Hi all :) Do you think my hair could be dreaded? (with pics)

Hi,

I know extremely little about dreadlocks except for the fact that i'd like to get them (if possible).

I've done a bit of background reading on the process and maintenance and whatnot, but i was hoping i could get some informed opinions on wether my hair is suited for it, or if it will just fail or look terrible?...

I have VERY thick hair that is quite wavy, which i try to comb out every morning by blowing it dry before combing it (which is becoming a real pain).

Anyway, if you could have a quick look at the pics and give me your opinion it would be much appreciated

peace

 

yep

 

Anyone's hair can dread, dude.

And judging by those pictures, your hair will dread quite easily (100% natural or backcombed).

Go for it, but don't be disappointed if the process takes a couple of months.

 

thanks guys.

yeh i figured any hair could be dreaded. I guess i was just keen to see if anyone could predict how well it might work for me (again, i'm quite ignorant on the subject)...

i was planning on going to a salon and getting them backcombed. i guess i'd prefer to do it naturally, but i figured backcombing would help me to look a bit more presentable straight away (not that it would bother me, but it would bother my boss :S )

 

Your hair's gonna look sweet once the dreads start forming, man. You have the face for it. If you think you could get away with it at work, I would really suggest going natural. It's much more rewarding.

 

I can understand backcombing, although you will get mixed reviews about that, here. Some people are of the opinion that the only way to get "good" dreads is to go the neglect route, others think minimal backcombing for a head start is respectable, but almost everyone agrees that wax (and it's nasty, sticky relatives) are a bad, bad thing.

I would not pay a salon money to backcomb my hair. I was able to do it myself, although I'd recommend getting a friend to help you out. You just section the hair, backcomb it, and (if you want) add a few beads to hold the sections. Just no rubber bands!

Plus, I wouldn't trust a salon to do what's best for my hair in the long run, rather than what they think will look best in the moment.

ETA: As someone who has backcombed her hair to start off her dreads, I completely disagree with the previous poster about 100% natural being more rewarding. Regardless of whether or not you backcomb, the process will still take patience, commitment, and time. I'm only about 2 months in and I can tell you already that I have learned a lot about myself already. I've learned to let stupid, uninformed and unsolicited comments slide off me like water on a duck's back. I've learned to be confident in my choices, and that if I'm happy with my appearance, it doesn't matter what others think.

I've also been able to educate dozens of people about dreads, and I am overall a much more confident person in general. It's also a great conversation starter, and you'd be amazed at how many people are interested in your dreads.

Sure, going natural is an amazing experience and I greatly respect those who dread their hair that way (*waves to soaringeagle*), but backcombing is by no means Satan's spawn of the dread world!

 

I never said that backcombing was a bad thing . I can't even say for sure which is more rewarding, as I'm only about a month in going natural and have never backcombed. I feel the same way about how you feel more confident in yourself and all that and probably should have worded my post differently. You're right, either way is going be a rewarding experience. I made it sound like I know everything about dreading, haha my baaaad.

 

i think your dreads will look awesome, can't wait to se the progress. i backcombed mine and i guess i don't regret it too much cause i dont know how they would look if i had not...and i like them just the way they are but i have alot of bumps loops and lumps in mine and they say that backcombing really instigates these.

 

yep, just stop combing and brushing
and wash with residue free.

 

Your hair is sorta like mine after I brush it. Or atleast when it was shorter. But ya, you definantly can.

 

Thanks a lot everyone, really didn't expect this much response

haha I have a 'face for dreads' do i? is that like saying i have a face for radio? ahah (jks)

hmmm i think i might have to get it backcombed considering my work (think it would be better to have a sudden quick change in appearance rather than stopping combing my hair for a month or so). Local dread hairdressers seem to charge about $450 to do my length hair still, i'd be happy to pay that if it turns out well and saves me some hassle at work.

sooooo looking forward to having some nice thick dreads...

 

yeah and i think your dreads will mature fast with a hair like that.

 

i say just go for it =D

mine were done backcombing/wax method and theyre a tad shitty, but thats all the wax in them, but yeah.. i reckon youll look good with 'em =]

 

Ah the white fro days. Good times.

 

dude. you hair is very matte now, and im friggin tell ya, its goin ta turn out nice in no time. i suggest you'd go natural.

 

I thought residue free was for only once you have dreads? What benifits does it have again?

 

if you keep the residues out of the hair, they won't "block" knots from forming. this is important especially in the beginning.

 

plus residues won't wash out or work their way out as they would in un-dreaded hair, and you don't want a bunch of "sludge" or gunk building up in there. this can happen even in the beginning phases and it's bad news.

 

1sr
your hair left alone wopuld dread fine naturaly and quite quickly
o imagine youd find your 1st dreads in weeks
yea that fast
2nd
dont even think salon
unless u totaly are sure exactlyu what they are gonna dop
and thats gotta be backcomb and nothing else or twist n rip and nothong else..no wax no creamezs no gunk no crochetting nothing..450 is a fuckin rip odff
pay a freind 30 to do it for ya
if it takes hours and hoiurs throw in an 1/8 of dank buds or something
if u go to a salon almost assuredly they will fucjk u up so bad that within a eeek u take it all out and start over...wasting 450
if youy got thqat much to waste send me 400 and i'll teach u how to do it yourself for free

 

yeh i kinda expected that response. Thanks a lot for the advice though, much appreciated.

I've seen a few pics now of people straight from the salon and its seemed to look pretty good. again, my issue is the work environment, i cant really just stop combing my hair and wear a hat at work.... anyway, i'll have to give it some more thought before deciding one way or another. i guess i'll start using residue free shampoo now though. was there a standand brand that everyone suggests?