**READ ME** - Dread Newbies FAQ/ PLUS Basic Care and maintenance Guide

hey..... i have pretty thin hair and i have always been scared to dread my hair because of this

does it matter that my hair is thin?

 

anything will work for you. You've been blessed with wonderful dreading hair. Try back-combing if you don't want to wait for the natural locks. I think that might work best. No matter what your dreads might stick up for a while. Most short hair does until it gets long and heavy enough that it lays down naturally. If it bugs you alot you can keep a tam on them.

 

Honestly I don't think it matters, you'll just have less dreadlocks. If you are backcombing you can make them thinner to get more. It will probably make your hair appear thicker btw. Especially when they are new and fluffy.

 

The beanie will help your dreadlocks. Rub it on them in a circular movement and it helps them form together more (like flyaways) when they are already established.
You can dread your hair whenever you want. It will work anytime as long as you have hair that is growing off your scalp a bit . Your hair will shrink a couple inches once you do it though. Short dreadlocks tend to stand up as well. That decision is up to you if you want to wait or not. Wash them whenever you want, they work better when clean. The only thing is you need to NOT use things with fragrences. Chances are if you can't read the ingredients don't use it. Also if it has 5 or less ingredients its prob a safe enough product to use. Many of our forum members here make and sell dreadlock soap, just ask and I'll find them. Also Dr. Bonner's works well.

 

someone help me,
my dreads are not looking like cool dreads like all of yours. mine look exactly like jack sparrows i want to give them a real dread lock look rather than the jack sparrow type dreads!

anyone help?

 

Alot of sites say don't wash your hair too much.

Does this mean don't shampoo it, or just get it wet in general?

And also, how do you dread your hair with not using wax?

 

Question: I play basketball and sweat a good amount, should I wash my hair afterwards or not because im neglecting my hair and haven't recieved my dread shampoo yet and don't want to use regular shampoo on it...

 

wash your hair as much as you want. as much as it needs it. dread websites don't know what your particular hair looks like. i know i wash my hair every couple days, but some people on this board only do it once a month. it all depends on your hair type and how comfortable you are with not washing it. let your hair tell you what to do. if you feel stinky from playing basketball, take a shower! simple. and washing with non "dread" shampoo once or twice won't ruin your hair or your dreads. it's best to do a non-residue shampoo, but i think jill here uses dish soap and has great dreads. don't stress too much.

 

upp

 

I have Dr. Bronner's Peppermint... here's the other things i have that i could make my own something out of:
(include dr. bronners)
hemp oil
tea tree oil
witch hazel
peppermint EO
almond EO
jojoba oil
beeswax pellets
mango butter

I have fine hair but lots of it, going to dread after 12 years of dreaming about it. I want to make homemade tinctures for making the dreadies but i hear wax is a no-no and how would i do it the natural way? I hear something about rubberbands and a wool hat? Also, what do you think about saltwater sprays to help dry the locks? Wish I was at de beach.... I'll be re-posting this in other parts of the forum. PM's are welcome. P.S. I'm a n00b. And sorry if my reproduced posts bother anyone....
much love and well-being
-j.soul :rockon:

 

hey all

so i'm wanting to get my dreads back so i was going to grow my hair and then get them backcomb but now i think i'm gonna go natural while they grow seams a faster way to me (instead of waiting till like june before backcombing) anyways my hairs like 2/3 inchs and i'm just wondering if its too short to start i know its been covered but i just wanting to see if i should start not combing yet?

cheers Tri

 

hello all,
my gf knotted up my hair about a week ago. she did a really good job, but a few things i'm wondering about.

I think she put in way too much wax. Washed my hair yesterday, which was the 5 day mark. My hair was really starting to smell, combination of lots of wax and working at taco bell. It still smells, and i did a pretty good job i thought. It basically smells like old stale wax or something. I can tell there is still a decent amount of wax left in the hair also. Is there a good way to get this out? (btw, i'm using the dreadheadhq products)

Is there anything special that I am going to need to do with my tips? I did the tip rolling thing, and got some nice knots, but they all came out after washing. That takes forever, and i really dont want to do it after every time i wash. Will the tips eventually knot up themselves?

what do you think of "locking accelerator" products? i got it in the kit i bought, and am using it, but just curious if you think it really works or not. I know the lock pepper that I got is great, its like magic dust for making new knots.

thanks in advance

 

Dude, any amount of wax is too much wax. You wouldn't slop mud in your hair, so why would you put wax in your hair?

Get that filth out, and forget your hair for a year, and you will have dreads. Anything else isnt really doing much.

 

my hair is about 4-5 inches and i want dreads, how long will my hair be after i get dreads? will they look ok if they are that short??

 

the first half year never really looks "OK" lol. you might want to let it grow out another inch or 2. Depending on your hair it will probably shrink 25-50%

 

OK im not sure if this has been asked and regrettably im short on time and can't look (leaving for a road trip)

I have thin blonde hair (about 11 or 12 inches long)
I've never had dreads before and i've often thought about it

I've heard mixed things about cleaning dreads (like some say you can't, i know you can...but im wondering if it's still actually clean)

How do you form dreads?

if i decide i don't like em...so i hafta shave my head to get rid of em (or cut my hair considerably)

Are Dreads tough to take care of (i hardly even brush my hair...i just wash and condition)

last one...do dreads give you headaches? (i heard they did and to me this sounded like a lie)

 

i.. can't read 45 pages to check if my question has been asked...
i'm considering getting dreads. i know that it will require patience and great care at times. i was wondering if...

1) can i get dreads on my own? like section it off on my own, backcomb it on my own, etc., etc.? or is it too difficult?

2) what's the best products to use in your opinion? i was going to buy the dreadhead HQ kit because it seemed to be the most convenient

 

you can and should do it on your own.
dreadheadhq is crap dont use it. if you must get special dread stuff, get knotty boy, its all natural but dont use the wax.
all you need is dr bronners soap or a soap of equal natural goodness.

 

=D such a quick response~
thank you =3

oh yeah i keep hearing about dr. bronner's
people say dilute it...
am i suppose to like mix it with water in a bucket and shove my head into it?
i'm confused
i'm trying to get the bronner's that look all liquidy and junk right? and.. which do you recommend? i was thinking of getting the tea tree one because people said it was good for... something

Edit:

by the way...
so will i be well off with just a bunch of rubber bands, bronner's soap, and a comb? what about like the locking accelerator or the lock pepper junk at dreadheadHQ? is dreadheadHQ complete junk no matter what..?
oh and are the combs used for backcombing different from any other kinds of combs..?

 

yes dr bronners needs to be diluted. just add a tablespoon or two to an old shampoo or drink bottle and fill the rest up with water. i like the mint one but tea tree is good for scalp conditions and preventing mildew (which wont happen if you make sure your hair dries out btw washes). what i do is buy the unscented baby version of dr bronners and add my own essential oils to it. i never seem to have it around though so i usually wash my hair with whatever soap bar is in my shower, lately its been "bee and flower" or pears. any natural, non residue soap is fine for your hair. no dove or crap like that.
the best comb to use is a metal flea comb for dogs. you can use the cheap plastic combes with close together teeth too but youll go through them pretty quick.
you dont need rubber bands except for sectioning your hair. if you leave them in the dread, bad things could happen.
dreadheadhqs products are made with chemicals and are completely unnecessary. your hair will dread beautifully without it. you can make your own dread spray with a little lemon juice and sea salt mixed with water in a spray bottle that will help your hair lock up (search for the right proportions, to much salt or lemon can be damaging ive heard).
if you really want to buy a kit (which would be fun, im sure) get the knotty boy maintenace kit. i looked at all the ingredients and they are simple and natural. and that one doesnt come with wax, which is useless and can be fatal to dreadies. anyway, knotty boy is against sls and other horrible chemicals while dreadheadhq are actually for them if you can believe that.
good luck