When and how you wash your dreadlocks – at a calm pace part 3

When and how you wash your dreadlocks – at a calm pace
One of the most common questions I get is:
“When can I start washing my dreads?”

And I really understand that feeling.
It can feel unfamiliar to walk around without washing your hair like you usually do.

But here it is important that we do not stress the process.

🌿 Wait with the first wash
I usually recommend that you wait about 2–4 weeks before you wash your newly made dreadlocks.

And the longer you can wait – the better.

Not because it is a “must”,
but to give the dreads time to:

settle
start to tangle properly
find their structure

This is the foundation of how your dreads will develop going forward.

🌱 Dry scalp – completely normal
During this period many experience that:

the scalp becomes dry
it flakes a bit
it feels like dandruff

But in most cases it is not dandruff.

It is simply a reaction to:
👉 you have not washed your hair for a while

And it usually disappears directly when you start washing again.

So try not to stress about it.

If you feel that it is bothersome then you can find products that can help you here:
https://www.seienstyle.com/blog/valkommen-till-dina-nya-dreadlocks-vad-du-kan-forvanta-dig-forsta-tiden-del-1 

🧴 Shampoo – what you use matters
When it is time to wash, choose a shampoo that is made for dreadlocks.

This is important.

Regular shampoos often contain:

silicones
softening agents

That makes the hair smooth and “slippery” –
which is the opposite of what we want when we have dreads.

A dreadlock shampoo instead helps to:

clean
support the tangling process
keep the dreads in good shape

Dreadlocks shampoos that I recommend (these are products that I myself have used and can guarantee are good products)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160948127/dreadlock-schampo-150-g-med-hampa?ref=shop_home_active_1&logging_key=b29b739f65fb6d27b1aae96feefceac936438341%3A160948127 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1453857000/dreadlocks-schampo-taster-combo?ref=shop_home_active_2&logging_key=033df2ba33ee95cecc10a3e3e4b59e69d031da1d%3A1453857000 

https://dreadshop.com/products/dollylocks-dreadlock-shampoo 

https://www.dreadlocksnaturally.com.au/product-page/lock-up-fast-dreadlock-shampoo 

🚿 First wash – take it at your pace
I always usually say:

Take your time the first time.

It can feel a bit unfamiliar and requires a bit more focus than a regular hair wash.

So choose a day when you are not stressed.

Do like this:
Wet the dreads properly – they should become really soaked
Apply your shampoo
Soap: rub directly into the scalp
Liquid: work up lather in the hands first
Massage gently into the scalp
Work through the whole dreads
Rinse thoroughly

It is actually not that big difference from washing regular hair –
you just need to be a bit softer in the movements.

💧 Getting the water out – more important than you think
When you are done in the shower:

Squeeze out the dreads properly
You can twist them a bit, like when you twist out a towel
Use a towel to absorb as much water as possible

Dreads hold much more water than you think.

🧖‍♀️ Drying
When it has stopped dripping:

Let them air dry
or
Blow dry the last if you want

You can also put the hair up in a towel turban for a while to speed up the process.

And remember:

👉 The older the dreads become, the longer time they take to dry

It is completely natural.

🔄 Create your own rhythm
With time you will find what works for you.

I usually recommend that you aim for:
👉 about once a week

It helps you to:

keep the scalp healthy
create a good routine
support the development of the dreads

💛 Let it take time
This is something I always come back to.

You do not need to rush anything.

Dreadlocks:

are shaped over time
develop at their own pace
become better the more you let the process happen naturally

Your task is only to:
take care of them, step by step.

You can find part 4 here: https://www.seienstyle.com/blog/maintenance-of-dreadlocks-a-part-of-life-with-dreads-part-4