I've had so much conflicting information I can't think straight. I originally was going to backcomb, as was told this was the best method, but then was told by people who have backcombed that as their dreads matured they ended up cutting out the backcombed lengths in favour of the grown in locs because the backcombed lengths were so stiff and unmovable in comparison. I was told that rip / tear ruins your hair and is not a constructive method of forming dreads, but then I was told that it is no more damaging than any other method. I was then told neglect gets best results, but then told that neglect is never as neat as other methods and always looks messy. I want to take a general census, find out what people STARTED their dreads with, and if they're happy with how it came out. I've got shoulder length straight hair and I've been neglecting for a week now, and basically just look like bad bed head, I was going to backcomb or rip tear my dreads in but after what people have said I'm reluctant
I basically just used a mix of the methods. I have some dreads that I put in either backcombing or twist n rip. I then havent brushed the rest of my hair since august, and have dreads forming. I have 10 dreads that were put in using a method (was originally five, but I had some loose hair in between dreads and made four using tnr, and then my friend wanted to put one in and claim it as his). The dreads that were put in "manually" or basically all just on the left side of my head, so the back and the right side of my head are dreading up naturally. :sunny:
It depends on what you do after backcombing them. If you just backomb and then don't do anything afterwards other than washing, then lots will fall out, and yeah they'll probably look "messy". If you constantly manipulate them afterwards, i.e. root-rubbing, stuffing the loose hair back into the dreads etc, then they'll look "neater" to the untrained eye / average person. Look up Jimbo's dreads for a good example of this. You may end up doing more damage to your hair though, and it may end up backfiring in the long run, breakage etc. It's not really certain how much damage doing stuff like the above does. It all depends what you want really, and what your ideas of what dreadlocks are.
I've used a mix on mine. I used t&r and backcombing to start. I do think backcombing can make tight dreads but it's all on how hard you do it. Stay away from wax. Use 100% aloe to keep hair conditioned and I like using salt water spray.
