I'm new, hi, hello! Need some advice.

Hello everyone. I've been on this website, reading posts, since 12 this morning, so 9 hours later I finally made an account. I have dreaded my hair once before, backcombing method (I know everyone has mixed feeling about this method, but, hey, it was easy, or so I thought...). It went well at first it seemed. They were super loose, but I read that this is just a step in the journey of dreads, so I didn't worry too much. I kept them in about two months. I began to notice that all my hair slowly started to matte together in a big flat spot on the back of my head. I wouldn't have minded if it would have just been my dreads matting together a bit, but it was literally a big flat spot, like the entire back of my head. I came to a decision, and after 8 hours of a grueling combing session, they were gone. I can't tell you how sad I was to have to take them out. I even told myself I would never do them again, but here I am, ready to give it another try!

Can anyone tell me how to avoid this? I really think it was from sleeping on them. But I don't know.

I've been reading peoples stories, and looked more in depth on the methods. I feel like I am ready to try again. I need all the advice, and support I can get. I've even looked into several salons to do them professionally, but I refuse to have wax put into my hair. I've thought about doing the neglect dreading, but I really fear that the same thing is going to happen all over again. Helllllp!

 

I think neglect would solve this problem. Its because you hair will section off how its best to be sectioned. Instead of the sections you choose. If you get what I'm saying?

Also it goes fast, I'm a month in and the back of my head is all dreaded. I have thick wavy hair.

Another way to avoid this would be to separate the sections after you shower when your hair is almost dry but a bit damp.

I was skeptical of neglect at first, but I went with it anyway. I'd say give it a try. Get a wool hat, cover you pillow in wool, toss the comb and your good to go.

 

Thank you. I've really been thinking about the neglect method. Silly me thought that neglect meant no washing for the longest time, until I finally did my research.

I guess since I had backcombed them myself I pulled the ones from the back forward when combing them causing them to stay more toward the front, other than the back, and from sleeping on them caused them to stay up there.

Thank you so much for your quick response. Do you use any kind of products in your hair? I read a lot about sea salt soaks, aloe vera, yada yada yada.

Also, I have the exact opposite of your hair, haha. Thin and stick straight, no need for a straightener!

 

did you try seperating the dreads when they started to beaver tail? or at least, im assuming large flat spot means it was beaver tailing... Any who... You can go neglect but you would probably get fed up way before you actually have dreads, your talking at least two years before you have something that resembles dreads, 3-4 before you have a decent set. backcombing works quicker and in my opinion better... (for me anyway) you get an instant result, so you dont get shit from friends and bosses about messy hair, you just turn up and they accept it.

You have to seperate baby dreads a lot, it takes forever, it needs to be done every week or so, but once you get through this stage, if you do it properly you will be rocking a nice set of dreads inside 18 months

 

I just wash with Neutrogena T-Gel. Only because I can get it in my town. That's all I do. Otherwise Dr. Bronners sound like a good choice for shampoo.

As far as sea salt I don't really see that doing much but couldn't hurt ig. Unless it dries your scalp out. Aloe can be used to calm frizz if you have a family function to look good for, but i don't think it helps the process. Just a quick fix for a night then easy to wash out.

I'd say if you want awesome dreads just buy one of those shampoos and forget about your hair for a while. Easy and simple. Just make sure to section after showers.

If you haven't already. Read this sticky **Read this BEFORE POSTING or risk being flamed!** it has good info.

 

I read it before posting, haha. Thank you so much! I guess the only thing about neglect dreading is the time consumption of it. But the outcome is absolutely beautiful, all the different shapes and sizes. I really hope that I can have enough patience to do so. If not, I may do the twist and rip. Backcombing really did a number on my hair, so I'm not to sure about it anymore. I don't know. I'm so anxious to have dreads.

 

As far as products are concerned, sea salt encourages frizzing and therfore locking. a good dip in the sea is always good for your hair, if your looking for products, the less shit in them the better, try to avoid anything with sls purely on the basis that its not good for your hair,

Either way your hair is going to itch like a motherfucker, its part of the process of getting used to not being washed as much as its used too, this means your doing it right,

Dreads are not something you can rush, first thing we tell everyone is chill out and forget about your hair, your not gonna have dreads til 2013 if you started today

 

I've read a lot about them, I kinda compiled a list on my notepad about what's bad, and what other say is good. I read that SLS will pretty much destroy your dreads.

Last time I did them I remember the itch being awful. It's nothing unbearable though. Since I took them out I have been doing as much research on them I can. I didn't take them out last time because I had a beaver tail, it was because the back of my hair was literally flat against my head, no dreads at all.

I know that it will take like 18 months for them to look presentable, I'm in no rush for that. I'm just in a rush to get them started. Haha. Thank you again!

 

This is around the first month that I had them, I don't really have any good pictures.
Can't wait to start them again.

 

Definitely suits you soooo well!! <3
You should start them tomorrow. I mean, backcoming is a good way to have the sections you want started, but they will fall out and separating pretty much after every wash is needed if you don't want congos (which is what I am doing, it's annoying but better than congos IMO). So buy yourself the right shampoo and something to help with the itchies and just go for it.

 

aww, you so prettyyy. Love your eyes <3

 

Good luck and remember this time, patience is a virtue