OK Lock experts where to start!?

I've finally decided to take the plunge and lock it up!

I've been lurking here for the last few weeks finally becoming a *member* today

So - my question is where do I start!? What worked for those that used no wax and how should I throughly cleanse my hair before getting to work?

Excuse my naivety to how this process is to start as I don't have a salon that I'm willing to pay $$$ too when its something I'm sure I can work on myself?

 

Stop brushing or, backcomb it yourself without wax. Either way, it'll look a complete mess for a year or so.

Just wash your hair as often as you do now, just don't use conditioner.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different shampoos or the more natural Bicarb/apple cider vinegar rinse.

It is that simple.

 

I stopped washing my hair for 2 weeks to slow down my oil production..then used a non residue shampoo for another week before I backcombed it.

Make sure your hair is CLEAN...squeaky clean, before you start the dread process. Since you can't brush your hair from then on, the residues that are in there could stay in there.

When the dreads are babies, baby them...I wore a pantyhose hat in the shower for a while.

It all depends on which process you do use though, have you decided on one?

 

babying them won't help anything. if anything, be rough with them to encourage friction, knotting, and movement.

see the thread entitled "sticky read this before posting". it has an FAQ thread.

 

Ohhhhh i thought you were talking about picking locks, then I got worried when you were talking about wax and washing your hair before.

 

No I haven't just yet but leaning towards trying to backcomb as little as possible and just work them *natural* - if that makes sense?

 

I have been through that section many times over before posting this

 

I meant the first few days after backcombing, if that was the direction she was headed in.

 

but, why would you do that? put a stocking cap on your locks?

invisible pink, i directed you towards the faq b/c your somewhat vague questions are already answered there.

 

I backcombed initially, I wash when I have an evening free, and started my dreads when my hair was short. I also play with my hair all the time. Works for me.

 

I agree with Vig, no need at all for a stocking on your head.

 

just dont brush yer hair then!

wash it, tangle it, seperate when theyre too chunky, but otherwise just leave it

 

In the shower, to protect them for the first week or so. Just while washing my hair, I didn't walk around with one on my head all the time.

 

Protecting them from what?

 

oh boy, I know what you ment. It's the equal of being gentle with them so they don't come undone.
But at the end it doesn't make any difference. Actually, and I'm talking from my experience, it's better to be a little rough with them since it encourages the friction, hence the knoting.
But if the OP wants natural locks ... just stop brushing and wait, nothing else needs to be done

 

If they're backcombed they'll unravel anyway after a couple of months, happened with both my backcombed sets and other people's. It's a sign they're ready to lock up.

 

yep, you can't protect them from getting loose, nor do you want to

 

backcomb =/= natural.

Backcombing is not a "kickstart" (it slows things down, with the whole "fall out" stage), backcombing is not part of any natural ANYTHING, backcombing is not necessary.

TNR seems promising, if you MUST do stupid shit to your hair to try to force it to do what it does anyway.

 

Lots of great advice thanks guys! Leaving it up to mother nature! My hair is already weaned from SLS shampoos and well its use to being neglected too - should've done this years ago

 

roor, i wouldn't necessarily agree that backcombing slows down the process. it takes the place of neglecting, by speeding up the process, which is why people tend to backcomb more than they neglect in general.

also, twist and rip is not any less damaging than backcombing. i still recommend neglect though.

good luck invisible pink. let us know how it goes.