Advice for partial dreads and dry loose hair

[LittleTea]

Hey y'all,

I'm back at trying to grow my hair long again. My recent hair adventure made me cut mini-bangs, a side shave, and form partial dreads. Whew. Time to settle down I think. ;)

I'm keeping the partial dreads, but I'm growing out the mini-bangs and side shave. I'd like to grow my loose hair out to all one length again and I'll try my best not to henna this time...

I'm extremely wary about using leave-ins since the partial dreads do not handle any type of residue at all. I don't want mold to form in my dreads from the leave-in residue, but since it's winter here my loose hair has been feeling very dry. Does anyone have any recommendations for natural leave-ins that moisturize hair? I can't use things like shea butter or coconut oil either since it's kind of waxy and leaves residue in dreads. Halp!!:eek:

- LittleTea

[lapushka]

If you don't want "mold", I would stay away from more "natural" things (less preservatives). Just a regular store-bought leave-in is not going to give you mold.

[LittleTea]

Sorry I should've explained more. :flower:

In my experience, normal conditioners and oils (that are solid at room temperature) leave residue in locked hair. The residue builds up, and in turn keeps the locked hair so moist that it takes longer to dry. The combination of build up and moist hair favours the development of mould. I suppose what I'm asking for natural hair "conditioners" that moisturize the hair and do not contain any oils and butters (solid at room temp) or have any of the emulsifiers, cones, PEG-etc. ? :)

[AutobotsAttack]

Dreads differ concerning hair type.
Every dreadloc video I’ve seen concerning hair type such as mine, people spritz water on it and squeeze in some type of butter or oil. I’m more or less confused as to why you asked what conditioners to use, since they themselves moisturize more than an oil or butter ever could, since oils and butters don’t moisturize. They only seal. You can opt to still use stuff like slippery elm, meadow foam, chamomile, lavender, or rose water, and use an antimicrobial oil, or antimicrobial product. Whichever would be your choice.

As far as residue, it rarely equates to mold. Excess moisture does. Typically, residue creates that dull dingy look most of the times. And that’s if you’re using too much.

Moisture doesn’t always equate to mold concerning dreads. Depends on how you take care of them. Some folks blow dry their dreads on a low cool setting as well. Typically mold comes from constantly wetting your dreads or constantly having them damp. But moisturizing once a week or one every two weeks won’t make mold form. Whether you’re using an oil/butter, water, or a leave in.

Only other thing I can suggest is a light spritz with water and whatever extract you fancy. If you choose to not use an oil, then most of it will evaporate, but then you’re left with dry, thirsty dreads, which means having to moisturize more. So maybe just find a certain frequency to use leave-ins. Where they aren’t constantly damp, but not overly dry.

[blesseddamozel]

If you're afraid of mold you can incorporate an anti-fungal shampoo on the dreads or use vinegar rinses. Perhaps even diluting vinegar and using it in a spray bottle between washes would work but I'd imagine that would smell..

[lithostoic]

I had dreadlocks for 2 years and didn't experience mold. I live in a hot humid climate, too. I used whatever s&c my parents bought me which varied between what was on sale at the drugstore.

[LittleTea]

Dreads differ concerning hair type.
Every dreadloc video I’ve seen concerning hair type such as mine, people spritz water on it and squeeze in some type of butter or oil. I’m more or less confused as to why you asked what conditioners to use, since they themselves moisturize more than an oil or butter ever could, since oils and butters don’t moisturize. They only seal. You can opt to still use stuff like slippery elm, meadow foam, chamomile, lavender, or rose water, and use an antimicrobial oil, or antimicrobial product. Whichever would be your choice.

As far as residue, it rarely equates to mold. Excess moisture does. Typically, residue creates that dull dingy look most of the times. And that’s if you’re using too much.

Moisture doesn’t always equate to mold concerning dreads. Depends on how you take care of them. Some folks blow dry their dreads on a low cool setting as well. Typically mold comes from constantly wetting your dreads or constantly having them damp. But moisturizing once a week or one every two weeks won’t make mold form. Whether you’re using an oil/butter, water, or a leave in.

Only other thing I can suggest is a light spritz with water and whatever extract you fancy. If you choose to use an oil, then most of it will evaporate, but then you’re left with dry, thirsty dreads, which means having to moisturize more. So maybe just find a certain frequency to use leave-ins. Where they aren’t constantly damp, but not overly dry.

That's great advice, thanks so much AutobotsAttack! I'm really interested in trying the rosewater. (Cool username by the way. ;) )

In regards to buildup, are there certain ingredients in store-bought conditioner that I should be avoiding? Or, does it not really matter and would monthly clarifying washes suffice?

Thanks to everyone else for your helpful comments as well. :flower: I used to do vinegar rinses but I couldn't stand the smell lol.

[AutobotsAttack]

That's great advice, thanks so much AutobotsAttack! I'm really interested in trying the rosewater. (Cool username by the way. ;) )

In regards to buildup, are there certain ingredients in store-bought conditioner that I should be avoiding? Or, does it not really matter and would monthly clarifying washes suffice?

Thanks to everyone else for your helpful comments as well. :flower: I used to do vinegar rinses but I couldn't stand the smell lol.


As far as store bought it’s completely up to you, and what you prefer. If you don’t like cones or anything, then you can steer clear of cones, or any ingredients you don’t like. Or mineral oil if you don’t like the heavy moisturizers and conditioners.

If you have very large dreads I’d say to not wash more than once a month. If you’ve got medium to smaller sized dreads, you can clarify monthly To keep the buildup to a minimum, absolutely.

And thanks! Big Transformer fan lol.