Knot Issues

Hey, I'm starting dreads again. I like using rubber bands, at least in the beginning. After a few weeks, I felt around to see how they were doing, and noticed some didn't feel very knotted. For those ones, I undid them, backcombed them, and tied them up again.

But what concerned me was what I found in some knots. A couple had a white residue on them, and I don't know what it was. I saw it last time I had dreads on ones I had over-maitenenced.

Is there any advice on what it is or how to prevent it? I'm guessing I should just stop messing with my hair right?

updated by @brennen-dooley: 01/13/15 09:30:42PM

Stop messing with them. The white stuff could be hair follicles from be pulled by the bands. Don't backcomb them or anything just wash (non residue wash or bs & avc) separate and let them be they'll lock up in time when theyre ready. Just enjoy the journey. Blessings

No, I've seen pulled hair follicles, and it's not that; it was in a knot towards the tip, not the root. It's white stuff that covered the whole knot, but not lint. Thank you for the advice though!

Danika Skalet said:

Stop messing with them. The white stuff could be hair follicles from be pulled by the bands. Don't backcomb them or anything just wash (non residue wash or bs & avc) separate and let them be they'll lock up in time when theyre ready. Just enjoy the journey. Blessings

yes u should not use rubber bands period take them out right away then stop rebackcombing stop messing with them

just keep em clean but absolutely get the rubber bands out

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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

itcould be melting rubber bands could be dr bronners too

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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

That makes sense. I thought dr bronners soap would be fine, i diluted it in its own little container, about 1/8 soap, 7/8 water.

I guess I should take out the rubber bands-which i just checked and they are actually silicon, im not sure if it makes a difference. I just feel more secure with the bands, like at least it's all divided. but it is probably damaging the dreads.

yea bands are bad bad bad

bronners should be diluted 12 times more water then soap

and it wont work in hard water at all in hard water even diluting 40-1 will leave residue

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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

ohhh. i used tap water to mix, should i use distilled or rainwater instead?

well, my rubber bands are all out, and my hair feels better already. i noticed some residue collected where the rubber bands were at the base, so i know never again!!!. i'll try to wash it out, but im worried about completely unraveling the dreads. i know loosening and tightening are a part of the process, and my hair is pretty short to dread.