair that needs to be pulled in is too large, a “micro-latch hook”. Micro latch hooks are typically made for putting “fusion” extensions in normal hair, but has great applications as it comes to the maintenance of dreadlocks. We find latch hooks to be an invaluable tool if you are especially into the neat and tidy look in your own dreadlocks. We use it QUITE a bit in our own dread work and on others.
Palm Rolling
People who want to do minimal, easy maintenance opt usually for palm/pinch rolling. It is the easiest technique, but in order to be truly effective it needs to be done at least daily. …