How to Form Dreads by Root Rubbing

Root rubbing helps new growth merge with the already formed dread.

While coarse and curly hair naturally intertwines and locks, making it easy to form dreads, straight hair typically needs a little help to start a dread. Root rubbing is a method of dreadlocking new growth at the roots. The rubbing helps create friction to create knotting, which is then formed into new dreads. At least 1/2 inch of new growth at the root is necessary for successful root rubbing.

Things You'll Need

• Dread wax

Instructions

1. Wash and dry dreaded hair.

2. Grab the new growth of one dread between your index and middle finger.

3. Rub the hair in a clockwise direction pressed against the scalp for two or three minutes. Do not rub too vigorously or the hair can break off and cause permanent damage. Rub just enough to knot the hair.

4. Dab dread wax on the puffy and knotted roots and hold the dread between your palms. Roll it back and forth to compress the knots and form them into a dread.

5. Repeat the palm rolling daily over one to two weeks until the dread is fully formed.

Tips & Warnings

• Root rubbing should always be performed on clean hair.

• Do not use dread wax during the root rubbing stage; it will hinder the formation of knots.

References

• Dead Head HQ: Clockwise Rubbing
• Knot Just Dreads: Dreadlocks Homecare
• Jamaicans: The Dreadlocks Hairstyle