Comments on How to Make Dreadlocks

*sea salt, lemon juice,purified water, will make a nice locking agent. *Aloes gel, purified water, Lavender (for smell, and shine) creates a nice light conditioner that doesn't loosen dreads because it dry quick. If you are maintaing your own dreads, be sure that you do it every day and after every nap and shower.

As I am reading the tips, I think that it should be noted that 99% of them advise against washing and are for people with straight hair. If you have curly/kinky hair washing promotes the locking process. I washed my hair 1 -2 times a week when I began my locks. Of course they washed out each time (for 9 months); however, each time you twist your hair after washing you are training your curls how to grow into locks. The best lock holder is aloe juice. It holds your twist and does not build up like gel or beeswax. Never use wax. To lock your curly/kinky hair, take a fine tooth comb and starting at the root pull back slowly and twirl the comb as you go back. This will take all your curls and force them to gather in one direction. For nine months I would wash and twist my hair and it was a little time consuming but worth it. In the ninth month I gave birth to twist with tiny little puffy lock at the end of my hair. Don't comb these out! Your hair will lock at the ends first and then work its way down to the root. Remember, you are not making locks, you are growing them. Simply continue to wash and twist, wash and twist. My hair is soft, but curly so it took a while for my first puff, but if you are lucky and have thick kinky hair, it will lock faster. Now my hair is down to the middle of my back and the time I spent in the beginning was well worth it. If you do not have to use wax, gels and other items to make it lock, don't do it, don't try to speed up the process. Your hair was meant to grow locks slowly. Always take care of them and never put anything in your hair that you would not put in your mouth. Your locks are a part of you, your locks are your babies.

As an experienced dread head myself, and doing dreads for many people over many years with my own technique, plus seeing the end results over those years through doing maintenance for them, the only people I have had dread trouble with has been those who have had their dreads done professionally and they come across me by accident. I must admit my dreads do make a good impression and a definite statement! In desperation people talk to me and the first thing I ask is, "Who did your dreads and how?" First answer, a hairdresser (with no experience of having dreads) and they are back combed in and then permed! Soon the dreads have formed on the end but the area from scalp to formed dread is usually 3-6 inches of normal hair growth. I then have to painstakingly unknot the dread and re do it totally, and what a job that is! My advice is section off an area of hair in maximum 1" sections, damp with water, then proceed to pull that section of hair apart then cross strands over and under and over, but at the same time pulling the stands tight (similar to macram or very messy plaiting on a micro scale but the process is strands by strands cross over knotting). Start at the roots with the tight micro plaiting principle and make sure the head root area is well matted and tight, as this establishes the way the dread will continue to form for the next years of growth. Remember, dreads grow from the scalp and the basic principle for those neat dreads you see around have been done right from the start (unless the hair is very curly and mats easily naturally and very lucky people they are). Only use wax to smooth loose hair to dreads.

As an experienced dreadhead myself, and doing dreads for many people over many years with my own technique, plus seeing the end results over those years through doing maintenance for them (which is a treat for them...a good head massage and tidy up the regrowth if they get a bit slack.), the only people I have had dread trouble with has been those who have had their dreads done professionally. I must admit my dreads do make a good impression and a definite statement! In desperation people talk to me and the first thing I ask is "Who did your dreads and how?" First answer is usually a hairdresser (with no experience of having dreads) and they are back combed and then permed! Soon the dreads have formed on the end but the area from scalp to formed dread is usually 3-6 inches of normal hair growth. I then have to painstakingly unknott the dread and re do it totally (and what a job that is)! My advice is section off an area of hair in maximum 1" sections, damp with water, then proceed to pull that section of hair apart then cross strands over and under and over, but at the same time pulling the stands tight (similar to macramé or very messy plaiting on a micro scale but the process is strands by strands cross over knotting). Start at the roots with the tight micro plaiting principle and make sure the head root area is well matted and tight as this establishes the way the dread will continue to form for the next years of growth. Remember dreads grow from the scalp and the basic principle for those neat dreads you see around have been done right from the start (unless the hair is very curly and mats easily naturally...and very lucky people they are). Only use wax to smooth loose hair to dreads.

The correct term is dreads, a take on dread, which is a philosophy, a world view that represents the rejection of Babylon (European hegemony). Grown naturally, without the beauty shop treatment that so many of us receive to grow them in the first place, they represent that same rejection, a statement against mass, crass, and corrupt consumerism and commercialized ideas about what is beautiful. Only African Americans, that have discovered "locks" as nouveau Black fashion in the last ten years, call them such.

It is true that dread is a philosophy, and indeed a rejection of Babylon. However, there is a distinct difference between naturally cultured dread and simple, trampy, matted, tangled hair. Dread is like a righteously proud lion, not a smelly matted haired street bum! I do agree that many people have dreads as a cool statement while they are students or whatever, and have no connection to Dread, but, that is just kids for you! I wear my dreads like a crown, and as an outward sign to the great spirit that I am his/hers, and as a sign to those who recognize. Other people don't matter, but it is nice when they enjoy. Also, being white, Scottish and a rasta, I follow what the Jamaican rastas do in the sense that my personal roots are Scots, Celtic, Byronic, therefore I call on those ancestors to aid my life and search for spiritual truth. It would be false of me to pretend that my (direct) ancestors are Ethiopians or other Africans. I accept all those who walk in the way of the great spirit, in whatever language or culture, as long as they don't screw my mother (the earth), and don't enslave us to the dragon of money and capitalism (as if we really need another millenia of that hell). Glory in life, creation, and love and light.

The correct term is dreads, a take on dread, which is a philosophy, a world view that represents the rejection of Babylon (European hegemony). Grown naturally, without the beauty shop treatment that so many of us receive to grow them in the first place, they represent that same rejection, a statement against mass, crass, and corrupt consumerism and commercialized ideas about what is beautiful. Only African Americans, that have discovered "locks" as nouveau Black fashion in the last ten years, call them such.

As an experienced dreadhead myself, and doing dreads for many people over many years with my own technique, plus seeing the end results over those years through doing maintenance for them (which is a treat for them...a good head massage and tidy up the regrowth if they get a bit slack.), the only people I have had dread trouble with has been those who have had their dreads done professionally. I must admit my dreads do make a good impression and a definite statement! In desperation people talk to me and the first thing I ask is "Who did your dreads and how?" First answer is usually a hairdresser (with no experience of having dreads) and they are back combed and then permed! Soon the dreads have formed on the end but the area from scalp to formed dread is usually 3-6 inches of normal hair growth. I then have to painstakingly unknott the dread and re do it totally (and what a job that is)! My advice is section off an area of hair in maximum 1" sections, damp with water, then proceed to pull that section of hair apart then cross strands over and under and over, but at the same time pulling the stands tight (similar to macramé or very messy plaiting on a micro scale but the process is strands by strands cross over knotting). Start at the roots with the tight micro plaiting principle and make sure the head root area is well matted and tight as this establishes the way the dread will continue to form for the next years of growth. Remember dreads grow from the scalp and the basic principle for those neat dreads you see around have been done right from the start (unless the hair is very curly and mats easily naturally...and very lucky people they are). Only use wax to smooth loose hair to dreads.

If you want dreads because you are a Rastafarian convert, or if you are of African descent, and want to show your pride through your hair, then the natural way is the way to go. Some call it the 'neglect' method. Don't comb, brush or pick your hair ever again, don't wash your hair until the locks take hold. Don't use anything but time to allow your dreads to form. They won't be neat and perfect, but they aren't supposed to be! Leviticus (in the bible) says not to cut locks from your head or corners in your beard. This doesn't necessarily mean dreadlocks, it just means hair, so you can still be Rasta without dreads as long as you don't cut your hair! The natural method works for white people as well as blacks (and other ethnicities) but works best with blacks. White people in ancient Europe had dreads in some areas, so don't think it's just a black thing. But if you must have the neat perfect looking dreads, get them done at a salon! Salon dreads are removable (without cutting them off). I'm sure it's not an easy process, but I know people who have sported dreads one week and not the next and still maintained the same length of hair.

If you want dreads because you are a Rastafarian convert, or if you are of African descent, and want to show your pride through your hair, then the natural way is the way to go. Some call it the 'neglect' method. Don't comb, brush or pick your hair ever again, don't wash your hair until the locks take hold. Don't use anything but time to allow your dreads to form. They won't be neat and perfect, but they aren't supposed to be! Leviticus (in the bible) says not to cut locks from your head or corners in your beard. This doesn't necessarily mean dreadlocks, it just means hair, so you can still be Rasta without dreads as long as you don't cut your hair! The natural method works for white people as well as blacks (and other ethnicities) but works best with blacks. White people in ancient Europe had dreads in some areas, so don't think it's just a black thing. But if you must have the neat perfect looking dreads, get them done at a salon! Salon dreads are removable (without cutting them off). I'm sure it's not an easy process, but I know people who have sported dreads one week and not the next and still maintained the same length of hair.

I don't have locks (yet), but it seems to me that the first thing you must take into consideration is your hair texture. I have very course hair and it will be to my benefit when I start my locing process. People with straighter hair should use something thicker when starting their locs. I would not, and will not, use anything that seems to attract dust and also suggest that when locing your hair you do not allow anyone to touch it, even yourself, this will cause more dirt to get into your hair. It also makes common sense that clean hair will loc faster than dirty hair and it is a stereotype that you must have dirty hair when you have locs. I read that a good way to wash hair while in the locing process is to use astringent on the scalp with a Q-tip or cotton ball, but watch out for the lint. Or to wash hair through a stocking cap very, very gently. Again, don't let people touch your hair. You don't know where their hands have been and make sure your hands are very clean before handling your hair. Also, using oils will actually cause locs to unravel. The locs need to loc to one another and the slicker the hair is from oils and conditioners the longer it will take. Don't take my word for it. There are so many different opinions out there. You must do what feels right for you.

I don't have locks (yet), but it seems to me that the first thing you must take into consideration is your hair texture. I have very course hair and it will be to my benefit when I start my locing process. People with straighter hair should use something thicker when starting their locs. I would not, and will not, use anything that seems to attract dust and also suggest that when locing your hair you do not allow anyone to touch it, even yourself, this will cause more dirt to get into your hair. It also makes common sense that clean hair will loc faster than dirty hair and it is a stereotype that you must have dirty hair when you have locs. I read that a good way to wash hair while in the locing process is to use astringent on the scalp with a Q-tip or cotton ball, but watch out for the lint. Or to wash hair through a stocking cap very, very gently. Again, don't let people touch your hair. You don't know where their hands have been and make sure your hands are very clean before handling your hair. Also, using oils will actually cause locs to unravel. The locs need to loc to one another and the slicker the hair is from oils and conditioners the longer it will take. Don't take my word for it. There are so many different opinions out there. You must do what feels right for you.

After maintaining my daughters dreads for years, I ended up doing my own and 10 years later and they are still going great. I keep researching methods used to start dreads and mine appears unique. Starting with very clean hair and a little water spray; each hair section is worked by a strand- by- strand- cross-over weave process, no wax, no perm, no special dread products. When finished I advise a regular spray of 80% water 20% essential oil or leave in conditioner. Yes, conditioner!! And I wash my hair with regular shampoo and conditioner (and always have), but there are a few shampoo soap bars I have tried which have worked fine, but were a little drying. I have experience fixing someones dried, un oiled, un conditioned dreads after they realized they were breaking off. So it's a fallacy to not tend to the condition of your dreads. The washing and rinsing process is critical, so rinse well, then rinse well again and then separate, twist or rub them during the drying process. This process has worked for me and the many people I have helped over the years. My dreads get comments all the time. They are waist length and well loved - and it shows.

After maintaining my daughters dreads for years, I ended up doing my own and 10 years later and they are still going great. I keep researching methods used to start dreads and mine appears unique. Starting with very clean hair and a little water spray; each hair section is worked by a strand- by- strand- cross-over weave process, no wax, no perm, no special dread products. When finished I advise a regular spray of 80% water 20% essential oil or leave in conditioner. Yes, conditioner!! And I wash my hair with regular shampoo and conditioner (and always have), but there are a few shampoo soap bars I have tried which have worked fine, but were a little drying. I have experience fixing someones dried, un oiled, un conditioned dreads after they realized they were breaking off. So it's a fallacy to not tend to the condition of your dreads. The washing and rinsing process is critical, so rinse well, then rinse well again and then separate, twist or rub them during the drying process. This process has worked for me and the many people I have helped over the years. My dreads get comments all the time. They are waist length and well loved - and it shows.

I started my locs with beeswax. It worked great to hold my hair together, however it causes a lot of buildup. If you use beeswax, try not to overuse it.

I started my locs with beeswax. It worked great to hold my hair together, however it causes a lot of buildup. If you use beeswax, try not to overuse it.

I have 100% natural locks, but I still loved the look of hard, rounded tips, so I kinda messed with my tips until I found a method that works really well. First, make sure your locks are nice and dry (think: haven't washed for three days at least). Grab a lock, fold the unknotted end in half loosely and then rub the folded tip with all of your might in circles on the palm of the hand not doing the rubbing. I do it until my palm gets hot from the friction, and then I palm roll the crap out of the bottom part that didn't get included in the fun. By the way, I have no idea how well this works with waxed locks.

I have tight dreadlocks. Backcomb your hair and use dread wax for the first few months. The wax smells good and it does not attract dirt. You can still wash your hair with dread shampoo or conditioner, moisturizer, perfume-free soap. Don't use beeswax, it makes your hair brittle.

I have tight dreadlocks. Backcomb your hair and use dread wax for the first few months. The wax smells good and it does not attract dirt. You can still wash your hair with dread shampoo or conditioner, moisturizer, perfume-free soap. Don't use beeswax, it makes your hair brittle.

If you want to know the best way to dread your hair in 4 weeks, this is the way: Take a portion of your hair 1 cm by 1cm, then put the rest of your hair back and palm roll that small portion. Then you will notice little dread balls appear. You keep doing this to each portion of hair until your whole heads like this. When it is done, you take small elastics and for every dread ball put one at the root and one on the end. You do not have to apply anything to your dreads, just avoid washing and brushing them. You keep your dreads like this for three weeks. When the 3 weeks are up, you can take your dreads, get a pail of water and add salt to it (or if you live near an ocean put your dreads in it) and let them dry out in the sun. By then, at 3 or 4 months, they will be permanent.

When I first wanted locks, I didn't like the idea of using wax and having to possibly shave my head if I didn't like them. So, I used Salon Selectives Hair Gel in place of wax. (It's greeny-blue and very gooey.) They've been in for about two weeks, and are giving me an idea of whether or not I want to keep them. It's a great starter alternative to wax. (If I keep them, I'll probably use wax.)

100% beeswax products are NOT okay! Products with some beeswax are okay. For Caucasians or anyone with straight hair, the only way to lock is with a product that has beeswax. For those of us with more curls to our hair, e.g. African Americans, locking your hair with just gel or just oil may work fine. My friend just uses natural oils and her hair looks great. I used both gel and oil, and my locks were unraveling after a while. So I used a dab of Rasta Lock & Twist Wax, which has some beeswax in it, and my hair locked within a month or so. Because it's not 100% beeswax, and it has oils and conditioners in it, there is NO build up! Now that most of my hair is locked (4 months later), I retwist my new growth with aloe vera gel and an olive oil/water mixture. I do suggest washing your hair more often if you use a beeswax product than if you use gel or oils because it is a heavier product. I wash my hair every 7 - 10 days.

Blacks should try twisting the hair really small then adding beeswax on the twist and roots. This will give it a nice look. After you're done, give it a shake and wet it...It will look fine.

If you take your time on backcombing your dreads they will hold regardless of what you put in it. The wax is used to reduce frizz. if used in excess it will break your hair at the root. a good trick is to wax your hair after you rinse your hair. next take a hair dryer and melt the wax while you hold your hair in a twisted position. I tried the wax thing on my and my girlfriends hair. It worked on her hair (straight, Asian) mine on the other hand gatherd a lot of buildup and had more breakage (Nappy, Carrib) Daily twists and my saltwater solution works best for me. I use aloes gel as a conditioner maybe twice a week. don't apply it directly or you will get flakey buildup. try spriting it on with spray bottle. it mayes your hair soft and shiny but doesn't loosen your locks. in the end. everyones hair is diffrent. experimenting is the best way to find whats right for you.

I've been growing my dreads for 3 and 1/2 months. I use bees wax and coconut water. Don't use coconut water as soon as you begin locking. I used it a month after I got them done. Pour the coconut water evenly through your hair, then twist the hair. It's best to go out in the sun to let it dry. I guarantee if you do it at least once every 10 days, your hair will lock up in less than 5 months.