This is the only source on the web where I have found facts and opinions on dreadlocks contrary to popular (or commercial ) knowledge, so I think this is a good place to gather some real information on dreads. Ok, from what I've read so far, I've already fucked up. >.< But its ok! I'm willing to have as much patience as needed to obtain those long-lasting, healthy dreads, I just want to start them short. Here's the scenario: I have approximately 5" hair (early Paul McCartney style to give you some imagery ). It was only after attempted dreading that I felt something wasn't right. I tried reading several guides on the web, and I quickly dismissed many of the popular sites and methods like on dreadheadhq, etc. as monkey-making tomfoolery.. So I went with what I thought was the most natural method, backcombing, natural beeswax, and sea salt. I sectioned my hair out into 1" squares and back combed the sections into 3" ponytails, applying the beeswax, rubber bands and palm-rolling. Well the next morning when I woke up my head was all waxy, greasy ponytails... This didn't seem natural at all.. I proceeded to wash my hair with hot water only (while still in rubber bands) and it seemed the oily wax remained. The sectioned hair is still teased and dread-like, but what do I do now? Please help!
That's because wax is a BITCH to remove! You need seriously hot water to get rid of it. Boiling water really, and even then it's not easy. If you only recently started then you might want to consider combing them out, thats probably the best way to get the wax out then start again without wax. If you don't want to start again then soak your dreads in boiling water (hmm that could be a little sketchy if your hair's only 3"!) Watch out for your scalp. Don't leave rubberbands in for long periods of time either, it can weaken dreads. Some people here will say don't use them at all. After a period of time they get pretty minging if left in your hair. A long time ago I used to use them when I washed my hair, for some weird reason I was worried about them comming apart... Seems a bit odd to me now when I think about it. I personally don't think it does any harm if you want to use them when you wash, but I really wouldn't bother with the hassle of putting them in and taking them out each time you wash. Far too much trouble for what results it brings in my opinion. I can vaguely remember when I stopped doing it and I don't think I really noticed any difference, you just might want to wash a little more carefully when they're new.
i would saaaayyy congrats on realising so soon!! took me 8 months #1 - get the wax out. either a boiling water soak (be very careful) or just comb them out, wash, start again. its a pain, but itll work #2 - i dont recomend rubber bands, i only used them on the tips and i didnt like the effect they had, but its up to you. i dont think they do anything and i dont think they look good.. i like dreads with wispy ends =] #3 - when i washed mine for the first time, all the knots came apart and i cried in the shower.. i suppose its natural but ya knoww,, just to warn ye like =] #4 - avoid wax,, dont use any tightening gel stuff (i used knottyboy, it gave me flakies) hope that helps =] feel free to ask any more Q's etc, everyones here to help everyone
And if you are scared the water will make your backcombs come unloose the best thing to do is use a stocking cap like what old ladys were on there legs those brown things they works so good so that the water isnt hitting your head ful force but going through the little wholes its the best way
Hi there! I personally wouldnt reccomend the rubberbands. At 1 month I put them in to help keep my dreadlets seperated cuz they kept knotting together at the roots, and it was a major BITCH to get them all out! It doesnt take long for your hair to get all knotted around the bands. I had to take scissors to em and cut and rip....it made some dreads untangle a bit.....no bueno! If I were you, I'd brush out what you backcombed and do a deep rinse to get all the wax out. Then you can start fresh with out wax. I think in the long run that would be the most beneficial for your dreads. If you re-start with the backcomb method, just back comb the one time and then let them be. Wash once a week with a residue free shampoo and perhaps apply some sea salt spray when you feel like it. Dont be discouraged if they slip out at first...they'll re-knot themselves. Im at 2.5 months now. My head is half backcombed and half natural. The ones I backcombed have almost completely slipped out and started to knot on their own. I hear thats pretty typical. Alls it takes is time, love and patience! Good luck!
i know a guy on youtube who blow dries his hair to melt the bee's wax (and he wonders why his locks are falling off) and even he knows that its serious stuff since its so hard to get out. after you get this wax out i suggest you wait 2 weeks or something to give your hair a break. you dont want to try to and make the foundation of a lock with weak/stressed hair.
I don't know if this would work on dreads but to get wax out of carpet you take some brown paper bag put it over the wax and heat it up with a iron. the paper sucks up the wax. Maybe use a blow dryer instead. or get a fried to use the iron.
Thanks to all for the advice. I don't think I'll be blow drying my hair as I don't want to damage it further, and I especially don't like the sound of taking an iron to my 3" hair. :S I'll try my best to get all the beeswax out thru combing and hot water.
Once that stuffs all out of your hair, throw away your rubber bands as well. Best way is the long, hard route, lots of backcombing and palm rubbing. Also, you should try a little trick I like to call Dread Fisting. First put your hand around the root of your dread, between your thumb and first finger. Hold tight. Now wrap your other fist around your dread and go round and round and round. You'll feel it getting tighter and tighter as you work from root to tip. Make sure you're going the right way, everyones hair goes either clockwise or anticlockwise, if your dread seems to be getting looser or just not doing anything after five minutes, go the other way. Hope that helps dreadheads!
dont recommend that. what you are suggesting is rigorous and stressful on the hair and scalp. people get obsessive with palm rolling, backcombing and other unnecessary methods of "maintenance" and they just do more harm then good. locking your hair shouldn't be hard, it should just take patience.
I was thinking one of those hair irons. Don't know much about that sort of thing. Just had to say that so ya didn't think I was meaning a clothes iron. But I think your doing the right thing by starting over.
