Between the backcomb and the natural

Okay, so...

Hi! I just joined the forum to post here. But looking around the other places, I'm kinda into it all so I'm happy I joined. Anyway, on to the dreadthings.

I've been wanting dreads since early May. And I've done a tonnn of research. And I was convinced that dreadheadhq was the way to go. Now, not so much. I'm seeing that wax is what dreads dread. I've seen a big push for natural dreads, and a slight resistance from the backcombing crowd.

Here is where I come in, wanting dreadlocks. My understanding is that, dreads will form if backcombed or not. But, should hair be sectioned off anyway? Or rather, can it be sectioned off anyway? I understand that dreading hair can be as passive or as active as you want, and I'd like to fall neatly in between. I don't mind them being imperfect. I would like them to be relatively equal though.

And as for beads - how do they stay in? I have, from what people tell me, really nice hair. And it is long enough that, when I put it back with an elastic hairband, the hairband will slide off (even with a supertacky rubber grip strip). I feel like if I slide a bead into my hair, it'll just slide out.

Perhaps there is a certain length that hair needs to be for a bead? I don't know. But I'm gonna start washing with Dr. Bronner's soon. It's a start at least.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

Either way will result in quality, as long as you don't use wax or other harmful products. It is ultimately your decision in the end . Like you said, there is a big push for natural dreads; this is often for spiritual reasons. It usually takes significantly longer to achieve mature dreadlocks this way, but some find the results to be superior. If you decide to backcomb I would recommend doing it once and then allow your hair to do its thing. Maybe pull them apart if they try to fuse. In the end I've seen awesome results from both methods. Do what you think is best for you. I think either way you will be good to go!

edit-- reading again through your post, I think backcombing would suite your needs. You said you'd like them to be relatively equal and that would be easier through backcombing. While a bead might slip off of straight hair, I think soaringeagle has a way of making it stay on. For me, after backcombing the beads stayed on.


Just my 2 cents worth, whichever you decide will work out well, good luck!!

 

Yup super smash bros. pretty much summed it all up. Its really a personal prefrence to whichever suits your liking. as far as natural method goes, some feel that they cheated their way into a hair style that "should" be formed and can be formed naturally, while others may just want to see how their personal dreads would be naturally formed without any forceful modification. Where others dont beleive it necessarily 'should' be done a specific way, and maybe their work environment may not be a great place for the knatty messy 'pre-dread' hair that comes with the neglect method. either way, both types love their dreads, but many (as i see on this forum) feel that they regret doing a backcombing method and wished they went neglect when they see results from both sides. the choice is yours.

As for something in between, yes a bead will work, and you'll have to check with soaring eagle on his method of keeping it in. because i dont completely understand the thread thing. Or you could section off your hair, and tie a hemp twine or string around the root of each section and just wash with bronners and when the sections knot with eachother, just rip them apart and you will defenitly eventually end up with dreads. i would have to say that would probably be your best choice for 'in between'. (or even the tiny rubber bands. but i hear those may melt in your hair and might not be too good to use, thats why i suggested the string.)

 

thank youuu for your help guys! :bigear:

I asked people on a different forum what they think, and one guy told me that his brother put dreads in, and after he cut them off found out that he was balding. He thinks it is because of the dreads (maybe he didn't wash his hair well enough).

I don't think that'd make a person go bald though...
Would it?

 

Some people just bald prematurly, and sometimes hair thins; it could be caused from a numerous amount of things from mal-nutrition to just plain premature balding... Ive never heard of dreads causing people to go bald, and i wouldnt say its because they dont wash their hair. Ive seen people go soooo long without ever washing their hair and its stronger then everyone elses, shampoos like rape your hair.

 

hey man of course the choice is up to you what method to use....but I recommend considering going natural. IMO, they look better when they become more mature, is easier, it sections off itself, and teaches you patience. Just stop combing for a couple weeks, or months...and see what happens. Good luck with whatever path you choose.

 

nope, it's just genetics. always inherited from the maternal side of the family too. tell him to research that before he starts blaming his poor little dreadies.

 

sweet. no baldness for me then.
My mom's side has godly hair.

I'd like to go as natural as possible. I mean, knotted hair is knotted hair, right? I'm gonna start neglecting it soon. Gotta hit up wholefoods for some Dr. Bronner's.

 

pboyle00.. how long has your dreads been up? mine's only in its two weeks and so far, there aint any strands of dreads. haha. i think im gonna have to wait more time. tons of it. anyway, its getting all weirdly pre-dreading now. i use 3 washes when i wash it: diluted vinegar for itchiness, salt solution to slightly dry it up more, and boiled lemongrass water for fragrance and antibacterial purposes. am i doing something wrong in here? enlighten me, as i've only formulated it all by myself and influenced by some threaders. haha. so, there, feel free to give out your opinions.

 

backcombing is sucha better method... the "natural way" doesnt even make ur hair look like locks.. it looks like a crazy mess, or something else like ur own do or something back comb makes the locks look tighter and neater.... messy "dreads" r ugly. looks like a bird nest.

this is what i call sexcii dreads

http://www.daundaground.com/images/goapele.jpg

 

Emma guirl, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however, a lot of people do not decide to have dreads because of the way they look. Dreads can be a very personal and very spiritual thing. It isn't always about fashion. Natural dreads are not always messy either. After years and years, despite the method, dreads will be dreads. It really hurt me when you said messy "dreads" are ugly. The dreads you are speaking of, are most def. dreads and the only "ugly" dreads I have ever seen are ones that have been mistreated by the use of unnatural products and/or people who don't properly care for them.

 

I haven't really started my dreads. I mean... no separation or backcombing. I have stopped playing with my hair, so I'm feeling it knot up (I never combed it). The reason I haven't "started" is because my girlfriend lovesss my hair. She loves playing with it because, while I have a lot, it has a lot of bounce. That and she's a fan of pulling it when we.... get together.

Today my hair is a poofy fuzzy mess. I feel like my hair will section off quickly. The oils in my hair sorta cause it to happen if I don't wash it.

and @ emma quirl - I don't think neglect is better or worse than backcombing. Your dreads form based more on you than what you've done to them (unless you wax them). Tighter dreads come with time, not backcombing. Just an illusion.

And the girl in that picture definitely has African hair. As a white guy, my dreads will never look like hers, lol.

 

it is possible to make ur dreads neat. yes she is half african. and speaking of tighter dreads.. i dont have ethnic hair but i am at my most best gonna try to make em as tight and neat looking as possible.. if ur gonna take a responsibility y not continue working on it.. than just letting it do whatever... natural way just doesnt seem so nice to ME.. and im not trying to offend anyone these r my OWN opinions... towards what i feel and think/see. if u like the way they r then thats great! but.. i am favor of backcombing and twisting and also applying wax.

 

That's cool Emma, but just make sure you know what the effects of using such things could be. Wax can do some pretty rough things to dreads.

 

yea i am aware of that too.. wax can damage dreads, but thats y i wont be using it consistantly, but more in the begining to help it remain tight and neat. i love d.locks and i want em to look like d.locks as well... not a mess.. i think wax helps to maintain them for the begining of the dreading time period... dreadhead gives good tips... y are ppl so against it? .. it helps the process... for the hairs inside dread while the outside holds it together for them to form.

 

I thought like you too (about the wax), until I used it after I got backcombed. I can't speak for DreadHead's wax, but Knotty Boy's made me miserable. The smell alone was enough for me to head to the shower. Scrubbed that crap out and now my hair is locking up superfast. Much faster than I thought it would honestly. And I'm not sticky and smelly. Win win.

 

ok well. i dread one part of my hair, i backcomed, twisted, and applyed this wax i bought not any famous dreadhead or knotty boy's.. i use an all natural shampoo a bit expensive, but is what i use for caring for my hair. and the one dreadlock that i made was tight in 2 days, cuz i applyed the wax.. backcombed, twist... the one dreadlock was straight neat and frizz free.. didnt have any smell and were non greasy. i dont have ethnic hair either.

most of what ppl say is the worse method...

 

Sure they may "look" like dreads from afar... for now.
Good luck getting the wax out after you see for yourself it was a mistake