SE you have some pretty good points! I never even thought about pollution or the chemicals getting into my hair! I've never had a flakey scalp and it never itches.I live in a pretty 'green' city, but acity nonetheless.
Has anyone heard of Morgellons disease? (I think that's how it's spelled) It's been in the news a bit lately, and I've been wondering if that would affect someone with dreads different.
I think the reason my hair can go so long between washing is becauseI have always gone a long time between washing, before I stopped combing. My scalp just does not produce as much oil as everyone else I know. My hair even seems to get frizzier the longer I go. I know it sounds totally gross going more than two weeks without washing my hair! But it doesn't smell, is not greasy, and I don't sweat alot. I think everyone's routines will be different.
Here is how I have always handled washing my hair. When it feels like I need to wash my hair, I wait a day and wash it the next day. So that time between washing my hair varies anywhere from 5-15 days.
That might not be a bad idea but have you tried giong longer between washes to let the natural oils keep the hair soft? I mean this might not be feasable if you work out alot or work in certian conditions, etc. but you could also maybe try just rinseing the hair every other time. Good luck!
How often are you going between washes? I have very hard water where I live also and I use neutrogena anti residue shampoo once every week and a half or 2 weeks.
If you do decide to use conditioner use something natural and non-residue.
I think that it might seem like it sucks now but you really do only have a few more years until you can do as you please. The way I see it, her house-her rules..
I think it's all up do you. I am working on dread 'set' #3... first was wax and backcomb, yuck-cut hair off!. That was years ago. Recently I did do a few (like...5) tnr on my head but the hair was really starting to pull in some places where it didn't want to be in the sections I had made. So, I brushed that out and just went natural. I haven't experienced any pulling so far.
That's off topic now.
So, yeah, it's up to you really. If you really want skinny dreads then I would probably brush it out and re-do it with smaller sections. You will probably have to be more aware of congo-ing and seperate as needed when you do this though.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Maybe you can cut one of the tips off to see if there is actually mold in it? Not much advice but that's what I would do!
