It is not for the faint of heart to tangle dreadlocks.It requires a lot of time and patience.You can keep most of your length if you comb out your dreadlocks.Just work one dreadlock at a time, and be sure to be gentle with your hair during the process.You can always visit a salon that removes dreadlocks without shaving them off.
Step 1: Cut your dreadlocks in half.
The older part of your dreadlock is more difficult to untangle.Cut off old dreadlocks.It will be easier to untangle the newer lengths.It is more difficult to remove dreadlocks that are more than four years old.Up to half the length of the lock may be required for old dreadlocks to be removed.
Step 2: Grease and wax can be washed away.
Remove any wax, grease, or other product you use to maintain your dreadlocks.Take care of your hair with a commercial conditioner or a hydrating oil.Coconut oil and Jojoba oil are good for conditioning hair.
Step 3: It's a good idea to soak your hair in hot water.
You want to get your deadlocks wet so you can untangle them.The hottest water you can stand is in the bathtub.Allow your dreadlocks to soak for up to thirty minutes.
Step 4: You can mix a bottle of water and conditioner.
A spray bottle should be filled with a very slippery conditioner and the rest of the way with hot water.Shake the bottle to mix it and screw on the spray head.During the untangling process, re-wet your dreadlocks with the bottle.
Step 5: Work one dreadlock at a time.
It takes a lot of time and patience to remove a dreadlock.You will need to work one dreadlock at a time and re-soak it as needed.Don't try to work more than one dreadlock at a time.You should clip back any dreadlocks that are not being worked on.If you want to keep your unlocked hair separate from the area you are working on, use a separate clip to pull it back.
Step 6: Take care of your dreadlock.
Leave a liberal amount of conditioner or conditioning oil on your hair.It's important that your hair is slick to the touch.You don't need to use a specialty conditioner in this case.The cheapest option is a drugstore conditioner.You will need several bottles of conditioner to complete this process.Alternatively, some salon stores sell a dreadlock removal cream that can replace conditioner and make it easier to comb out your hair.
Step 7: Pick out the end of the dreadlock with a rat-tail comb.
Pick out the end of your dreadlock using the tail side of a rat tail comb.The conditioner should be applied along with the conditioning water spray.Continue up the dreadlock until you reach your roots.You can use a crochet hook to work out your dreadlocks.The process is the same as using a comb, but the hook may offer you more control.
Step 8: You can remove your dreadlock with a comb.
Use a normal or wide-toothed comb to brush out your hair.When you can run your comb through your hair without resistance, work through smaller tangles.While combing out your hair, use your water and conditioner mix to keep it wet.
Step 9: You should wash your hair.
You will need to wash your hair again after you unlocked each dreadlock.If you want to condition it, wash it and use your preferred products.If you use alternative products, use them for this wash.
Step 10: You need to brush your hair.
While it is still wet, use a brush or a wide-toothed comb to brush out your hair.If there are any remaining problem spots, gently work on them.This will help you get your pre-dreadlock texture back.
Step 11: It's a good idea to remove any spilt ends.
Detangling dreadlocks can cause your hair to be damaged.If you have the money, go to the salon and have your hair cut.You can trim your ends at home.