As you all should know by now, I decided to comb out my 6-years-old dreads, which took quite some time, since they were really tightly locked. It literally took me weeks to get them all out. I pulled out a few locs per day. I didn’t cut them except for some of the ends.
I trimmed the ends of my dreadlocks a few month prior to me combing them out, so most of them didn’t need to be trimmed. The ends were getting really hard and I wanted them to look more softer.
Fast forward to today, I have a slightly different nighttime routine to help reduce shrinkage as well as retain moisture.
Before I go to bed at nights, I try to either plait my hair in big sections or twist them in two big strand twists, then cover them with a satin bonnet.
Twisting or plaiting your hair at nights helps to stretch your hair, preventing excess shrinkage.
I am a big fan of Aloe Vera to keep my natural hair soft and moisturized. I use Aloe for almost everything, whether it’s on my face, in my hair, or even occasionally as a tonic.
Most times I use the gel straight from the plant, but if you don’t have the plant you can buy bottled 100% Aloe Vera. I would recommend you adding this to your natural hair daily hair care regime.
You’ll notice a big difference in the texture of your hair. It should become more softer, silkier, and more manageable.
I put the Aloe Vera gel in some water, preferably distilled water (helps to soften texture) and use it as a daily moisturizer.
You can tip a few drops of essential oil in the Aloe Vera and water and use a spray bottle to mist your hair each day. Aloe Vera is packed with essential vitamins such as A, B, C, and B, all of which are vital for healthy, strong hair.
If you struggle with keeping your hair soft and manageable, and want to retain your length, especially if you have 4C texture, Aloe is something you should try for your natural hair.
Keeping your hair covered at nights and in a protective style, will not only promote healthy natural hair, but also preserve your hairstyle for a longer time.
I’ve had my dreadlocks now for six years, and lately I’ve been thinking about combing out my locs and wearing my natural hair. I think it’s time for a change, plus I’m longing to see my loose natural hair, which I haven’t really seen since before I started high school.