Dreadlocks More Than 6 Months Old

• 1). Wash your dreads one time weekly with a shampoo formulated for dreadlocks or a residue-free shampoo.
  
  
• 2). Palm roll each dread while your hair is still damp. To palm roll, place the dread close to the roots in between the palms of your hands and vigorously rub it back and forth with your hands all the way down to the tip.
  
  
• 3). Pull your dreads apart if they are starting to bond to each other. This is especially common around the root area. Grab a dread in each hand and pull them apart firmly, but gently.
  
  
• 4). Pinch a dread between your thumb and finger about an inch from the root and rub it around the root briskly if the roots are growing out and not locking into the dread.
  
  
• 5). Backcomb any loose ends that aren't locking up by pushing the hair backwards, towards the dread with your fingers. Roll and rub the end around to help it lock into the rest of the dread.
  
  
• 6). Massage your scalp with your fingertips as often as you like. This will sooth an itchy, sore scalp and release natural oils from your scalp that are benefitial to your dreads.
  
  
• 7). Add decorations to your dreadlocks if you'd like. You can add beads by sliding them up a dread or sewing them into a dread. You could also adorn your hair with other objects, such as wraps made from yarn or embroidery thread, or sea shells.
  
  

Dreadlocks Less Than 6 Months Old

• 1). Abstain from washing your dreads at all for the first two weeks after you first get your dreads. Washing your hair at this stage will cause your dreads to come out. After two weeks, wash your hair once once a week using a residue-free shampoo or a shampoo specifically formulated for dreads.
  
  
• 2). Palm roll your dreads while they are still damp, starting near the roots and working toward the ends.
  
  
• 3). Palm roll each dread again after they have all completely dried. Palm roll your dry hair daily for the first several months. This is a good time to add a bit of wax if your dread feels like it is coming undone, and you don't mind putting wax in your dreadlocks. Many people within the dreadlock community believe that dreadlock wax helps your dreads to lock up faster, while others believe that it is unattractive and unhealthy for your dreads.
  
  
• 4). Backcomb tips that aren't locking up using your fingers, and then rub them around until a knot forms.
  
  
• 5). Massage your scalp using your fingertips in order to comfort your scalp and keep your dreads healthy.