Here are my dreads as of today, they're about 5 months old. My question is, will they ever neaten up? I'm already under pressure from my school to cut and I'm starting to agree...they just aren't filling out and looking neat. I started wrapping the tips with thread to help the ends stay tighter. My main problem is that some of the roots are flat, and I'm starting to question whether the original dread roots were made correctly. I just hope everything works out in the end because I've almost had it. http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/chase334/IMG_0263.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/chase334/IMG_0262.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/chase334/IMG_0261.jpg http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/chase334/IMG_0258.jpg BTW Wax was used once or twice when I first got my locks. Most of it is out now but I believe it still remains an issue. Thanks for your time!
Well they look pretty good to me. For five months, you're ahead of most pictures I've seen of the same age.. as far as them being locked. They will definitely become neater as they lock up and begin to grab the whispies that are flying around and pull them in. Looks like you could palm roll a bit more to help them stay round and it will also help remove the lumps. For the tips, the rubberbands are preventing ALL movement in that area. Some people grab the dread with the tip poking out and then palm-rub the tip to make it messy/knotty and that helps get the locking process started. But for right now your tips are restrained wondering why all the other hairs get to hug on each other... show your tips some freedom & love. my $.02
If you dont want flat mats just palm roll. Dreads take a long time. Tbh mine still look a mess at 9 months.... eventually they will lock up, the people you see with proper tight dreads have had their dreads for years.
the ties on the ends wont be doing you any favours. they "may" look "neater" but your just hindering the process right there.
yeah i would say get rid of the ties on the ends. and dude, they look way tighter than mine did at that age. all they need is time. they will neaten themselves up, just relax and enjoy the journey
Yeah, I should probably get rid of the ties, but the ends always come undone when backcombed and I've let them sit for months without touching them and they still don't seem to do anything. But I'll take the advice and just give them time, I just hope it doesn't take too much longer.
I've had mine for 4 years now, I only neaten them up like every other month, other than that I don't mess with them. try washing them once a week,clean hair will knott up faster than dirty hair, as the oils will let the hairs slip & they wont tangle and dread
what do u mean by flat roots? why obsess over the tips? you wanted dreads..u got dreads dreads are nver perfect.each dreads unique just let em be and be happy
That's a true statement there, if only school officials felt the same way. I don't personally mind the hair or how it looks, but the constant confrontations I get because of a hair style is just ridiculous. And when I say flat I mean the base of the dread is in the shape of an almost flap of hair, they're not cylindrical. I'm just worried that the original sections of hair that were backcombed were done incorrectly. Thanks for the replies.
they are flat because they are young dreads and you sleep on them, just palm roll them & they should be fine. I'd have a look at the schools codes of conduct and see if there is anythng about having dreads. Dont be a dick towards the teachers, just explain to them that in a few months they will look a little better if your nice to them, they will probbably give you a break
Get a headband or something for school, pulling them off your face will make you look a little more clean cut. Other than that, it just takes time.
I would just say palm roll them often. Not like, obsessively, but just a good bit. I wouldn't tie them up with anything, as that will just prevent the natural locking and therefore make them "messy" for an even longer period of time. Good luck and try to stay patient.
My dreads were kinda messy too at that age, but yeah get them palmrolled, maybe do some chrocheting or felting on them and they'll turn out just fine
