New Dreads (23)
There are two kinds of flat dreads
1. Dreads that were made using rectangular sections, there’s really nothing you can do to make these dreads round, because they start out flat. If you want round dreads section the dread into two sections at the roots using a string, and they will start growing round.
2. Helmet/hat/sleep head dreads- these can be poofed back up by palm rolling or washing.
Methods for making dreadlocks (0)
Backcombing is a method where you can start dreads with very little hair but your hair should be at least 3 inches when starting dreads with the backcombing method. If you start any shorter than that you will have big problems with getting the dread to stay in, because there is not enough hair to hold the knots together.
Backcombing (57)
The rubber band at the tip is used to help keep the dreads together when they are new and it helps the tip lock up once the dreads are tight. If it is just a regular rubber band then you should just leave it there until it falls off, but if it is one of those super Scunci elastics then it will never fall off, you should take it off after three months.
Twisting Dreadlocks (51)
Elastics are really good for dreads, they help the dreads form the way you want them to and keep loose hairs in. And if you palm roll them while you have them in it will actually dread the hair.
Twist and Rip Dreadlocks (48)
Using the twist & rip method, yes you will, because the hair will be so damaged from ripping it.
Dread Perm (54)
The rubber band at the tip is used to help keep the dreads together when they are new and it helps the tip lock up once the dreads are tight. If it is just a regular rubber band then you should just leave it there until it falls off, but if it is one of those super Scunci elastics then it will never fall off, you should take it off after three months.
Brush Rubbing Dreadlocks (52)
Elastics are really good for dreads, they help the dreads form the way you want them to and keep loose hairs in.
Dread Braiding (48)
The best thing to do is roll the tip of the dread in the palm of your hand. This will make nice little round tips. I rolled my tips for three months and now they are round and really nice
Maintaining Dreadlocks (30)
There are a couple methods for tightening roots
1. Crocheting- this really shouldn’t be used for tightening roots, you should only use it to get rid of loose loops. But what you do is stick the dread through the loop and pull it through; it’s kind of like sewing.
2. Clockwise Rubbing- In my opinion this is the best way to tighten roots, what you do is, rub the dread against your scalp in a clockwise motion. It has done wonders for my dreads.
Washing Dreadlocks (18)
DreadHead makes a great residue free shampoo that removes other residues along with not leaving any residues of its own behind. At the moment it is the only residue free shampoo we know of that is sold on the internet.
Dreadlocks Roots and Tips (20)
It’s not really a good idea, because the dread will start to unravel because the hair that was holding the knots together before is gone. You will have to wait for the tip to lock up again and it’s just a pain in the arse. But if you are going to do it the best way to cut it is like a flower, cut it at an angle and then put a rubber band around the tip and rub the tip against the palm of your hand everyday for about 2 days and then take the rubber band out.
Hair Growth (15)
Normal hair usually grows about a half inch a month. You can take herbs like horsetail, salmon oil, vitamin E.
Hair Types (0)
Well that all depends on how much work you want to put into your dread locks, if you start your dreads with 2 inches of hair, then you will be putting a lot of work into them but they won’t really look like dreads. If you start your dreads with 5 or 6 inches of hair then you will have a much easier and rewarding experience with making dread locks.
Caucasian Hair (55)
There are a couple methods for tightening roots
1. Crocheting– this really shouldn’t be used for tightening roots, you should only use it to get rid of loose loops. But what you do is stick the dread through the loop and pull it through; it’s kind of like sewing.
2. Clockwise Rubbing– In my opinion this is the best way to tighten roots, what you do is, rub the dread against your scalp in a clockwise motion. It has done wonders for my dreads.
African Hair (19)
It depends on which method you use. Check out the methods section in FAQ Part 2 to find more information about the method you want to use.
Curly Hair (17)
Yes, actually your hair will dread easier because the hair has been damaged, so it will hold knots a lot easier. You can use any method and the dreads will lock up.
Straight Hair (28)
You don’t have to shave your head. There are a couple ways to get dreadlocks out, if you haven’t used a dread perm
1. The Easiest way: cut your dreads off a little below root and have about 2 inches of hair. You won’t have to spend hardly anytime with this, and if you are not partial to your hair then this is a good way for you to do it.
2. Cut the first half of your dread off, from the tip of the dread to the middle. Then soak the rest of the dread in conditioner and comb the dread out. This will take some time, but you will have cut the strongest part of the dread off, so it will be a lot easier to comb the rest out.
3. You just love your long hair and don’t want short hair: I can completely understand this, this is probably the way I would choose if I were ever thinking about cutting my dreads off, but I’m not so I don’t have to think about it 🙂 Soak the whole dread in conditioner, and comb the dread out. Let me warn you that this will take a lot of time, probably 4 or 5 times longer than it took you to put them in, but if you love your hair, it’s completely worth it. Some people will say that you can’t do this, but you can, I know a person who did this, and I helped them take some of them out. I didn’t stay the whole time, but I know when I came back the next day, they were still working on taking them out.
And if you have chosen the silky dread method all you have to do is take out the extensions.
Thin Hair (25)
It’s all preference; I found the backcombing method to be the best for Caucasian and Asian hair types, and the twisting technique to be the best for African hair. But if you have your heart set on the twist and rip technique go for it, if you aren’t happy with it try a different one. I can tell you this, if you want your dreads to happen and you want to know that they will turn out, use the backcombing method, you won’t regret it.
Thick Hair (22)
Salons usually charge between $100 & $400 to make dreads. IMPORTANT! Many salons say that they do know how to make dreadlocks, but few really do. They will just put your hair in twist and cover it with gel and call them dreads and charge you $200. The best thing to do is decide which method you would like to start your dreads with, print it, and call around. Just take the directions to the salon and tell them THIS IS HOW I WANT THEM DONE! and see if they can do it. If not, try another salon, you will be able to find one that can make the dreads the way you want them.
Misc (66)
It depends on which method you use. Check out the methods section in FAQ Part 2 to find more information about the method you want to use.
Starting Dreads (40)
Yes, actually your hair will dread easier because the hair has been damaged, so it will hold knots a lot easier. You can use any method and the dreads will lock up.
Asian Hair (22)
You don’t have to but I recommend it, you will only need one, if you use a plastic comb you will probably go through about ten. Also, you will be able to backcomb the dreads a lot tighter.
Loomed Dreads (6)
You can put loomed dreads in with any hair length.
Industrial Dreads (23)
It depends on what method you use to get dreads.
Silky Dreads (31)
Expect the wax to be firm and a little sticky. It might be a little hard to get off of your hands, since it’s waterproof, but you can use liquid Dawn to get it off or a product called Waxx Off that is specifically made for breaking down dread wax. You may find it a little different to work the wax into the dreads for the first time, if you do, get a hair dryer and heat the wax a little before you smooth it on the dread, then melt the wax into the dread using the hair dryer when you’re done.
Neglect or Freeform (39)
Of course, they grow just like normal hair. Your normal straight hair grows out of your scalp and then it grows into the rest of the dread.