Luckily I've never had any fall off, but yeah the no twisting issue is just as important as no wax.
Problem is it's ingrained in the salon teaching as has been mentioned; its even on the wiki for dreadlocks.
How long ago do you think it was that you first noticed the hair loss?
- About 8 months ago is when I noticed it becoming really apparent. For awhile I though it was just from the way they were separated.
How often are you wearing a tam?
- Just stared wearing one again.
Are your dreads heavy and do you notice them pulling at your scalp from the weight?
- I only notice the weight once they're wet; the heaviness is going down as more wax comes out.
Since you've stopped twisting completely, have you noticed the hair toward the base of your dreads get a little loser by your scalp?
- Yep the bases are much looser
Are you pulling them back tightly?
- The most I'll do is put them back loosely with a headband
Have you used any essential oils before?
- nope, but going to take a look at that book Valerie posted.
Don't think a scalp sucker is in the cards, but I do take cayenne as a supplement.
Glad I found this site for some quality info on how to hopefully reverse some of the damage done from twisting, wax, rubberbands etc. Been a dread for 12.5 years
I stopped twisting regularly a few years ago (it was at most twice a year for the last 5 or so) and haven't done so at all for the past six months. Going partial neglect a few years ago (now full) has helped some thickness to come back at the scalp, but I believe I've got some traction alopecia in a few spots; tough to figure out what is from having it parted so long and what is actual damage.
I've been using Dawn to strip the wax out (it's slowly working over time); glad I abandoned that junk.
DIdn't know baking soda could be used in lieu of Bronners; switching to that now.
Trying to figure out what the best combo of essential oils/vitamins etc. would be to aid in repair.
I've heard of:
Aloe
Biotin
Wheat Germ
Also the following oils (maybe take some as oral supplements?):
Burdock
Saw Palmetto
Stinging Nettle
Rosemary
Peppermint
Lavender
Coconut
Thanks all in advance for your help.
Shawn
