How to remove dreadlocks?

Question

I am slowly considering dreadlocks but when I asked my boyfriend how to remove them he said 'cut them out' and I was like 'NO way', so then I said there had to be another way and he said I could condition them out but i'd only save a few inches of my hair. I love my long hair! :(

Has anyone who actually KNOWS got any idea?

Answer 1

Cutting is certainly the easiest way to remove dreadlocks, but it's not the only option.



If you can find a "loctician" in your area, a hairdresser who specializes in dreadlocks, they can remove them for you.



To remove them yourself, cut off the ends (an inch or so if the dread is old, only the tips if you have had them for under a year), then slather the dreads with conditioner. Patiently pick apart with a rat tail comb.



You can use a dread removal kit, like Knotty Boy's ( http://www.knottyboy.com/shop/dreadlock_removal_kit/knotty_boy_emergency_dreadlock_removal_kit/ ) or Take Down( http://www5.millresources.com/millresources/cgibin/store/commerce.cgi ).

Both follow the same directions but come with a removal lotion instead of conditioner.

Answer 2

You've gotten some great advise from Jacalyn and dreadzoom, I couldn't agree more. Please don't listen to people who have never had dreadlocks. And when they tell you dreadlocks are not in anymore...that's incorrect. I doubt if they ever go away because they have been here from "who knows when?". And you see more and more people getting them because now days they are more versitile. If you decided on small to medium locks, then you could roll your locks and have them curly, braid them and take the braids out and wear them wavey. Wear them in a pretty up-do's or a french roll. You can dread your hair and leave out a little of the sides and bang to show yourself off. (smiles)



Dreads are different now than what they used to be and are now... put in with different methods (lock-tool or the old back combing) but you have a choice given u find a real loctician. If you decide you don't want them anymore then take them out within 3 weeks with a lot of conditioning and a rat-tail comb. The hair that you loose will be dead-hair that was coming out in a comb and brush anyway. But if you wait to long then allow your hair to grow at a decent length and cut them off and put them in a plastic bag and save them to put back on if you change your mind again. LOL



Enjoy your life and don't listen to haters that drink hater-aide. Listen to your conscience and get good info from people that are professional locticians and people that have or have had dreadlocks. There's nothing wrong with being different or doing your own thing . And who's to say what's in or out for YOU? Much Love and the best to your decisions.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

You love your hair and want to keep it. Just soak the dreadlocks in VO5

conditioner and comb them out, it may take a couple hours but you will get to

keep your hair. Don't worry if you lose a lot of hair while you are combing

the dreadlocks out, this is hair that would have fallen out in the day-to-day hair

removal cycle. The only reason you still have it is because you had dreadlocks

and dreadlocks keep the hair all knotted together.







good luck.



best answer!

Answer 5

I had dreadlocks once and it took 8 hours to take it out. it was pretty painful to pull them out, and the kits don't really work, I bought the Knotty Boy Dread Removal shampoo and conditioner. I had to have my parents and boyfriend help, broke 3 combs, used baby oil, forks, everything. had to cut some because there was no help, lost like a half a head of hair. it was a lot of trouble, I suggest if you want dreads, to make sure you want them forever.

Answer 6

OK there are three ways to get rid of dreads that actually work:

1) Cut off your hair and start new

2) Use Knotty Boy emergency dread removal kit (or a ton of conditioner, depending on how old the dreads are)

3) Brush your roots every day, and they will begin to untangle. When enough hair is de-tangled/grown out, cut off the dready ends and voila!



But if you're worried about getting dreads and think you might want to remove them, I recommend that you find a more temporary solution. Dread extensions might be more what you want: These are fake dreads that you can remove whenever you get sick of them without damage to your hair. You can get these in any length, thickness or color, and you can get them done professionally or do them yourself cheaply.



Here's a tutorial if you decide to do them yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihlxsA-R0ZE

Answer 7

the only way you can remove dreadlocks is cutting them off, or shaving your head.

my friend got dreadlocks for about 3 years, she loved it at first, but then she hated them as her scalp didnt feel good, and you cant wash them, only a little water, she said her scalp felt so bad and itchy, she had to cut them , she was so releaved ! she ony saved a bit of her hair, but she had loads of vitamin c and it grow back quite quickly.

Answer 8

Lots of conditioner, a comb and a bit of free time. All that stuff about 'omg! u gotta shav ur hed!' is bullshit of the highest order



If you're looking for more info then this is fantastic: http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=get_up_dread_up

Answer 9

You have to cut them out, sorry. Maybe you should try getting your hair braided that why you can have a similar, and cleaner looking, style that can be removed without cutting off all of your hair to the root.

Answer 10

To remove dreadlocks? ya gotta cut them out.

Answer 11

Honey, dreadlocks were originally designed to be a peranent solution to bad hair days for Africans and Jamaicans. They are so not meant to be a style you wear for just a little while. They are literally matted ropes of hair: there's no way to un-mat your hair once you've gotten it twisted into dreads. And dreadlocks ar slowly slipping out of the fashion world; please don't get them. So your boyfriend is right; once you've "dread-ed" your hair, the only way to get rid of them is to 'snip snip'!

Answer 12

the only way to remove them is to remove ur hair

Answer 13

cut them...if luv ur long hair, do NOT get dreadlocks no offense but in my opinion they look really ugly..

Answer 14

Do not get dreadlocks.

Please dont.

You will regret it.





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