Regular maintenance of dreads is important. While mature, traditional dreads are fabulously easy for day-to-day simplicity, they do benefit from regular tidying and root re-locking. You can do it yourself in the comfort of your own space, or you can find a loctician who will do it for you.

Various factors (environmental, hair type, dread type, dread quantity, etc) will determine the nature and frequency of your dread maintenance needs. As a guide, for a full head of shoulder-length dreads we recommend a few hours of crochet maintenance at least once every two months for new dreads, or once every six months for mature dreads.

Scalp vitality encourages strong regrowth, leading to better dreads long-term. Washing your dreads properly is therefore important, as it clears debris and provides a great starting point for scalp health.

Various factors (environmental, skin type, scalp condition) determine the wash frequency that’s right for you. Most of us (especially those in professional roles or who have dandruff or itchy skin) will require a regular dread wash routine.

As washing will separate loosely locked hair, we recommend giving your dreads and scalp a good deep wash with a clarifying or residue-free shampoo immediately prior to your maintenance session (just make sure to dry fully before tying it up). That way you’ll maximise the benefits of your session and any care products your loctician may apply to your dreads or scalp. In between sessions, wash as needed focusing on the scalp area.

Without regular care, your dreads may start to pull on your scalp uncomfortably, join together, or become worn and thin (they may even break in places). If you’re having issues with your dreads, or you’re over them completely, check out our information regarding Dread Restoration and Removal.