Hey all! So I am supposed to be having my hair dreaded by a friend on saturday. I was wondering if you all could help me with what I need to do in preparation to make things run as smoothly and correctly as possible. -I bought some "Rusk being primitive clay/argile/arcilla" wax to aid the process (i've already decided on using wax so please hold on the "no wax" comments thanks! (and im only going to use it sparingly too)). -I also got those black hair rubber band things. -I believe I will using the backcombing method what should I do to prepare my hair in the upcoming days? which products should I already have to have a steady progression for my locks? shampoos/cleansing oils/etc... now other than a comfortable area with many things to entertain with (for the long duration is supposedly takes) and a lot of patience, what do I need to do to prepare my hair for this adventure! Any stories and helpful advice of all of your beginnings are very welcome! since I cannot insert an image I wanted in here, My hair is pretty curly, probably around 5 or so inches if straightened.
Wash your hair and make sure it's bone dry when you start. I don't think wax is a bad idea, I started mine with wax. it's helpful in the beginning. I've never had the perfect shampoo I just can't seem to get it right and you'd think after almost 8 years I'd be doing something right! The small black rubber bands I never used I think they look silly, I guess I'd rather be messy then fake neat, I would say no to the rubber bands but it's all a question of what you like and whats best for you ya know? Don't be disappointed if after a few months they don't look like you thought they would. be patient, they will one day look like you dreamed they would. Good luck!
ok....if you decide to use that wax, you will be coming back to us later on asking how to remove it. it is not necessary...do you really want that nasty crap in your hair? ask anyone who has had their dread for more than a year, and they will advise against using wax. there isn't really a whole lot you need to do, or products you need. just wash it every once in a while and let time do the work for you.
Well... Mine are 8 years in Nov. I don't regret using wax. I don't think the wax has done anything bad to them. At this stage there's many other things in my dread besides wax. I would think that after 8 year the wax I used then would be long gone by now. Granted I did use the cleanse thing and it helped with the smell but I think the smell had a lot to do with shampoo's and wet hair than anything. If wax stayed in the dread then my dreads would be twice as thick as they are now cause I've used wax many many times.
Thanks for the replies! I understand your wax point. I plan on using it to get started, but not for the entire length of time I will have the dreads (hopefully years ) Once I get a feel for them and how to properly maintain them I will trend away from waxing them! Thanks for the having dry hair advice and the rubber thingies. Im not going to keep them in there for very long, once again just to get it started to make sure everything goes smoothly. I am going to remove them relatively shortly after I get my hair done. As of right now, I should be getting the dreadlocks on saturday afternoon-night. Ill try an post pictures and etc...to show the process/progress. Any more hints or tips are welcome from more experienced dreadheads Im extremely excited for these babies to mature and turn into something I can be extremely proud of.
mm i hope it isnt too late... before u start use saltwater on ur dreads (seasalt spray or smth) it helps alooot with the backcombing protsess (saltwater on ur hair, and let it dry or wash it off- just dont use shampoo or smth)
dont use wax \and jillo your dreads smellked and trapped shit in em because wax does not come out without very hot water over 140 or 160 f thats hpot enough to blister the scalp if u never used the wax youd never have the s,mell or the dirt trapped in em
Hey all- Thanks for the concerns et al. I had them done yesterday. we started at 4 pm and they were done around midnight! I used wax and I think they came out quite good. I went to the gas station today and was already complimented on the . Hopefully my hair will be an anomaly and not get dirty or smelly. I used minimal amounts of wax (i know over time it will add up, yes) but im hopeful in its ability to stay together on its own. we counted them last night and there are 76 separate dreads!!!!!! (I would post pictures but i have no photobucket/other online picture storage....any help on this problem would be appreciated if you know how to sidestep the attaching images from online process!). I took a LOT of pictures throughout the whole process so my entire afternoon was recorded! We started at 4 outside at the pool with a bunch of friends around so it was more of a watch me get my hair dreadlocked and swim and chill party, which was very relaxing and fun for all involved and not involved in the process! We took breaks every 45 or so minutes and those who helped with my hair would cool down in the pool (i was dying to jump in however with the dreads i decided against it ha). Some poeple left some showed up and we made a break to go to the local ice cream shop where i got some nice looks from those around since my hair was half dreaded half curly haha. We returned and started playing Mario Kart wii and watched shrek 3 with everyone. It was quite the positive social experience for all involved. I have a few questions now. after the dreads were finished, they all sort of just stuck up and out from my head. Will these end up relaxing and falling to the side of my head (this is what im expecting)? How long is it before I can get my hair wet? I was told 2 weeks to let them start forming as one. when I take showers I will be wearing a shower cap, is there any other better way to take showers? Im really active, I play on a men's soccer team, and we play twice a week, (as well as pickup frisbee/bball/etc...) each time I get drenched in sweat and my hair gets pretty sweaty, will this deteriorate the dreads? What can I do to prevent this from happening? What sort of hats/head gear can/should i wear for these upcoming few weeks. I might be rockin' the bandana and maybe a wool hat or something (i have one in red/back/yellow stripes). suggestions? How often should I be re-applying the wax? I was told about once a week-2 weeks. How often should i self-twist them and tighten them up? THANKS again to you all. I hope my "babies" progress and mature according to schedule, where I will hopefully be able to update you all!
Ints- Unfortunately i JUST saw your post- a day too late....I washed my hair in the shower a early in the day and let it dry out completely. We did use the backcombing process which did become pretty painful and had to take a break every now and then to have the feeling of a scalp return to me. I hope they can come out just as good as if I used saltwater.
dont reaply wax..ever get rid of the wax you put in..wax is totaly evil i dunno why ya used it in the 1st place if u read any info here look for the wax removal thread keep in mind the water needs to be extremely hot...dangerously hot so be careful do not ever use it again use aloe instead wich rinces right out wash your hair weekly sweat wont hurt a bit, in fact its salt water right? it will help u can wet your hairr today your hair knots most when wet especialy right after washing as long as u doint condition backcombing and twisting and palm rolling and all that isd all really just wasted effort, do it if you feel you need to, but, your hair wiull dread less painfully with far less work on its own if you just let it be wax is anti-dread purely residue you want residuee free hair right ? so throw away ther wax..never ever touch it again.. do the wax removal soon..maybe u can wait a week without too much harm.. you may need to do it often..even a tiny tiny smount is extremely difficult to get out and is a huge mistake you shouldnt have ever used it to begin with but since u did your top priority should be removing it..even if it came down to combing it all out and stsrting over once its totaly gone wether u start over or not, you should then use aloe instead..also very sparingluy and not often..once a month maybe.. after 3 months you shouldnt need it at all unless u really felt the need
Thanks for the info soaringeagle. I Used the wax once and thats it. I decided to let it "just do its thing" method. what type of shampoo do you all suggest. these are the options i have learned of so far from this site. (i hope these analysis are correct...) Dr. Bronners- What im leaning torward. residue free shampoo. should i mix it in another bottle with 1/3 bronners and 2/3 water? dreadhead hq/knottty boy products- stay away from...just ruins the hair acv- ??? no idea what that means baking soda and water- no sure the benefits or whatnot, only read it makes your scalp itchy which i do not want. Just want to doublecheck with my decision to pick dr. bronners. everyone has had good experiences with it and its reliable? Also it's ok that my hair gets wet? (like someone already said...) Even though it has only been a week since i started them? Thanks! (as you can see it is tough for me to make correct decisions since i have been thrown into a heap of misinformation on other websites)
No problem getting your hair wet if you dry it after its alright, it create new knots so thats what you want. ACV is apple cider vinegar, good to clean your hair. And you can dilute DrBronner with like 12 part water if you want, it's a good shampoo for your dread, but I personally use Marseille Soap, but not sure if they sell that in USA.
Thanks Shorty, Ill probably be going out tomorrow to a whole foods or something to get the dr. bronner's. If anyone could clarify the directions for the "12 part" waters and the diluting process, i would very gratified. How much would i need to put on my head for everything to get washed? How long should I leave it in my hair for before i rinse it out? Thanks once again all of you are making this process very easy, hopefully I can pass on this knowledge once im through the beginner stage!
