How do you maintain your natural dreadlocks with Afro hair? Meet Melissa :

Melissa works as a care assistant in the Avignon area. She works hard both day and night, and has set her sights on nursing school. Melissa already wears natural dreadlocks, which she made herself using an ancient technique. I'm very familiar with this method, having used it on my own hair in 1993. She has afro hair and wants to embellish her natural dreadlocks.

Evolution of dreadlock creation techniques? It used to be as simple as crimping a strand with a comb or brush, then rolling it in your hands with wax.

Modern techniques for creating natural dreadlocks have evolved enormously over the last 30 years. In the '90s, the first step in creating dreadlocks was to roll a strand of hair to the maximum after crimping it (the palm-rolling technique). Then wax (a very greasy product made from 100% natural beeswax) on an almost daily basis.

Since then, techniques for creating natural dreadlocks have gradually evolved with the introduction of new, more modern and innovative methods from Sweden, Australia and America.

Today, the use of hooks is recommended as this method is more efficient and less restrictive.

Melissa's dreads had settled, shortened and become hard at the tips. It was time to embellish her natural dreadlocks.

After analyzing Melissa's dreads, I found that her locks had been packed and compressed on the lengths and had ended up shortening. I also noticed that her locks were very greasy, as if the dreads had been rolled in coconut oil.

Dreadlocks created solely by crimping and palm-rolling can end up with a shortening or settling reaction. There are two causes of this problem:

  1. The crimping stage. Preparing to create dreadlocks is a step-by-step process. Working a strand by crimping it to create a lock requires know-how.
  2. A lack of suitable care products. Hair care for dreadlocks is as varied as the methods used to create them. Advice on how to bring young dreadlocks to maturity needs to be personalized and adapted to each hair type. The Internet offers solutions that are all too often ineffective, which is why the expertise of a professional is essential.

What is dreadlock maturity?

The first 6 months are considered premature. After 1 year, it's time to adopt a good routine for young dreadlocks.

A routine is the frequency of shampooing and caring for locks.

At first, we roll our locks more than later. We apply products that we don't necessarily use once the locks are mature. We pay more attention to our locks in the first year so that they become mature, and we monitor their growth.

Care tips for dreadlocks must be personalized

If you look at the advice on the internet, you'll find everything, but good advice is given after a personalized analysis of the hair's nature.

The quality and texture of a person's hair are varied and individual, depending on their heritage and origins. So it's essential to tailor care to the quality of the person's hair, to support locks as they mature.

Coconut oil and Afro hair dreads: Tips and advice: How often and when? How to preserve your dreads with Afro hair

A little clarification on coconut oil applied to dreadlocks with afro hair. From time to time, it's a good idea to apply an oil bath to the entire scalp and dreadlocks before shampooing, especially if they're mature. Ideally, this oil bath should be left on for 2 to 4 hours before shampooing, so that your hair doesn't get greasy and your locks don't get a bad smell.

  1. Dreadlocks have a bad smell after applying layers and layers of oil every day
  2. It takes an extremely long time to get rid of the smell.
  3. The lock remains greasy, which is neither aesthetic nor effective for its development and growth.

Melissa's pre-date tips for beautifying her natural dreadlocks

I advised Melissa to do several detox baths before our appointment. Mainly to neutralize the smell of her dreads, remove the greasy texture, and bring back a dry texture.

Melissa was finally ready for our first date. I went for a classic interview to embellish her natural dreadlocks. 

During the appointment, I took over her locks and was able to recommend hair products suited to her dreads and scalp. I immediately found Melissa very beautiful with her natural look. I knew she'd look even better with well-groomed locks.

With this interview, I provided her with a solution to give her locks a more harmonious, elegant aesthetic and to highlight the beautiful, natural woman I saw in her.