Dreadlocks are a popular hairstyle, but they can also be incredibly painful. Dreadlocks form when hair is tightly coiled in small sections, and the scalp becomes inflamed and swollen.
This chronic pain can be difficult to deal with, especially if you’re not used to having to take care of your scalp.

This blog post will teach you how to relieve pain from stiff dreadlocks without taking medications or surgery. We will also provide tips on keeping your dreadlocks healthy and manageable.
By following our advice, you can reduce the pain you experience and keep your locks looking their best for years to come.

How To Relieve Pain From Stiff Dreadlocks
If you are new to dreadlocks, you might experience discomfort as your scalp adjusts to the new style. You may also feel soreness if you have been wearing the same style for a long time or if you have tight locs that are new and need to be loosened.
There are ways to relieve the pain associated with stiff dreadlocks.
Here are some suggestions:
- Give them time: If you have just started your dreadlocks or have been in the same style for a while and need to be loosened, it will take time for them to loosen up. The more time they spend, the better they will get at staying loose.
- Use natural ingredients: Some products contain chemicals that can dry out your hair and cause more stiffness than normal. Consider using products such as coconut oil or aloe vera gel on your locs during this phase of their growth cycle. These products will help soothe any irritation from tight locs and help them loosen up faster than usual.
- Use less wax: If you use wax on your dreadlocks too much, it can cause them to become stiffer than usual over time due to build-up within the hair shaft itself.
- Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner: If your hair is dry and brittle, it will help soften it up a bit before washing it. You should also use an anti-frizz shampoo or conditioner if your hair is frizzy and dry.
- Apply coconut oil before washing: Coconut oil is great for treating dry scalp and dandruff because it contains natural antibacterial properties that kill off germs in the scalp that cause dandruff. Applying coconut oil to your scalp before washing will give it time to penetrate deep into the roots of your dreadlocks, helping them feel softer after shampooing.
What Causes Stiff Dreadlocks
Stiff dreadlocks can be a pain to deal with because they are often tight and hard to move. Dreadlocks can cause discomfort in the back of the head, neck, and scalp. Some of the causes of stiff dreadlocks include:
- Not washing your dreadlocks regularly enough: If you’re not washing your dreadlocks every time you wash your hair, this can cause them to become stiff and hard.
- Not rinsing out conditioner properly: If you use a lot of conditioner after shampooing, it can build up in your hair, causing stiff locks. The best way to avoid this is to rinse the conditioner out after applying it.
- Using products that contain alcohol: Alcohol-containing products will dry out the hair and scalp, making dreads feel stiff and brittle. If you want to use alcohol-based products on your dreads, follow up with a deep moisturizing conditioner.
- Using too much product at once: It’s tempting to put lots of product into your hair when you first start locking because it makes everything look so neat and tidy! But overloading your dreads with too much product at once can cause
How To Soften Stiff Deadlocks
Deadlocks are a great way to protect your home but can be a pain. If you have stiff deadlocks, it can take some serious muscle to open them.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to open your deadlock with ease again.
- Washing
One important step in keeping the locs clean is washing. The question of how soon you can wash the permanent loc extensions is one that many people find confusing. After one month, the hair specialists advise washing locs.
Early washing causes the locs to unravel. Additionally, it softens loc extensions and prevents loc accumulation. You can wash the locs with residue-free shampoo to eliminate the dust and buildup after 4-6 weeks of loc installation.
Because damp locs are more likely to accumulate excessive buildup, completely dry the locs.
- Conditioning
In addition to washing, conditioning the locs is crucial for treating stiff and hard locs. On the hair strands only, use an organic conditioner. It will soften the locs from the inside out and aid in detangling the knots.
After installing locs for two to three months, condition your hair. However, doing so during the first few months after installing locs is not advised because it could cause the locs to unravel sooner.
- Moisturize
One of the most important things is to keep the locs well-moisturized. To maintain its condition, hair needs the right amount of moisture. Maintain the softness and moisture of your locs by using natural essential oils.
Use oil to soften your locs, such as almond, coconut, mustard, or any other oil, before you wash them. After that, thoroughly wash your locs to remove the oil stains.
You can also sprinkle your hair with rose water or liquid that won’t cause buildup. Finally, moisturizing the locs in the summer is a wise choice. In humid conditions, it helps to revitalize the locs and prevents sweating.
- Palm-rolling
The trip of the locs comprises several stages. Side effects vary depending on the phase. For instance, the locs get wavy over time. As a result, the locs must be retwisted using any method, including interlocking or palm rolling.
One of the greatest methods is palm rolling because you can do it at home and save money on retwisting sessions.
Furthermore, of all the techniques, it is the simplest. It not only maintains the locs healthy but also makes them softer.
How To Relieve Pain From Tight Faux Locs
If you’re experiencing pain from tight faux locs, you can do a few things to relieve it.
One common cause of pain is stress on the scalp. To reduce the amount of stress placed on your hair, try these simple tips:
- Use a Loose Hold Gel or Pomade
Many people like to use pomades or gels when styling their locs because it helps keep them from frizzing and gives a look more definition.
However, if you use too many of these products, they can weigh down your hair and cause it to be more prone to tangling. If this happens, try using a lighter product, such as gel, instead of pomade. This will help keep your faux locs from getting too heavy while holding them in place.
- Don’t Sleep on Tight Faux Locs
If you sleep on tight faux locs, they’ll likely be even tighter in the morning than before bedtime! Try not sleeping with your faux locks in at all — just take them out when you go to bed, so they don’t get any tighter overnight.
- Wear Your Hair Down
One of the best ways to relieve pressure on your scalp is by wearing your hair down. This allows air to circulate around your head freely and reduces friction against your neck or shoulders. You can also wear a scarf or hat over your hair if you’re sensitive to any type of rubbing against your skin or clothing.
- Get a Haircut
The first thing you need to do is get a haircut. This will help reduce the tension on your scalp and hairline so that you can enjoy wearing faux locs without any pain.
If you want to wear your hair in the same style as before, get your stylist to cut it into a bob or short afro style instead of keeping it long and straightened out like before.
- Use Leave-In Conditioner
You should also use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair every time you get out of the shower or bathtub, especially if yours are still wet when you’re putting them in for the first time after getting out of the water.
This will help keep them from becoming too tight against your scalp, which is why they hurt so much when they’re wet and new!
How To Loosen Tight Locs Instantly
There are a few ways to loosen tight locs Instantly.
- Use a pair of crochet hooks to loosen the locs from the root with slow and steady pulls. Be gentle, as you may damage the hair if you tug too hard.
- Warm some oil or conditioner in your hand and work it through the locs, from the scalp down to the ends. Rub your hands together to distribute the heat evenly, and continue massaging for a minute or two.
- Steep chamomile tea bags in hot water for about 10 minutes, strain out the flowers and add cold water to dilute. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture, then place it on top of each lot for a few minutes before rinsing off.
- Apply apple cider vinegar directly to Locs (avoid getting it in your eyes). Sit for a few minutes before rinsing off thoroughly with warm water or shampoo.
How Long Does It Take For Locs To Loosen Up?
Locs can take a few days to a few weeks to loosen up completely. The key is to give them time and patience.
You may find that you need to do some light exercises to help get the blood flowing and help the hair loosen up.
The answer also depends on a lot of factors, including:
- The type of hair you had before locs (natural, relaxed, or permed)
- Your hair type and texture
- How tightly you wrapped your locs
- The number of months since you started your locks
You might have heard that your locs will loosen up after six months or one year. That’s true for some people, but for others, their locs can remain tight for much longer.
Some people don’t even know their locs are loose until someone else tells them! I’ve had my locs for over two years now, and they’re still pretty tight.
Conclusion
All of these steps are extremely easy to perform. Some of them will require a few minutes, and others will only need some slight rubbing of the face. All of these techniques should be able to relieve you if you are suffering from tight faux locs.