How to Undread Hair

Last Updated: October 16, 2018

When one has dreads, it takes a lot of commitment to keep them long enough to lock. However, some people find out the hairstyle just isn't for them. While cutting one's hair would be a faster alternative, it is possible to undo one's dreadlocks. Be completely sure this is the decision you want to make, as a lot of hard work and time will be spent undoing your dreads, and if you want them back it'll take even more. With a bit of persistence and expected hair loss, one CAN have normal hair again.

Steps

1
Condition your dreads very thoroughly when washing your hair, leaving no dread unconditioned.
2
Use a strong comb to start combing from the tip of the dread away from your hair. Just try to stick it into the dread itself, as close to the end as possible, while being sure you'll be able to pull it through. This will be the beginning of a long process, it may take a good deal of strength to get the hair to undread, as well. You will likely have many loose hairs fall out, and some get pulled out, so don't be alarmed.

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3
Continue this process as you go up the dread. Just move the comb higher and higher each time you comb some loose. It helps to brush your hair as it comes undreaded, as well. Be prepared for tired arms and broken comb teeth, as these things will happen.
4
Continue this process around your head, for each dread. Working your way through it, and combing after to get all the knots undone.
5
Once you get your hair as well as you can, you'll likely want a wash. So go take a shower or clean your hair, continuing to condition. Then you're done, and you can go forward with undreaded hair!

Community Q&A

Question

I have dreads because I had box braids, how do I get them out?

Community Answer

Get a thin comb (not plastic) and start combing from the end of your hair and work your way up to the roots. Don't be scared if you loose a lot of hair because the hair hasn't been able to fall out while in dreads. If the dreads won't come out by combing, add conditioner and try again.
Question

I’ve had dreadlocks for 15 years. Can they be combed out, or do I have to cut them off?

Community Answer

Wash your dreads, then cut the bottom of the hair about an inch and begin brushing with a fine comb from bottom to top. (It's easier to detangle them when wet.) This will take a long time, though, so probably best to ask for help!
Question

I want to undread my locked hair, then redread it. The dreads are too big, and I want to take them down and make smaller ones. Do I have to go back through the shrinking process if I do?

Community Answer

Not really. Go with your first plan, but then wait a full hour and then redread it.

Warnings

Expect pain, frustration, and possible remorse. Your arms will get tired, your scalp will be sore from added tension. You may wish you still had dreads again. This will be normal.

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Helpful 20 Not Helpful 3
Expect your hair to be somewhat thin. There will be sections that just won't come undreaded, so you may need to cut it or recondition multiple times before trying again.

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Helpful 15 Not Helpful 2
You may break your comb's teeth, or multiple combs, If you want to do it all in one day stock up on heavy duty combs.

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