Dread Rot: Getting Rid of Mold From Your Locs

Stop Dread RotThe dreaded dread rot can drive fear in anyone wearing dreads. If you notice that your dreadlocks are smelling like mold lately, dread rot may be the reason. Mold and mildew may be growing inside them. Although it may be a bit challenging, thankfully, there is hope. There’s no need to panic, since you can save your dreads with these few tips.

What Causes Dread Rot?

First, I want to give a brief overview of dread rot. A lot of people who have dreadlocks may not even know that they have this issue or that there is even such a term. This occurs over a period of time when your dreads are washed and are not properly dried. This is even worse for people with thicker ones because it takes longer for their hair to dry.

What happens if your hair is not completely dry, is the locs retains the water, creating a damp environment. We all know what happen when an area is constantly in a damp state. Yes, mold starts to grow. Unfortunately, this can also happen with dreads.

What Should You do if You Have Mold in Your Locs?

Some people may get frustrated and cut them off. Depending on how bad the mold and mildew is, there is no need to cut your dreadlocks. You may can find a natural solution to save your hair. Some may be more effective depending on how much advance your dread rot is.

  • Apple Cider Vinegar for Dread Rot

Use organic apple cider vinegar and baking soda to remove the mold and mildew from your locs. In order to permanently remove it, you will have to soak your hair for a while, and repeat if necessary. You may also use a vinegar rinse cleanser that will penetrate through the twisted strands hair to remove the mold and the bad smell.

  • Choose a Clarifying Shampoo

Washing with a natural residue-free shampoo can help get deep into the strand of locs, removing build-up, which allows your hair to dry quicker. With less buildup, air can flow through the strands much easier.

  • Drying Your Dreadlocks Properly

Drying your hair the right way will prevent a damp environment for the mold and mildew to continue to grow.

When you get rid of the dread rot or during the process of getting it out, you should use a hair dryer to get rid of all the water from your hair. You can also try one of these bonnet dryers for more direct heat.

If you want more direct heat and faster results, you can also try attaching a blow dryer heat cap. This way you can multi-task, since your hands are free to do other things. Your hands will also get a break from holding the hair dryer so long.

By applying all these simple tips, you can avoid having to deal with the annoyance of dread rot and continue to maintain your beautiful head of dreadlocks.

Sweaty Locs: How to Get Them Smelling Fresh

The more your dreadlocks grow, the more you’ll have to deal with odor that will pop up now and again. This is even worse if you sweat a lot. I know you may have tried almost everything that you can think of to get your dreads smelling fresh, but nothing seems to work. This may be the last time you have to worry about dealing with foul odor caused by sweaty locs.

Working Out With Dreadlocks

So you’ve got your dreads, and to go with the look, you want to achieve the perfect body, so you do your regular workout. You’re seeing great progress, but there’s just this one thing that seems to be an annoyance, your dreads can’t seem to smell fresh for long.

Keeping Your Dreads From Getting Sweaty While Working out

When you’re working out at the gym, the last thing you want to deal with is hair getting in your way. Keeping it secured and up off your sweaty body, can make a big difference. Putting your locs in a ponytail can help. The only thing you’ll have to worry about next, is perspiration from your forehead, hairline, and scalp, but this can be dealt with afterwards.

  • Less Washing to Prevent Mold in Dreads

Washing too often to get rid of the sweat from your locs might not be such a good idea, because then you have to deal with other issues such as mold and mildew. There is another quicker, move convenient solution that you can use. Try using a natural locs deodorizer to refresh your hair in-between washes.

If you do feel like washing your dreadlocks often to get rid of the sweaty smell, you have to make sure that you use a residue-free dreadlocks soap or shampoo to prevent buildup.

Also, drying your locs thoroughly will not only get rid of the bad smell, but will prevent mold, which can occur if there is constant dampness inside the strands of the locs. Invest in a handheld hair dryer and use it after each wash. I would recommend that you use the low setting so that your dreads don’t get heat damage.

  • Moisture-wicking Headbands for Dreadlocks

While you do your workout guys, wear a wide headband that is specifically designed for pulling sweat away from your dreads. If you do a lot of workout activities or athletic sports, you should definitely have a few of these in your possession.

Wearing a moisture-wicking wide headband will divert the sweat from your locs, while keeping them out of your face. If your dreads are long, you will need more than just the headband to keep them from soaking up sweat from off your shoulders and back. Just use a few strands of your locs to hold them in place up in a bun.

 

Oily Locs: How to Get Rid of Excess Oil on the Scalp

Oils are good for your dreads, but when excess oils starts to build up, it can cause issues. It’s normal for our scalp to produce its own oils, otherwise called sebum, in order to keep our scalp moisturized and healthy. In some cases, you may find that your dreads are becoming greasy and your scalp may start to itch. This is caused by the gradual buildup of excessive oils on your scalp.

The Effects of Oily Dreadlocks

At first you may notice that your dreads are becoming greasier than normal. You most naturally will think that it’s the products that you are using in it, but then you realize that even after you stopped using those products, the problem still persists.

If oily scalp is not treated, it can lead to more conditions of the scalp such as dandruff or other scalp fungus, one of which is called malassezia.

What You can Do to Treat Oily Dreads

Dealing with oily dreads is frustrating  because as soon as you wash them, excess oils build up, which may cause bad hair odor. The only way to solve this issue is to get to the root of the problem. Try using natural oily scalp treatment to balance the amount of sebum that is secreted from the pores of your scalp.

Washing Less Helps Oily Dreadlocks

The first thought that most people would naturally have when thinking how to get rid of oily dreads, is to wash them more often than they would normally do. This although may sound logical, can worsen the problem. If you start washing your locs too often, depending on the type of shampoo, your scalp will get extra dry, which triggers the production of excess oils (sebum).

Deep Condition Your Locs to Get Rid of Oily Scalp

Choose a natural organic hair conditioner for your locs. Look for one with natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, which helps to soothe and restore the scalp, to get rid of excess oils. Use it to deep condition your locs only after your locs are mature. If you have starter locs, you may want to skip this, since it can slow down the loc process.