Hey all. Been lurking here for a while; finally got around to starting dreads. I just wanted to drop in and show them off, but I probably won't be around to talk much unless I have questions. You can call me Cy. I started my dreads a week and a half ago. I had my hairstylist and sister team up to twist and rip them-- it took three and a half hours. xD I wash them every other day with drugstore shampoo (trying to transition away from that; I used to wash every day and have been able to back off). Now I just pull 'em apart when they start mating. No wax/crocheting/felting. When they firm up some more, I may put some pretty wool into them. I left my fringe out. Here's my hair before (I'm linking the pics cause they're big): http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/IMG_2906.jpg http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/IMG_2900.jpg Here's the day of: http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_2922.jpg Next morning: http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_2982.jpg http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_2988.jpg And this weekend in the mountains: http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_3071.jpg http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_3072.jpg http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/wintercylence/Dreads/IMG_3076.jpg Thoughts? I'm really hoping they shrink up. I was at the point where I was going to cut my hair off it I didn't dread it, so hopefully they lose a little length. If not, I'm trimming them.
They look good. They may or may not shrink, it seems to happen to some people more than others. Also, you're pretty.
Mine kept growing for the first year and this whole second year has been nothing but shrinkage! However your hair is so long that the shrinkage wont be as noticeable I dont think...you'll still have major length. They look great! =]
Aww, thank you guys. Hmm, well, if they get longer and starting driving me crazy I may just trim them a little. Might look funny, but it'll resolve itself eventually.
Hey Cylence, looking at your dreads I think due to the thinness of them they'll take longer to dread...did you want them so thin? I'd maybe take some out and re twist and rip them to make em bigger or put some wraps around a few to bind them? I'd say they'd shrink quicker than as well. They shrink when they're knotting up and they need a good bit of hair to knot up so there should be more in each dread. Also, careful with washing with regular shapmoo especially as often as you seem to be because most of them have moisturising qualities in them which can also slow the dreading process. I wouldn't trim them either, give them time to shrink. Mine shrunk from 3 months on so let them work without interfering with them.
Thanks for the advice, Luxiebow. I did just switch to tea tree Bronners this morning, and like I said, I'm trying to transition away from the frequent washings. It's just that when my hair was undreaded, I washed it every day because of the tendency to get oily. It's taking time to get my scalp used to less-frequent washing. Hmm, yeah, I do like the thinner look (on myself, at least)... I'm gonna leave them alone size-wise for now and see what happens. I realize I sounded a little impatient about the shrinkage, but I'm really not worried. I'm okay with doing nothing and letting them take their time-- I grew up hating to do anything to my hair before I went out, and my mom had to force me to brush it. My hair is the one thing I am patient with... otherwise it would have never made it to as long as it is.
they will shrink my friend . that technique is good if when they ripped and twisted, they did it nice and tight, if they did that, they will lock up good. if they didnt, then who knows, but they will probably shrink in a few months .. good luck !
