Dreadlokk Aftercare.
So, You’ve Got Dreads? Now What?
Welcome to the dreadlock journey—you’re officially part of an awesome community! Now, let’s make sure your dreads stay clean, dry, and well-maintained so they can thrive.
Settling In
Fresh dreads (or dread extensions) need about two weeks to settle. Your scalp and hair have been through a lot, so give them time to adjust!
🚫 Avoid regular hair ties—they can create weak spots. Instead, go for soft elastics, scrunchies, or a spirolock.
🌀 Skip the tight updos—constantly tying your dreads in the same spot (like a messy bun or ponytail) can lead to bumps and uneven locking.
🎩 Limit hats & beanies—wearing them too often can cause baby dreads to buckle. And pull out the smaller hairs creating frizz.
For the first few weeks, let them hang loose and settle naturally—you’ll thank yourself later!
Washing & Drying: Yes, You Do Wash Dreads! 🚿✨
About two weeks after installation, it’s time to start washing your dreads! Use a residue-free shampoo and skip the conditioner—conditioner untangles hair, and that’s the opposite of what we want! From now on, avoid it completely (though later on, mature dreads can handle conditioner or oil .
Dreads hold water longer than regular hair, so drying properly is super important. Wash in the morning and never go to bed with wet dreads—unless you want to risk dread rot and that awful wet towel smell (trust me, you don’t). After washing, gently squeeze out excess water, then sit in the sun or use a blow dryer to help speed things up.
My go to is Redwin Tea Tree Shampoo or Coal Tar Shampoo—affordable, easy to find at most supermarkets, and bonus: it helps keep nits and other nasties away! I’ve also got some great budget-friendly options available.
https://lokktologydreads.com.au/collections/dread-care
Wash smart, dry right!
The golden rule? Only wash when you have time to dry your dreads properly. Personally, I go for once a week—but do what works for you! On non-wash days, I rock an extra-large shower cap to keep my dreads safe from unwanted moisture.
As they start drying, run your hands through them to gently separate any that might be trying to join forces . Be gentle! This is also a great time for an optional palm roll while they’re still damp—totally up to you! You can use a salt spray after washing on towel dried dreads, and one other day between washing salt spray helps the newer hairs have texture to lock up.
Dreads are a journey, not a destination!
They’ll never stay as perfectly neat as they were on day one—and that’s a good thing! Over time, they’ll thicken, kink, and settle into their own unique shape (and yes, extensions can slip too). Expect a few rough patches along the way, but trust the process—your dreads will only get better with age!
That first year is key! Baby dreads need a little extra care and a solid routine to help them lock up. But as they mature, you’ll find yourself needing less frequent maintenance—letting them do their thing naturally!
Image installation day and 3-year journey.
Dreads are fuzzy—own it!
Fuzz is just part of the journey, so learn to love the perfectly imperfect look. Every set of dreads has it, and honestly, that wild, natural texture is what makes them uniquely yours! 💛 You can use a non residue hair mousse to pat down any fly aways. Avoid wax, gels that leave residue.
Dread maintenance 101!
Maintenance is all about pulling loose hairs back into the dread at the base, but don’t overdo it! Doing this too often (less than every 4 weeks) can actually weaken new hair, cause breakage, and lead to even more fuzz—the opposite of what we want!
For baby dreads, a maintenance session every 6 weeks is a good rule of thumb, but it really depends on how neat or loose you like them. Just a heads-up—maintenance can feel a little pinchy or even painful depending on your scalp sensitivity. Please wash your dreads before every maintenance as dirty dreads will not hold the maintenance as well as freshly washed dreads will.
Additional Dread Care Tips
- Swimming: Chlorine can loosen and damage dreads, so be sure to wash them after swimming in pools. River and lake water can introduce bacteria, so wash thoroughly afterward as well.
- Ocean Swimming: Saltwater is a natural friend to dreads, but it can dry them out and make them brittle, so always wash them after a big ocean swim. Consider investing in a large swim cap.
- Sleep Care: To reduce fuzz and wear-and-tear, sleep with a satin pillowcase or satin hair bonnet. Plait long dreads/extensions to sleep with. This will help keep lumps, bumps , blowouts under control.
- Non-Wash Days: On non-wash days (I wash once a week), use a shower cap to keep moisture out of your dreads, especially if showering at night.
- Synthetic Extensions: Use a leave in spray condition on the synthetic lengths .
If worst comes to worst, dreads can be brushed out—but fair warning, it’s a long and tedious process, so it’s best to avoid if possible!
Give your mature dreads (1+ years old) a deep cleanse and refresh with a dread soak 2-3 times a year! This helps break down build-up, rinse away pollution, and leave your dreads feeling lighter, fresher, and smelling amazing!
The magic formula? A 30-minute soak in a blend of bicarb, essential oils, and tea tree, followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse to rebalance your scalp’s pH. Trust me—your dreads will feel brand new afterward!
Dreadlock Time Line
DAY 1
Your newborn locks may feel stiff, scratchy, or uneven. Some may stand upright like crazy tenticles, especially if your hair is short. This is normal. Over the next few days, they will begin to soften, settle, and take their shape.
WEEK 1–4
The messy phase begins. Loose hair, fluff, frizz- all completely normal. Dreadlocks tighten from the inside out, so expect them to look wilder before they look stronger. Palm rolling during this time helps guide the strands back into the lock.
WEEK 6–8
This is the “puberty” of the dread world. Locks tighten, shrink a little, and become lumpy or uneven as each one matures at its own pace. Keep separating and palm rolling — your locks are forming the structure they’ll carry into adulthood.
Your first maintenance at 6-8 weeks will tame the chaos.
3 MONTHS
Your dreads grow firmer, smoother, tighter, but not before the loops, lumps & bumps appear - this is a sign that your dreads are locking on their own from the inside out, pulling hair from all directions into the lock shaft. You can stretch your dreads, scrape down the lengths with your thumb, or palmroll to reduce the wiggles setting. Keep your scalp clean using a residue-free shampoo as this helps new growth knot quickly and stay healthy.
Book your next maintenance appointment around the 3-4 month mark, then continue with a regular 3-monthly maintenance routine into the future to keep everything strong and balanced.
6–12 MONTHS
The lumps & bumps that come with shrinking now slows and length begins to return. Your locks are now holding water more deeply - squeeze well and dry thoroughly after washing to avoid musty smells or mildew. Keep separating them weekly at the roots so they don’t join their neighbours and cause matting, tension or weak spots.
1 YEAR
Happy earthday dreads! Your locks reach their first full cycle - a year of growth, shifts, and resilience. By now, they are likely mature.
A deep-cleansing soak is recommended for dreadlocks once they are over a year old, and it’s great practice to continue with deep cleans every 3 months (or with the turn of the seasons) to keep your locks hydrated, clean and refreshed. Even well-washed locks can trap sweat, oils, and the grit of daily life. A cleanse leaves them brighter, lighter, and renewed.
Maintenance becomes easier and faster from here, but consistent care keeps them strong. Use natural oils or sprays to avoid dryness, continue palm rolling if you like the uniform look, and honour the natural texture and wildness of your crown.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey—your dreads are as unique and ever-evolving as you are! If you need maintenance, extensions, or just some solid dread care advice, I’m always happy to help. Reach out anytime!
Connie xx
Jatadevi Saraswati