I am asked quite often about how to get rid of white stuff out of dreads.  

The stuff is caused by various things.  Since dreads are the currently popular, it is very important for them to look great.  Having white dots all over them is not something anyone wants to deal with!

New dread/locs have a problem.  They have a tendency to fuzz, loosen and look messy every 3 weeks

to a month.  In an effort to stop this happening, persons have been known to use gels, wax, glue, aloe vera or other plant based gels. The client just wants to keep the hair together so they will use whatever is available in their vicinity, at that time.  

Fast forward to a year or three, said client will come in with a request.  The dreads/locs have now 

reached the nape but there is an issue.  They need to know how to get rid of white stuff out of dreads.  They are the average length for dreads/locs in that time period but they have white spots all over.  The client wants to know what causes these white spots and how they can be removed.  

In order for the build up to be removed:

• use tools such as a tweezer to pull the white stuff out from the various sections of the dread/locs.  Sometimes you may be able to use a comb if it is at the end but pulling can take part of the hair.
• Pulling the white stuff out will cause the dread/loc to be messy with pieces of hair sticking out.  The dread/loc will have to be crocheted back to put it back together.
• The stuff caught in the dread/loc can be caused from dust, body cells, dandruff, lint, wax, locking products.  These will stick together and go under various layers of the hair.  Care should be taken during removal or the dread/loc can fall apart if a large section is cleaned.
• In future, only products that will not cause build up should be used.  

• If you wear clothes of various materials e.g. wool-based articles such as scarves,  that shed a lot, it will stick in the dread.
•  Lint removal should be done monthly to avoid the white stuff hardening in the hair.  You need to go over the hair each time it is washed.  My rule is the area where the hair was last maintained is going to be where all the gunk is gathered.  Rinsing very well is essential
• If the build up is caused by lotions, conditioner etc.  an apple-cider vinegar soak should remove it but only if this is done early.

An  ACV wash will not remove the build up of lint.  Most build up has to be picked out if it has hardened.  Wax buildup can be squeezed out while the hair is wet.    The need to know how to get rid of white stuff out of dreads becomes less if you regularly check your hair.

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

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