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Dreadlock maintenance and care is an art, and lint buildup is one of the problems people with this distinctive hairdo deal with. This annoying issue undermines your dreads’ cleanliness in addition to their beauty.
But don’t worry; we’ll show you how to remove lint from dreads and restore their beautiful natural appearance. In this blog article, we’ll look at practical strategies, advice, and resources you’ll need to tackle this problem head-on.
Give unwanted lint the boot and welcome a cleaner, more colourful dreadlock voyage. Let’s dig in and take back your dreads’ lustrous allure.
Difference Between Lint And Build Up
Identifying the difference between product buildup and lint is a critical challenge. You must know which one you are working with to eliminate it.
- Similar: In your locs, product buildup and lint show as whitish or grey spots.
- Differences: Product build-up will likely feel greasy or waxy when you squeeze such parts of your damp locs. Lint will still be noticeable when your locs are wet, but product buildup will disappear. Sniff your locs; lint is most likely the cause if they smell fresh. You have a product build-up issue if your locs have a musty or unpleasant smell. It is possible to experience problems with both.
- Prevention: Your locs can quickly accumulate lint, but there are steps you can take to avoid this. Because so much of the lint that ends up in your locs originates from routine activities, take into account the following:
- When you dust and perform other household tasks, cover your locs.
- Sleep in a satin hat to keep your locs free of lint from your bedding.
- When wearing loose-fibered clothing, such as scarves or coats, keep your locs tied back and out of the way.
- Dry your locs with an oversized t-shirt or a fibre-free towel after shampooing.
Causes Of Lint In Dreads
Lint buildup is entirely unrelated to how well locs are cared for, unlike what some men and women may believe. Dreads naturally attract lint due to their texture and the cosmetics that are frequently applied to them. When combined with these other factors, static electricity creates a magnet for tiny particles and lint accumulation.
We switch our lightweight, breathable materials for thick, fluffy ones in the winter to stay warm. Most sweaters, blankets, towels, and winter pyjamas are lint-filled, even though everyone enjoys a good fleece. Lint ultimately accumulates on the exterior of your locs or, if overlooked when retwisting new growth, becomes caught inside the locs.
There are numerous causes of lint. Consider your dreads to be a few little Velcro strips. Your hair is a popular place for lint and other debris to stick.
The three most frequent offenders are:
Your Linens: Lots of lint is shed by traditional towels. Your locs will quickly become lint-covered if you use one of them to dry them.
Your Bedding: There is a lot of lint in your bedding! It is highly inadvisable to sleep without a silk or satin cap or pillowcase since your locs will scrape against your sheets all night long.
Your Attire: Most lint is produced by wool and cotton clothing. When your locs are out in the open, especially in the winter, be careful what you wear. My locs suffer later if I don’t put them in a bun because I have many scarves that lose fibres.
How Do You Clean Lint Out Of Locs?
Consider using ACV to cleanse your dreads. But lint cannot be removed with ACV because the PH of apple cider vinegar is somewhat lower than that of your hair. Apple cider may worsen your lint problem because it coats the hair and shuts the cuticle.
Here are several methods for removing lint from your locs. As follows:
Using Dying Locs To Hide Lint
You should think about colouring your hair. To hide the lint, all that matters is the colour of your hair. This method is the quickest and most straightforward way to clean lint out of locs. However, if you’re not interested, only the individual locs can be dyed, not the entire head. Loc brushing is the second recommendation.
To Clean Lint Out Of Locs With A Loc Brush And Tweezer
If your locs are developed, they have passed the adolescent stage. Generally speaking, if you had them for at least nine months to a year. You ought to give loc brushing a shot. That significantly aids in removing the lint before it becomes embedded in your look.
You’ll need a set of tweezers first. A tail comb, regular and pointy. You’ll also require a toothbrush and a lint brush with firm bristles. To wet your hair, add some water. Brush each lock with a toothbrush after removing it one at a time.
The second step is to brush them afterward with a stiff bristles brush. Just give them chunks of brushing. You can see that a lot of lint escapes from them. Therefore, you will use a tweezer to either drag the lint out or pull it out. It will therefore be simpler to ignore.
Trim Them To Remove Lint
People typically dislike hearing that the following great answer is to cut or trim their hair. Lint accumulates, especially when there is little buildup. I suggest cutting them because they look awkward, especially in that back row.
Everything on you gets lint on it. Hats, blankets, and coats. Everything. In that case, if you need to be more careful, on that rear row. They offer built-up level lint. The secret is to do the undercut. Simply cut away the area that has an excessive amount of accumulation. Ensure it doesn’t continue to gather lint by being more vigilant and diligent.
To Use Velcro To Remove Lint From Locs
We had been discussing how to use Velcro to prevent lint. Velcro is drawn to fabrics made of cotton and other fibres. This explains why all of the Velcro has lint embedded in it. You may also secure your locs using Velcro. You risk damaging your lock when you try to take the lint out this way.
The four techniques to handle lint are as follows:
- You can tint her hair; all you need to do is colour your hair with a semi-permanent dye.
- If your locs are fully developed, you can brush them with tweezers, but you want to keep them intact.
- You should mainly cut your locs in the back row.
- The simplest method to remove it is to use Velcro and tweezers if it is on the surface of the loc.
These suggestions may be easier said than done. But if you want to keep things from building up, please always take the initiative. I hope you found this helpful.
FAQ
Why Are My Dreads Filled With So Much Lint?
You risk lint buildup when you expose your locs to materials like wool, cotton, scarves, pillows, and hoodies. Lint is drawn to the oil in your locs, which makes it so easy to get caught in them. If you don’t take care to remove it, it will entangle itself inside the locs.
Does Lint Might Harm Locs?
Tiny, short strands from textiles, such as clothing, towels, and bedding, are called lint. They appear to get caught by your locs, and they swiftly tangle. Your locs won’t get dirty or harmed by lint, but it will cause whitish patches to appear.
Do Locs Require Brushing To Get The Lint Out?
Lint and buildup will be lessened by brushing your locs. The brush’s bristles will gently remove any buildup attempting to accumulate in your locs. The movements will clear your scalp and loc of dust, fabric, lint, or dandruff and stop them from deep inside the hair shafts.
How Is Lint Killed?
It turns out that distilled white vinegar is excellent at removing lint, giving us yet another incentive to keep some on hand at all times. Say “vamoose” to bothersome fuzz from sweaters and bath towels by adding a cup to your laundry during the final rinse cycle.
Can Lint Be Hidden By Dying Locs?
DISTINCT, YOU LOCS. Last but not least, colouring your locs has been advised. Get your hair coloured to conceal the embedded lint that is now impossible to remove and to guarantee that the colour is consistent throughout your locs.
Conclusion
Fighting lint buildup is a vital part of dreadlock maintenance for maintaining the health and vitality of your locks. You can successfully eliminate lint and restore the flawless beauty of your dreads by using the methods and advice we’ve discussed.
Recall that persistence and patience are essential. Your dreads will travel lint-free with regular upkeep, gentle cleaning, and the use of the proper equipment. Accept the process and savour the reborn assurance that comes with well-maintained locks. With these tips, you can say goodbye to lint-related concerns and fully enjoy your dreadlocks.