I have a few questions I have decided to use the neglect method and right now am washing my hair once a week. I was wondering though can I wear a tam during this process? Also can I use tam rubbing on top of neglect to help knot up faster?
its fine to wear a tam throughout the journey and if your tam is wool that will definitely help form knots. BTW have patience with these forums. It usually takes a few hours not minutes for responses.
yeah, wearing a wool tam will help make knots in your hair. i did some wool rubbing with a blanket i crocheted out of wool on the back of my head. i only did it once but it made some ridiculously tight knots. good luck.
I am trying to do something similar at the moment, actually.. I've decided I want dreads but I'm not sure if I want to use wax. So basically I'm just washing it with bar soap, keeping it dry and clean but also not combing or brushing it, and usually keeping a cloth beanie over it since it's winter. I just looked at it in the mirror and it's looking pretty fucking weird! but that doesn't bother me too much because I embrace weirdness. One thing I do know about dreads is that they take alot of patience. Doing it overnight is not possible, not if you want "true" dreads.
the best thing you will learn from the dreadlock journey is time. just forget about your hair. really. dont even have the dreadlock mentality. just let it be. it will knot. it WILL dread. just wait...
haha yea sorry for typing so quick I just forgot to add it into my initial response and thought I should let everyone know I am a nooby to this.
Yeah, I was leaning towards not using wax because that's what the Rastafarian's do around here, but I watched a "knotty boy" video that made it look so much easier/better if you use wax.. (i should have been more skeptical, knowing they are WAX SELLERs.. lol) well at least i have not put any in yet. so if not wax, then what? TIME, i imagine..?
That Knotty-boy video is nuts. That lady uses so much wax... then suggests that you put it in twice a week for 3 weeks? I do NOT wanna see what that guy's pillowcase looked like. I personally used a tiny bit of wax in the back right before I showered for maybe 3 weeks max... but after that it felt gross. Not to diss knotty boy or wax users, the choice is certainly yours, but it can be done on "white hair" without wax.
wow she did use a lot of wax! a few recommendations - if you do use wax. small amounts (m&m size or less per dread) - us on the surface only - you should not be able to see the wax once it is on.... - use the light color, if it gets on stuff it won't show.
just wash it regularly, concentrating on the scalp. Don't worry about any counter-clockwise nonsense... you'll drive yourself crazy
yeah justj wash like normal... make sure your hair gets DRY... if it starts getting skunky you can do an diluted Apple Cider Vinegar rinse... dont use rubberbands, and unless you want a monster beaver tail congo RIP them apart when they start eating each other. I've heard from many people on here that Aloe vera gel works wonders but I'm fairly skeptical of putting anything in my hair other than beads... but thats just me.
oh my god, that video makes me sick. that poor guy has nothing but a headful of wax. when the wax is thick enough to look like mud in your hair, how can you even stand it? it looks so gross and goopy! and the melting with the hair dryer! eeek! i'm glad that junk never made it into my locks.
Honestly your not gonna get any resulty using any kind of commercial products. Wax is a no no period. this is logic. Wax doesn't dry up especially on hair. You'll find the best info on dreads reading about them in rasta communities also u really shouldnt try washing your hair for the first couple of months to let the locks take form. When i u do wash your hair. Iv'e been told by rasta elders to use fruit extracts. Natural is best way but if u must rush Id'e suggest the back comb n palm roll method which is what i'm pondering....
i used knotty boy wax but i'm so glad i didn't follow that video. a tiny bit every few weeks helps cos i have unknottable hair. seriously, i considered letting my hair knot naturally but if i don't brush it or whatever it *still* stays shiny and smooth. i know that lady is an 'expert' but that was a gross amount of wax... weak salt water helps knots get tighter i find. spray it on, but not too much its not great for your hair really. or a swim in the ocean
Well, it depends on his hair type actually. I would assume that many in the rasta communities have african american hair, and the advice is geared towards that hair type. African american hair dreads differently than caucasion or asian hair types. The first cannot be washed as often as it has a totally different structure. The later can withstand more washings. If the OP has non-afro hair (and is not used to going a couple of months w/o washing), going that long will be detrimental.
I've got a half black friend that is dreading, and he hasnt washed in a few months. His hair does not get oily or greasy. Most white peoples hair if left unwashed that long will get gross.
