Greetings! I have been searching for good information to help me along in getting my dreads and this has been one of the best resources I have read so far. I plan on doing my dreads very soon. I absolutely love my hair, but I have wanted dreads since I was 16 (I'm 22 now) and I really feel that now is the time. I have decided that I will cut off ten inches of my hair to donate to Locks of Love, then I will begin the dreading process. I have read NP's comprehensive FAQ and think I have a pretty good idea of what I am doing and what to expect. I understand this will be a process and perhaps a test of my patience and my ADD but this is something I really want to commit to, for a change. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions for me as I am starting in my dread experience. I'm quite anxious about cutting off the ten inches and how short it will be after dreading, but that's part of the process. eace: Megan
I will probably do backcombing. I'm interested in starting out with smaller dreads. I plan to start as soon as I have twn inches to cut off my hair, but I also don't want my hair to be too short :/ I may just bite the bullet and do it though, why not start now?
If you're concerned about the length, seems like for the least shrinkage you should go tnr or neglect. I could be wrong, having never backcombed. That's just what I've observed on my own head and in other peoples threads.
Just make sure you take the FAQ in. No wax. And make sure you are prepared with some Bronners. And if you have scalp irritation, try not to scratch or you will end up detangling the dreads on that part of your head and it's makes you pretty sad. But good luck and keep everyone updated with photos!
just ignore your hair for a one year. not totally ignore, but don't get stressed over it. i would say that neglect causes the most shrinkage as it is uncontrolled. with backcombing or twist and rip i think you get less shrinkage. you left out the part about how long your hair actually is.
Have you thought of giving the hair to the oil spill? I also thought of a good new dreading technique, let a bunch of puppies crawl on your head!
My hair is down to about my nipples right now (that's the best point of reference I have, haha). Locks of Love requires ten inches- I am donating b/c my niece had leukemia and she would always play with my hair and tell me I had pretty hair when she was "all bald up". What is "rip congos?"
well, my hair was nipple length two years ago. Now, my locks at nipple length. So... Plus, to grow ten extra inches will take you almost two more years!
I just read an article on locks of love... Well needless to say, I don't much feel like donating to them anymore. They sell much of the hair that is donated (ovver $300K in 2005) and charge children cancer patients for wigs based on the parents' income.....hmmm...
With neglect, at least with my hair, dreads usually start at the tip and work back, forming a sort of natural braid. At least while they're forming, many are quite patterned, with the longer hairs locking first and the shorter ones in the section becoming woven in as it moves towards the roots. I think I would have more shrinkage if I backcombed, you're literally pushing the hair shorter and towards your head....
Newsflash: 99.8% of charities exist for a profit and the people steering them don't give two shits about anyone.
Forget Locks Of Love, Keep Your Long Hair And Start Dreading.... Send Locks Of Love A Cheque In The Mail As A Donation.... Sit Back Like The Rest Of Us Are, And Enjoy The Journey.... Problem Solved.... Cheers Glen. P.S:- Note To Those Living In The U.S.A, And Canada, Here In Orstralia We Spell "Check", As "Cheque".
yeah, i agree, fuck locks of love and create your own locks of love. with longer hair, your locks with have more to work with. plus it shrinks so much anyway.... or find a better charity. good luck!
Pantene does some work with wigs that's more ethical than Locks of Love. Let me hunt down the link. Please don't put your desire to loc before kids with cancer. Seriously. Edit: This site gives a great overview of a variety of charities and links for them. http://www.squidoo.com/donateyourhair Many of my friends choose Pantene and their link is on this page if you scroll down a bit.
