Dreadlock care and maintenance don’t magically grow or set themselves. It takes some time to see your hair knotting itself from the roots. It is normal to have some loose and thin locks at the roots, but they will start to lock themselves without much effort with age. A few dreadlock care and maintenance will help you know better how to go about tightening hairs at the base of your natural locks.
Be Careful with Waxing Products
The first thing to examine is the hair products you’re applying. If you’ve been using wax every day to nourish the roots, it’s high time you give it a break. Wax is a lubricant, and so it hurts the locking process. Surprisingly, wax doesn’t really wash out dirt, as some brands claim. It only accumulates and causes mold if you are not careful.
Choose the Right Shampoo
Many people fall for the all-natural shampoo bandwagon simply because the ad says it is organic and residue-free. These terms have been misused in the cosmetic industry and don’t always mean the product is effective. The wrong shampoo only lubricates the roots and prevents proper locking. Eventually, the shampoo accumulates and leaves you with mold issues.
Keep the Dreads Squeaky Clean
The first step to tightening your dreadlocks at the root is routine cleanup. The cleaner the hair, the faster it forms a knot and pulls together. Use the right shampoo that will not leave a buildup. Also, apply products that increase friction between hair strands throughout the length. The friction increases the formation of knots. An aloe vera base is highly recommended for the maturing process.
Use the Right Tightening Techniques
Hairs at the base of the scalp are usually the last section to dread. How easily the new hair shafts lock depends on your hair type. Try rubbing the roots in a clockwise direction right from the scalp. Consider a light sprinkle of dread dust to encourage a firm texture when twisting. Be sure to pull together all the loose hair and rub them between fingers to form a dread ball. A crochet hook comes in handy when twisting the dreads and wrapping them around the base. Palm rolling should begin at the scalp and proceed down the length.
A dread ball helps to get rid of loose hair. Once formed, tie it and push it inside a bigger dreadlock. If it feels a bit fiddly, use a large needle or crochet hook. This process also works for thin spots, hence preventing breakage. More delicate hairs should be joined to thicker locks. There are no hard or fast rules to joining them. But you may need to do more crocheting in the next few days in case some lose hair slip out.