I've convinced my mom to let me get dreads for july, and I'm trying to build up enough evidence and know how to prove to her that its not what she thinks it is (dirty and common dreadlock misconceptions) and I was wondering the following What should I look for in a hairstyling place to do dreadlocks. I dont want to just show up and have a rookie working on them. My hair is precious to me. Also, my hair is layered, will that matter much when I get dreads? How short do they usually go, inche wise. The shortest hair is about 15cms of hair, is this too short? It'll grow out a bit by june, but will it make a difference? Thirdly, I want thinner dreadies and is there a difference in maintenance as oppose to thicker dreads? Thanks guys PS: Could you check out my gallery and let me know if you'd even think I'd look okay with dreads? I think I will, but I want more than one opinion, thanks
First of all, I just want to say that these are all my opinions...and are by no means the dreadlock gospel. Don't go to a salon. (For the zillionth time in the dreadlock forums.) Most places that do "dreadlocks" use wax and twist the hair instead of knotting it. Two things wrong with that: wax = mold = bad, and twisting the hair ARE NOT DREADS. Dreads are knots and twisting only gives the illusion of dreads and WILL NOT stay in. You can dread your hair naturally by stopping brushing and conditioning. You'll want to wash your hair regularly and not let it get greasy. Oils makes knots slip right out. My bf started his dreads from when they were super short and they grew out eventually...now his dreads are down to his back after almost five years and are perfect. If you want thin dreads you'll have to maintain them by ripping them apart from dreads. Dreads (at least mine) tend to grow together at the roots. I let them...others will probably want to rip them to keep them seperate. Everyone looks good in dreads because it is a natural hairstyle. It is what happens when one dismisses the fact that vanity is important to life.
Thanks! I hate to say it, but I don't trust anyone but professionals with my hair because I've had too many "home made distasters" regarding hair color, haircuts etc. I'd rather go to a salon that knew how to do it, or find a professional using the phonebook. Would that be a smart way to go? Is there anyway to make the dreads thin at the beginning? If I do that, will they still grow in thicker at the base? Thanks for answering Annie
Dreads aren't exactly a "haircut", but whatever... Personally, I'd say no, going through the phonebook is NOT the way to go. Most times they'll do the twisting thing...and claim they are dreads...Find out for yourself though. And the width of your dreads is probably not an issue I can address very well as I did mine all natural, which means no backcombing.... But you can section your hair to the thickness that you'd like and backcomb them that way... I don't, personally, recommend this, but it is much better than wasting your money at the salon.
I know its not a haircut lol, I was just trying to illustrate a point that my faith in those around me with my hair is not very strong. No one supports my dread adoration and refuse to help me... can I do them myself? I dont want to go natural, but I'm reading that if I go it alone they'll end up all over. Is this true? Also, in any of the home DIY dreadlock instructions they all say to use dreadwax, yet here everyone screams NO to wax... I'll take your guys word on it because its so unanimous, but I'm curious as to what I could use instead.
You can do them yourself. Section your hair with a comb and just tease the pieces of hair seperately and roll them in your hands like you would making a worm out of playdough. They will knot up on their own. If you want to hold them together you can use beads to coax them along. The reason why we say no wax here, generally, is because wax just sort of "pastes" the hair together...sort of gunks them together (yeah, real scientific term there)...it doesn't allow the hair to knot (which is what dreads are, KNOTS). It also molds over time. Which is smelly and will attract critters. It's also VERY hard to wash out. VERY VERY! Why not go natural? Dreads are a process...and seeing them start off as loose hair and seeing the process they go through is part of the journey. I guess I just prefer the natural method because you don't get "cookie cutter" dreads that look like everyone else's. They are mine...and they have their personalities. Some are big, some are small, some are fat, some are long. Some are all kinky and weird looking and some are perfect little dreadies. I like variety in my life. I don't do them because they look "good". I do them because they are more spiritual for me than just hair. It is a lifestyle of learning patience, humility, and groundedness. Make sure you get dreads for the right reasons and not for vanity. Because if you do it for that reason, you'll never be truely happy. Just my opinion, of course.
I agree, I want dreads because its something that no one in my town has, and I like to consider myself a unique personality and I think it would compliment my uniqueness greatly, but thats not the only reason. I'm a follower of the rastafarian religion (I'm doing alot of reasearch and finding it exactly what I've been looking for) and for me it would bring me closer to that. I may do them myself, it seems like it'll be easier (on the pocketbook and on myself). I'll let you know how they turn out
Rastafarians degrade women and teach followers that they are second class citizens, just food for thought.
ITA with Annie about rastafarianism. Never met a rasta IRL didn't abuse his woman in some way, usually emotionally and psychologically. But that is just as harmful as physical abuse. Here's what I suggest you do. Get a couple big hand mirrors and some of those little rubber bands and start making tiny ponytails all over your head. If you don't know anyone who has ever backcombed hair, do it yourself. Get a metal "flea comb" from the petstore, much cheaper and exactly the same thing as what dreadheadHQ and other places sell. And start backcombing each one of those little ponytails. It will probably take a month or so to do your entire head if you want skinny dreads. (I'd suggest you go for at least 40-50 ponytails, my DD started with 30 and some of her dreads are bigger around than my thumb now). When you backcomb a dread, take the rubber band out first. Start at the roots and comb towards the scalp, about an inch or two at a time until it starts knotting up, twisting and rolling it as you go to keep it nice and round. work your way all the way to the tip, and then put a bead on to hold it together. The bead should fit snug, but not be so tight that you can't take it back off, and put it all the way up the dread as close to your scalp as you can get it. Be warned that the backcombing will most likely fall out of your hair before it turns into dreadlocks. It might start out looking nice and neat, but you have to go through a messy stage to get to real dreads, no matter what you do about it. You might be able to get away with wearing a ponytail or a hat at that point, if you are worried about your mom's reaction... It helps to twist and palmroll when your hair is wet, that makes it look a little neater.
annie and mama hit the nail on the head with everything here. I'm sure you'll grow to love your dreadies and everything they mean to you but be warned....they will look what you might class as 'a bad hair day' alot of the time! I love them like that but I know some people who are very protective and love their hair and they couldn't handle it. They won't instantly look amazing or perfect (depending on your definition of perfect) but with a little patience and alot of lovin they'll get there. Also I'd reccommend doing them yourself or roping in some lovely people to help, I think if I'd had them at a salon then I'd have lost the whole reasoning behind why I was doing it, it was very much my own personal journey and a salon would have taken away that personal touch. However and for whatever reason you choose to start the process enjoy yourself and I'm sure they will look beautiful
In response to boogiemama's post... Rubber bands are OK to start out with, but DO NOT LEAVE THEM IN! They will eventually desinigrate and end up inside your dread. If you're OK with that, that's OK, but I personally wouldn't be OK with it.
I agree, they are only to hold the ponytails before you get them backcombed. They didn't disintegrate in my DD's hair, but they did collect lots of gunk and lint and gross stuff that was rather hard to wash out...
Also, being a rasta I think you should go natural.. What sense does it make to comb in your dreads being a rasta? But I understand that you choose backcombing, but really don't go to a salon, they overcharge and they don't know what they're doing! And even when they do, they'll tell you to use wax, rubberbands, to rootrub and to palmroll, to sew in loose ends, and to come back for maintenance every three months, overcharging again! Dreads really don't need anything but time, whatever way you put it... So comb them in or go natural, either way it will take ages for them to lock up... Personally I couldn't stand to backcomb, because everything will come undone, and your 'dreads' will look perfect for 2 days and then will turn into horrible monsters! Seems so frustrating to me! By going natural my hair/dreads looked like horrible monsters for 2 years so it isn't as frustrating Anyway, don't listen to salon people, nor to commercial websites such as knottyboy and DHHQ. Listen to us
Also i agree, do them yourself. Dreads, like religion, is a long proces. you build up faith and love over time. Its sounds silly to someone without dreads but tis true, as time evolves so does your hair. They become more individual everyday. I did mine myself. And a home-cock up is what you want, remember its knotted hair, you honestly CON NOT go wrong. just dont use wax!!!!!!
I am sure I won't use wax, but I was talking to my friend about dreads today, and she tells me her aunt does them out of her home - my friends dad apparently has amazing dreads (I don't know him, her parents divorced before I met my friend) and it was her mom who did them. She offered to get her mom to do them for me. I have to wait anyways, my mom wants me to wait until after prom (may 6th) because she wants "nice hair" pictures. *sigh* Parents....
I apologize for this reply. I was trying to start a new thread and accidentally put it here! So I deleted it. Pamela
