How to Get White Hair to Dread

This woman has dreadlocks only halfway down her hair.

White, Caucasian hair can be difficult to dread, but not impossible. The hair must form knots and locks in order to form dreadlocks. Black people have coarse hair that forms dreadlocks better than straight, soft Caucasian hair. African-American hair will lock under a few methods, while white hair will only lock when it's been back combed. The idea is to keep the hair dry, and use back combing to form knots and lock it in place.

Things You'll Need

• Bar soap
• Rattail comb
• Rubber bands
• Dread wax

Instructions

1. Wash your hair with just soap and avoid using conditioners for one week before starting the dreadlocks. This will clean all the conditioners off the hair and dry it slightly so it will be less smooth and will lock up easier.

2. Use a rattail comb to section clean, dry hair into 1- to 2-inch square sections. Secure each section with a rubber band. The hair will be easier to dread if the sections are larger.

3. Braid the hair closest to the scalp, by dividing one square section of hair into three pieces. Place the right section over the middle section. Place the left section over the middle section. Place the right section over the middle section.

4. Back comb the remainder of the hair in this section using the rattail comb. Place the comb into the hair near the end and comb backward toward the scalp. Repeat this process several times until the hair has become knotted.

5. Apply a small, pea-sized dab of dread wax to the hair. Roll the hair between the palms of your hands. If the hair isn't locking up well, secure the dreadlock with a small rubber band at the end.

6. Repeat the process for the entire head of hair.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash the hair with a non-conditioning shampoo.

• Avoid washing the hair for two weeks, or the dreads might come undone.

References

• Dreadlocks.com: Methods
• Dreadlocks.org: The Truth About Twists and Dreads