In order to determine how to take care of dreadlock hairstyles, it is first important to know how they are formed. Contrary to popular belief, dreadlocks are not formed by refusing to wash your hair. That would lead to skin sores and the hair would smell rancid in very short order. The hairstyle is formed by twisting or back-combing small sections of hair. The locks may be formed naturally or by using a salon method.