**READ ME** - Dread Newbies FAQ/ PLUS Basic Care and maintenance Guide

these kind

http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/LS.htm

at least that's what i use

 

Ah, thankies.
Does it matter which 'flavor' one uses or does it have to be Tea Tree?

 

i think people use tea tree if they have oil or scalp problems, im not sure. i know there is benefits from using different kinds though. i use the almond one, not for any particular reason though, it was the first one i saw.

 

Ah,thankies and bless you for sharing your knowledge.

 

so as to washing your hair when you first start dreads do you want to wash it and how much or do you not wash it at all untill the dreads form?

 

wash when you feel dirty. most people wash their hair once a week, but that changes depending on the person. its going to be up to you, read around and you will learn more about it.

stop combing your hair and switch to a non residue shampoo and you will see locks.

 

my hair is naturally very greasy is this gonna stop the dread forming process?

 

It's important you start using a quality soap like mentioned above. Right now, your every time you wash your hair it strips all the oil away. That causes your scalp to produce excess oil to make up for what is always being washed away. I recommend Dr. Bronners tea tree oil liquid soap. I used to have oily hair and after I quit washing my hair every day and started using good soap on my hair, within 2-3 months the oil problem corrected itself. I now have the proper natural oils on my scalp/dreads and only wash 10-14 days. I think if you do this, then the problem will correct itself. But it will get worse before it gets better. My scalp itched and was nasty for a few months while it adjusted. You just have to be in it for the long hall.

 

the long hall, ha ha. shaygrov has got it right, your hair should never be really oily, when you start changing your routine in a while you will see results.

 

Ok, I've heard of people who are employed in the fast food business putting Febreeze in thier dreads before and after work. Alot of the fast food grease smells get permently stuck on clothing so I thought that this rumor made sense. But then agian I heard chemicals must never touch dreads and Febreeze is pure chemicals. What do you experts think, yay or nay to the Febreeze in dreads to remove fast food stench?

 

i'd look into that fast food thing first. ive never had the airborne smell of something saturate my clothing to the point that the smell carries over after a wash. i have worked in fast food places briefly and have not experienced that phenomenon. i even have a friend that works behind the counter at a movie theater i would imagine that the smell of buttery popcorn does a lot more than mcdonalds, yet i haven't had a whiff of his work coming off him yet.

 

If someone washes their dreads every week they would need something to remove that strong grease smell (It's a very strong nausiating odd smell) inbetween washings. I've heard of tips and tricks amoung the African American communites regarding removing this smell from dreads/braids that cannot be washed often but as we all know sometimes tips and tricks can be bad (Lol, wax for example).
So, is that a no on Febreeze being used on mature dreads between washings or do you think it's a personal preference type thing?

 

strong grease smell? hmm?

 

Yeah, it's hard to explain. It smells like ... Old burning corn oil. Not much people use corn oil so I can understand if you have no clue what I'm talking about. When you walk into Burger king as a customer you can't smell it becuase you wouldn't be close enough, and while your working in Burger King you don't notice it after an hour becuase you get used to it. But when you step into the fresh air and take a whiff at your clothes and hair it's there. and the smell is way more obvious. I rather smell a non-deodorize armpit than the grease smell.
The issue is to Febreeze or not to Febreeze. I've been hearing a lot of people say that you shouldn't let any sort of chemical touch your dreads, and Febreeze is pure chemicals. But then agian I've recent;y heard of people spraying Febreeze into dreads and braids. Washing the hair everydays isn't really an option. But I'm pretty sure the Febreeze wouldn't rot anything away, amirite?

 

well since dreads absorb things and don't let them out, the chemicals from the febreeze would get stuck in there
and considering it stays in there it might form something icky
so, i wouldn't advise it

 

Ah.
Do you know of anything 'natural' or dread friendly to use inbetween washings?

 

Is it normal to have an itchy scalp in the beggining? (I'm currently 13 days in, using the neglect method and I've washed a few times)

 

Mix up some water and a few drops of your favourite essential oils in a spray bottle and use whenever you want an aromatherapy treat for your locks. My favourite is a combo of peppermint & lavender.

 

yeah, your scalp is adjusting to your new washing schedule and because you're not combing your hair anymore

 

Thanks Mumsy<3 Much love.