How to Get Dreadlocks if You Have Silky Straight Hair

Finer hair needs to be dried out before it can be put in dreadlocks.

It can be very difficult to sport dreadlocks if you've got the straight, fine hair so common in Caucasians. However, with some extra effort and a willingness to let the hair dry out, it is possible to get dreadlocks. The dreadlocks can grow out to full length in about three months.

Things You'll Need

• Comb
• Rubber bands
• Dread wax
• Bar soap
• Sea salt

Instructions

1. Avoid using any conditioner for at least a week. If you can stand it, wash your hair with bar soap instead of shampoo. This is part of the process to dry out the hair.

2. Separate your hair into sections and braid it. Each braid will become one dreadlock. Leave the braids in at least one day. This will give your hair some wave which makes it easier to dread.

3. Use a comb to back-comb the hair to make it knotty. Spread some dread wax on your hands and roll the new dreadlock between them. Repeat the backcombing and rolling process several times until that braid begins to look like a dreadlock.

4. Do this for each of the braids until you have a head full of dreads.

5. Over the next couple of weeks, avoid getting your hair wet in normal shower water. Soak the hair in salt water to further dry the hair. Apply more wax as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• When you have idle time, roll the new dreads between your hands to help them along.

• Some people try using honey or other sticky foods to help dread their hair. While this may work, it's a sure way to attract bugs. Stick to the wax.

References

• Dreadlocks: Methods