How to Comb out Locs without Cutting Your Hair: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're ready for a fresh start and bid your dreadlocks adieu or want to change up your hairstyle, here's how to comb out your locs and keep damage to a minimum.

Dreadlocks are a Rastafarian hairstyle involving hair being combed or twisted and locked into individual sections that range in size, shape, and hair length. The hairstyle is often thought to be permanent, with many opting to cut their locs when in search of trying something new.

While it is a lengthy process that, more often than not, does lead to hair shedding, dreadlocks can be safely removed without having to cut off all your hair. In this article, we break down the steps to combing out your locs while avoiding as much damage as possible.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

You will need the following supplies to comb out your dreads: conditioner, water, hair ties, a rat-tail comb, and an all-purpose styling comb.

Step 2: Section your hair

Part your hair into manageable sections, so it is easier to work your way through your hair. It is recommended to start with the locs closest to the nape of your neck and work your way upwards to the front of your head.

Once you've sectioned your hair, use as many hair ties as you need to secure the locs you are not working on, leaving the locs in the section you are starting with out of the hair tie (try and keep it to 3-5 locs).

A smiling woman with dreadlocks | Source: Getty Images

Step 3: Soften and moisturize the locs

After sectioning your hair, working with one loc at a time, you want to saturate the first locked hair strand with water. As dreadlocks are an entanglement of hairs that have not been combed, wetting the hair will soften the loc and make the combing process much more seamless.

After ensuring the loc is saturated, apply a generous amount of your conditioner of choice. The conditioner will help keep your hair moisturized, as attempting to comb out dry locs will not only be painful but will result in unnecessary hair loss.

A mother conditioning her son's hair as she prepares to comb out his dreadlocks | Source: YouTube/ Kiesha Arielle

Step 4: Comb out your locs

Now that your first loc is saturated with water and moisturized with conditioner, take the end of your rat-tail comb and gently begin to unravel the hair from the end, slowly and carefully working your way up the loc.

If you run into an area of the loc with a lot of build-up during this step, add more water or conditioner to keep the hair soft, and be extra gentle when unraveling the hair to avoid ripping and damaging your hair strands.

As you continue to safely and gently comb out your locs, remember that you probably will not retain the same length as you did when you had locs. Throughout the process, you will notice your hair shedding, and this is just the hair that has shed during the time you had your hair locked.

A woman combing out her locs | Source: YouTube/WestIndieRay

Step 5: Use an all-purpose comb

Once you've successfully worked your way up your first loc—which will require a lot of time and patience—and have reached your scalp, take your all-purpose comb to comb about any shed hair you missed, knots, or build-up.

After successfully combing out your dreads, post-dreadlock hair care is very important. You can use a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment of your choice to restore more moisture and give your damaged ends a good trim.

It's normal to want to switch up your look every once in a while, and even though having dreadlocks can be a little tedious, with these steps on how to comb out locs, you'll be able to change your look and still protect your hair.

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