Dread locks FAQ

How long does my hair need to be to make dread locks?
Your hair should be at least 3 inches.

What is the best way to get dread locks?
This is one of those opinion questions and there isn't a set way that works for everyone, but generally backcombing dread locks is best for Caucasian hair types and long african hair types. For short african hair the brush rubbing dread locks method seems to work best and if you hair is between 3 and 7 inches twisting is a very good method. If you are looking for a guaranteed way to get dread locks DreadHeadHQ has a Dread kit that they guarantee will make dread locks in any hair type. The instructions are for making dread locks with the backcombing method. If you have african hair you can also consider Knatty Dread products for making dread locks.

Do I need to use a special shampoo when I have dread locks?
Yes, you need to use a shampoo that is residue free when you have dread locks. The reason that residue free shampoo is important when you have dread locks is because residues left behind from products are hard to wash out of dread locks. If these residues stay in your dread locks they start to build up. If they build up for a few months they can cause the knots in your dread locks to loosen. When you have dread locks you want them to be tight, if something is loosening them it is hindering the locking process of your dread locks.

What are residues?
A residue is anything that is left behind on your dread locks, scalp, or skin from the soap or shampoo you use.

Why are residues so bad?
When you have dread locks your hair is packed tightly. Not much can be removed dread locks once it's in them. So having residues in your dread locks is a big problem because they stay inside your dread locks. Residues can cause problems like holding water, which will prevent dread locks from drying quickly and this will cause mildew to grow in your dread locks. Residues also leave a coat behind on hair strands, this coat acts like a lubricant and can prevent dread locks from locking up and we definitely slow down the locking process. Residue acting as a lubricant can also cause knots in tight dread locks to slip apart. Using a residue free shampoo helps dread locks mature faster and prevents problems from arising with your dread locks.

What are good products to use with dread locks?
Dread locks are different from straight hair styles so you need to use different products to take care of them. First, of course, is a residue free shampoo, we recommendDreadhead residue free dread soap. Second, is a good dread cream or dread wax. We recommend using a good dread wax or dread cream (depending on your hair texture) without petroleum. You can read below "why petroleum is so bad" and whether you should "...use dread wax or dread cream". You can also use locking accelerating products to speed up your dread locks. A new product has just been released by Dreadhead called "Lock Peppa". This product speeds up backcombing time, and cuts down maintenance time by locking hairs together as you twist them, now you can lock up loose hairs in just one maintenance sitting instead of working on the same part 2 or 3 times to get results.

Why is petroleum so bad?
Petroleum, also known as petrolatum, is grease. It slows down the locking process in dread locks and locs. Petroleum is bad for all hair types, especially Caucasian, African, and Asian hair types. Petroleum leaves residues behind in your dread locks, and it leaves the worst kinds of residues behind. Petroleum can actually cause dread locks and locs to fall apart.

Should I use dread wax or dread cream?
Mainly it depends on your hair texture. If you have thicker strands and slick hair (usually Caucasian and Asian hair) you should use a dread wax, they tend to have more hold and help dread locks form in hard to dread hair types. If you have thinner strands and course hair (usually African hair) you should probably go with dread cream. It doesn't have quite as much hold and it usually has more nutrients for hair that has more of a tendency to break. A good dread wax we've found that has a strong hold is Dreadhead dread wax, and a good dread cream with lots of nutrients is Knatty Dread locs cream.

Should I use conditioner on my dread locks?
Absolutely not! What if they say it's made for dread locks? Still a big ABSOLUTELY NOT! ALL conditioner is bad for dread locks and locs, it slows down the locking process and prevents new knots from forming. You can determine whether or not a person knows what they are talking about if they recommend or don't recommend conditioner for dread locks.

Do you have to shave your head when you don't want dread locks anymore?
No, you do not have to shave your head when you want to remove your dread locks. All you need is a dread comb, V05 conditioner, and patience. There are special knot removing kits on the market but they are just market hype and you don't need to spend hard earn dough on them.

Where can I see a lot of dread locks pictures?
For starters you can go to our dread locks pictures page. There are also some good pictures on commercial sites like DreadHeadHQ they have a large dreadlocks pictures gallery. Howtodread.com also has come unique dreadlocks pictures.

How can I make temporary dread locks?
The temporary-dreadlocks.com site offer a dread locks starter kit for temporary dread locks that last a month.

For a larger FAQ Questions and answers about dread locks see the perfectdreadlocks.com faq and the Dreadheadhq questions and answers section