I recently encountered a client with freeform/organic dreadlocks. I point out the fact that this brotha freeforms because he likes for his hair to look unkempt. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that organic locks can look unkempt but simultaneously be clean. Over his 3 years of locking, he probably shampooed his locks only a few times a year. Yeah I know...gross!

I started by shampooing his hair but after the first rinse, I knew that shampoo alone wasn't going to cut it. To be honest with you, I've seen some dreadful cases of product build-up in locks and where problem locks are what I specialize in, this was by far the worst case scenario. Not only did this brotha mistakenly prescribe to the idea that dreadlocks should be shampooed infrequently, he also had a medical situation which caused him to refrain from shampooing his locks for about a year.

Needless to say this brotha's locks had issues. To protect his privacy and partly because I was too blown away by the level of build-up and forgot to get my camera, I didn't take pictures of his hair. Instead, I took pictures of one of the towels I used to remove the build-up. I ended up having to use 3 different towels.


The entire Gunk Be Gone procedure took approximately 2 hours (sans twisting) and I was only able to remove approximately 80% of the product build-up. A second and possibly third treatment should take care of the rest.

The thing that sickens me most about people who choose dreadlocks as a hair style is that far too many leave common sense at the door.  Why would you want any style that requires you to engage in a filth regimine?  Why would you ASSUME that everyone with dreadlocks refrains from washing their hair.  When someone tells you not to wash your hair, a red flag should go up.  I don't care how long they've had locks, they're nasty.  Why you wanna be like them?

The client in this story used Murray's Yellow Beeswax to twist his locks.  Where he didn't notice the smell and build-up when his hair was dry, during those rare occasions when he shampooed his hair, the build-up had to be undeniable...right?  WRONG!  Even though I thoroughly explained what I was doing and why, even though I showed him the black towels and dirty water left from the Gunk Be Gone, bruh kept saying "You don't have to do all that" or "That's Rasta" when referring to the filth and build-up.  Ain't nothin' bout Rasta is "nasty."

Ironically, it wasn't until his cousin (who also has locks) spontaneously made a comment that bruh realized the extent of his issues.  See, in some areas I actually had to force the gunk out.  His cousin was in full view and at some point began paying attention.  As the browinsh-black goo oozed out of his locks under pressure, his cousin spontaneously let out an "uuuuuuuuuuuuugh." 

My client quickly turned around and said, "Cuz...is it that bad?"

His cousin shook his head and said, "Man, I didn't know what she was talking about before but that shit is nasty...looks like Aliens."

You Need Gunk Be Gone If:

• You shampoo your locks once every 2-3 months
• You use dreadlocks products that contain mineral oil and petrolatum.
• You use/used raw shea butter on your locks over an extended period of time
• You use/used a dreadlocks product that contains beeswax as the first ingredient
• Your locks are gooey to the touch, especially when wet.
• Your locks are dull in appearance or have blotchy, discolored areas
• People don't like touching your hair

Listen folks, the facts are that no matter how much you want to convince yourself that your hair doesn't stink, it does if you infrequently wash it.  Hair gets dirty too.  Dreadlocks when they're mature need to undergo the same cleansing protocol that loose hair styles do.  You should be shampooing every 2-3 weeks.  Just because you can go longer doesn't mean you should.

Products are also key.  Where you may not see the build-up resulting from poor product choices today, they will eventually bite you in the ass.  There are tons of articles on this site.  There are tons of products on this site.  The next time you ask yourself what do I need to do to care for my locks or what products do I need to care for my locks, if the answer isn't naani, then I can't help you.

This isn't a product advertisement.  It's a reality check.  No matter how you choose to wear your locks (salon or organic), they deserve care.  Those who are close with you or happen to sleep with you deserve the reassurance of knowing that if they mistakenly touch your hair that they won't end up with a rash.

I have been using a technique to cleanse locks for years.  It's a time consuming, frustrating process.  What's sad is, this particular client had his hair done by a so-called loctician a week prior.  He didn't like what she'd done and used on his hair.  What's important to note is, HE HAD HIS HAIR WASHED A WEEK PRIOR!  She had to notice the build-up.  She had to realize that she didn't deserve to take this man's money.  But she did. 

Locticians can do you a disservice.  Far too many of them have no clue how to care for locks.  The other day a client came to me and said that her previous loctician refused to stop using Murray's beeswax despite her protestations.

I implore you to visit naani and to understand that where we want you to purchase our products, we've written all of these articles to demonstrate to you our faith in our product line.  If you choose to go with another provider, that's on you.  Strange to take free advice here and not support those who bring you the free advice but that's on you (that was sarcasm ).  Just know that the advice here is not about selling products.  It's about embracing the beauty of CLEAN, ethnic hair styles.