The BEST Dreadlock Advice!

If you’re having hair problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but the dreads ain’t one.

I’ve been doing this a while now… a little while, and sometimes I get asked to break it down, to answer simply, ‘what’s the greatest piece of dreadlock advice you can give?’. Now despite having a page filled with tips and advice, my number one is an easy pick, and that is: stop worrying about them.

Now that may at first seem like a cop-out, but stick with me here. When my dreads were young, they were just like everyone else’s young dreads - loose, frizzy, MESSY, and just like most people with young dreadlocks, I worried about them. Every day I’d be checking them out, stressing over each loose root, every patch of loose hair. All this worrying made me pretty uninspired, and made the progress seem impossibly slow, if not nonexistent… then one day, I just stopped worrying.

I’m fully aware that telling someone to stop stressing usually has the opposite effect, and to truly become comfortable with something takes both a combination of time as well as persistence, but only once I stopped worrying over the small stuff was I able to appreciate the big stuff. 

What you’ve got to remember is that dreadlocks don’t NEED you, they’ll go about their business fine on their own as long as they have their time and space. I always advise to just to make sure you’re washing and drying the dreadlocks properly, separate as required, and anything else is just an extra. Treat it like any other hairstyle… and by that I mean generally ignore it while you’re getting on with your life, and things just go a lot smoother. When I stopped antagonising over each and every detail and actually let time do it’s thing I was able to actually notice the positive changes when I did take the time to check things out… and when the changes became noticeable they became a lot more encouraging, and so you replace the negative stressful cycle with a positive encouraging cycle. So there’s no doubt in my mind that the greatest thing I ever did for the progression of my dreadlocks was to stop over analysing, to let my hair be hair, and just to get on with my life, trusting that they’d do their thing.

Washing Partial Dreads + More! (Dreadlocks Q&A #35)

Episode #35 of my long running dreadlocks question & answer series where I answer YOUR questions!

Rayna

Question: I have wanted to start making my locks but I want to make a few here and there and not just all at once. How would I continue to wash the hair that isn't made into dreadlocks when I needed to and what kind of shampoo should I use?

Kay Barton

Question: Hi Chris, my dreads are bout 7 weeks old now and most seem to be doing ok. Messy! But ok :-) but some are dreading at the ends and the roots but are completely normal hair in the middle! Is there anything I can do to help them. Or should I just leave them alone? Thanks :-)

Yo Momma

Question: Hi Chris, I started my dreadlocks yesterday and they are somehow already very tightly locked, but the sectioning is very prominent and I don't like the idea of seeing squares all over my head, is there away to immediately reduce how clearly the sectioning can be seen or do I have to wait for my hair to grow, and if so, how long will that take roughly? Thanks :)

jesuswalker84

Question-my dreads are a month old now. I started out with the crochet method, my parting and everything i did myself so i do have hairs criss crossing into other dreads. The root also seem to be coming out everytime i wash the mids and tips seem ok though. What can i do to keep roots locked without using crochet needle and how often should i pull dread apart to keep them from congoing. I do it like everyday. My dreads are only like 6in long and i want to go as nature from here on out as i can, just wanted to use crochet to get them sectioned and it seemed right for my short hair.

Stallone Fernandes

Do dreads tend to get thinner before they get fatter? Just wondering because I want fat dreads eventually. Dreads seem to be getting thinner. 

Dreadlocks Questions and Answers #18

Ryan tay
 Question????? I have some small dreads that I would like to put together, how do I go about doing that??

Jacjumasch
 QUESTION: What should you do when you've got dreadlocks and become infected with nits??

matstreets
 Question: i have had my dreads for about a week now and I'm having a problem with my dreads in the back of my head. my dreads are about six inches. They are not wanting to stay locked. I did the twist and rip method because I feel like it's the most natural besides neglect. If you have any advice on keeping them locked that would be great

Jonas Hägg
 Question: I've neglected dreads and I wonder how your "dreamddreads" would look like if you know what I mean and since all dreads are different which are the coolest dreads you've spotted?

OnlyMy Own Voice
Is it actually necessary to do dread lock maintenance (pull the loose hair in with loose hair tools/palm roll etc) with new dreads - Or can I get amazing thick, rounded dreads by simply separating & properly washing/drying them? It seems like the tools seem to give an immediate smooth looking result. However, it seems to create more loose hairs & soft spots in the long run than areas I just left to their own devices. What's your experience on maintenance tools?

Dreadlocks Question and Answer #10

The 10th installment of my Q&A videos. 5 new questions ready to go:

Scales Yo
Question!!: I'm thinking about starting neglect dreads, do you have any specific advise for that method? I have soft straight hair and it's only about 6 inches long at its longest layer. Any advice would be lovely, thank you! Much love, xo

Ralf Florian
Question: I have afro growing hair, but im black and asian. This makes my hair have a weird texture (kinda soft but thick). I was wondering if this would play a role in sectioning.

angelsandfaes
QUESTION - what should I do for very dry dreads? I have done the deep cleanse and used apple cider vinegar. And it is soft only for that day. So my dreads are very dry and I'm worried about breakage.

Anu Kookla
QUESTION: What is the best way to get sand out of dreads? I went to the beach and now there is sand in my dreads and on my scalp.

Aaron95875
Question: what method of starting dreads is the best in your opinion backcomb, twist and rip or neglect and why? P.s thanks for the reply love your videos

Day-to-day Dreadlocks Information

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• Dreadlocks and activities
• Weighing My Dreadlocks
• Keeping dreadlocks out of your face
• Sleeping with Dreadlocks
• Travelling With Dreadlocks
• Dreadlock Decorations!
• Caring for Dreadlocks with Decorations.
• Itchy Dreadlocks help
• Dreadlocks Scented Mist
• My dreadlocks regrets

General Dreadlocks Information

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• The truth behind common Dreadlocks myths
• Dreadlocks frequently asked questions - FAQs
• Why wax is bad for Dreadlocks
• The best Dreadlocks advice

Washing and Drying

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• Washing and drying dreadlocks
• Where to buy dread shampoo?
• Deep cleaning dreadlocks
• Residue in dreadlocks
• Itchy dreadlocks help
• Showering without washing dreads
• When to wash new dreadlocks
• How long does it take?

Lint, Dust and Fluff in Locks.

Ok, so the sight of anything alien, such as grey fluff in a lock is going to pretty scary, but rest assured it's nothing life threatening.

Lint, dust and fluff are everywhere. You can pick it up off of clothes, hats, towels, pillows.... you get the idea. It can sit on your locks just as easily as it can sit on any other surface. Then, just like on your clothes or other surfaces, the lint will easily wash off. Lint only becomes a problem when it's combined with a residue problem, in which case the lint won't just wash off, it can stick to the lock, building up inside the lock, in the tip or under a loop.

If you notice a grey deposit of fluff in or on your lock, do not fear, it can be very easy to overreact and worry, especially since the fluff can sometimes appear to be filling the whole inside of a dreadlock. Since lint is really just a visible symptom of residue you will deal with it in the same way with a deep clean. Deep cleaning will help to break down and remove the residue that the dust sticks to and then soaking and squeezing will help dislodge and remove the lint. If you have a particularly bad case it will take more than one deep clean. Little bits that are left over can be picked out with a needle if necessary.

You can help avoid general dust and lint by taking such measures as wrapping your locks when you sleep, using a microfibre towel for drying them and not laying on fabric surfaces while they're damp.




Residue Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i26lhsJJdM
Deep Clean Video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X782R85mFJE

Question and Answer Part: 3

I've answered the next batch of Q&A questions!

Things To Consider Before Starting Dreadlocks

I thought it was necessary to create a post with a little bit of information that could be important for you before you start. If you're on the fence, this should help you decide.

Dreadlocks, to begin with, can be a lot of work. They're going to do what they want to do and if you try and fight them, well... good luck with that. I'll elaborate - every set of dreadlocks is different, you can get dreadlocks, but you cannot get dreadlocks identical to a musicians, celebrities or friends set. It's just not possible. Everyone has different coloured hair, different thickness, curly, straight etc etc. You have some control over how fat they're going to become if you start with a method other than the neglect method. (If you go neglect then the only thing you can do as far as shaping them is ripping the strands apart to stop huge dreads forming). So, you know you don't have as much control over them as 'normal' hairstyles, as they're going to lock and grow however gravity and various frictions deem fitting.

After you've started they are going to be MESSY. 'Tidy' tight dreadlocks take time to acquire and I mean TIME. On average you're going to be looking at an easy 1 year+ before the locks start to mature and knot/lock up by themselves. The only thing I can recommend here is to grit your teeth and bear it. You can wear hats, use headbands or tie them back (if they're long enough), but you won't be able to escape the fact that you've got loose hairs, tips and roots and that there isn't a huge amount you can do about it. See my Loose Hair, Roots and Tips post for more information on this. So yes for the first year to year and half you're going to have a bit of a birds nest / rats tails, BUT once they start to mature and lock up, well then you can relax a little because your patience will have paid off and they will only continue to mature and tighten more and more!

They take a long time to dry. Each dread is like a little sponge and so they soak up water and cleaning them will involve squeezing them out and drying will also require more of this. The dry time is also obviously much longer than with normal hair. How long depends on the thickness, length and maturity of the dreads. More on washing and drying HERE.

Dreadlocks can also affect some hobbies and activities. More info on that HERE.

But..... dreadlocks really are a get up and go hair style, the extra time lost in washing and drying is more than clawed back when you consider the hair doesn't need brushing, straightening, conditioning.... you get out of bed in the morning and it's good to go. When they're young and messy you can just tie them up (if they're long enough you can tie them back with themselves!) and get on with your day.

Dreadlocks are a fun process, there are active online communities full of like minded dreadlocked people. Unlike with most things you do to your hair dreadlocks don't wash out and once they've gotten going they just get better and better, so you can make picture timelines and really see how they're progressing, getting stronger and longer.

Once you've got dreads they're cheaper than 'most' other hair styles. You buy just one shampoo or soap or bicarb... or whatever you choose to wash with and that's pretty much it. No expensive shampoo and conditioner combos. No expensive trips to the hair salon etc. Once the dreadlocks are left to mature they will do their own roots and tips and will lock in the loose hair by themselves, completely free.

Also, to set your mind at ease - dreadlocks don't attract bugs like some myths would suggest. They aren't inherently dirty (they're as clean as you make them). You CAN remove them without shaving your head.

Other things to consider are the various negative and usually false stereotypes that accompany dreadlocks which get tiresome: No I'm not homeless, I probably wash my hair more often than most, I definitely shower as often as anyone else, I don't listen to reggae, I'm not a stoner, I'm not uneducated - working towards a Physics degree, etc etc, you get the picture.

Still interested?! continue onwards to the Starting Dreadlocks section to choose the method of starting dreadlocks that suits you best and the Preparing for dreads section to get your head and hair ready for dreads!