Do You Need Dread Retwists? A Complete Guide

Do You Need Dread Retwists? A Complete Guide

Dread retwists is a technique to support the newborn hair in your dreads. to keep your new hair away from breakage. It is one of the easies method for tightening your dreads.

Dreadlocks don't require hair combing, but they require other maintenance steps. For example, keeping them clean is an important step. Keep your hair clean by washing the dreads with residue-free shampoo.

 Moreover, drying them is essential to avoid extra moisture buildup. Having dreads is challenging as it needs attention while washing, drying, and sleeping with the dreads. 

This article is all about the aftercare of dreads, including retightening and dread retwists. Read more to learn about this term.

What is a Dread Retwist?

Dread Retwists is generally performed at the dread salon to keep the dreads locs. It is a hair reviving process that helps you keep your dreads in shape with time. 

Further, it helps tighten the loose hair dreads with tips and tricks. Moreover, some products are also used for retwisting the locs. A hair professional or a loctician performs the process at the sal with the help of a few products. 

Once you get the dreadlocks, the new growth in the hair after some time requires locking with the dreads. 

The best procedure is to keep the dreads locked with the latest hair growth. You can also perform the process at home but getting professional services is best for long-term results.  

How do I prep my hair before Re-Twisting?

Re-twisting requires prep before starting the process. The hair experts suggest proper cleaning of hair dreads and scalp with a high-quality shampoo. 

Condition your hair and use organic hair to lock the moisture in the next step. It will help you keep your hair hydrated for long. Moreover, it will help reduce hair breakage. 

Hair preparation is necessary for professional results. Likewise, you can perform the oiling and conditioning after the process.  

What tools or products do I need for dread Retwisting?

Dread retwists require the use of a few products for good results. Other than the hair care products, you may also need hair care tools such as a rat comb or hairdryer. 

Dread twisting is easy to manage with the right tools. Hence, get hands-on with the hair tools before diving deep. Here are a few products that you must have at your salon for dread retwists: 

1: Twisting butter

A hair-twisting butter or gel is good to go for dread twists. The gel or butter helps set the hair in its place. Moreover, it keeps the scattered hair in the right place. If you don't have the butter or gel at your hair salon, you can also use any good hair wax for the purpose. 

2: Double prong clips

Double prong clips are required for keeping the hair separate from the dreads. Moreover, you can also control the dreads from matting together. In addition, use the clips to keep the retwisted dreads away from others. So, get the right set of retwists with readily available double prong clips. 

3: Hooded dryer

After retwists, the loctician rinse the hair with the residue-free shampoo and conditioner to get a professional look. A good hooded dryer is suitable for drying the locks within minutes. A normal blow dryer is good enough to get the job done. 

Apart from the aforementioned tools, many professionals also use additional hair care products such as essential oils, deep conditioners, and moisturizers. Some also prefer wearing the satin cap or headscarf for keeping the dread retwists well moisturized for hours and keeping them away from dirt.  

dread retwists

 

How long does a dread Retwist last?

After the first session of dreadlocks installation, the dreadlocks also require retightening and retwisting. Typically, they last from three to six months, depending upon hair condition. Different types of locks last for different time frames. 

Moreover, it depends on the aftercare of the locs. The installation of dreadlocks is a long-term commitment that also requires retightening sessions. Just like that, the retwisting sessions also last for some time.

Typically, the dread retwists last from four to six weeks. It depends upon the hair growth. With new hair growth, the dreads start matting with each other and result in dread thinning or falling. New hair growth requires hair retwisting to keep the dreads from falling.  

How often should I get a dread Retwist?

Dread retwist is a necessary step for keeping the dreads stable. You cannot just get the retwists every week. Their frequency depends on many factors. 

First of all, it depends on whether you have starter loc phase or have mature locs. It also depends on many other factors, such as your hair type, the type of locks you have, and your retwist technique. 

For instance, the starter locs should be washed monthly or after six weeks. No more than every six weeks, otherwise it can cause damage to the dreads. 

But, if you have interlocks, you can go as long as eight weeks. Mature locks can be washed frequently. Likewise, they can be retwisted more in two months than immature dreads. 

If you are still confused about how many times you need the dread retwists for your dreads, consult your loctician for an estimate. A hair professional will perform the analysis on your hair and then give you the idea of whether you require retwisting or not. 

In this way, you can also save the expenses you might be spending without consultation. 

How much do dread retwists cost?

The dread salons offer the retwisting sessions at discounted rates for their recurring customers. If you have installed your dreadlocks, you can consult your loctician before making an appointment for the retesting. Your loctician will better guide you about the process and cost. 

Usually, the hair's retwisting costs range from $60 to $75. With additional restyling on your dreads, it may cost more. The dread retwists depend on many factors such as hair growth, the length of dreads, the type of dreads, and the retwisting method. 

So, you must consider the type of dread when getting the installation and keep in mind all the expenses you have to bear for retightening sessions. 

Moreover, different salons offer different rates for retwists, Some of the saloons charges according to several dreads. and some charge per hour. Meanwhile, some also charge for only consultation before an appointment. 

So, complete your research before installing the dreadlocks and find the right loctician for retwisting who doesn't charge an arm and leg for this process.

How to Retwist Dreads?

Dread retwisting can be performed with the help of many techniques. Some techniques use hair combs, hair bands, and hair butter or gels. One of the standard methods of dread retwisting is the palm roll method.

Almost all the loctician perform this method for retwists as it is effortless to perform on the dreads with new hair growth. Moreover, it doesn't require any hair tool or hair care product. The process is straightforward and fast. 

Dread palm roll involves expertise in the skill for better results. A good hair loctician with experience can perform it in a few minutes.

To perform this retwists method, first of all, your dreads must be well washed and dried correctly. Then, separate the new hair growth of the hair. 

Further, separate the hair dreads that are tingled into each other. Once you are done with the separation, place one palm of the one hand on one side of the dread on the scalp. 

Use the other hand's palm for rolling over the dread. Thoroughly roll your palms against the new hair and dread in such a way that both combine.

Perform this method on all the lost dreadlocks. Additionally, roll over the palms from the scalp down to the whole length of the dreads. It is a quick process of retwisting the dreads without any external aid.

 

How to take care of my dreads after retwists?

Dread care is a process that stays with you until you have the dreads. From installation to the dread tightening and proper retwisting care is mandatory. Many factors damage the hair once the hair is locked. 

For instance, one of the very important is dust particles. If the dust particles are stuck in the dreads, they can cause allergies, dandruff and hair infections. So, to keep the dreads last longer, take care of them with all the essentials. Here are a few steps for the aftercare of dread retwists:

1: Keep dreadlocks residue-free

The tighter the locks are, the smoother they look. Washing locks with shampoos is essential to keep them tight for a long time. One common problem with using shampoo is that it leaves residues in the hair.

The residue can be easily detected on your hands or by hair smell. If there is a fragrance after the shampoo, either leftover residue or hair is not rinsed well. The residues build up cause itching and other hair problems. 

Plus, it becomes hard for the thicker locks to dry completely. Apart from this, the residues act as a lubricant for the dreads and keep the dreadlocks loose. That is why the hair experts recommend only residue-free soaps and shampoos for dreadlocks.

Besides, the residues are also a reason of scalp irritations. Out of many other reasons that scalp are dry and itchy, are because of residues. Whether you use shampoos, conditioners, or chemicals, residue build up is hair damage. Using a residue-free shampoo will keep your scalp clean from dust particles.

For long-term hair care, essential oils are a good choice. Use the oils before washing the dreads as it is beneficial to keep the scalp moisturized. It's much better to add these oils whenever you feel dryness in your hair. In this way, you can manage your dreads well with dreadlock maintenance tips, tricks, and products. 

2: Drying the dread retwists

Rinsing the dreads after retwists is an integral part of the process. After that, drying is imperative. For this purpose, many of the loctician use hooded dryers. An essential blow dryer is also good to perform the job. 

Take care not to use heat on the freshly retwists. Let the dreads dry entirely, and try to avoid styling at this stage. Sit with your retwists for 3 to 5 hours for good results.

3: Wear the dread cap

Use a satin cap or dread scarf. Don't go under the sun without wearing a headscarf. Moreover, the headscarf helps keep the dreads from dust and unnecessary environmental moisture. Extra water in the dreads can result in mold or fungal growth. So, use a head cap for the dreads while sleeping as well.

4: Dreadlock Breakage

Breakage is another concern, as dreadlocks can get pretty heavy with time. Thin hair dreads can break off at the roots if they are more lengthy. Supplement your hair with good moisturizers to reduce breakage. Further, if your dreads are thin, keep them at a reasonable length to avoid unnecessary breakage.

 

Dread Retwists

To sum up

To sum up, dread retwists are necessary to keep the dreadlocks in their place. A long-term commitment with dreadlocks is easy to manage well with retightening sessions now and then. There are many methods for tightening, but palm rolling is the easiest. 

Aftercare of dread retwists helps in keeping the locs with natural hair growth. If you want to keep your dreadlocks last longer, get guidance from your hair expert before making an appointment.


Conclusion

What did you think of today’s post?
Or maybe you have a question about something you read.
Let me know by leaving a comment below.

 

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.