Cut Out + Keep | Project » How To Make Dreadlocks

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- Almost Nothing

How To Make Dreadlocks

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There are lots different types of ways to get dreads but i used the backcombing method...

The time it takes really depends on how long and thick your hair is. The first time i got dreads i had hair a little more then halfway down my back and it took about 8 hours with 2 people working on it at the same time.
the second time when my hair was right above my shoulders it took about 4 hours with one person working on it and taking breaks every now and then.
once you have made all your dreads just sit back, relax and never brush your hair again!
they are going to unravel in the beginning but they will knot back up in time. Make sure you remember to use residue-free shampoo and NO CONDITIONER.
A lot of people think you have to use wax to have good looking dreads but this is NOT TRUE. Wax gets all built up inside the dread and will most likely never come out. plus, it makes your dreads look oily and gross.
If you want to keep your dreads tidy looking and round you can roll aloe into them and palm roll them alot.
apple cider vinegar is a really great thing to use to deep clean your dreads everynow and then.

so, i think thats about all you need to know when you have dreads...hopefully it helps!

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What you do to start is wash your hair with non-residue shampoo (you have to use that kid of shampoo when you have dreads because if you don't they will get all this sick build up and grow mold and it just gets horrible.)
Once its dry you can section your hair or just grab random chunks, it just depends on how many dreads you want and what sizes you want them to be.
To start backcombing: Hold the chunk of hair in one hand and with the other hand start combing upward starting at the roots and moving down to the tips when you think the roots are tight enough. Turn the hair every now and then so the dread will be round. Keep Combing upwards untill the whole chunk is knotted enough to stay in the shape of a dread.

People who love this project (17)

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Georgie L.

Jan 21, 2008 5:31pm

Is it true that when you don't want them any more you have to shave your head?

Shannon A.

Jan 21, 2008 6:15pm

You don't have to shave your head if your hair is healthy and strong enough to comb out...this also depends on how loose the dreads are. When I had to get rid of mine, they were loose enough at the roots that I just cut my hair into a cute pixie cut. Another good way is braiding! I'm surprised at how awesome my braided dreads are turning out this time!

Knittin' Kitten

Jan 21, 2008 7:47pm

I loooove dreads <3

Mia

Jan 22, 2008 4:18am

Dreads aren't my style, but those are really cool!

Kizzle Von Grimm

Jan 22, 2008 5:31am

Thanks Mia, all the pictures are of me :)

April

Jan 22, 2008 5:39am

i always wanted to know how to do this! thanks!

PJ F.

Jan 22, 2008 1:08pm

Dreads aren't my style either. How many days do you go without washing you hair? I don't have enough hair. In one way I think it's cool because you don't have to worry what your do looks like! Bed Head rocks!!

chealz

Jan 22, 2008 2:08pm

Awesome tute, lots of handy little hints.

But those are the ugliest dreads I have ever seen.

Kizzle Von Grimm

Jan 22, 2008 5:08pm

PJ F., you can wash your dreads however often you feel like it. it really doesnt matter unless you have really long or really think dreads, because then it will take them longer to dry and if you wash too much and your dreads never dry they are going to grow mold...hahah
my dreads used to take about a day and a half to dry after washing them.

and chealz, how old are you? 5?
that was a really hurtful thing to say to me.

Carli

Jan 22, 2008 9:18pm

Nice! I've wanted dreads so many times, they are definately my style, you can wear them dressy and pretty anyways! I just get bored with my hair too quickly to commit to dreads.. my man used to have them before we met, would love him to start again. Good info Kizzle :)

Kizzle Von Grimm

Jan 23, 2008 4:20pm

how the hell does that not look like dreads?
what dreads have you seen???

Kizzle Von Grimm

Jan 23, 2008 4:23pm

and Lemony, do you even know what dreadlocks are?
they are knotted matted hair. thats the whole point of them.
if they weren't matted they wouldn't be dreads. they would be straight combed out hair.

queercat

Jan 23, 2008 10:36pm

beautiful dreads! i miss mine...
:(

queercat

Jan 23, 2008 10:38pm

don't worry about all the idiots who say they're ugly, the only "dreads" they've probably seen in their life are those stupid synthetic ones

Kizzle Von Grimm

Jan 24, 2008 4:44am

bahaha! how ignorant! have you ever seen real dreads before?
im sure you have only seen synthetic ones like queercat suggested.
just to let you know, synthetic ones dont look anything like real knotted hair....

what a stupid fuck.