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Dreadlocks, known for their unique and mesmerizing hairstyle, have been cherished by cultures around the world for centuries. While lightening is a process of minimizing the pigments in the hair artificially. It is generally done by bleaching which lightens the already-colored hair. It is possible to maintain beautiful dreadlocks without bleaching or other treatments which involve the use of harsh chemicals. The wide range of natural ingredients plays a vital role in lightening dreads. Beautiful dreads go hand in hand with healthy dreads. Maintaining the health of dreadlocks is necessary during the lightening journey. Only natural methods will ensure your hair stays strong and lively throughout this transformative process.
How To Lighten Dreads Naturally? I will help you to become familiar with the gentle and sustainable natural methods of lightening dreads to enhance your hair. If you are looking to brighten your dreads, these techniques will help you achieve your desired look while keeping your hair healthy. The 8 amazing ways ensure to brighten your dreads at home without compromising on quality!
What are Dreadlocks?
Dreadlocks are a popular hairstyle that includes rope-like strands resulting from braiding or interlocking the hair. There are various styles of dreadlocks. Some dreadlocks styles are produced by simply letting uncombed, textured hair bunch up and naturally form locked shapes over time, while others are produced by braiding and twisting hair. It is also called locs. Whether worn due to religious, cultural, or spiritual reasons, the hairstyle has taken a place in modern fashion, music, and beauty.
Can You Lighten Dreads Naturally?
Yes. You can lighten dreads naturally. It will help to transform the hair into a few shades lighter than the initial shade. The only drawback of lightening dreads naturally is that it can neither transform brunette hair into blonde or blonde hair into platinum blonde. So, you can lighten your dreads in several ways that are all-natural and cheap as well. The methods take patience and consistency to continue but give very effective results.
8 Amazing Ways to Lighten Dreads Naturally
Spending time in the sun can naturally lighten dreadlocks. The UV rays from the sun can help lighten hair over time. You must protect your hair from excessive sun exposure, as it can lead to dryness and damage. Wear a hat or scarf when in direct sunlight for extended periods. Again, there are many natural ways of lightening dreads that will help to prevent damage too. If you want to make the ingredients work more quickly, you can dry those in the sun. This approach of lightening is definitely better than bleaching or any other harmful treatments. Let’s learn in detail about the 8 different ways to lighten dreads naturally.
1. Chamomile Tea
A warm cup of chamomile tea can act as a natural hair lightener. The delightful flower has apigenin pigments in its flower petals. Apigenin works well on gold tint which provides a long-lasting shine throughout the summer.
The application procedure is explained.
- Mix 2 cups of chamomile tea with 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- Take the solution in a spray bottle.
- Apply evenly on your hair strands.
- Sit out in the sun or use a hair dryer to make the lightening agents effective.
Precaution: The ingredients can cause extreme dryness of hair. So, you may continue it with a deep conditioning treatment.
2. Raw Honey
Honey has natural bleaching properties and can be used to lighten dreads gently. The natural enzyme glucose oxidase, present in honey acts as its lightener since it produces peroxide. If you mix honey with cinnamon, a flavorful spice it will result in a double boost of peroxide which will help to the lightening. You can lighten your hair in just 10 minutes with this method.
The application procedure is explained.
- Take 1 cup of raw honey, 2 cups of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of ground cardamom or cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Mix these ingredients and apply those to your dreads.
- Comb your hair to ensure an even application.
- Wrap your hair using a shower cap or plastic wrap.
- Let it stay on the hair for 10 minutes or the whole night.
- Rinse your hair.
There is another method of using honey. Let’s explain the application procedure for that one too.
- Mix two tablespoons of honey with about a cup of warm water.
- Apply the mixture evenly to your dreadlocks, making sure each strand is coated.
- Let it sit for 1 or 2 hours, either in the sun or by using a hairdryer on low heat to add some warmth.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly afterward.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can also be used to lighten dreads. It helps to maintain the pH of hair of all hair textures. White vinegar will be good for cooler tones if you’re a brunette who wants to stay away from the natural orange and red overtones that can show up with lightening hair. You can simply mix apple cider vinegar with water and spray it on your hair. While mixing apple cider vinegar with other ingredients helps to get better results.
The application procedure is explained.
- Take 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup of chamomile tea, 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Mix these ingredients in a spray bottle or bowl.
- Make your hair wet and apply.
- Leave on hair for the whole day.
- Sit out in the sun to speed up the lightening process.
- Rinse hair thoroughly.
Precaution: Applying in large amounts can be harmful to hair. So, use the right amount.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an ingredient that alone can safely lighten the dreads. It doesn’t damage the hair fibers. While the lightening will take place gradually with a few applications. You may also decide how light you want your hair to be when you apply cinnamon to it because the procedure is gradual.
The application procedure is explained.
- Take 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon with 1/2 cup hair conditioner.
- Mix the ingredients to make a paste.
- Let it stay on the hair for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Wrap your hair with a shower cap.
- Wash your hair in the usual process.
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5. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains vitamin C which helps to bleach hair naturally. Lemon juice keeps the pH of the scalp of the hair stable. It serves as a natural pH balancer for the dreads and absorbs excess sebum and oils from the hair. The hair will turn into a lighter shade when exposed to the sun. As a result, your hair will lose its original color as a result of using it.
The application procedure is explained.
- Combine 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with 1 cup water.
- Mix the two ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Apply on the hair, particularly on the root areas.
- Let it dry for a few hours in the sun.
- Rinse off and then do conditioning on your hair.
There is another method of using lemon juice. Let’s explain the application procedure for that one too.
- Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 5 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- Put the ingredients in an applicator bottle.
- Apply on your dreadlocks.
Precaution: You can use lemon juice but this process can be damaging to your hair and may cause dryness, breakage, and even hair loss. Due to acidity, lemon may also cause burning of your hair. So, you can mix it with a conditioner.
6. Saltwater
Salt water can help to lighten up dreads naturally. Saltwater when gets combined with the sun becomes the reason for dry scalp.
The application procedure is explained.
- Add sea salt and warm water.
- Take 1 tsp to 8 oz of saltwater into a spray bottle.
- Apply a liberal amount on your hair.
- Do not spray saltwater on the hair scalp.
Precaution: The effectiveness of saltwater is still questionable. So, do not go through this method more than 2 times.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda can help strip away some of the colors from your hair, though it might be more effective on non-dreaded hair. Still, it is mixed with hydrogen peroxide to lighten dreads naturally. The method goes well on brown hair making it appear more vibrant.
The application procedure is explained.
- Take 2 teaspoons of aluminum-free baking soda with 1.5 teaspoons of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.
- Continue to stir until you make these into a paste.
- Apply the paste to your dreadlocks, making sure to cover each strand.
- Allow it to sit for about 60 minutes.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly, making sure to remove all the baking soda residue.
- Finally go for deep conditioning or moisture treatment.
- Air dry the hair.
Precaution: If you decide to use the mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide on black hair, the color will be most noticeable in the sun. Otherwise, it will have a very slight impact.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can lighten hair and also add moisture and shine. Due to its moisturizing qualities and anti-inflammatory effects, it is an excellent ingredient to include in your loc routine and is ideal for people with dry dreadlocks. Aloe vera juice helps to create a healthy scalp for healthier new growth by preventing dandruff and reducing dryness.
The application procedure is explained.
- Mix fresh aloe vera gel with water.
- You can add essential oils to the mixture if you want.
- Apply it to your dreads and well massage.
- Leave it on for a while and rinse thoroughly.
FAQs
1. Can you undo dreads black hair?
Yes. Dreadlocks that have received appropriate maintenance throughout their life, such as regular shampooing and conditioning, can be combed out and this is very crucial. You have to approach the process with a lot of patience if you choose to comb out your locks.
2. Is hot water bad for dreads?
Yes, it is bad. Hot water causes frizz, weaker hair, and a dry scalp. Following cuticle sealing, cold water can store moisture. For people who are prone to breakage and frizz, using cold water will retain the natural oils in both their scalp and hair.
3. What does rosewater do for dreads?
Apart from nourishing your locs, rose water’s lovely aroma and antioxidant features can help your hair recover from damage and reach its full potential. There are numerous advantages of rose water on your locs starting from hydrating dry dreads to calming an irritable scalp.
4. Is Vaseline good for dreadlocks?
No. Avoid waxes out of your hair care routine. Beeswax, paraffin wax, and wax containing petrolatum, as in petroleum jelly or Vaseline, is bad for locs. Paraffin wax and beeswax are quite thick, whereas wax that has been heavily infused with petrolatum has a thick and sticky consistency.
5. Is rice water good for dreadlocks?
Rice water has inositol in it. Although it is frequently referred to as vitamin B8, it is a chemical that is found naturally in the human body. Damaged hair can be penetrated and repaired from the inside out. It might also ensure to protect the locks from any further harm.
Final Thoughts
You need to consider your hair’s health and safety when deciding to lighten it. Without going through harmful bleach or damaging treatments, you can lighten dreads with natural remedies. Exposure to the sun can naturally lighten dreads. While the application of some natural ingredients to lighten the dreads will bring a noticeable change in your hair color safely, that is make it lighter than the initial shade.
Following the proper application procedure, use chamomile tea, raw honey, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, lemon juice, salt water, baking soda, aloe vera, etc. These 8 natural ingredients will preserve the essence of your dreads, allowing those to remain healthy and beautiful. So, you will be able to embrace radiant and naturally lightened dreads that will turn heads wherever you go!
Key Points
- Dreadlocks are a popular hairstyle that includes rope-like strands resulting from braiding or interlocking the hair.
- Lightening dreads naturally transform the hair into a few shades lighter than the initial shade. Its only drawback is that it can neither transform brunette hair into blonde or blonde hair into platinum blonde.
- Spending time in the sun can naturally lighten dreadlocks. The UV rays from the sun help to lighten hair gradually.
- The 8 amazing ways to lighten dreads naturally include the use of ingredients like chamomile tea, raw honey, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, lemon juice, salt water, baking soda, and aloe vera.
- Due to the natural bleaching properties of honey, it can be used to lighten dreads gently. Its natural enzyme glucose oxidase acts as its lightener since it produces peroxide.
- Lemon juice contains vitamin C which helps to bleach hair naturally. It serves as a natural pH balancer for the dreads and absorbs excess sebum and oils from the hair.
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