Everyone wants healthy new dreads and No! It’s not that hard!
Taking care of new dreads is stressful, but be patient! Because your dreads will look the way you want soon. Here I’ll give you some easy tips that can help you take care of new dreads.
One of the most important things you can do for your dreads is to moisturize. Locs are like a plant, and you can’t expect a plant to grow on dry sand. So you want to keep your hair and scalp moisturized.
Table of Contents
- Decide on the starting method of your dreads
- How To Wash New Dreads?
- Determine the look of your locs beforehand
- Don’t Style or Retwist Too Early
- What To Expect With New Dreadlocks?
Oils like natural coconut and Olive oils will protect your dreads. Also, a simple spray bottle with a bit of Alvero and Jamaican Castro oil keeps your new dreads from drying.
However, you want to avoid build-up, especially at the beginning of your locs journey, by limiting the number of products you are putting into your hair. Products like mineral oils, heavy waxes or gels cause build-up, which can change the color and feel of your dreadlocks.
Decide on the starting method of your dreads
There are many ways to start new dreads. This can be the two-strand twist, braided, or comb coils, etc. By choosing your locking method beforehand, determines the dreads you’ll have.
For example, with the comb coil method, your locs will have a cylinder appearance. Now, after you have done this- what about the hair part? Do you want a triangular or square part?
Ask your self these questions before starting new dreads.
How To Wash New Dreads?
There’s a common misconception that you cannot shampoo starter locs, but this is not true. You can shampoo your starter locs within three weeks, preferably four weeks, but I started shampooing my dreads as early as two weeks.
Water is suitable for locking your hair, and you don’t have to use a stocking cap. When you shampoo starter locks, there are other great techniques that you can do aside from using a stocking cap that will not cause your new dreads to unravel.
Soaking your hair for 10-15 minutes using the Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda method is an excellent alternative for starter locs instead of conditioners, which can cause thinning and breakage.
Invest in a scalp massager when washing; this tool allows you to get rid of any dandruff and build-up you may have on your scalp without disrupting the locking process.
Determine the look of your locs beforehand
Before installing dreadlocks, determine how your dreads should look like beforehand. If you’re in the early stages of locking, take a minute and think about this.
So many people say I just want locs! Then a year later, they’re like Hey! My dreads don’t look like how I want them to look, and you can’t style them the way you want to.
Consult with a loctician, and show them some pictures of what you want your locs to look like, and mostly, the dreads you are going for are achievable.
Don’t Style or Retwist Too Early
I know that you are just starting and are excited to style your locs, but it’s a critical time in your journey and is just the beginning.
You should wait and give your hair some time to begin the locking process before adding accessories like bobby pins that come with styling. I suggest leaving your hair in its natural flow and wait until your hair is locked.
Don’t re-twist too often, wait until your hair has a reasonable length of new growth before re-twisting. Don’t over re-twist your dreads. All you are doing is re-twisting the area that you have twisted previously, and this can lead to uneven dreads.
I usually wait 4-5 weeks before I re-twist my locs.
Cover your hair at night with a cap or silk scarf since this prevents extra frizzy dreads. Plus, sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase because it prevents lint build-up and friction.
When you cover your hair, you are keeping moisture, which in turn, limits the use of any additional products.
What To Expect With New Dreadlocks?
Every experience will be different. However, most people will have an itchy scalp, frizzy and awkward dreads. If you are considering installing starter dreads, begin by relaxing your washing routine.
This is going to make the transition super easy, but you will experience a bit of itchy scalp. Your hair and scalp need to get used to the changes in your maintenance products and washing routine.
Young dreads will not look like mature dreadlocks, this means it will look loose, oddly shaped and frizz. Mature dreadlocks take time and patience for them to look the way you wanted.
Considering you have done your research and understand dreadlocks maintenance and the process, it should come easier with time. Check out dreads stages and timelines, join communities on Facebook or Reddit and good luck.
