I'm certain this has been covered somewhere, but I don't feel like combing through the archives and if it's in the Stickies I couldn't find it ... :& I'm trying to dread, but my hair is rebelling. It gets really oily and feels gross at the roots about every three days, so I wash it with natural peppermint shampoo (no conditioners) ... and as soon as the water hits it, the curls straighten out. I haven't combed in probably six months, don't live near the ocean, and refuse to use wax, so what can I do to knot up? Thanks!
I'm not a dread expert, but maybe you could either try: a) Not washing, but spraying a mix of ½ water and ½ sea salt (available nearly anywhere). Should take care of the oilyness. b) backcombing. c) twist and rip. Anyone, please correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks! Sea salt spray -- good plan! A friend recommended Dr. Bronner's too, need to scout for it. I don't know how to twist and rip, and I've heard back-combing is bad in the long run ... anyone have any links or further tips?
Backcombing isnt "Bad" it's just different from "Natural" people with oily hair are probobly better off backcoming (I did) after backcombing the knots will loosen, and loop/frizz and then tighten up (takes about 2 months to notice the difference with oily hair) and even if the knots do loosen up so much you think they'll fall out, your hair is now conditioned to lock up anyway, because of all the bumps, turns, and bends in your hair. I hate to recomend this website because of it's uber crappy products, and super high prices, but they have a realy great section about backcombing. www.dreadheadhq.com
Yeah I reccommend backcombing to anyone who gets greesy hair quickly (me) my hair gets greesy within two days! (OH NO!) Anyway I backcombed and I use the sea salted water and it does do a very good job with the greese trust me :]
I would wash daily with Dr. Bronners, either do nothing else, or rub your head with a wool sweater, just to get it going. Then let nature take its course. The cleaner your hair, the more it will knot!
