If Your Remove Dreads Do You Have Damage?

There are several methods on the web listed for removing dreads but the big question I have...does it shred the hair in the process?  In other words, when you're done removing the dreads, is your hair in complete tatters and damaged to the point you have to cut it?

Or can you remove the dreads & still maintain the length?  I want to know this before I let my best friend remove his dreads.