Hair naturally "dreads" together when it is not combed. To achieve deadlock hair a person must never comb their hair. The outcome does not happen overnight. However, there are contributing factors that assist the process of dreads. Such factors include damaged or bleached hair, coarse and dry hair, and eliminating the use of conditioner. I have shoulder length dreadlocked hair that i began "not" combing two years ago. also another way is to braid your hair in as many braids as you want dreadlocks to form. Don't unbraid the hair and wash weekly. The hair will naturally "dread up". Once the hair takes a non braided dreadlock form the roots will naturally grow out but obviously not braided or dreaded. wash weekly. There are a lot of hair products that will keep your hair fresh and clean between washes. Roots will grow out so if you want to keep a more "modern" unkempt look (not like Bob Marley or a rasta. Also for a thicker dreadlock the trick is to just braid the hair at that diameter and follow the same steps. Trust me its all about braiding the hair first and the rest is easy. Estimated time for curlier more textured hair about a month for the locks to form and for straighter hair, I'm not too sure.
The time for natural dreads varies widely, the sites that sell wax try to scare you by estimates of 2-4 years and lies about looking like a caveman in that time. in reality many who go natural experience dreads in weeks that are rather funky then tighten and thicken over months. if they take longer, oiliness is usually the issue. contrary to popular thinking washing less not more makes hair less oily (weekly is best) herbs like thyme can help too.
Washing dreads should be done with a non residue soap, or baking soda. baking soda requires no scrubbing so is best on baby dreads.
Other methods exist besides natural/neglect they can give a minor jump start, at the cost of doing some damage. backcombing and crochet although are popular due to the misinformation of wax pushers, these methods cause more damage and backcombed dreads look ridiculous the early weeks. far better and less damaging is twist and rip, or in African hair twist and neglect.
Dreads are a natural style, therefore treating them naturally is best most products they sell have a better home made alternative; sea salt in water helps dreads tighten, aloe vera tidies up loose hairs and conditions. baking soda and many herbs clean and maintain healthy scalp and hair.
The best source of dread info is forums not companies. experienced dread lock wearers who want to share info not profit from misinformation
The temptation to get professional help in 99% of all cases ends in disaster. your better off going natural or doing them yourself
Yes, anyone can get dreadlocks.
Although the first answer is somewhat correct, there is much more to be accounted for. The process described above is known as the neglect method. You simply do not comb your hair and keep it clean (and maybe start with some braids). However, there are many more methods of creating dreadlocks, and they may be better options than the method described above.
One of the most popular methods of creating dreadlocks is called "backcombing"
Some websites are incorrect. The worse thing you could do is follow their advice and use wax. dread wax destroys dreads making them gross
Dreads should never have a price tag, there are no legit dread products you cant make yourself.
The truth about dread wax: when you wax dreads it slows the locking process. it creates the illusion of dreads by gluing hair in place but without being able to move no dreading occurs. on top of that, wax traps dirt and water making the dreads dirty and likely to mold. No waxy dreads last long. Using wax twice can leave wax in your hair for many years. It does not wash out.
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As far as haircuts go, layered haircuts look the best. This is because it takes weight out of the hair and gives the curls more movement and bounce. :)
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