I'm not entirely sure what cause it, but I believe that they were backcombed in so tightly that they locked up very thick. the top few inches that grew out naturally was maybe half as wide as the bottoms of the dread they looked like they were going to fall of eventually or something:/

Out of curiosity what was wrong with your dreads you had. At 1 1/'2 years they may not have been mature yet, it can take up to 2 years. Where they not sectioned properly? Not separated regularly? What was it that you did not like? If you had a problem with them, let us know what it was so you can avoid it this time around, we'll be glad to help you.

Dreads do change so much while they are maturing, when they are all locked up, then they look like the dreads we envisioned for our self. I am at almost 1 1/2 years and they still are not fully mature and don't look like the dreads I want, but they are getting there slowly. Just remember that we all get mature dreads at different times, many factors depend on how long it takes: including hair length, how often we wash, water type, oily hair....etc.....So hang in this time around and let them fully lock....good luck...peace

is it like mcdeath or biohazardking tht has a silly uniform or just require something covering your hair if the later then get 1 of those net like tam like things put your hair up in it and its fine

I was just going to suggest the same thing. Ask your employer for a looser hat, that way it won't be tight around the same area every day. Put it on just before your shift and take it off right after. Since your hair will be restricted 8 hours a day, let your hair be free at all other times, that includes tying it up.

T&R is not really an option to help out dreads, it is to give the person a feel of having dreads right away. Whether you go neglect or T&R, you should still let your hair separate naturally first for a couple of weeks. T&R sections should not be done tight, if they are then the dreading process takes much longer. Proper T&R sections will loosen & some will even fall completely out, so you go a step forward, then back. I did T&R and have tips for that, you know most of the stuff I posted since you already had dreads, but read the T&R section if you want to do them that way: http://www.dreadlockssite.com/forum/topics/just-starting-out-what-to-expect

Neglect method dread does dread quicker than T&R they say. T&R may look better for work, but a few months in you will get the frizzies and a very wild looking head of hair. That the the sections doing their thing to mature, so they will not stay neat looking like they look in the beginning. ....peace

unfortunately I work in food service, but my hat is adjustable so i'll keep it loose when I have to have it on. Thanks!

why does your job requir a hat

but as long as u leave the hat off the rest of the time you'll be fine it might slow things slight;y but it will dread still try to keep the hat on the loooser side tho