Hi everybody, I'm new here to dreadlock land, although I have been lurking from the shadows for quite a while now. I just have a couple of questions before I start my locks... 1. Since I don't wish my head to melt in the summer, I'm not using wax, but I will be backcombing/crocheting, what would work better in the beginning, using a salt water solution or the Knottyboy Tightening gel (its basically just diluted aloe and citrus juices) for helping them tighten ? 2. Once I get my dreads the recommendation is to wash them ever 3 to 5 days, am I right? But since I will still be showering everyday should I cover them or just let the water at them and not use the shampoo? 3. Do you think 5 1/2 inches is good enough to start? Thanks alot
1- for what? Washing? 2- wash whenever you feel dirty. It may be everyday (or every other day, or every third day, whatever)for a while, then you will probably feel yourself needing to wash less and less overtime. Just when you need to wash-do it. 3-yes
For helping speed up the locking process, see im not sure what to think of the aloe and citrus mixture, it seems like a lubricant to me, would it help the locking? ill edit the first post so its clearer
The only way to help to help the locking is weed. Seedless weed. And it majorly helps the locking process if you smoke it with me. But for real....just weed.
I personally used the salt water mixture.. didn't really notice any effect on my hair, and if you don't want to put shit in your hair like wax, idk why you'd put 'gel' in it. I'd imagine they'd feel sticky and whatnot with both gel or wax. Just palm roll 'em if you want 'em to tighten better/faster.. but even that gets old after like the first 2 weeks of doin' it everyday. Like some just said, just wash them when they feel dirty, just trust me.. and everyone else.. you'll know when they need to be washed. Though during the first month or so, i tried to keep mine on a strict washing routine, and then after the first month the routine kept getting less and less strict and I just wash 'em whenever now (i've have mine for 5 months). As for letting water run over them if you're not using shampoo.. That's fine, but during the first two months i had mine, I wore a nylon over my dreads, but still got them wet, (yes, women's pantyhouse, tie the legs together and cut em off at the knot and you got yourself a lil doorag thang), cause the first time I did my dreads that had a really bad habit of coming completely out to my normal hair during the first month.. wearing that seemed to prevent that a great deal though.. But I guess to answer your question in short.. It's fine to rinse them with water if you're not washing them. 5 1/2 inches is fine, I started mine at 6 inches and kinda wish i'da started 'em a little shorter.
Yeah, Im not sure what to think of it, I've heard talk of Aloe being good for taming frizzies and lemon is put into the salt water tightening solutions sometimes, but im not sure if aloe is good for helping tighten.
during my first month or so i tried to only get mine wet when i washed them so i would use a plastic bag to cover them but only because our shower head is one of the rain ones that just fall on you. Now i just get em wet but if i dont feel like drying them i just tie them up and try not to get them wet.
the aloe "gel" thing sounds sketchy at best, and a total rip off. If you really want to use aloe on your hair, just get some aloe from someone who grows it or something, don't buy an actual "product" where they charge you some ridiculous amount. The less natural it is, the less I want it on my hair
Don't put anything in your hair for the first few months. The first months are were your hair will be seperating and defining themselves, you don't wanna mess with them. Let them do their own business. The "real" progress isn't going to start until months 4-5. Until then it's all seperating and a little bit of locking. You shouldn't use aloe until you actually have dreads. And you won't have "real" dreads until somewhere around then 10 month mark. Even then there is still a lot more progress your hair will go through. Once your hair has matured a bit (from the 1 year point and on) you could use aloe if you want. Aloe isn't going to make it lock any faster, it will just hold the loose hairs down. And make sure to wash the aloe out regularly or else it will literally rot in your hair and smell worse than wax. Other than that just let your hair do it itself. Also don't crochet for the first 6 months at least. It's pointless, it will just fall out again and again. And you'll damage the hell out of your hair. Crocheting is to put the loose hair back into dreads. That's right "dreads" not seperated hair like you will have for the many months ahead.
I used aloe the first few months just to help with the halo of frizz. However, I didnt use it everyday. I only used it on special occassions. There is no gel or wax that is going to help with the locking process...so if you were planning on using that citrusey stuff for that purpose....I'd just throw it out. As far as the shower goes, if your hair is long enough to pull back so it doesnt get wet...do it. If it's not then just let it be and do your best not to get it wet. However...if you do get it wet it's not the end of the world. Your hair will continue to knot up regardless. pictures? =]
I kind of figured that it was marketing hype, but since I don't even have dreads/separated hair with a little bit of locking, I figured it get some opinions.
yeah it really is all marketing hype. The only thing that dreads hair is time. Gel and wax just glue your hair together....they dont help create knots which is essential.
