Getting Dreads
You've finally made the decision to lock your hair - good for you! Some people prefer to go to a locitian to get it done professionally, but if you want to do it at home then here are some pointers. Either way, be prepared to write the day off as it takes a while - especially if your hair is long. Also be prepared that Rome wasn't built in a day - so it will take a good few weeks for your hair to start knotting (of course this varies depending on your hair's texture).
There are many methods used to make dreads from scratch. Some people want what works best for their hair type and for others there's a deeper meaning to it. Below we've outlined the back-combing method as it can be used on any texture of hair with great results.
Please also note that hair will lock eventually on its own without wax. Wax will simply speed the locking process and your dreads will be tighter and more groomed looking. Again - your personal choice!
You'll need
- Hair that's at least 3 inches long.
- Time and patience.
- A dedicated friend or family member to help you out.
- A very strong comb with close teeth.
- Clips or slides to keep the rest of your hair out of the way.
- Small rubber bands to help keep the dreads in place. Not essential, but some people like to use them.
- Willie's Dread Wax - if you want to use wax that is.
- Anything that may help pass the time - music / movies etc etc.
Don't forget before and after pics!
Send them into us at
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for our online photo gallery.
- Hair needs to be freshly washed with residue-free shampoo. DON'T USE CONDITIONER...silky hair is not conducive to dreadlocks!
SECTION the hair starting at the base of the skull. Make a part from ear-to-ear and pin the rest of the hair up. Part the hair into sections and secure each one with a clip. The size of each section will depend on how thick you want your dreads.
Now make another row above that one and repeat, however this time STAGGER the sections so that you don't have one right on top of the other....just like a brick wall effect.- Keep going till you finish at the top of the head.
Now get back to where you started at the base of the skull. Take one section starting at the roots back comb until you have teased the entire section into a messy clump which should now be right up against the scalp.- Twist it around and gently lengthen it out.
If you're using wax get it now and scrape out a small peanut size amount and soften it in your fingers. Starting at the roots work it into the dread-to-be by gently twisting it from the scalp down the length. If the hair is long, you can add more wax the further down you go - but less is more so don't go over-board.- Once completed, vigorously palmroll the dread in-between your hands for roughly 30 seconds or so. This compresses the dread so it's nice and tight.
- If you feel you want/need to use rubber bands, now place one at the base and one at the end of the dread.
- Carry on til they're all done.
- Some people like to now use a blow-dryer to melt the wax right into the dread. Just be careful not to scorch the hair or your scalp!
- IF YOU THINK THERE'S TOO MUCH WAX - then just get some paper towels and blot them to absorb the excess.
Now you're done - congrats!
IMMEDIATE AFTERCARE
- Palmroll every day if you can for the first week or two. You won't need to apply more wax each time you do this, but keep an eye on them. If they look a bit loose and frizzy in places then use a tiny bit more wax. As a general rule - if you can see/feel wax already in your hair, you don't need to add any more. Once your locks mature, you won't be waxing and palmrolling much at all except for touching up the roots when needed.
- We normally recommend washing your locks weekly but please hold off washing them for the first 2 weeks to let them settle in. Getting into a weekly pattern after that will aid the locking process.
