As long as you don't backcomb them into supertight lumps or crochet the lumps, they'll relax and soften up so they'll more closely match the new growth - but you can almost always tell which part was the backcombed part and which part is new growth.
Started my dreadlocks about three weeks ago, did the rip n' twist method and crocheted to help them stay. I am absolutely in love with them. Thank you for having the informative channel. I think at this point I am just going to allow my dreads to freeform, this start of my dread journey is just taking off...can't wait to see what happens down the road.
I'm loving your vids, man! I've already decided on getting them and I know everything that's required. Atm my hair is only 5.5 inches so I plan on growing it out for 6 months to see how it goes and if I'm comfortable with the length I'm going to start. One day I hope to get them as long as yours and I've accepted that's years ahead of me.
Just started my first lock via twist and rip today! Your videos are really informative and helped me decide to finally take the plunge. Thanks again and keep up the good work!!
@Jay I cannot reply to your comment due to your Google+ settings. You can dread your hair after it's been washed and dried, in fact it's best to do it while the hair is nice and clean - but it's ideal if you have not conditioned your hair for a while beforehand as soft conditioned hair is less likely to knot and hold knots and therefore more likely to fall out.
Just finished my dreads today. Even young and frizzy, I'm loving them! lol looks great hanging out of my hats :D thanks a bunch! You're videos are so informative.
They're supposed to be loose, they cannot mature if they are over tightened at the start. If you backcomb them more you'll be in effect starting them over again every time you do so and if you keep crocheting them you'll have to repeat it over and over again.
Just wanted to say iv started my dreadlocks journey recently and I love your videos.. they honest and straight to the point and I like that. I look forward to watching more. Thanks lazydreads...xxx
The problem with having scattered dreads is that the loose hair will get stuck in them and start knotting up. Some people have dreaded hair with normal fringe hair / bangs because it's easy to condition and brush that hair while leaving the dreads alone. But when they're just scattered you can't really brush the hair or condition it without getting it on the dreads, so it'll all start to lock up.
I would imagine it's possible to get fleas in dreads, but I've never heard of it. They wouldn't get in the dreads, they'd get on them or on your head. It wouldn't be much different from getting them on your head with normal hair.
I did natural dreads for 3 weeks or so they look nice of of course super messy but it made me want to do the rip n twist which I will do in 2 weeks. can't wait !! thanks for inspiration I always wanted to but as a mother I felt like ppl would judge me but my son said he's okay with it ! can't wait for my journey
I did the twist and rip method about 5 days ago. Wasn't really bad at all when I was doing the twist and rip, but now my head hurts immensely. I think it's because the hair is starting to shrink and pull on its own(?) It feels like someone put a 40lb weight in my head. If they are hurting this bad now, are they always going to? Because I'm about to try as best I can to undo the knots or just cut them off. I don't want to get rid of my hair but I think dreads were a bad idea.
I have pretty oily hair and to start off getting all that oil out I take lemon juice microwave it then mix in sea salt and stir until sea salt is dissolved put into a spray bottle and spray your hair down it will dry your hair out very fast the amounts of each I couldn't really tell you though you have to be your own judge on that but I did this sometime 3 times a week just spray down give a few good head shakes and let ait dry after it dried I would take a microfiber clothe and start doing donuts on my scalp after 3 or 4 weeks my hair started to take form and now I'm going into a year of my lox this would probably be a good way to help natural locks form...but be careful when spraying and once your hair is soaked because lemon juice and salt in the eyes burns very much.so be careful when you shake off the excess and when you apply the mix and make sure no one is near you don't want others to get it in their eyes
i did the twist and rip method and i think that they have turned out great. thanks for the videos man. i just uploaded my 4 week update and can already see the deference.
Depends on where you live, you can find lots of varieties around the world. A good start is to search dreadlock soap or dreadlock shampoo on ebay and see what's available in your country then see if anyone has reviewed it.
I'm dying to get dreadlocks, I've been wanting them for a few yrs now. So when I wash my hair with no conditioning, do I dry my hair after or do I leave it?
I love your videos, they are so helpful! I'm hopefully getting my dreadlocks done soon and I just can't wait! I've seen several of your dread videos and they really are great :D
After you've dreaded your hair and your hair starts to grow out, how do you maintain the roots so that the roots continue to keep the dreaded shape? Hope my question makes sense haha
Hey lazy dreads I love your videos. You are very informative. I've recently became very interested in starting dreads and would like to start it in the Summer however I used to relax my hair, it's been 5 month since I have not permed my hair can I start my dreads or do I have to wait longer
Hi LazyDreads! Not sure if you will see this comment, but I’ve started washing my hair with DollyLocks in preparation for my dreads.. However, I’ve run into a little problem where it seems like even right after I wash my hair, it feels a bit oily. I don’t use very much of the shampoo at all and I had been washing my hair about 2-3 times a week before I even switched to this new residue free shampoo (same amount that I’m washing now & plan to when I make my dreads). So I guess my question is I’m not really sure if I should keep trying with this shampoo and see if my hair “gets used to it” and stops ending up so oily feeling right after I wash it, or if I should try out a new one? It’s been about 8 washes with this shampoo and I haven’t noticed any changes yet. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!
I have been watching your videos, considering, getting the info I need if I DO dread my hair. But my actual question is (for no one in particular) if I personally will look god with dreads? Like.. How does one know if it will look okay? And dreads are a pretty lengthy process. So it'll take a while before I know if I like them or not. This seems to be the most difficult decision for me. I'm just not sure if I will look okay... *groans in frustration* And you're extremely informative! Thank you for all of your wonderful videos and time!
i've got a question what happens if you already wash your hair like once a week without conditioner before getting dreads? would i need to go back to washing it everyday and then slowly go back to washing it once a week ? my hair doesn't seem to be greasy at the current momment when washing once a week
hey, i was just wondering about when you are back combing to get the baby dreads. how do you know how much to back comb so that the root doesnt grow in thicker or thinner than the bit you dreaded to get it started? also your hair is beautiful and from your shirts it appears your taste in music is badass
Question: hey, I recently got dreadlocks, I did the back combing/crochet method, but they are really lose. Should I try to back comb them more or just work with the crochet hook? Thanks , your videos are great!
Hi. I've been doing a lot of research on dreads and you have been the most helpful. But I have waist length hair..and its very very thick, and more of a coarse texture. my question is...does that make me a better or worse candidate for dreads?? I can't decide if I want to start them at home or just go have it done. I have a feeling it would take a pretty long time for mine, considering how thick my hair is. Thank you for all of the info and hope to hear back soon!
Jennifer Bennington Longer hair is better than short hair -> more hair = more interactions = more knots. Longer hair also gives you more length for knots to form in making them less likely to come undone. Course hair is also preferable over soft hair. So I don't think you should have too much to worry about in these areas.
I want to prepare my hair in the best possible way...start them off right! I know I should use natural shampoo with no conditioner in the weeks/days prior. I have searched for weeks already, not knowing exactly which shampoo to use. As I shop for one, I turn the bottle over and there is a list of ingredients a mile long! I don't want to order a shampoo; I want to find one I can buy over the counter. At this point, I have taken so long just to find a shampoo to prepare my hair, that I could have been getting used to my dreads by now. A friend suggested I use dishwashing liquid...thoughts?
Hello , I am going to dread on Friday, I have Caucasian hair that tends to be very oily, I have used all natural shampoos, and the dreadhead hq shampoo for weeks in preparing my hair for the dreading process. I wash every three to four days, can I use a ACV rinse prior to getting my dreads like tonight or tomorrow before i get my dreads friday to help with such greasyness, my hair doesnt seem to be adjusting to the less frequent washes like people claim it to do. Thank you
Lazy Dreads I've been growing my hair for a month and its nearly 4 inches. Im so inspired by the sport of dreds and I finally stopped procrastinating and decided to grow locs. My hair is naturally straight. From what I've watched on youtube regarding dreds, everyone with straight hair has traditional dreds. However, I would prefer sectioned dreds. Any advice? Im sorry if you've made a video relavent to my question but I'm not able to find one. Thank you for your dedication. P.S For what it may prevent, im 14 years of age. I wouldnt know if there even is anything of age requirements that I may need to consume for better hair/dred growth?
i have hair down to my knees, and i'm day 1 starting natural dreadlocks. its very tangled, since it's so long, and somewhat fine, partially wavy, i feel like i should be separating all the time i don't want a massive knot ball cropping up, but i don't want to mess with it too much and prevent dreadlocks from forming. any advice?
So, i'm planing to get dreads with the twist and rip method. I have about 40-50 cm long hair(i think thats about 15-16 inches). My hair is kind of frissy and easily knotts together on it's own. So... how short will my dreads be then? Cause I'm looking to get long and quite thin dreads. And also, just love your dreads and your vids man!
Hello. It's not really possible to say for certain how much hair length is going to be lost. It depends on a number of things like hair length, hair type, hair thickness, how thick you make the dreadlocks and what method you use... so the amount of shrinkage people get is all over the place. Worst case they lose 1/2 of the length but normally it's more like 1/3 of the length is lost.
Many people recommend that while sectioning and starting your dreads, you can use rubber bands to hold them in place, but how long do you need to keep those bands in? do you leave them in for awhile after dreading or can you take them out right away once you've dreaded? Just wondering what's best :)
hey i have started my dread journey ... and as you said dry and long hair dread the best ... i have hair long enough but my hair is kind of oily texture... i tried forming two dreads one with back comb method and another one with twist and rip method to see which works for me... they both work well for me but since my hair is super curly the two dreads that were formed are curling too and dont look like dreads at all .... any one who went through same problem ... any suggestion would help :)
i've seen some people with dreads and you as well ( sorry i am not feeling very well and it's almost midnight so i can't grammar now xD ) why are the tips of the dreads lighter? like yours for example are lighter than the brownish your hair normaly has and it's going to orange or smth. so you dyied it or it's just some dreadlock side effect?
What if you already only wash your hair about every 2 weeks or so? And if you want to start them right after taking out a protective style (in my case, crochet braids)
Hi! I just started my dreadlocks yesterday using twist and rip. I ended up doing it by myself lol. It does worry me though how loose they are, I don't want them to fall out.
Well once you've started them, there's not much else you can do other than hope and wait - they might be too loose.... but then I guess you'll be better practiced for next time?
Omg I love dreads but I’m too lazy to maintain them! My hair is so straight and I barely do anything to it and dnt even need to brush it. I backcombed my dreads once yrs ago but only had for 2 months cause they started joining together haha I didn’t really no how to seperate them and look after them and sounds like I don’t have the time..
Hey +lazydreads I'm starting get out with like 12 -17 " of hair not sure, but was wondering if dye or damage from dye would affect the dreads? and wanted to say that your videos rock super informative and exactly what I was looking for
+Katie Mitchell Dye can be a little though on dreadlocks when they're young because it can take a lot of rinsing to remove the excess and all that heavy duty rinsing can frizz up young loose dreads.
Currently I am growing my hair out because I wanted to, but now I've decided to dread my hair the natural way(currently my hair isn't quite long enough to dread/my desired length i wanted before i wanted dreads) I already dont condition my hair but once i start my natural journey i was wandering when i should switch to a residue free shampoo, as soon as i stop brushing? Thanks in advance, and as always love watching your videos!
I started trying to get high top dreads 2 days ago and they're slowly forming although I don't fully have them should I still wash my hair with soap and a sponge or just use shampoo only? -also can I get dreads by rubbing my hair in a circle with just a towel please answer
Teetree shampoo mint is fine for dreadlocks right? Also I got dreadlocks started and was told not to wash my hair for two weeks weeks afterwards. Is that normal? P.S. I went to a salon and the first trip was to get the hair ready and the second appointment was to latch the hair together. I hope you can give a response. Thank you =)
I want high top dreadlocks but I have a permed mohawk and my sides are shaved and go up too high. My natural hair is straight. Does anyone think I could get dreadlocks now and crochet the sides in or something when they get long enough or should i just wait? Will it look bad because the sides are straight and top is curly when i crochet them in? My hair is 4 inches on top and almost bald on the sides.
I'm getting dreads in soon. but half of my head is bleached so its pretty damaged . i heard that dreads can break off if the hair is too damaged, is there any way to prevent it or help avoid it ?
What if you only want a few dreads in your hair ? How would you go about washing your normal hair normally and your dread strands with the residue shampoo ? •.• ahh
when your dreads are forming and have shrunk, will your hair length grow very slow? my hair is really thick and i can have an afro if i chose to. Im interested in getting dreads and would wear a beanie for a long time publicly, at least until i can tie it up. I'm just afraid that after they start to shrink it won't grow fast and ill end up hating after a while. Thank you
Hey, great videos, very informative, I wanna try giving dreadlocks a shot just quick question. as you said in your videos longer hair is better for starting them and has less of a maturity rate so I do plan on growing my hair out past 6 inches before I start them. for the time being though I have been using just hair gel to hold my hair a bit more uniform until then, is this bad? I stopped conditioning my hair and plan to get some residue free shampoo today but is the long term use of hair gel going to hurt me several months from now when I initially try to start them?
Anthony carrera I'm sure there's some variation between different gels... I would guess some are better/worse than others when it comes to the health of the hair, but I doubt that any prior gel use would have much of an effect on dreadlocks you form later.
I'm really new to dreads, and got a lot of time till my hair grows long enough. I surely want them. But I wonder what to do when I finally have them, is there much loose hair that's gonna appear from the roots? And what to do with those. If I'm not mistaken, you said in the other video that new hair is gonna become dread lock as well, but how come you have some loose hair? A reply would be appreciated, great videos. Thanks.
The hair that grows from the root of the dread will lock up as it grows out / there's normally around 0.5-1 inch of looseness followed by the dreaded part. The fly away loose hair is different and will always be in a constant cycle - hairs get pulled out, hairs break, new hairs grow. Those fly away hairs will lock together and either form their own dreads or join other dreads... by which point there will be some new loose hairs. The only way to get all of the loose hair in is to crochet them in... and if you stop crocheting, the loose hairs will come back.
Thanks so much, now I know how that works. This is my first day of gathering information about dreads, and it's been a very informative one. Thanks lots again and I will continue to watch more videos from you!
What type of shampoo would you recommend using? I'm currently using Shea Moisture African black soap shampoo which was recommended by a dread salon. Will this shampoo be sufficient for me to use while preparing for dreads and washing my hair after I've started my dreads? Love your videos, by the way. They made me jump off the fence and head on over to the dread side! lol
Ali Weatherford Just like with shampoo for "normal" hair, shampoo choices are quite personal - some people have dryer scalps - others more oily, some people will live in an area where certain shampoos are easier to find than others. My advice is to try out as many as you can. You're going to want to try and search for shampoos that are as low in residue as possible - shampoos that won't leave things behind in the dreadlocks. Most dreadlock specific shampoos will list themselves as "residue free". While in practice they will still likely end up leaving behind some traces of soap that will need to be periodically deep cleaned out, going for a residue free soap is going to hopefully result in the least amount of problems.
Thanks for the videos, super informative! I currently have abut 18 inches of straight hair and am ready to start..but i CANNOT decide between twist and rip or backcomb..Have you ever seen results of somone doing both (ie some dreads backcombed and some twist/ripped?) I am also curious: I saw another youtube vid where the woman braided all the sections of her hair then unbraided them one by one and dreaded sections individually, over the course of several weeks. Would you reccomend this? why/why not? Thanks so much!
Over the long run you'll find very little difference between T&R and backcomb. With mature dreadlocks you would not be able to tell whether they had originally been T&R or backcomb. Personally I'd T&R longer hair. You can braid the sections to hold them sectioned and do them one at a time if you want.. but the downside is you're going to have half braided and half baby dreadlocked hair. Personally I'd want to start them all at once - or at least all within a couple of days of each other because you ideally need to wait at least 5 days before you wash them for the first time... and that's 5 days from the last created dreadlock.
Anyone with dreads that can answer this ,please do. I'm mixed (White/Samoan/Black) and have LONG,Fluffy,very thick blonde hair. How long do you think it would take before the dreads were to start looking less messy, and more mature? Having the hair type that I do, I figured it would be less time because my hair knots up very fast. I don't like wearing hats, so everyone just gets to share my young dreads experience with me when I decide to get them. In the long run I know it'll be worth it, but i'm still impatient most of the time.
Hi Jordan, it's not possible to be exact as everyone's hair is different. The average time is around 12 months, some take longer, some take less time - if you have longer hair that is more prone to forming knots I would imagine you'll find it goes fairly fast.
So, my fringe is about 6-8 inches, and the neck part about 13-14 inches. I'm thinking about doing it with the backcombing method (at a professional salon). But as the're away atm, and doesn't get back until august (5 month) i guess it'll grow a bit more. Anyway, what I'm mostly intrested interested in is a bit bigger/fatter dreads. Is that possible right from the start, or is it going do be hard to do so with that kind of lenght?
bigger sections make fatter dreads, the caveat being less dreads overall. I started with smaller (skinnier) sections, I wish I had done bigger dreads now.
hey i have a couple of questions (1)how long does your hair have to be to get natural dreads? (2)do you have to use that special shampoo you talk about in this video if you want natural dreads if so were would i get it from (3) does your hair have to be thick to get dreads (4) i haven't used conditioner or shampoo in about 2 or 3 months because i want natural dreads am i doing the right thing ? thankyou :)
1) For neglect you don't need a specific length. Short hair won't do a whole lot / the longer the better, but once you've decided to start.. you just start regardless of length 2) Yes you still need a residue free shampoo - buy it online. 3) Your hair does not have to be thick, but thin hair will produce thinner, fewer dreadlocks. 4) I don't recommend stopping shampooing. Natural / Neglect / Freeform Dreadlocks Information
What are the benefits of getting dreads made vs just going natural? I'm not aware of all the styles of making dreads, and would appreciate information from anyone really. thank you!
Dude- just wanted to...say thanks?...well yeah, I watch ALL your vids. I have a question...very important to me...i'll be honest...I want my hair to look like johnny davis' dreads. they look like they were done with some sort of twist (no pun intended) method. maybe twisted with wax/hairdryer or dread accelerator. Lead singer in KORN= johnny davis. by the chance you know this look, is my guessing correct about twisting hair and using dread wax/hot hair dryer or dread accelerator?
First off if you start dreadlocks trying to emulate someone else's dreadlocks... you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Two twins can start dreadlocks with exactly the same method at exactly the same time and their two sets of dreads will look different. Unless you had the exact same hair type, length, thickness and method as Jonathan Davis.. chances are they're going to look rather different along with it taking a year before dreadlocks look how they're going to look. I'm not entirely sure where you've got the wax and hair dryer idea from - certainly not from any of my videos as that sounds like a horrendous idea. Jonathan Davis has quite messy looking long dreadlocks. From a distance they often don't even look like dreadlocks, they just look like messy hair. This overall idea isn't all that hard to achieve with the Twist & Rip method.. but to get the length you'll need very long hair to start out with.
i'm going to get my dreads next week. but there is still a crazy idea...but before i try it i would like to hear what you've to say. if your beard would be long enough would you like to dread it...and if you would,which method would you use?
I would not want to lock my beard. The hair texture is very different and I personally think it would be quite impractical. I don't think "regular" methods would work on that hair, I think it needs tying and holding in place for long periods of time... but I'm by no means an expert on the subject.
And when the dreads are maturing or de fluffing XD could you just keep it up all the time when youre out . Or would that maybe make the dreads form weird or make pieces fall out of the dreads more
hey, okay. so I have curly hair. kind of mixed hair if you will. but I've been washing and going for three days now. and my hairs just gotten curlier and curlier. it's around 4 in. and I can't really find a video for my type of hair. but I want mine like the weeknd's. any tips or steps I should follow?
+Domingo Gunville You should expect to need to invest time more on the scale of months and years rather than days, and during that time you should still be regularly washing the hair. The Weeknd has had thin dreads that have been allowed to merge together, you'd be looking at several years for things to come together like that, and they would only stand like his if you had dense afro textured hair.
hey my names tyler and i just got my dreads two days ago and i just have a question like one or two dreads are like comming apart not like that but getting loose by the middle of them i have them at least past my nipples but ik in one of your videos you just said just leave them alone and just forget tjere there do i just like play with them and like twerl them around or just leave them alone and i sleep with like a tank top on my head so i have something on my head and when i do i put it on my head and let them hang or tie them up into it and plz answer fast in need of help thanks
silly question... 6 inches of hair, would that be all around your head or just, like, the first/top layer...? Like, I cut my hair fairly short almost a year ago and the hair on the back of my head/neck is a lot shorter than the hair around my face. O.o
You've probably heard this a gazillion times, but your locks are GORGEOUS ^_^ I've always loved dreads, and I'd like to have them, but I'm too chicken at the moment - I have about four feet of straight, shiny hair, and I don't know that I want to part with that right away. For now, I'll watch your vids and dream XD Thanks for making the vids :)
I'm thinking about starting dreadlocks, Is thick hair good for growing dreadlocks? Once my hair dries it doesn't move, and also my hair is really curly will that be fine during this process of growing?
Is it possible for dreads to fall out completely from washes or will they always tighten up again? Is there anything I should do when they do loosen or just leave them be?
It is possible for them to fall out completely if there are not enough initial knots formed to allow them to get through being washed. If they wash out then... well.. they've washed out. You can leave them to form naturally or redo them. However loosening is normal and expected so as long as they just loosen, they should be left to lock. "Redoing" dreads that have simply loosened will start them over and be a backwards step.
I'm a 53 year old grandmother and I'm going to start my dreadlocks this year.
Helen Fulcher u go ganny😊
Helen Fulcher You must be an awesome Grandma 👌👌👌👍👍👍
Helen Fulcher bad ass
Helen Fulcher if I start dreads should I still wash my hair before I get them
Helen Fulcher I remember when I was a 53 year old grandmother.. but now I’m a 21 year old man child.
Your brow game is on point
As long as you don't backcomb them into supertight lumps or crochet the lumps, they'll relax and soften up so they'll more closely match the new growth - but you can almost always tell which part was the backcombed part and which part is new growth.
Started my dreadlocks about three weeks ago, did the rip n' twist method and crocheted to help them stay. I am absolutely in love with them. Thank you for having the informative channel. I think at this point I am just going to allow my dreads to freeform, this start of my dread journey is just taking off...can't wait to see what happens down the road.
lol when you said "if you're interested in shrinkage..." :)
I'M IMMATURE GET OVER IT!
Franco Sulfaro same!😂😂
I'm loving your vids, man! I've already decided on getting them and I know everything that's required. Atm my hair is only 5.5 inches so I plan on growing it out for 6 months to see how it goes and if I'm comfortable with the length I'm going to start. One day I hope to get them as long as yours and I've accepted that's years ahead of me.
Just started my first lock via twist and rip today! Your videos are really informative and helped me decide to finally take the plunge. Thanks again and keep up the good work!!
@Jay I cannot reply to your comment due to your Google+ settings.
You can dread your hair after it's been washed and dried, in fact it's best to do it while the hair is nice and clean - but it's ideal if you have not conditioned your hair for a while beforehand as soft conditioned hair is less likely to knot and hold knots and therefore more likely to fall out.
You can start using it before. Residue free shampoo still works perfectly fine on non-dreaded hair.
Ive had my dreads for 2 months. Started with the back combing until i got good bases and now im free forming. Love the vids.
Just finished my dreads today. Even young and frizzy, I'm loving them! lol looks great hanging out of my hats :D thanks a bunch! You're videos are so informative.
They're supposed to be loose, they cannot mature if they are over tightened at the start. If you backcomb them more you'll be in effect starting them over again every time you do so and if you keep crocheting them you'll have to repeat it over and over again.
Thank you for your videos, I'm planning on doing dreadlocks for myself soon and your videos are very helpful! :)
Just wanted to say iv started my dreadlocks journey recently and I love your videos.. they honest and straight to the point and I like that. I look forward to watching more. Thanks lazydreads...xxx
The problem with having scattered dreads is that the loose hair will get stuck in them and start knotting up. Some people have dreaded hair with normal fringe hair / bangs because it's easy to condition and brush that hair while leaving the dreads alone. But when they're just scattered you can't really brush the hair or condition it without getting it on the dreads, so it'll all start to lock up.
I would imagine it's possible to get fleas in dreads, but I've never heard of it. They wouldn't get in the dreads, they'd get on them or on your head. It wouldn't be much different from getting them on your head with normal hair.
I did natural dreads for 3 weeks or so they look nice of of course super messy but it made me want to do the rip n twist which I will do in 2 weeks. can't wait !! thanks for inspiration I always wanted to but as a mother I felt like ppl would judge me but my son said he's okay with it ! can't wait for my journey
I like how fast and highly informative this was. Straight to the point. Great 😉
I did the twist and rip method about 5 days ago. Wasn't really bad at all when I was doing the twist and rip, but now my head hurts immensely. I think it's because the hair is starting to shrink and pull on its own(?) It feels like someone put a 40lb weight in my head. If they are hurting this bad now, are they always going to? Because I'm about to try as best I can to undo the knots or just cut them off. I don't want to get rid of my hair but I think dreads were a bad idea.
I am loving these videos! Thank you for being so informative!!
+Sybille Jones I'm glad you enjoy what I do! :)
I have pretty oily hair and to start off getting all that oil out I take lemon juice microwave it then mix in sea salt and stir until sea salt is dissolved put into a spray bottle and spray your hair down it will dry your hair out very fast the amounts of each I couldn't really tell you though you have to be your own judge on that but I did this sometime 3 times a week just spray down give a few good head shakes and let ait dry after it dried I would take a microfiber clothe and start doing donuts on my scalp after 3 or 4 weeks my hair started to take form and now I'm going into a year of my lox this would probably be a good way to help natural locks form...but be careful when spraying and once your hair is soaked because lemon juice and salt in the eyes burns very much.so be careful when you shake off the excess and when you apply the mix and make sure no one is near you don't want others to get it in their eyes
i did the twist and rip method and i think that they have turned out great. thanks for the videos man. i just uploaded my 4 week update and can already see the deference.
Depends on where you live, you can find lots of varieties around the world. A good start is to search dreadlock soap or dreadlock shampoo on ebay and see what's available in your country then see if anyone has reviewed it.
I wash my normal (not yet dreaded) hair once a week. But I hope to have say 5/6 dreads under my top layer of hair.
I'm dying to get dreadlocks, I've been wanting them for a few yrs now.
So when I wash my hair with no conditioning, do I dry my hair after or do I leave it?
You should form them though so your hair doesn’t become one knot
Thanks for the info ,very thought out and well presented 😊
Getting mine tomorrow! Been waiting for quite a bit now. Peace
+Trey Morman best of luck! :)
I could listen to you talk all day long... love your accent (and your locks).
+Whitney McQueen I should get into reading for audiobooks...
+Lazy Dreads Haha.... YES!
I'm so glad you mentioned a flea comb lol. People always look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them that's what they can use
Thanks, love your videos. Had a question to just make sure before I get started . Do I back comb and then use lock and twist or vice a versa?
I love your videos, they are so helpful! I'm hopefully getting my dreadlocks done soon and I just can't wait! I've seen several of your dread videos and they really are great :D
Getting my dreads done in 9 days can't wait
Could you tease or back comb sections of the hair to keep pieces seperated when doing the neglect methed
After you've dreaded your hair and your hair starts to grow out, how do you maintain the roots so that the roots continue to keep the dreaded shape? Hope my question makes sense haha
I've heard hooks and hooking in loose ends works
Hey lazy dreads I love your videos. You are very informative. I've recently became very interested in starting dreads and would like to start it in the Summer however I used to relax my hair, it's been 5 month since I have not permed my hair can I start my dreads or do I have to wait longer
Hi LazyDreads! Not sure if you will see this comment, but I’ve started washing my hair with DollyLocks in preparation for my dreads.. However, I’ve run into a little problem where it seems like even right after I wash my hair, it feels a bit oily. I don’t use very much of the shampoo at all and I had been washing my hair about 2-3 times a week before I even switched to this new residue free shampoo (same amount that I’m washing now & plan to when I make my dreads). So I guess my question is I’m not really sure if I should keep trying with this shampoo and see if my hair “gets used to it” and stops ending up so oily feeling right after I wash it, or if I should try out a new one? It’s been about 8 washes with this shampoo and I haven’t noticed any changes yet. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you!
I have been watching your videos, considering, getting the info I need if I DO dread my hair. But my actual question is (for no one in particular) if I personally will look god with dreads? Like.. How does one know if it will look okay? And dreads are a pretty lengthy process. So it'll take a while before I know if I like them or not. This seems to be the most difficult decision for me. I'm just not sure if I will look okay... *groans in frustration*
And you're extremely informative! Thank you for all of your wonderful videos and time!
+Olivia Fulayter Also, I was wondering if we could see some pictures of you (if there are any) with young dreads? Please and thank you.
+Olivia Fulayter Also, also: I know the easy answer is "residue free," but what Specific shampoo do you use??
I'm also pretty curious about that. I know this was written a while ago. So did you ever find an answer to that question??
i've got a question what happens if you already wash your hair like once a week without conditioner before getting dreads? would i need to go back to washing it everyday and then slowly go back to washing it once a week ? my hair doesn't seem to be greasy at the current momment when washing once a week
I want dreads too, I made one yesterday and combed then (I hope I spelled right) too see how it is and it's nice
*troll face* "I have a video on shrinkage ;)"
hey, i was just wondering about when you are back combing to get the baby dreads. how do you know how much to back comb so that the root doesnt grow in thicker or thinner than the bit you dreaded to get it started? also your hair is beautiful and from your shirts it appears your taste in music is badass
Question: hey, I recently got dreadlocks, I did the back combing/crochet method, but they are really lose. Should I try to back comb them more or just work with the crochet hook? Thanks , your videos are great!
I'm hopefully getting dreads sometime this summer and I'd like to put some beads in them and other fun stuff...what's an appropriate time to do that?
Hi. I've been doing a lot of research on dreads and you have been the most helpful. But I have waist length hair..and its very very thick, and more of a coarse texture. my question is...does that make me a better or worse candidate for dreads?? I can't decide if I want to start them at home or just go have it done. I have a feeling it would take a pretty long time for mine, considering how thick my hair is. Thank you for all of the info and hope to hear back soon!
Jennifer Bennington Longer hair is better than short hair -> more hair = more interactions = more knots. Longer hair also gives you more length for knots to form in making them less likely to come undone. Course hair is also preferable over soft hair. So I don't think you should have too much to worry about in these areas.
so ..I want to have dreadlocks now :3
Excellent! :)
What residue-free shampoos would you recommend?
I want to prepare my hair in the best possible way...start them off right! I know I should use natural shampoo with no conditioner in the weeks/days prior. I have searched for weeks already, not knowing exactly which shampoo to use. As I shop for one, I turn the bottle over and there is a list of ingredients a mile long! I don't want to order a shampoo; I want to find one I can buy over the counter. At this point, I have taken so long just to find a shampoo to prepare my hair, that I could have been getting used to my dreads by now. A friend suggested I use dishwashing liquid...thoughts?
Thank you so much bro, your awesome!!-Avery Taylor
Hello , I am going to dread on Friday, I have Caucasian hair that tends to be very oily, I have used all natural shampoos, and the dreadhead hq shampoo for weeks in preparing my hair for the dreading process. I wash every three to four days, can I use a ACV rinse prior to getting my dreads like tonight or tomorrow before i get my dreads friday to help with such greasyness, my hair doesnt seem to be adjusting to the less frequent washes like people claim it to do.
Thank you
Dude I have just started growing my hair so I can dread it is can't wait to have long dreadlocks
Lazy Dreads I've been growing my hair for a month and its nearly 4 inches. Im so inspired by the sport of dreds and I finally stopped procrastinating and decided to grow locs. My hair is naturally straight. From what I've watched on youtube regarding dreds, everyone with straight hair has traditional dreds. However, I would prefer sectioned dreds. Any advice? Im sorry if you've made a video relavent to my question but I'm not able to find one. Thank you for your dedication.
P.S For what it may prevent, im 14 years of age. I wouldnt know if there even is anything of age requirements that I may need to consume for better hair/dred growth?
David Hoching You can section your hair whether you have straight hair or curly hair, but your hair type will affect the end result.
Lazy Dreads Thank you! :)
i have hair down to my knees, and i'm day 1 starting natural dreadlocks. its very tangled, since it's so long, and somewhat fine, partially wavy, i feel like i should be separating all the time i don't want a massive knot ball cropping up, but i don't want to mess with it too much and prevent dreadlocks from forming. any advice?
Hey man just want to say I love your videos, quick question can fleas get in your dreads and I'd so what can be done about it?
Do you have a video on how to dread the hair that is grown out ? Or can make one?
I was not aware! I'm not so sure - but then again I don't recognise myself in my own videos either, so I'm not the best judge!
So, i'm planing to get dreads with the twist and rip method. I have about 40-50 cm long hair(i think thats about 15-16 inches). My hair is kind of frissy and easily knotts together on it's own. So... how short will my dreads be then? Cause I'm looking to get long and quite thin dreads. And also, just love your dreads and your vids man!
Hello. It's not really possible to say for certain how much hair length is going to be lost. It depends on a number of things like hair length, hair type, hair thickness, how thick you make the dreadlocks and what method you use... so the amount of shrinkage people get is all over the place. Worst case they lose 1/2 of the length but normally it's more like 1/3 of the length is lost.
Many people recommend that while sectioning and starting your dreads, you can use rubber bands to hold them in place, but how long do you need to keep those bands in? do you leave them in for awhile after dreading or can you take them out right away once you've dreaded? Just wondering what's best :)
DevereauxMorte Rubber bands are helpful for organising the sectioning, but I would take them out once you're all done and started.
hey i have started my dread journey ... and as you said dry and long hair dread the best ... i have hair long enough but my hair is kind of oily texture... i tried forming two dreads one with back comb method and another one with twist and rip method to see which works for me... they both work well for me but since my hair is super curly the two dreads that were formed are curling too and dont look like dreads at all .... any one who went through same problem ... any suggestion would help :)
i've seen some people with dreads and you as well ( sorry i am not feeling very well and it's almost midnight so i can't grammar now xD ) why are the tips of the dreads lighter? like yours for example are lighter than the brownish your hair normaly has and it's going to orange or smth. so you dyied it or it's just some dreadlock side effect?
How would you recommend someone with a curly somewhat natural afro going about growing their hair out before dreads
deckkid101 castor oil worked for me with scalp massages. that was after i big chopped, not for dreads.
What if you already only wash your hair about every 2 weeks or so? And if you want to start them right after taking out a protective style (in my case, crochet braids)
Hi! I just started my dreadlocks yesterday using twist and rip. I ended up doing it by myself lol. It does worry me though how loose they are, I don't want them to fall out.
Well once you've started them, there's not much else you can do other than hope and wait - they might be too loose.... but then I guess you'll be better practiced for next time?
What about wrapping string around new locks? Will it still allow the hairs to set in place or would it slow the process?
Omg I love dreads but I’m too lazy to maintain them! My hair is so straight and I barely do anything to it and dnt even need to brush it. I backcombed my dreads once yrs ago but only had for 2 months cause they started joining together haha I didn’t really no how to seperate them and look after them and sounds like I don’t have the time..
Hey +lazydreads I'm starting get out with like 12 -17 " of hair not sure, but was wondering if dye or damage from dye would affect the dreads? and wanted to say that your videos rock super informative and exactly what I was looking for
+Katie Mitchell Dye can be a little though on dreadlocks when they're young because it can take a lot of rinsing to remove the excess and all that heavy duty rinsing can frizz up young loose dreads.
Currently I am growing my hair out because I wanted to, but now I've decided to dread my hair the natural way(currently my hair isn't quite long enough to dread/my desired length i wanted before i wanted dreads) I already dont condition my hair but once i start my natural journey i was wandering when i should switch to a residue free shampoo, as soon as i stop brushing? Thanks in advance, and as always love watching your videos!
Basshead215 You should switch what you wash the hair with as early as you can.
I started trying to get high top dreads 2 days ago and they're slowly forming although I don't fully have them should I still wash my hair with soap and a sponge or just use shampoo only?
-also can I get dreads by rubbing my hair in a circle with just a towel
please answer
Teetree shampoo mint is fine for dreadlocks right? Also I got dreadlocks started and was told not to wash my hair for two weeks weeks afterwards. Is that normal? P.S. I went to a salon and the first trip was to get the hair ready and the second appointment was to latch the hair together. I hope you can give a response. Thank you =)
hey just curious when your hair grows from the scalp do you have to keep palm rolling it or does it lock up by it self
I want high top dreadlocks but I have a permed mohawk and my sides are shaved and go up too high. My natural hair is straight. Does anyone think I could get dreadlocks now and crochet the sides in or something when they get long enough or should i just wait? Will it look bad because the sides are straight and top is curly when i crochet them in? My hair is 4 inches on top and almost bald on the sides.
I'm getting dreads in soon. but half of my head is bleached so its pretty damaged . i heard that dreads can break off if the hair is too damaged, is there any way to prevent it or help avoid it ?
What if you only want a few dreads in your hair ? How would you go about washing your normal hair normally and your dread strands with the residue shampoo ? •.• ahh
Terri Kilburn Residue free shampoo cleans regular hair perfectly fine too.
@LazyDreads What method did you use to dread lock your hair? And how did you section it?
when your dreads are forming and have shrunk, will your hair length grow very slow? my hair is really thick and i can have an afro if i chose to. Im interested in getting dreads and would wear a beanie for a long time publicly, at least until i can tie it up. I'm just afraid that after they start to shrink it won't grow fast and ill end up hating after a while. Thank you
For the first year they'll likely shrink, then seem like they've stopped growing and then after that they'll grow at a constant rate from then on
Thhaaaaank you! Btw, your.dreads are looking fabulous today!
Hey, great videos, very informative, I wanna try giving dreadlocks a shot just quick question. as you said in your videos longer hair is better for starting them and has less of a maturity rate so I do plan on growing my hair out past 6 inches before I start them. for the time being though I have been using just hair gel to hold my hair a bit more uniform until then, is this bad? I stopped conditioning my hair and plan to get some residue free shampoo today but is the long term use of hair gel going to hurt me several months from now when I initially try to start them?
Anthony carrera I'm sure there's some variation between different gels... I would guess some are better/worse than others when it comes to the health of the hair, but I doubt that any prior gel use would have much of an effect on dreadlocks you form later.
awesome, thanks man, really appreciate it, I'll be sure to keep you posted once I get em started
so after washing hair, before starting locs, do you oil it? (and with what?)
Hi, I am planning on getting dreadlocks can I use a shower cap to prevent my hair from getting wet so that I can still clean the rest of myself.
I'm really new to dreads, and got a lot of time till my hair grows long enough. I surely want them. But I wonder what to do when I finally have them, is there much loose hair that's gonna appear from the roots? And what to do with those. If I'm not mistaken, you said in the other video that new hair is gonna become dread lock as well, but how come you have some loose hair? A reply would be appreciated, great videos. Thanks.
The hair that grows from the root of the dread will lock up as it grows out / there's normally around 0.5-1 inch of looseness followed by the dreaded part. The fly away loose hair is different and will always be in a constant cycle - hairs get pulled out, hairs break, new hairs grow. Those fly away hairs will lock together and either form their own dreads or join other dreads... by which point there will be some new loose hairs. The only way to get all of the loose hair in is to crochet them in... and if you stop crocheting, the loose hairs will come back.
Thanks so much, now I know how that works. This is my first day of gathering information about dreads, and it's been a very informative one. Thanks lots again and I will continue to watch more videos from you!
Im 13 and want to grow dreads, My Hair is thick and Curly. How Would I Start This Off
Archie Lee You will need to research the various starting methods to see which fits your situation the best.
Ok Thanks Bro!
What type of shampoo would you recommend using? I'm currently using Shea Moisture African black soap shampoo which was recommended by a dread salon. Will this shampoo be sufficient for me to use while preparing for dreads and washing my hair after I've started my dreads? Love your videos, by the way. They made me jump off the fence and head on over to the dread side! lol
Ali Weatherford Hi Ali, I have no experience with that shampoo so I'm afraid I couldn't comment with regards to it's appropriateness.
Is there a certain type of shampoo that you would recommend yourself?
Ali Weatherford Just like with shampoo for "normal" hair, shampoo choices are quite personal - some people have dryer scalps - others more oily, some people will live in an area where certain shampoos are easier to find than others. My advice is to try out as many as you can. You're going to want to try and search for shampoos that are as low in residue as possible - shampoos that won't leave things behind in the dreadlocks. Most dreadlock specific shampoos will list themselves as "residue free". While in practice they will still likely end up leaving behind some traces of soap that will need to be periodically deep cleaned out, going for a residue free soap is going to hopefully result in the least amount of problems.
Thanks for the videos, super informative! I currently have abut 18 inches of straight hair and am ready to start..but i CANNOT decide between twist and rip or backcomb..Have you ever seen results of somone doing both (ie some dreads backcombed and some twist/ripped?) I am also curious: I saw another youtube vid where the woman braided all the sections of her hair then unbraided them one by one and dreaded sections individually, over the course of several weeks. Would you reccomend this? why/why not? Thanks so much!
Over the long run you'll find very little difference between T&R and backcomb. With mature dreadlocks you would not be able to tell whether they had originally been T&R or backcomb. Personally I'd T&R longer hair.
You can braid the sections to hold them sectioned and do them one at a time if you want.. but the downside is you're going to have half braided and half baby dreadlocked hair. Personally I'd want to start them all at once - or at least all within a couple of days of each other because you ideally need to wait at least 5 days before you wash them for the first time... and that's 5 days from the last created dreadlock.
Ok great, thanks heaps:)
You're welcome :)
4 people dreaded having long hair.
Anyone with dreads that can answer this ,please do. I'm mixed (White/Samoan/Black) and have LONG,Fluffy,very thick blonde hair. How long do you think it would take before the dreads were to start looking less messy, and more mature? Having the hair type that I do, I figured it would be less time because my hair knots up very fast. I don't like wearing hats, so everyone just gets to share my young dreads experience with me when I decide to get them. In the long run I know it'll be worth it, but i'm still impatient most of the time.
Hi Jordan, it's not possible to be exact as everyone's hair is different. The average time is around 12 months, some take longer, some take less time - if you have longer hair that is more prone to forming knots I would imagine you'll find it goes fairly fast.
So, my fringe is about 6-8 inches, and the neck part about 13-14 inches. I'm thinking about doing it with the backcombing method (at a professional salon). But as the're away atm, and doesn't get back until august (5 month) i guess it'll grow a bit more.
Anyway, what I'm mostly intrested interested in is a bit bigger/fatter dreads. Is that possible right from the start, or is it going do be hard to do so with that kind of lenght?
bigger sections make fatter dreads, the caveat being less dreads overall. I started with smaller (skinnier) sections, I wish I had done bigger dreads now.
hey i have a couple of questions (1)how long does your hair have to be to get natural dreads? (2)do you have to use that special shampoo you talk about in this video if you want natural dreads if so were would i get it from (3) does your hair have to be thick to get dreads (4) i haven't used conditioner or shampoo in about 2 or 3 months because i want natural dreads am i doing the right thing ? thankyou :)
1) For neglect you don't need a specific length. Short hair won't do a whole lot / the longer the better, but once you've decided to start.. you just start regardless of length
2) Yes you still need a residue free shampoo - buy it online.
3) Your hair does not have to be thick, but thin hair will produce thinner, fewer dreadlocks.
4) I don't recommend stopping shampooing.
Natural / Neglect / Freeform Dreadlocks Information
What are the benefits of getting dreads made vs just going natural? I'm not aware of all the styles of making dreads, and would appreciate information from anyone really. thank you!
Gabriel Cajigas watch his 15 minute video on dreads
Dude- just wanted to...say thanks?...well yeah, I watch ALL your vids. I have a question...very important to me...i'll be honest...I want my hair to look like johnny davis' dreads. they look like they were done with some sort of twist (no pun intended) method. maybe twisted with wax/hairdryer or dread accelerator. Lead singer in KORN= johnny davis. by the chance you know this look, is my guessing correct about twisting hair and using dread wax/hot hair dryer or dread accelerator?
First off if you start dreadlocks trying to emulate someone else's dreadlocks... you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Two twins can start dreadlocks with exactly the same method at exactly the same time and their two sets of dreads will look different. Unless you had the exact same hair type, length, thickness and method as Jonathan Davis.. chances are they're going to look rather different along with it taking a year before dreadlocks look how they're going to look.
I'm not entirely sure where you've got the wax and hair dryer idea from - certainly not from any of my videos as that sounds like a horrendous idea. Jonathan Davis has quite messy looking long dreadlocks. From a distance they often don't even look like dreadlocks, they just look like messy hair. This overall idea isn't all that hard to achieve with the Twist & Rip method.. but to get the length you'll need very long hair to start out with.
I was just wondering, which way of creating dreads is most simplest and least complicated/least steps into it?
The neglect method. There are no steps to it. You just stop brushing and conditioning your hair.
i'm going to get my dreads next week. but there is still a crazy idea...but before i try it i would like to hear what you've to say. if your beard would be long enough would you like to dread it...and if you would,which method would you use?
I would not want to lock my beard. The hair texture is very different and I personally think it would be quite impractical. I don't think "regular" methods would work on that hair, I think it needs tying and holding in place for long periods of time... but I'm by no means an expert on the subject.
Lazy Dreads
thanks dude...it was just an idea...maybe i'll try it, or maybe not. but for now...i get my dreads, and i'm happy. greatings from berlin
And when the dreads are maturing or de fluffing XD could you just keep it up all the time when youre out . Or would that maybe make the dreads form weird or make pieces fall out of the dreads more
What is a good shampoo that you would recomend for starting dreads?
hey, okay. so I have curly hair. kind of mixed hair if you will. but I've been washing and going for three days now. and my hairs just gotten curlier and curlier. it's around 4 in. and I can't really find a video for my type of hair. but I want mine like the weeknd's. any tips or steps I should follow?
+Domingo Gunville You should expect to need to invest time more on the scale of months and years rather than days, and during that time you should still be regularly washing the hair. The Weeknd has had thin dreads that have been allowed to merge together, you'd be looking at several years for things to come together like that, and they would only stand like his if you had dense afro textured hair.
hey my names tyler and i just got my dreads two days ago and i just have a question like one or two dreads are like comming apart not like that but getting loose by the middle of them i have them at least past my nipples but ik in one of your videos you just said just leave them alone and just forget tjere there do i just like play with them and like twerl them around or just leave them alone and i sleep with like a tank top on my head so i have something on my head and when i do i put it on my head and let them hang or tie them up into it and plz answer fast in need of help thanks
and if there comming loose do i just twerl them around or just leave em alone?
brian lepeska Dreadlocks take months to lock up and mature - at only 2 days old, they're not going to be very tight yet.
Hey are twists dreads if you keep them in for months?
You're welcome. Young dreads are messy anyway - will probably look like part dread, part normal hair for quite a while anyway :)
silly question... 6 inches of hair, would that be all around your head or just, like, the first/top layer...? Like, I cut my hair fairly short almost a year ago and the hair on the back of my head/neck is a lot shorter than the hair around my face. O.o
6 inches from root to tip.
You've probably heard this a gazillion times, but your locks are GORGEOUS ^_^
I've always loved dreads, and I'd like to have them, but I'm too chicken at the moment - I have about four feet of straight, shiny hair, and I don't know that I want to part with that right away. For now, I'll watch your vids and dream XD
Thanks for making the vids :)
4 feet of loose hair!? Wow!
Yeah XD It's been growing a LONG time (around 8 years-ish, from chin-length to fingertip length now!) I feel like Rapunzel ^_^
can't tell if youre on something trippy or a stim cos yo eyes homie. mine looks the same from clear.
I'm thinking about starting dreadlocks, Is thick hair good for growing dreadlocks? Once my hair dries it doesn't move, and also my hair is really curly will that be fine during this process of growing?
Ryan Mincey If it's long enough, it'll be fine.
i love your dreads :D
Is it possible for dreads to fall out completely from washes or will they always tighten up again? Is there anything I should do when they do loosen or just leave them be?
It is possible for them to fall out completely if there are not enough initial knots formed to allow them to get through being washed. If they wash out then... well.. they've washed out. You can leave them to form naturally or redo them. However loosening is normal and expected so as long as they just loosen, they should be left to lock. "Redoing" dreads that have simply loosened will start them over and be a backwards step.