Embark on a journey of transformation and embrace the fascinating attract of dreadlocks. Whether or not you search to reconnect together with your roots or specific your individuality, this information will empower you with the important information to embark on the trail of making pure dreadlocks at dwelling. The method includes persistence, care, and a deep appreciation for the distinctive magnificence that arises from untamed hair.
Earlier than embarking on the dreadlock-making course of, it’s essential to determine a stable basis of wholesome hair. Start with an intensive cleaning routine, eradicating any product buildup or impurities. Enable your hair to dry naturally, avoiding the usage of warmth styling instruments that may weaken the hair shaft and hinder the formation of dreadlocks. Subsequent, part your hair into manageable components, utilizing parting instruments or just your fingers. It will present a framework for creating uniform dreadlocks.
The approach you select for creating dreadlocks will rely in your hair sort and desired end result. The twisting technique includes dividing hair sections and twisting them firmly till they start to tangle and type dreadlocks. Alternatively, the backcombing technique entails backcombing hair sections aggressively, creating matted areas that can ultimately turn into dreadlocks. Whichever approach you utilize, guarantee to work with persistence and precision, listening to the route and alignment of your hair to realize a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing outcome.
Sectioning and Preparation
1. Hair Varieties and Necessities
The kind of pure hair performs a vital position within the dreadlock formation course of. Splendid hair varieties for dreadlocks embody kinky, coily, or tightly curled hair textures, which have a pure tendency to tangle and knot. Straight or wavy hair, alternatively, might require extra help to create and keep dreadlocks.
Earlier than beginning the dreadlocking course of, it is important to think about the porosity and situation of your hair. Extremely porous hair absorbs moisture simply and will require extra frequent upkeep to maintain dreadlocks wholesome and forestall dryness. Dry, broken, or chemically processed hair could also be extra vulnerable to breakage and require additional care through the early levels of dreadlock growth.
Moreover, the size of your hair will affect the dimensions and variety of dreadlocks you may create. Longer hair can accommodate extra and bigger dreadlocks, whereas shorter hair could also be higher fitted to smaller, tighter dreads. Nonetheless, understand that as dreadlocks mature, they have an inclination to shrink in size, so it is vital to start out with hair that’s a minimum of shoulder-length or longer for optimum outcomes.
Hair Size Necessities by Dreadlock Measurement:
| Dreadlock Measurement | Minimal Hair Size |
|---|---|
| Small (pencil-width) | Shoulder-length (bra-strap size) |
| Medium (marker-width) | Mid-back size (armpit size) |
| Massive (thumb-width) | Waist-length (hip size) |
4. Washing and Detangling
Getting ready your hair for dreadlocks includes completely washing and detangling it to take away any dust, product buildup, or knots. Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product residue and open up the hair cuticles. Keep away from utilizing conditioners or leave-in merchandise, as they’ll make hair slippery and hinder the dreadlocking course of.
As soon as your hair is clear, gently detangle it utilizing a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush. Work your means from the ends to the roots, rigorously eradicating any tangles with out breaking the hair. In case you encounter cussed knots, apply a small quantity of olive oil or coconut oil to the knot and attempt to gently work it out together with your fingers.
After detangling, don’t blow-dry or use any warmth styling instruments in your hair. Enable it to air-dry naturally to forestall harm and protect its pure texture.
Twisting and Palm Rolling
Twisting and palm rolling are two of the most typical strategies for beginning dreadlocks on pure hair. Each strategies contain separating the hair into small sections after which twisting or rolling them collectively. Nonetheless, there are some key variations between the 2 strategies.
Twisting
Twisting is a comparatively easy technique that may be accomplished on hair of any size or texture. To twist your hair, merely separate a small part of hair and twist it tightly from the basis to the tip. Safe the twist with a rubber band or hair clip. Repeat this course of till your whole hair is twisted.
Palm Rolling
Palm rolling is a extra time-consuming technique than twisting, however it may produce tighter and extra outlined dreadlocks. To palm roll your hair, separate a small part of hair and roll it between your palms. As you roll, apply strain to the hair to create a good coil. Proceed rolling till the complete part of hair is coiled. Safe the coil with a rubber band or hair clip. Repeat this course of till your whole hair is palm rolled.
Twisting vs. Palm Rolling
The next desk compares the 2 strategies of beginning dreadlocks:
| Attribute | Twisting | Palm Rolling |
|---|---|---|
| Time required | Much less | Extra |
| Issue | Simpler | Tougher |
| Outcomes | Looser, much less outlined dreadlocks | Tighter, extra outlined dreadlocks |
Neglecting and Matting
Neglecting your hair is a vital step within the dreadlock formation course of. By permitting your hair to mat and tangle naturally, you create the inspiration for interlocking strands. Listed here are 5 key ideas for neglecting your hair successfully:
- Keep away from washing and brushing: Chorus from washing or brushing your hair throughout this era. Washing can take away pure oils that help in matting, whereas brushing separates strands and hinders knot formation.
- Encourage tangles: Sleep on a cotton pillowcase or put on a silk scarf to reduce slippage and promote tangling. You may also gently rub your hair collectively to stimulate mats.
- Part and separate: Divide your hair into small sections utilizing rubber bands or clips. This prevents massive, tangled clumps and encourages uniform dread formation.
- Use friction: Rub sections of hair collectively vigorously utilizing your fingers or a crochet hook to create friction and help in matting. Deal with the bottom of the hair close to the scalp.
- Hold it damp: Spritz your hair with water often to maintain it barely damp. Moisture helps soften the hair and facilitate tangling. Nonetheless, keep away from over-wetting, as this will weaken the strands and promote mildew.
Upkeep
As soon as dreadlocks start to type, ongoing upkeep is important. Wash and situation your dreads much less regularly, utilizing pure merchandise designed for locs. Keep away from utilizing scorching water, which may weaken the hair. Enable your dreads to dry naturally, and resist the urge to tug or twist them excessively.
Extra Ideas
For quicker matting, you need to use backcombing, palm rolling, or crochet hooking strategies. These strategies assist create extra friction and speed up the dreadlock formation course of. Nonetheless, it is vital to strategy these strategies with warning and solely use them as wanted, as extreme manipulation can harm the hair.
Retwisting and Upkeep
Retwisting dreadlocks is a vital a part of sustaining their form and integrity. The frequency of retwisting will depend on the person’s hair sort and desired dreadlock dimension. For brand spanking new dreadlocks, it is strongly recommended to retwist them each 2-3 weeks till they’re absolutely mature.
To retwist dreadlocks, observe these steps:
- Wash and situation your hair to take away any dust or product buildup.
- Separate a small part of hair and dampen it with water.
- Utilizing your fingers or a crochet hook, gently twist the hair clockwise till it varieties a compact dreadlock.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for all sections of your hair.
- As soon as all dreadlocks are retwisted, safe them with rubber bands or bobby pins to forestall unraveling.
Upkeep
Along with retwisting, dreadlocks require common upkeep to maintain them wholesome and freed from buildup. Listed here are some ideas for sustaining dreadlocks:
- Wash your dreadlocks with a clarifying shampoo each 2-3 weeks.
- Apply a moisturizing conditioner to the ends of your dreadlocks to forestall dryness and breakage.
- Keep away from utilizing harsh chemical substances or styling merchandise in your dreadlocks.
- Cowl your dreadlocks with a shawl or hat when sleeping to forestall friction and tangling.
- Usually verify for any indicators of lint or dust buildup and take away it with a brush or decide.
| Frequency | Motion |
|---|---|
| Each 2-3 weeks | Retwist |
| Each 2-3 weeks | Wash with clarifying shampoo |
| As wanted | Apply moisturizing conditioner |
| By no means | Use harsh chemical substances or styling merchandise |
Troubleshooting and Repairing
Brittle Hair
Dehydration and protein overload could make hair brittle and susceptible to breaking. Moisturize commonly with a deep conditioner and keep away from over-proteinizing hair.
Free Roots
Free roots happen when the hair isn’t correctly interlocked on the base. Re-twist the roots each 4-6 weeks to forestall unraveling.
Knots Between Dreads
Use a crochet hook or dreadlock needle to softly separate knotted hair. Keep away from over-grooming, as it may weaken the dreadlocks.
Frizzy Ends
Use a beeswax or dreadlock wax on the ends of the dreadlocks to easy flyaways. Keep away from brushing the dreadlocks, as it may create frizz.
Gradual Development
Dreadlocks take time to develop, because the hair is locked in place. Be affected person and keep away from manipulating the dreadlocks an excessive amount of.
Undesirable Break up Ends
Use a pointy pair of scissors to trim away break up ends. Keep away from reducing the dreadlocks themselves, as it may weaken them.
Thinning Dreads
Thinning dreadlocks can happen if they’re too tightly wrapped or if the hair is broken. Re-twist the dreadlocks gently and use a dreadlock thickening spray.
Nap Lifting
Nap lifting happens when the hair on the base of the dreadlocks grows out and turns into seen. Use a crochet hook or dreadlock needle to tug the free hair again into the dreadlock.
Micro-Dreads
Micro-dreads are small, tight dreadlocks that may be tough to handle. Use a crochet hook to softly separate them and keep away from over-grooming.
How To Begin Dreadlocks With Pure Hair
There are just a few alternative ways to start out dreadlocks with pure hair. One standard technique is the neglect technique, which includes merely not brushing or combing your hair and permitting it to mat naturally. One other technique is the backcombing technique, which includes brushing your hair backwards in opposition to the grain, creating tiny knots that can ultimately type into dreadlocks. You may also use a crochet hook to start out dreadlocks, which is a extra managed technique that means that you can create extra even and constant dreadlocks.
Irrespective of which technique you select, it is very important be affected person and constant together with your care routine. Dreadlocks can take a number of months and even years to totally mature, and so they require common upkeep to maintain them wholesome and searching their finest.
Folks Additionally Ask About How To Begin Dreadlocks With Pure Hair
How lengthy does it take for dreadlocks to type?
The time it takes for dreadlocks to type will differ relying in your hair sort, the strategy you utilize, and the way properly you take care of your dreadlocks. Neglect dreadlocks can take anyplace from 6 months to 2 years to type, whereas backcombed or crocheted dreadlocks can type in as little as just a few weeks. As soon as your dreadlocks have shaped, they are going to proceed to mature and tighten over time.
How do I take care of my dreadlocks?
Caring on your dreadlocks is important to conserving them wholesome and searching their finest. You need to wash your dreadlocks commonly with a gentle shampoo, and keep away from utilizing harsh soaps or detergents. You must also keep away from brushing or combing your dreadlocks, as this will trigger them to unravel. As a substitute, use your fingers to separate your dreadlocks and take away any free hair. You might also wish to use a dreadlock wax or gel to assist preserve your dreadlocks in place and forestall them from frizzing.
How do I begin dreadlocks on my own?
There are just a few alternative ways to start out dreadlocks by your self, together with the neglect technique, the backcombing technique, and the crochet technique. The neglect technique is the best technique, however it may take the longest to see outcomes. The backcombing technique is a extra managed technique, however it may be extra time-consuming and might harm your hair if you’re not cautious. The crochet technique is probably the most exact technique, however it may be costly and requires some ability to do it accurately.
