Thinking about Dreads!

Hey guys... so I'm brand baby new to the forum... and I am thinking about backcombing into some nappy dreadness... I'll include a picture of my hair from thanksgiving it's like...12" long or so I think, at the longest point, am I going to lose length when I backcomb? How short will they be approx? I.e. I don't want to look like a pincushion. Also any additional advice I get from anyone? IS backcombing the way to go? Is there a better way? etc etc etc...

 

just shave your head now while there's still time.

 

That's helpful.

 

You won't be looking like a pin cushion. Since you have curly hair you might not notice much shrinkage. You'll probably get 20-35 percent of shrinkage I'm guessing. Not bad.
A lot of people on this site are into the natural method. That method takes a lot of patience and time. Keyword patience.
And with backcombing your dreads will come in faster and be more organized but it'll also need some time.
Do you want consitent sized dreads or various sizes?

 

Don't shave your hair, I think it'll look pretty with dreadlings on it >.<

 

Consistent... I'm new to the idea honestly, I had just read that backcombing is the "best" for longer hairs... I'm all about patience, no worries there.

 

Don't worry. My lady friend would kill me if I shaved my crown. ;-)

 

I guess I should say, that my friend has had dreads for a year or so... and doesn't do ANYthing save wash them, doesn't roll or separate or nuthin and frankly, they look gross. I don't want clumpy dreads, I want nice little head tendrils.

 

Backcombing is good if you want dreads like this:


Natural is good if you want dreads like this:

^That's kind of a bad example though, I think these particular natural dreads are youngish so that why it's fuzzy. But notice how it ranges in sizes/shapes?

Either method is good/easy. Neither is best since it's a matter of opinion.

 

sounds like you'd prefer back combed sectioned dreads. Do you have a friend to help you with this process?

 

Awesome, yes. I think backcombing is the way for me. And yeah, figure a good movie day with the lady and a metal comb is in the near future. And I'm assuming from reading around... no wax? What about the powder stuff? or I've read about "locking assistant) or some sorta spray.

 

(sidenote) I'm going back home to Frisco over spring break and I'm stoked about beatin around the Haight with little dreadlings. STOKED.

 

NEVER WAX.
Lol, people will try to tell you that you need it to get tight locks but it's not good. The powder is a waste of moolah. Since your hair is curly you will probably need to only backcomb 2 times and then it'll stick. Throw away your conditioner too.

 

wash with a residue free soap like dr bronners or baking soda if you have oily hair

 

The top girl has unusually uniform locks even for backcombed, really.

 

But, I like the tight clean roundness, size isn't necessarily the most important factor.

 

You think it's extensions?
The caption of the pciture said it was real backcombed dreads.

 

those are backcombed. where did you get the pic.?

 

I got the pictures off of my internet search engine but I read the photo caption's on it's site before I posted it to make sure.
First one clamied to backcomb, second one claimed to go neglect. I didn't see why they would lie though.... I was using it to help with the decison making, perhaps I've used bad examples.
But I'm pretty sure the OP was aiming for backcombed dreads regardless.