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Detox Dreads: Methods, Do’s and Don’ts of the Process

Locticians Guide to Deep Cleanse Locs

 

The chances are that you may have heard the term detox dreads if you already have dreads of any type. If you are unaware, then in this article, you will find out everything about the detox dreads and how it is performed. What are the do’s and don’ts of detox process? 

Detox dreads is a tested method for deep cleaning the dreadlocks, and there are different methods of deep washing the dreads which can be easily performed at home. Continue reading to learn about the process and are pros and cons of detox dreads. 

What are Detox Dreads?

The term "detox" means getting rid of all the unhealthy residues that damage your natural hair in one way or the other. For dreads, it means getting rid of all the buildup from products, serums, oils, dirt, and lint accumulated in the dreadlocks during the locs journey. Detox dreads is a method that is focused on deep cleaning of the head by removing every kind of buildup.

Since the dared locks are matted hair that is tightly locked, they easily trap the products such as odors, dirt particles, and more into the locs and refuse to come out with usual cleaning and head washing methods. A complete detox requires some extra effort by using some specific hair care products that help remove all the buildup.

If you have dreadlocks, you must know that you will require the detox at any phase of your locs journey. Most people perform this once or twice a year to cleanse their dreadlocks and feel fresh. If you have not to detox your dreads in a long time, it doesn't mean that your dreads are not clean. It is a part of the journey that results in good care of the dreads and is an essential component for dreadlocks maintenance.  

Do You Need to Detox?

Now the question is how to know that your hair requires detox? It is a complex question but you must know that you need to clean your dreads deep every four months a year, It means you need to detox your dreads two to four times a year to keep your dreads healthy.Hair cleaning products such as shampoo, conditioners, and serums also leave residue in the dreads. The residues accumulate over time and give you an oily scalp. The dreads feel heavy and coated even after using a good quality shampoo. It shows that your hair is in dire need of a detox and deep cleansing for growth. 

Moreover, the buildup results from a natural substance on the scalp called sebum. The sebum starts to build up in hair and keeps on building even if you regularly wash your hair with residue-free shampoo. Although cleaning shampoos prevent buildup, they fail to do so when you have many product buildups.  

If you have already oily scalp and now you get the buildup in your hair every week, it is the time of the hour that you need to detox your hair from all the impurities, dust particles, and residues.

Methods to Detox Dreads

The detox dreads process is quick and instant. It barely takes 30 minutes from start and eave your hair fresher than ever. There are two basic methods to perform dread detox at home. You need to grab the ingredients and find a comfy place to soak the ingredients in your head. Once you prepare your mind, you are one step away from getting the clean dreads. 

Let's have a look at the methods of detox dreads.

1: Apple Cider Vinegar Dreads Detox

You must know that apple cider vinegar rinse leaves the hair shiny and clean if you are old-school. So, you must understand that it is a hair cleansing product with good hair cleansing properties and works well for a thorough detox of the dreadlocks. In addition, Apple Cider Vinegar has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and kills the odor and microbes which cause mold in the dreads.

In addition, ACV has acidic properties that kill the bacteria and help reduce the fungus that causes itching, dandruff, and dry scalp flakes. It acts as a cleaning shampoo that penetrates deep into the dreads and dissolves the dirt, oil, and product buildup. Furthermore, it also decreases the odor lurking in the dreads, microbes, dead skin cells, and sweat buildup.

2: ACV & Baking Soda Dread Detox

Another method of detoxing dreads is to combine the advantages of apple cider vinegar and baking soda. Baking soda is a robust base that also works well as a clarifier. Anything acidic is removed using a strong base, including natural scalp oil, sebum, shampoo residues, and product buildup.

Typically, different hair chemicals trapped by the scalp's natural oil that hunkers down inside your locs, resulting in stinking dreadlocks. You may deep-clean the locs, but you can remove the greasy substances that trap these contaminants by using the detoxifying agents.

The low pH of apple cider vinegar helps regulate the body pH. On the other hand, baking soda is quite harsh on human hair because of its significantly higher pH. Following up with a low-pH ACV rinse will prevent the baking soda from harming your locs and keep them shiny and clean.

The higher pH of baking soda must be reduced by the low pH of apple cider vinegar to restore the pH of your locs to the normal level. Moreover, ACV rinse maintains the pH balance of your hair and scalp, resulting in clear, squeaky-clean locs that smell fresh that feels lighter.

Detox dreads are simple to perform with quite a few ingredients. Detox the dreads if you want to get rid of buildup, relax your scalp, and prepare your locs for more robust, healthier hair growth.

How to Detox Your dreads at Home?

Detox dreads are pretty easy to perform. The best part of this process is that you have already all of the ingredients in hand available in the kitchen! If not, you can easily find all the components at your nearest grocery store at reasonable prices. That's one of the aspects of this natural, low-cost detox that we adore! Let's have a look at the step by step guide of the process:

Dread Detox Ingredients and Supplies

· Basin half-filled with warm water

· 3/4 Cup. apple cider vinegar

· 1/4 Cup. baking soda

· 5-7 drops of essential oil

· Deep conditioner

Measure your ingredients using the measuring cup before mixing. Once measured, take the ACV and baking soda in the required quantity. Add a few drops of essential oil such as castor oil or any other hair oil. The essential oil will make the mixture smell better. You can use rosemary oil, lavender, cedarwood, almond oil, castor oil, or other hair growth oil.

1. Mix the Detox Solution

The first step of the detox procedure is to mix all the ingredients into the water. First of all, fill your sink basin halfway with lukewarm water for this step. Too much cold water doesn't help remove all the buildup, and hence warm water is preferred. Now, add your measured ingredients to the sink and mix well.

Find a comfortable spot because you will soak the dreadlocks for quite some time such as 20 minutes. Some people find it comfortable to using a tub for soaking while others prefer using a sink and lying on the back during the soak. You can choose either process that suits you best.

2. Soak Your Dreads for 20 Minutes

Now, soak your dreads in the detox solution for 20 minutes. Ensure that all your dreads are submerged in water. Moreover, you can boost the deep cleaning by pouring the solution. Use your fingers to massage your dreads for thorough cleansing.

Once the soaking time is over, massage the dreadlocks to release any buildup. Don't panic if the detox solution looks muddy because it is all your buildup and dust from your head. It indicates that the solution worked for your dreads, and you had a good detox.

3. Rinse and Deep Condition

The last step of the procedure is to rinse. It is performed to remove any excess solution on the scalp. For this purpose, soak your hair in plain water or use a shower to rinse the head thoroughly. In addition, you can do an ACV rinse to restore the pH of your scalp if you use baking soda in your detox solution. Once rinsed, let your locs dry entirely.

Deep condition your dreads after a detox process because it can result in dryness of the scalp. In addition, using essential oils for keeping the scalp and dreads well moisturized is also a good idea. 

Dos and Don'ts of Dreadlock Detoxing

Each hair treatment has some do's and don'ts. Dred detox is a very simple process, but still, some things require special attention. You must consider the following points when starting this process as it can help you get better results.

It is an obvious process that takes less time than other hair treatments. Sometimes, people get into some hair issues that are pretty normal after hair detox, such as dry scalp, dry hair, irritation, and more. But don't you worry at all because these side effects will vanish with time. To get professional results after hair detox, follow the following points:

Do's of detox dreads:

· Ensure that you perform deep conditioning after dread detox.

· Detox your dreadlocks 2 to 4 times a year.

· Follow the proper dread rinse recipe to wash your hair and remove the detox solution thoroughly.

· Make sure that the detox solution has all the ingredients.

· Measure the detox ingredients accurately to get good results.  

Don'ts of Detox dreads:

· Don't soak your dreads in the detox solution more than the recommended time, as it can damage your hair.

· Avoid frequent detoxing as it can leave your hair dry and brittle.

· Don't over-measure the ingredients, as exposing your hair to an extra acid and base concentration is unsuitable for your dreadlocks.

· Try to moisturize your scalp by using some essential hair oils to promote hair growth. 

Pro tip:

Use the method of detox dreads that is good according to your hair type. Both the procedures have pros and cons; you can check the results and then use the one with no side effects on your hair. Moreover, you can consult your loctician to get an idea of dread detox.

Getting the detox done is essential for the loc journey to keep them alive and fresh. Must perform his procedure to enjoy refreshed locs once in a while.

 

2 Responses

5elifestyle

5elifestyle

September 15, 2023

The blog on Detox Dreads is really informative, and it gives us really helpful information. Thanks a lot for sharing this beautiful blog with us.

www.5elifestyle.com

Elliot Peyton

Elliot Peyton

March 13, 2023

Going to give it a try! Yes I believe that the vinegar and baking soda will clean my locs real good!

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