The 1000th person on here to get discouraged, I know!

Hi, I just started my dreadlocks a few weeks ago (and just joined this forum today), and I went the route of backcombing/waxing/rubberbanding. I also shampoo once a week with dreadheadhq shampoo. But my hair is very silky and oily, and has fallen out of the backcombing almost completely. I get the idea that I shouldn't keep backcombing, but what should I do? I don't want to neglect completely, because my professional career is going to start soon, and I want to control the size. Should I lose the rubberbands? Is wax really that bad? Is the advice on knottyboy and dreadheadhq all worthless, and is there no way to make dreads lock faster with loving care?

I'm feeling depressed, so I'd like some advice from people with neat locks. I've gotten used to the fuzzyness and not showering (I used to be VERY clean and self-conscious), and have even grown to like the bumpy look, so I'm willing to look a little funny. But I need to know that something is actually happening.

Thanks.

 

You should take the bands out. They will hinder the loose hairs from knotting. Make sure you get ALL the wax out too, its really horrible stuff. Try washing your hair next time with reaaally hot water so the wax will melt out. keep doing that for awhile until you think its all out.
if you just leave it alone, it will dread up. just make sure you keep on top of separating your dreads by ripping them so they all don't eat each other.

dont worry, all dreads need are time! im sure they'll look great soon. just be patient.
And if you are concerned with not looking professional, try putting them up or wearing a hat or a tam.

 

yea absolutely lose the bands theres threads about getting rid of wax mistakes but thats not an essy task
but must be done
only time will tighten your locks

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm starting to think that pinching my roots with rubber-bands aggressively palm-rolling wax into my hair every other day isn't the best way. I'm going to consider the natural methods you've suggested.

It's sad to get discouraged after only a couple weeks, but I'm not looking for quick results... I'm just afraid there's some magic trick I'm missing or something.

What can I do to start shaping them when I separate?

 

what exactly do you mean shaping them?

 

wax is evil! wash it out, unless you want it to stay in your hair forever and collect all sorts of grime and crap.
as for the shaping when you separate, i find that just rolling individual locks between my wet hands helps to give them some shape, at least more shape than they'd have if just left unattended.
welcome

 

Thanks a lot. Yeah, by shaping, I meant how should I round them out. I'll try rolling them a little like you said. Do they round out naturally, though?

 

yes, with time they'll do it naturally.