How To Fix Buildup In Dreads

As the hair matures, more people have been asking how to fix buildup

in dreads.  This is a common issue for people who have dreads/locs.   Not only are you always on frizz control duty, avoiding buildup is essential!

If you have dreads/locs, here are some things you must do so there is no need to figure out how to fix

buildup in dreads:

• Avoid wax-based products for maintaining the hair.  Beeswax or wax-based gels cause buildup.  The buildup is not noticeable in the beginning but happens over time.
• Water-based gels do not normally cause buildup unless you are having other issues such as dust, dandruff, lint from clothes or pillows etc.  that can attach themselves to your hair. 
• Use spray conditioners when possible.  If you are using a cream conditioner, take small amounts, rub it in your palms until it becomes watery before applying it to the hair.  Lumps will collect between the layers of hair if they are not washed away.

• If the hair has joined together, either after washing or because you are not separating regularly causes buildup in the sealed area.
• When rinsing dreads/locs, squeezing along the strands to remove any products remaining in the hair is required.
• Keeping your hair in styles for long periods of time causes buildup.  If gel or wax is used to keep your hair straight and shiny, you have to keep this at a minimum.

If you now have buildup, these are some things you can when you notice white patches in your hair:

• pick the lint etc. out with a needle or pin if it is a small amount.  If it is a large area, you stand the chance of destroying the dread/loc.  
• When you shampoo, squeeze the hair while it is wet between your fingers until the leftover product oozes out.  If this is beeswax, use paper towels because it is difficult to remove from towels.

• Doing ACV (apple-cider-vinegar) washes works to remove buildup from products only.  It will not remove beeswax, lint, glue etc.  Those have to be removed manually.  Also if they have been in the hair for a while, it is difficult to do so with unravelling the hair.

It is better to monitor the look of your hair regularly and act immediately to avoid having to figure out how to fix buildup in dreads.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Filling My Head”, “Talking Hair”, & “Dreadlocks – A Hairstylist’s Manifest”.