Taking care of dreadlocks in the Summer

In view of the summer season, here are some tips for taking care of your dreadlocks. Here in Malta we have really hot summers, so it is good to continue remind people that the sun's UV rays are harmful both to scalp and hair. Protect yourself with a hat or a scarf as much as possible!

How often and when should I wash my dreads?

How often you should wash your dreadlock hair depends on your lifestyle. There is no general rule, some people wash it once a week, others once a month. However, the best rule is to wash it when you feel it dirty or stinky. Wash your hair in the morning or during the early afternoon to give it time to dry. It is not a good advice to go to bed with damp dreads as they will smell and harbor mildew. 

How do I choose the best shampoo?

Your shampoo should be free of chemicals, perfumes and conditioners. Look at the ingredients list on the bottle of your shampoo. Avoid anything containing PEG - it is a conditioner, and avoid mineral oil or petrolatum – synthetic oils only greases your hear and do not nourish or moisturize. Remember, most shampoos are made with chemical conditioning ingredients that remove knots – which is exactly what you want to avoid! Ideally choose a shampoo with natural ingredients, such as Tea Tree, Peppermint, Coconut and Jojoba.

 

tea tree or melaleuca alternifolia in latin

 

How do I wash/rinse my hair?

You should only be concerned with your scalp. Gently massage your chosen shampoo in the scalp and forget about soaping up your locks. After shampooing, make sure you rinse your dreads thoroughly. Shampoo residue makes dreads look dirty and heavy. Do not tie up your dreads while still dry or damp, but leave them loose so that the air can circulate. You should also take care on what type of towel you use as regular towels will get lint caught in your dreads. Better choose microfiber towels. 

How do I keep my dreadlocks smelling good?

To maintain healthy and good smelling dreads, moisturize your dreads with natural essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, mint or jasmine. The best way is to mix the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray your hair and scalp. If you have an itchy scalp, apply tea tree oil to it and it will work wonders.

What about swimming with dreadlocks?

Sea water is good for your dreadlocks as the salt helps to tighten loose locks. However, make sure that the water is clean. If it doesn’t look clean, resist. If you are at a swimming pool, then it’s ok too as chlorine will not damage your dreads. The only thing to be careful about at swimming pools is the sun tan residue from other swimmers that regularly sits on the top of the pool – this oil will definitely loose your dreads. 

How do I keep my dreadlocks looking great?

You should palm-roll your locks after every wash to keep them straight and smooth. But, as your hair grows you will experience loose ends, bumps and lumps which need to be tightened and fixed. The best way to fix them is to visit a professional dreadlock stylist (also called a locktician) who will help your personal dreadlock maintenance routine and keep your dreadlocks groomed and looking great. Usually the root maintenance should be done every 3-5 months, depending on how quickly your hair grows or how much frizzy your dreads have become.

 

Wishing you a happy summer!