Dreadlocking hair involves intentionally matting strands to form rope-like coils, a process that varies depending on your hair type and the desired outcome.
Preparing Your Hair for Dreadlocks
Before you begin the dreadlocking process, proper preparation is key to ensuring your dreads form well and are healthy.
Essential Pre-Dreading Steps:
- Deep Cleanse: Wash your hair thoroughly with a clarifying shampoo to remove all product buildup, oils, and residue. Avoid conditioners, as they can make hair too soft and slippery for dreading.
- Allow to Dry Completely: Ensure your hair is entirely dry before starting. Working with wet hair can lead to mildew and uneven dreads.
- Gather Your Tools: Having all your supplies ready will make the process smoother.
Tools You'll Need:
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Dreadlock Comb | Fine-toothed comb for backcombing/sectioning |
| Sectioning Clips | To hold sections of hair apart |
| Dreadlock Wax/Gel | For hold and accelerating the locking process |
| Rubber Bands | To secure dread bases and tips |
| Mirror | For visibility, especially for the back of your head |
| Friend/Helper | Highly recommended for assistance with hard-to-reach areas |
Dreadlock Creation Methods Based on Hair Type
The technique you use will largely depend on your hair's natural texture.
Method 1: For Fine or Straight Hair (Backcombing and Twisting)
This method works well for hair that doesn't naturally coil or mat easily. It involves forcing the hair to knot together.
Step-by-Step Backcombing:
- Section Your Hair: Divide your clean, dry hair into uniform sections. The size of your sections will determine the thickness of your finished dreadlocks. Use rubber bands at the roots to secure each section and ensure even spacing. A common section size is around 1 square inch for medium-sized dreads.
- Backcomb Each Section: Take one section of hair and hold it taut. With a fine-toothed dreadlock comb, start about an inch from the scalp and push the hair down towards the root. Repeat this motion, working your way down the section, creating knots and tangles.
- Twist While Backcombing: As you backcomb, continuously twist the section of hair in one direction. This twisting motion helps to condense the backcombed hair and begin forming the cylindrical shape of a dreadlock.
- Apply Dread Wax: Once a section is thoroughly backcombed and twisted into a nascent dread, apply a small amount of dread wax or locking gel to the entire length of the dread. This product helps to compress the hair, hold the knots in place, and accelerate the maturation process. Roll the dread between your palms to work the wax in and further compact the hair.
- Secure the Tip: Place a small rubber band at the very end of the dread to prevent it from unraveling.
For more detailed insights on backcombing, consider resources on natural hair care: Hair Locking Techniques
Method 2: For Thick or Curly Hair (Coil Method)
This method capitalizes on the natural curl pattern of textured hair, encouraging it to coil and lock.
Step-by-Step Coiling:
- Section Your Hair: As with straight hair, begin by sectioning your clean, dry hair into uniform squares, securing each section at the root with a rubber band.
- Apply Locking Gel: Apply a small amount of locking gel or dread wax to one section of hair, from root to tip. This helps to define the curl and add hold.
- Twist into a Coil: Using a fine-toothed comb (or your fingers if your hair is very curly and coily), place the comb at the base of the section. Twist the hair in a circular motion, encouraging it to form a tight coil. As you twist, slowly pull the comb down the length of the section, ensuring the entire strand is coiled.
- Palm Rolling (Optional but Recommended): After coiling, you can palm roll the newly formed dread to further compress it and create a smoother cylindrical shape.
- Secure the Tip: Use a small rubber band at the end of the dread to help it maintain its coiled shape initially.
Learn more about various starter dreadlock methods: Dreadlock Starting Methods
Maintaining Your Dreadlocks
Creating dreadlocks is just the beginning; consistent maintenance is crucial for their health, neatness, and maturation.
Daily and Weekly Maintenance:
- Hand Rolling: Maintain your dreads by hand rolling them once a day. This simple yet vital step helps to keep the dreads compact, prevent loose hairs, and encourage a consistent cylindrical shape as they mature. Roll each dread firmly between your palms from root to tip.
- Washing: Wash your dreadlocks regularly with a residue-free shampoo (typically every 1-2 weeks, or as needed). Ensure thorough rinsing to prevent product buildup inside the dreads. Always allow your dreads to dry completely to avoid mildew.
- Retwisting/Root Maintenance: As your hair grows, new growth at the roots will need to be re-dreaded. This is usually done every 4-8 weeks using the same method (backcombing or coiling) as your initial dread creation, focusing only on the loose new growth at the scalp.
Long-Term Care Tips:
- Protect at Night: Cover your dreads with a satin or silk cap or use a satin pillowcase to reduce frizz and lint buildup while sleeping.
- Moisturize: Use a light, residue-free dreadlock spray or oil (like rosewater, tea tree oil, or jojoba oil) to keep your scalp and dreads moisturized without causing buildup.
- Patience is Key: Dreadlocks go through various stages (budding, locking, maturing). The process can take several months to a few years for them to fully mature and become solid.
- Avoid Over-Tightening: When retwisting or styling, avoid pulling your dreads too tightly, as this can cause thinning at the roots and traction alopecia.
Creating dreadlocks is a journey that requires commitment and care. By following these methods and maintenance tips, you can achieve beautiful and healthy dreadlocks.
