Preparing for Your Dreadlock Appointment
A little preparation before your appointment makes a real difference to how smoothly the session goes - and in the case of installations, to how well your dreads form and lock over time.
For Installation Appointments
In the weeks before:
Stop using conditioner and switch to a residue-free shampoo as early as possible before your appointment. Conditioner coats the hair shaft and actively prevents locking - the cleaner your hair is from product build-up, the better your dreads will form.
Start spacing your washes out gradually. Hair that isn’t washed every day has more natural texture and grip, which gives the locking process a head start.
On the day:
Come with your hair clean, completely dry, and detangled. Wet or damp hair cannot be worked with properly, and tangles and knots that aren’t part of the locking process will complicate the sectioning stage.
If your hair is particularly fine, smooth or straight, applying a small amount of salt spray the night before and allowing it to dry overnight adds texture and grip that makes the locking process easier. A light application is enough - you’re not trying to stiffen the hair, just give it a little more to work with.
No products on the day - arrive with clean, dry, product-free hair.
For Maintenance Appointments
Before you come:
Have a look through your dreads and note any areas of concern - dreads that are joining together at the roots, sections that feel particularly loose, tips that need attention, or anywhere you’ve noticed something different since your last maintenance. Letting me know about these in advance means I can plan the session time accordingly.
On the day:
Come with clean, completely dry hair. This is non-negotiable for maintenance as much as for installation - working on wet or damp dreads is not possible and the session will need to be rescheduled.
No heavy products or oils on the dreads before your appointment. A light spray of water is fine if your scalp feels dry, but leave everything else until after.
A Note on Timing
Try not to book your appointment immediately after a workout, a swim, or anything that leaves your hair damp or sweaty. If something unexpected comes up and your hair is wet on the day, please get in touch before coming - arriving with wet dreads means the session cannot go ahead.
If you have questions about preparing for your specific hair type or situation, feel free to reach out before your appointment.
If you’re considering organic dreadlocks - whether a full head, a partial installation, or maintenance on existing dreads - I offer dreadlock services from my garden studio in Coomba Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.
