New dreads, washing?

[Kittycat]

Hi!
So I've just made real dreads (almost finished, have 3 left), and I was wondering, can I wash them today or do I have to wait like a week or so before I can do it? Browsed around a bit on every topic here but I could not find anything about it.
Some people say that and some that, but I really never got a real answer, and I found on some random page that I had to wait for at least 2 weeks, is this true?
Well thanks, and I will soon post a show off!

[brandalynn]

If they are brand new, I wouldn't wash them for a week. If your scalp gets oily, you can get a dry shampoo and that won't hurt your new dreads. Getting new dreads wet runs the risk of them coming undone at the ends. Try visiting http://www.dreadheadhq.com or http://www.knottyboy.com. Both have tons of information, customer galleries and sometimes contests to win products. Beware of the to wax or not to wax debate. Choose whichever you prefer, then just stand your ground.

[barbie_embalmer]

I just dreaded my whole head, I did half at first then the rest, I waited a week, didnt have any problems with them..just palm roll and make sure you get them totally dry!

[Kittycat]

Ah okay thanks, don't have wax, my friend had it once, and her dreads did not smell very nice
But I red somwere that you should put rubberbands in the roots and at the ends, when you wash the dreads, but well, then I will just wait like 1-2 weeks before I do anything

[sammu]

I read that elastic bands weren't good for dreadlings, so there's a ton of conflicting info around. :S

I say give it 1-2 weeks, and when you come to wash them, do not use conditioner because you'll undo the knots you're trying to keep!

All I know is that it's possible to maintain dreads without using products. Wax and other chemicals meant for dreads just build up on the insides, and no matter how thorough you wash them there's always residue that builds up. That's how you get the stereotypical dread "smell". Wax doesn't help dreads lock up in any way. It makes your hair feel like it, but it's just the product. Just keep palmrolling and separating them by hand and they'll end up locking up quicker and looking lovely and won't smell at all. :3

[..::AtomicLox::..]

Stay away from rubber bands, ESPECIALLY at the root. If you "cut off the circulation" so to speak, the knots can't move toward your scalp and your roots will grow out undreaded, which is a huge pain in the ass. Also, if you're unsure about wax just don't use it at all. Too much buildup is just never pretty, smell or otherwise. Palm rolling is your best friend!

Wait a week to wash, and when you do just be gentle. They should be fine.

[Kittycat]

Oh my, did not know about that rubberband problem :O But I would not have the energy either to rubberband every dread before washing. And wax is like, ew, never wanna trie that!
But my mother has bought me a kind of schampoocake, people said that it was great for dreads, so well.

[Taraiha]

Didn't I see that yours were short with crocheted extensions? If that's correct you may need to watch the weight when you wash them. Mine are about the same length and they weigh a ton when thoroughly soaked through. I would imagine that would put some strain on the joinings until they've knotted up a bit more. You might want to give extra support the weight of the dreads while you wash until you're sure the joins are secure.