Embrace the attract of dreadlocks, a timeless coiffure steeped in historical past and cultural significance. Dreadlocks, also called locs, are distinct cylindrical strands of matted hair that exude an air of individuality and self-expression. Whether or not you want to attach along with your African roots, discover a bohemian aesthetic, or just embark on a singular hair journey, creating your individual dreadlocks affords an empowering and transformative expertise.
Opposite to widespread perception, dreadlocks are usually not merely uncared for hair left to its personal units. As a substitute, they require intentionality, persistence, and correct care. Embracing the artwork of dreadlock upkeep won’t solely improve the great thing about your locs but in addition foster a profound connection along with your tresses. As you immerse your self within the course of of making and nurturing your dreadlocks, you’ll uncover a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of hair care and the boundless versatility of your pure locks.
With a plethora of strategies out there, you may customise your dreadlocks to enhance your private model and hair kind. From the normal palm-rolling approach to the crochet hook technique, the trail to creating your required dreadlocks is inside your attain. By following these complete directions, you’ll acquire the data and confidence to embark on this thrilling hair journey and unlock the transformative energy of dreadlocks.
Preparation: Collect Important Supplies
Important Instruments and Merchandise:
Embarking on the journey of self-dreading requires an arsenal of important instruments and merchandise. These embrace:
Rubber Bands or String
Rubber bands or string will likely be used to part your hair, creating the inspiration for the dreadlocks. Go for tender, pliable rubber bands that won’t injury your hair. For those who desire string, select pure supplies like cotton or hemp which can be mild on the strands.
| Instrument | Description |
|---|---|
| Rubber Bands | Gentle, malleable bands for sectioning hair |
| String | Pure supplies (e.g., cotton, hemp) for mild sectioning |
Dread Comb or Backcombing Brush
A dread comb or backcombing brush is designed to tease and knot the hair, selling the formation of dreadlocks. Select a software with positive tooth or bristles that may gently detangle and knot the hair with out inflicting breakage.
| Instrument | Description |
|---|---|
| Dread Comb | Superb-toothed comb for teasing and knotting hair |
| Backcombing Brush | Bristled brush for detangling and knotting hair |
Dread Paste or Wax
Dread paste or wax helps to carry the dreadlocks in place as they type. These merchandise include components that promote knotting and stop unraveling. Select a product that’s particularly designed for dreadlocks, as it can present the mandatory maintain with out damaging the hair.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Dread Paste | Substances promote knotting and stop unraveling |
| Dread Wax | Gives maintain and retains dreadlocks in place |
Sectioning: Divide Hair into Manageable Sections
Making ready your hair for dreading entails dividing it into manageable sections. This step is essential because it ensures that your dreads will likely be uniform in measurement and form. This is an in depth information on easy methods to part your hair:
Step 1: Decide the Variety of Dreadlocks
Begin by deciding what number of dreadlocks you need. Think about the thickness and size of your hair, in addition to the specified measurement of the dreads. A superb rule of thumb is to part off roughly 0.5 inches of hair for every dreadlock.
Step 2: Part Hair Utilizing Grid Technique
Utilizing a rattail comb, divide your hair into vertical and horizontal sections. The variety of sections will depend upon the specified variety of dreadlocks. For instance, if you’d like 50 dreadlocks, you’ll create a 5×10 grid in your head.
To mark the sections, use a water-based marker or chalk. Begin by making a vertical line within the middle of your head, from the entrance to the again. Then, create parallel traces spaced evenly aside on both facet of the middle line. Subsequent, create horizontal traces perpendicular to the vertical traces, ranging from the crown of your head and dealing right down to the nape of your neck.
Step 3: Modify and Check Sections
After getting created the grid, alter the sections as wanted to make sure that they’re uniform in measurement. You should utilize a ruler or a measuring tape to test the width of the sections. It is also useful to check the sections by twisting a small piece of hair from every part to see if it holds its form.
| Hair Thickness | Variety of Sections | Dreadlock Measurement (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Skinny | 50-75 | 0.25-0.5 |
| Medium | 30-50 | 0.5-0.75 |
| Thick | 15-30 | 0.75-1.0 |
Twisting: Create Tight Twists for Dreadlock Formation
Part 3: Rolling and Palm Rubbing Strategies
Rolling Approach: This technique entails rolling the hairs on a floor. Begin by separating a small part of hair and twisting it clockwise along with your fingertips. Roll the twisted hair between your arms to type a stable dreadlock. Use regular strain to keep away from inflicting injury to the hair or scalp.
Palm Rubbing Approach: This technique is good for shorter hair. Separate a small part of hair and twist it right into a strand. Roll the strand between the palms of your arms in a round movement. This motion will create friction, inflicting the hairs to lock collectively and type a dreadlock. Use constant strain for an excellent distribution of dreads.
| Approach | Description |
|---|---|
| Rolling | Roll hairs on a floor to create dreadlocks. |
| Palm Rubbing | Roll hairs between palms in a round movement to type dreadlocks. |
Suggestions for Efficient Twisting:
- Guarantee hair is clear and damp for higher grip and malleability.
- Separate hair into small, manageable sections to stop tangles.
- Twist hairs tightly and persistently for a safe maintain.
- Use a locking gel or spray to reinforce the dread formation.
Backcombing: Roughen Hair for Higher Interlocking
Backcombing is a vital step in creating dreadlocks, because it roughens the hair cuticles and permits the hairs to interlock extra simply. To backcomb successfully:
- Brush your hair totally to take away any tangles or knots.
- Divide your hair into small sections, about 1-2 inches broad.
- Maintain the top of a bit firmly and use a teasing comb or brush to softly comb the hair again in the direction of the roots, making a matted impact.
- Repeat this course of all through all the part, working from the ends in the direction of the roots. **Keep away from backcombing too near the roots**, as this will injury the hair shafts and trigger breakage. As a substitute, go away about 1 inch of hair on the base of the part untouched.
Extra Suggestions for Efficient Backcombing:
Suggestions Use a sturdy teasing comb or brush with positive bristles. Be mild and keep away from pulling or tugging on the hair. Backcomb in small sections to make sure even protection. Go away about 1 inch of hair on the roots untouched to stop breakage. Palm Rolling: Roll Twists to Seal Dreadlocks
Palm rolling is a method used to seal and tighten dreadlocks by making a compact and cylindrical form. To carry out palm rolling:
Supplies:
- Hair tie or elastic band
Directions:
1. Collect a small part of unpolluted, barely damp hair.
2. Twist the hair tightly from root to tip, forming a cylinder.
3. Use a hair tie to safe the twist close to the roots.
4. Maintain the twisted part between your palms.
5. Whereas making use of strain with each arms, roll the hair backwards and forwards between your palms for a number of minutes. The rolling movement needs to be rhythmic and constant. This motion helps compact the hair fibers and creates the specified cylindrical form.
6. Repeat the rolling course of for 10-Quarter-hour.
7. Take away the hair tie and gently separate the dreadlock from the remainder of the hair.
Suggestions:
* Maintain the dreadlock firmly, sustaining strain all through the rolling course of.
* Roll in each instructions to make sure even compaction.
* Apply persistence and persistence, as palm rolling can take effort and time.
* Use a hair wax or pomade to reinforce the maintain and stop frizz.Advantages:
* Creates tight, well-defined dreadlocks.
* Helps lock in moisture and stop breakage.
* Promotes a cylindrical form, bettering the general aesthetics of the dreadlocks.Maturing: Permit Time for Pure Tightening
Maturing is a vital section that enables your dreads to tighten and solidify naturally. The timeline for maturation varies relying on hair kind and upkeep methods. Throughout this era, keep away from extreme manipulation or washing, as it could possibly hinder the tightening course of. Persistence is essential, and permitting ample time will end in locs which can be robust, well-defined, and prepared for the following section of growth.
Maturing Part Timeline Upkeep Suggestions Preliminary Tightening 2-3 months Go away dreads undisturbed, avoiding manipulation or washing Secondary Tightening 6-9 months Light palm rolling or interlocking to encourage additional tightening Full Maturation 12+ months Established dreads, requiring minimal upkeep and exhibiting pure tightness In the course of the secondary tightening section, which usually happens round 6-9 months, it’s helpful to softly palm roll or interlock your locs to help within the tightening course of. This needs to be performed cautiously, with reasonable strain utilized to keep away from injury or breakage. By permitting your dreads to mature naturally and offering minimal steering throughout this section, you’ll lay the inspiration for wholesome and resilient locs.
Upkeep: Re-Twist and Trim to Stop Breakage
As soon as you’ve got created your dreadlocks, it is important to take care of them recurrently to stop breakage and maintain them wholesome. This entails re-twisting and trimming your dreadlocks.
Re-Twisting
Re-twisting entails taking two dreadlocks and twisting them collectively to tighten the bottom and stop them from unraveling. It is strongly recommended to re-twist your dreadlocks each 2-4 weeks, relying on how shortly they develop and the way tightly you need them to be.
Steps for Re-Twisting:
- Dampen your dreadlocks with water or a dreadlock spray.
- Take two dreadlocks and align them facet by facet.
- Begin twisting the dreadlocks collectively on the base, transferring in the direction of the guidelines.
- Twist till the dreadlocks are tight and safe.
Trimming
Trimming your dreadlocks helps to take away any free ends or break up ends that will break. It additionally helps to form and outline your dreadlocks.
Steps for Trimming:
- Use sharp scissors to trim away any free ends or break up ends.
- Trim the guidelines of your dreadlocks if desired, to create a selected form or size.
- Keep away from slicing into the bottom of the dreadlock, as this will weaken it.
Frequency of Trimming:
The frequency of trimming will rely in your private preferences and the expansion fee of your hair. Nevertheless, it’s typically beneficial to trim your dreadlocks each 2-3 months.
Re-Twisting Trimming Each 2-4 weeks Each 2-3 months Hydration: Moisturize Dreadlocks to Preserve Them Wholesome
Correct hydration is essential for sustaining wholesome dreadlocks. Common moisturizing prevents them from turning into dry, brittle, and susceptible to breakage. Listed here are some tricks to maintain your dreads well-hydrated:
8. Deep Conditioning Remedies
Deep conditioning remedies are a superb manner to supply intense hydration to your dreadlocks. These remedies sometimes contain making use of a nourishing masks or oil to the hair and leaving it on for an prolonged interval. Deep conditioning helps to strengthen the hair, enhance elasticity, and restore moisture steadiness. Some widespread deep conditioning components embrace coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, and shea butter.
Deep Conditioning Therapy Substances Advantages Coconut Oil Moisturizing, strengthening, antibacterial Olive Oil Conditioning, softening, antioxidant Avocado Nourishing, hydrating, wealthy in nutritional vitamins Shea Butter Moisturizing, softening, anti-inflammatory Styling: Experiment with Completely different Dreadlock Kinds
After getting established a dreadlock sample, you can begin experimenting with completely different kinds to personalize your look. This is a complete information to the wide selection of dreadlock kinds out there:
Dreadlock Fashion Description Freeform Pure and natural, fashioned with none particular approach or sample. Conventional Created utilizing the twist-and-rip technique, leading to cylindrical dreads. Interlocks Just like conventional dreads, however created by interlocking sections of hair with out twisting. Comb Coils Shaped by coiling the hair with a comb, making a uniform and symmetrical look. Sponge Twists Created utilizing a sponge to twist the hair into cylindrical dreads. Backcombing A technique the place the hair is backcombed to create a tangled base for the dreads. Crochet Dreadlocks Utilizing a crochet hook to latch free hairs collectively, creating outlined and managed dreads. Blond Dreadlocks Achieved by bleaching or dyeing the dreads to create a blonde look. Retwist Dreadlocks A way to take care of and tighten the dreadlocks, forestall unraveling, and maintain them uniformed. Persistence: Embrace the Prolonged Dreadlock Formation Course of
10. Shield Your Dreads:
In the course of the formation stage, your dreadlocks are fragile and susceptible to breakage. To safeguard them, keep away from extreme manipulation, brushing, or utilizing harsh chemical compounds. Cowl them with a satin or silk bonnet at evening to scale back friction. Moreover, keep away from swimming in chlorinated swimming pools, as chlorine can weaken the hair fibers.
Protecting Measures Advantages Satin or silk bonnet Reduces friction and breakage Keep away from chlorine Protects towards weakening hair fibers Moreover, spend money on a dreadlock-specific shampoo and conditioner to nourish and strengthen your hair. Keep in mind, persistence is essential on this journey. Embrace the gradual transformation and benefit from the distinctive fantastic thing about your growing dreads.
How To Dread My Personal Hair
Dreadlocks are a ravishing and distinctive coiffure that may be worn by folks of all ages and hair sorts. Whereas there are lots of alternative ways to get dreadlocks, probably the most widespread strategies is to dread your individual hair. This technique is comparatively cheap and simple to do, and it permits you to create dreadlocks which can be completely suited to your individual hair kind and magnificence.
For those who’re fascinated by dreading your individual hair, there are some things it’s essential to know earlier than you get began. First, it’s essential to be sure that your hair is lengthy sufficient to dread. Dreadlocks may be created on hair of any size, however they are going to be harder to create on shorter hair. Second, it’s essential to select a technique of dreading your hair. There are a number of completely different strategies out there, so you may must resolve which one is best for you.
After getting chosen a technique, you can begin dreading your hair. The method can take a number of hours and even days, relying on the size of your hair and the strategy you select. As soon as your dreadlocks are full, you have to to take care of them recurrently to maintain them wanting their greatest.
Individuals Additionally Ask About How To Dread My Personal Hair
What are the completely different strategies of dreading hair?
There are a number of completely different strategies of dreading hair, together with:
- The backcombing technique
- The twisting technique
- The crocheting technique
- The neglect technique
How lengthy does it take to dread hair?
The time it takes to dread hair varies relying on the size of your hair and the strategy you select. Nevertheless, you may anticipate the method to take a number of hours and even days.
How do I preserve dreadlocks?
As soon as your dreadlocks are full, you have to to take care of them recurrently to maintain them wanting their greatest. This consists of washing your dreadlocks with a residue-free shampoo, conditioning them recurrently, and avoiding utilizing warmth styling instruments.
