How to Remove Dreadlocks
Can Locks Be Removed Without Shaving Your Head?
You've worn dreads for years and now you want a change. This may be due to your career, or you may simply be desirous of a new style. Whatever your reason, don't fret, dreadlocks or locks can be removed without shaving your head. In fact, if carefully done, you may be able to keep most of your hair in the process.
What Are Dreadlocks?
Dreadlocking is a hair process or style that goes back to biblical days. To create dreadlocks, one may use either a dread perm (used mostly with fine hair) to change the texture of the hair. Or, with thick or African hair, one can begin by coiling the hair with a bonding agent such as beeswax. The result is hair joined and formed together to create what may look to some as ropes. Over the years variations of the process have been created with the most popular being that of sister locks (a softer and more versatile form of locks).
No matter the process used, locking is meant to be a permanent change or transition to the hair. Consequently, over the years, most people have thought it necessary to shave their heads in order to get rid of their locks.
Professional Advice
In an interview with Robert Coleman-Gladdis (a.k.a. The Loc' Man), Suite 101 discovered that there is a safe way to remove dreadlocks. Robert is a Certified Consultant or Loctician practicing in Western Michigan. He has been in the business for several years and has a large clientele. Robert says that any form of locks can be removed using a combination of a detangler and either a safety pin (for sister locks) or a rat tail comb (for more traditional or fatter locks). It can take several hours to remove locks depending upon how long you've had them and their length. Once locks are removed, Robert says that one may find their hair a little thinner than normal (this is especially true for traditional locks), but says this problem can be rectified by taking a supplement such as Biotin.
Removing Locks Yourself
Most, but not all, locticians offer lock removal services. If you are not able to find a loctician in your area, there are several products on the market today that are said to assist in the lock removal process. Some of the more popular lines include the Knotty Boy Emergency Dreadlock Removal Kit, Take Down and Loc Out.
Product manufacturers suggest that you first cut the ends of your hair (just the immediate ends if you haven't had locks very long, and 2 to 3 inches or so if you've had them a while). Then you'll need to soak your locks in the removal solution. Once the hair is saturated, you can work on separating the locks using a rat tail comb, hair pin, or like object.
Professionals suggest that you first let some of your hair grow without retwisting or bonding the new growth. This will save you some time in the removal process. Although removing locks may sound easy, beware: removing locks yourself can be a very lengthy, tiring and tedious task. It may take you several days to fully complete the process.
