Questions on starting 'Natural' Dreadlocks

My hair is almost 3 inches so I realise it's not going to start Dreading for quite abit so I have a few questions and I assumed this was the best place to ask.

1. Is it essential to get a residue free shampoo before your hair starts to dread or is it just whilst?
2. (This only probably applies to UK members) Do they sell Dr.Bronners in the UK?
If so where?
3. Is there anything I can do to encourage the Dreading process (other than not brushing and just washing which im already doing) ?
4. At what length do you usually see the signs of dreadlocks?
5. How long will it take to start dreading? I've read 3 years doing the natural method - and that seems an awfully long time.

Sorry about the random order.
Thanks in advance, Laurence.

 

http://www.theremustbeabetterway.co...ic_Soap.html?gclid=CK-Mx-ONqpYCFQaT1QodlzXQyw

for dr bronners in UK

 

Thankyou :cheers2: but which one would you recommend?

 

1. I have no idea if my shampoo is residue free, but I used all-natural shampoo since *before* day 1

2. n/a

3. swim in the ocean

4. can't help you there because my hair was quite long and it often depends on the hair type anyway

5. my hair started to dread almost immediately (by week 2 I had an honest-to-goodness baby dread)... it's just that it takes a couple of years before they start looking nice

 

Ive only used the tea tree and i would recommend it! tea tree's great for many things, including keeping lice away. depends what you want tho

 

I'll definately look into that one then.

Thank you very much.

 

mine started ay bout that length

essential is a poor word to use, its never truley essential just best
u might as well start using it now it will make the process faster

already covered but fpt others u can get it almost anywhere in the world

swimmi8ng in the ocean and wearring a wool tam
plauy with it
u could also add a few beads

depends in hair type but generaly 4-6 inches should do the trick..
all the fuzz between my dreads start forming new dreads roughly at 3 1/2 inches or so..

wherever u saw 3 years was most likely trying to sell ya a quicker methis with products
it can be lil slow for some ppl even over a year but many manuy see dreads forming in weeks..weeks to months beubng that its lil on the short side it might take a bit unless u pkay with it a bit ot add beads
ive seen natural dresds form overnight..ofcourse they6 wernt tight mayure locks but in a single night they were well on the way and probly could have become tight in a week or 2 (that was thick but straight assian hair to the waist)
mine i have no idea how long it took but i am pretyty sure i had dreads in just a couple weeks..although was a long time ago so coulda been a month or even 2 no clue ..

 

Thank you very much soaringeagle, and may I say your dreads are amazing.

 

Hey I use Dr Bronners. Just thought i'd throw in some advice. I've never used the peppermint but the lavendar and the rose scented ones scented my hair for around three days. I'd also stay away from the citrus ones if you remember pears soap it kinda smells like that it's awful. The cheapest place to get it from (I'm presuming you live in uk) is on Ebay. Theres a store called Winton's health foods they sell it for £8.95 If you can get it cheaper though, let me know

 

for me mine tightened up enough that they weren't frail and unforming when i washed at about 1 month, then at about 3 months someone on the street actualy noticed/stated whatever that they are dreads (before that they didn't look much like dreads, just a big uncombed mess like i was a ferrule child) i'm at 4 months now and they're doing well but still don't look like bob marley or whatever

 

wow, youhave gotten some awesome advice here. i second wearing a tam, it really has helped mine mature. I am 5 weeks in and there are days when I am totally frustrated, and days when I am totally stoked and amazed. It won't take you 3 years to get dreads, in a month or so you will get some recognizable dreads/knots. It will just take longer for them to look like dreads reliably everyday. Be patient, good luck - natural is awesome!

 

Thankyou very much for your advice also.

That ferrule child bit is the stage I am not looking forward too but thank you very much.