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!