Once complete, palm-roll the braided lock.  This will help mesh the braid with the locks and smooth or integrate any stray frizzies.  Secure the lock with a metal clip.  Move onto the next section.  Allow to dry and and remove all of the clips.

Be sure that you braid evenly and loosely.  Meaning, don't place too much tension on the braid. 
 

The above picture shows one completed side after I've done the techniques described in the section.  In this photo, I still have some areas to finish, namely the opposite side and back.  If you look closesly, you will see some locks that still have frizzy hairs emerging from them.  These locks still need to be done and should demo the difference between what could be and what is when using this technique.

Without taking these steps, my locks would be frizzy even after hours of palm-rolling and within a matter of days, they'd be ultra-poofy.  These techniques insure that my hard work doesn't go to waste.

I'll be honest, it's fairly time consuming.  The longer my locks get, the longer it takes to braid, then palm-roll my locks.  In the past, it took up to 9 hours or more.  Granted, I'm a perfectionist, watch TV and take frequent breaks but it's a long process nonetheless.  Recently I got to the point where I considered cutting my locks as I could no longer endure the stress or strain that came with this bi-weekly routine.  That is until I remembered my own mantra...If it's not the technique, it's the products and vice versa.

naani's naturals has been offering Herbal Vinegar Rinses for months.  Although I remember my mom occassionally using vinegar rinses on my hair as a child, I had yet to fully integrate them into my Dreadlocks routine.  One weekend while doing my locks, I decided I need to do a Clarifying treatment.  I didn't want to dabble into the naani supply and use the Cucumber Lime Clarifying Shampoo because we had lots of pending orders for it.  Given that large batch of the herbal rinse had recently finished curing, I took the concentrated rinse, diluted it with water per the instructions and set out to use it.

When you were younger, did you ever make a volcano as a science project?  You probably used baking soda and vinegar to mimic lava.  Well, I did and SURPRISE!  SURPRISE!  Granted, I hadn't washed all the shampoo out (I usually do an extensive final rinse but only rinse a couple minutes in-between shampoo and before applying the conditioner), but as soon as I poured the rinse on my hair, it's as if it activated
the remaining shampoo trapped in my locks.  My hair started lathering again and all I could do was smile.

I'm sure you remember one of my warnings...in my experience, Build-up in locks is most often shampoo that has not been thorougly rinse out.  By doing an Essentially Herbal Vinegar Rinse, I was able to insure that all the shampoo from the current wash and any other trapped sediments got rinsed away.  This result was expected, but here's what wasn't...

It took me only 5-6 hours to do the braid-frizzies technique and palm-roll my locks.  My locks are now seven years old and although I've cut them in the past, they're fairly long.  A session that normally takes half the day was cut in half.  For lack of a better word, the vinegar helped "tighten" my hair, making it easier to maintain.  I'm not going to go into too much detail regarding PH, acids and bases, just know that our hair's natural state is slightly acidic.  Vinegar is naturally acidic.  Hair products are typically consider bases.  So by using a vinegar rinse you're helping your hair get closer to its normal state...making it stronger, healthier and easier to style.

And if you're wondering what makes naani's naturals Rinses better, ours are made with fortified with herbs and we use a unique blend of pure Essential Oils depending on your hair colour so you're left with a refreshing scent rather than funky vinegar.

Products Used: naani's naturals No-Sulfate/USDA Certified Organic Shampoo, S-Factor Deep Conditioner, Essentially Herbal Vinegar Rinse, Lock'd Down Dreadlocks Butter.  These hand-crafted, aromatherapy products are available in the naani store.

BRAIDING NEW GROWTH: I'd describe this technique as "simple in thought but difficult in practice."  In this instance, the hair at the scalp (which generally remains unlocked) is braided to create neat, uniform sections for your dreadlocks.

Most people have between 1-2 inches of unlocked hair at their scalp.  Normally during maintenance, this hair is palm-rolled to help train the hairs for dreadlocks and also to keep your dreadlocks looking neat.  

Unfortunately, palm-rolling isn't the most secure method of keeping new-growth intact.  By braiding the new growth, you'll achieve better separation and longevity for your dreadlock'd styles.  

Simply braid the new-growth.  Trust me, it's easier than it sounds.  You'll have to braid very small amounts of hair and if you're not very skilled or have fat fingers, you'll have to practice this method over and over again in order to get it right.'

If you can't employ the services of a friend or professional, to save time, I suggest doing only the front of your hair as this is the area that is most noticeable.