What makes dreads stop growing

From newly locd to mature locs, it can be frustrating to not see your locs developing as you expected. However, before reaching for expensive hair growth serums and pills, read this article for some free explanations and tips.

The average emphasis on average length of growth per person is about inches per year. Some people have hair that grows faster and some slower. The rate of your hair growth can also depend on your race. One study , referenced in this article , found a 4 inch yearly rate for Africans, 5 inch for Caucasians, and 6 inch for Asians.

Moreover, locs are naturally twisted on themselves, so even if your hair grows 6 inches in a year, you may only notice 3 or 4 inches. This is more prevalent within the first two years of locing your hair. Just as many naturals experience shrinkage when they have their hair in two stand twists or leave it out in a fro, locd hair is prone to shrinkage itself. In fact, the shrinkage is part of the locing process. The strands of your hair close in together and form a more solid unit.

This brings me to my next point. Or how about getting an aromatherapy diffuser and relaxing with it on as you fall off to sleep. Rosemary Oil : Is a very good natural hair enhancer. It stimulates circulation, and is an effective anit-inflammatory which helps soothe and calm an irritated scalp. Jojoba oil keeps your scalp healthy and free from skin diseases. It controls dandruff and is also a great moisturizer for your hair.

It balances the pH level of the scalp and heals by cleaning the pores. It also heals scalp infections and soothes irritations. Shampoo consisting of aloe vera gel with a small amount of wheat germ oil and coconut milk makes for a great hair enhancer. Visit your doctor first to have blood work done and determine if you have any nutritional deficiencies. Knowing the cause is a powerful first step in fixing the problem and halting it in its tracks.

Beautiful sight and essential for those not learned in the art of dread maintenance! Thank you for this wealth of wisdom!

My locs are thinning and snapping. How can I get them healthy again and Stop snapping and thinning? The first step I would recommend is to seek out a dermatologist. You want to identify if there are any internal issues causing your hair breakage. Is it stressing out your locs?

Locs too heavy for the thickness of the section? Things like that…. My dreads keep thinning out at the crown near the roots but the hair still grows why is breaking?? Eating better. These hormones are great for helping you to escape or resolve a stressful situation. But if you keep getting stressed over a longer period of time, your body can struggle to regulate these hormones, leading to higher levels of another hormone, DHT.

DHT causes your hair follicles to shrink and enter a resting phase, where hair production slows down. So if you want the best possible hair growth, do everything you can to reduce or eliminate stress from your life:. Get plenty of exercise and sleep, avoid difficult people and situations, and find some time in your daily routine to relax and unwind.

There are loads of drugs and chemicals available that claim to help your hair grow faster. But there are also plenty of natural alternatives that have been used for hundreds of years. Castor oil made from pressed castor seeds is packed with proteins and beneficial fatty acids. But take care: some people can be allergic to some of the ingredients. So always do a quick test on a small area of skin first — and wait a day or two to see if you have any problems.

You can help to protect them from damage and breakage by:. This helps to reduce friction and prevent them from drying out. And getting yourself a swimming cap with plenty of space to keep your locks dry and safe in the shower or the swimming pool. Growing any type of hair takes time and careful maintenance. But with dreadlocks, it takes even longer — so you need to be patient and fight the temptation to take risks that could damage your dreads.

Getting too many re-twists too often. Excessive twisting can thin the hair and cause damage — so most people recommend waiting at least 4 weeks before each session.