What to know before getting

dreadlocks

It takes at least a year for them to progress to a

point where you will like them. Dreadlocks are generally considered immature (babies) until about the first year, then adolescent at ages 1 to 3 years, and fully mature at 4+ years.

They take a very long time to dry. Your hair will shrink for about a year while your

dreads bulk up. Dreads don’t feel soft or silky and will harden

over time.

Cons

Shrinkage

You can decorate them with beads, string, or

almost anything you can find. You don’t have to chop off your hair if you decide

you don’t want them anymore. You can brush them out at any time.

You no longer need to use conditioner or brush your hair.

Volume volume volume! The solution for thin-haired people.

They require almost no maintenance. They will be kick ass!

Pros

Natural/Neglect Backcombing Crocheting Twist & Rip Dreadperm

How to create dreads

Involves simply throwing away the brush and

conditioner You can still shower and shampoo. It takes ten times longer to look like real

dreadlocks Messiest method Requires lots of patience You have no control over sectioning and size

Natural/Neglect method

Example

It took 3 years to look like dreads!

4 years 4 years 8 months

The most popular method Uses a ratting comb to knot hair Extremely painful

Backcombing

Examples

Before2 months

5 months

9 months

1 year1 year 7 months

2 years

3 years

4 years

Before

1 week

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 year

1.5 years

2 years 2 months

2 years 8 months

3 years

Involves using a .6mm or smaller crochet hook

to knot mildly backcombed hair Almost pain free Takes a little longer than backcombing Sometimes has a braided look for a while Knots can be very tight & sometimes won’t loop

Crochet Method

Example

BeforeDay 1

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

6 months

1 year

2 years

Involves pulling sections of hair apart to knot

up Extremely painful Gives a sort of braided look for a while Simple No tools required

Twist & Rip/ Twist & Tear

Example

Before Just finished

1 month

2 months

6 months

1 year

1.5 years

2 years 4 months

A perm that eventually leads to dreadlocks

with little or no maintenance

Dreadperm

Example

Brand new 5 months

7 months1 year

Loops Paddles Congos Loose hair Dandruff/Itchy scalp

Dreadlock weirdness

Almost everyone gets loops No way to avoid them Cause your dreads to thicken Usually flatten out on their own

Loops

Flattened dreadlocks, usually at the roots Usually caused by loops and will round out

over time You can help round them out by palmrolling or

putting beads in.

Paddles

When two or more dreads combine into one Avoid this by tearing apart merging dreads

regularly.

Congo

Every dreadhead has some loose hair. Some hair types have more loose hair than

others. You can merge them withyour dreads by palmrollingor “sewing” with a crochet hook.

Loose hair

A common problem for new dreadheads. Use Head & Shoulders, Selsun Blue, or any

other dandruff shampoo. Avoid dreadlock accelerator until your scalp is

less itchy.

Dandruff/Itchy Scalp

Palm rolling (Roll your dreadlock between your

palms and press, best when wet) Crocheting – only when necessary (Too much

makes them look too thin) Dreadlock accelerator (salt water, dries hair making it more likely to knot)

Maintenance (all optional)

Are you ready?!

• Plan a day with your loctician or educated friend

• Let them know which method you’d like• Give yourself at least 10 hours• Decide how thick you want your dreads

to be & how much variation you want

Dread thicknesses1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

Dreadlocks will progress to about the thickness of its

sections. Thick hair can be dreaded to any thickness, but thin hair

needs to be relatively thin or scalp will show through. Don’t go to a salon – beauty schools rarely teach

dreadlock classes, they put wax in your hair, and charge $35-$50/hr. Educate yourself or a friend.

Avoid velcro! After showering make sure to dry your hair completely

or they will mold, stink, rot, and fall out over time. Wash your hair regularly. Oily hair doesn’t knot up well. Residue free shampoo or “no poo” shampoo is highly

recommended. Don’t let residue build up in your hair.

Tips

Never use wax! It leads to stickiness, trapped

water, stink, mold, rot, loss of dreadlocks, and it prohibits knotting. (Don’t believe websites trying to sell you products. Dreads are natural, they don’t need products)

If your loctician puts wax in your hair, it can be removed with vinegar.

Don’t use rubber bands. Everyone’s hair progresses differently. Thin/thick,

course/fine, curly/straight, healthy/damaged, geographic location, etc. affect how they will progress. Expect mess for a long time!

Tips

Enjoy the journey!