The Dry Three Weeks

Why You Should Keep Your New Dreadlocks Dry for the First Three Weeks

Starting your dreadlock journey is an exciting time, but one of the most important things you can do to ensure they lock in properly is to keep them dry for the first three weeks. It might be tempting to wash them or jump in the shower without protection, but moisture can cause a lot of frizz and slow down the locking process.

What Happens When New Dreadlocks Get Wet?

Hair naturally expands when wet and shrinks when it dries. For loose hair, this isn’t a problem, but for new dreadlocks, it can cause frizz, lumps, and shrinkage in all the wrong places.

• Expansion: When your dreads get wet, the hairs inside loosen up and try to separate. Since they haven’t had time to fully knot and mature, this can cause a lot of loose hairs to pop out of the dread.

• Shrinkage: As your hair dries, it tightens again—but those loose hairs don’t magically go back into place. Instead, they dry outside the dread, creating a messy, frizzy look and sometimes even warping the shape of the dreadlock.

The First Three Weeks Set the Foundation

The first few weeks of having dreads are crucial because this is when your hair is beginning to take shape and set in place. If you let them get wet too soon, you risk:✔️ Frizz – Loose hairs everywhere✔️ Lumps & kinks – Uneven shrinkage can lead to dreadlocks drying in a weird shape✔️ Weakened sections – Dreads may not form as tightly as they should

By keeping them dry, you’re allowing them to hold their shape and start locking properly without interference.

What If They Get Wet?

Sometimes, it happens—you might get caught in the rain or forget to wear a shower cap. If your dreads do get wet in the first few weeks, don’t panic! Palm rolling can help minimize the damage:

1️⃣ Gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel. Avoid rough rubbing, as that will make frizz worse.2️⃣ Palm roll each dreadlock while damp. This will help keep them smooth, cylindrical, and compact.3️⃣ Let them dry fully before tying them up or sleeping on them. Wet dreads that stay damp for too long can develop mildew.

How to Protect Your Dreads from Water

• Use a shower cap every time you shower to prevent accidental moisture exposure.

• Avoid sweating too much during workouts in the first few weeks, or tie your dreads up loosely to minimize sweat absorption.

• If you must wash your scalp, use a damp cloth to gently clean around your roots without soaking your dreads.

Once your dreads start to mature (after a few months), they’ll be able to handle water much better. But for now, keeping them dry for the first three weeks is one of the best things you can do for their long-term health and appearance!

Have you managed to keep your dreads dry in the first few weeks? Let me know how your dreadlock journey is going!