Best method for me?

Alright, so I've had starter dreads before, but the comb twist method just didn't work. Gel and crusties and falling out in the back, and...just no. I'm going for something I can more easily maintain myself. My hair is about three and a half inches long, and it's hardcore afro kinky whatever you wanna call it. I'm mixed, but I got the short end of the stick when it comes to hair. I know neglect is the "best" method, but I can't just leave it at the moment, even though I know I would eventually see results (I don't brush my hair much as it is and I have little balls of knotted hair forming all the time). I've had the same haircut for 18 years, so I'm ready for a change, and I'd like to kick start the process. I've been thinking of the following methods:

Brush Rubbing - I've heard it hurts a bit, but it's also cheap and relatively simple. Seems like a nice idea.

Backcombing - I'd have to probably very slightly relax my hair to get the most out of this method. I'm wary because I know (at a deep chemical level) what relaxers do to hair, and I'm aware that my naturally fairly strong hair will become more brittle. It seems safe enough if I don't go for bone straight, but it's low on my list of favorite ideas.

Twist N' Rip - I've heard that this is less damaging to hair than backcombing and can also lead to better looking locks in the future. It seems, however, that this method requires longer hair, which is something that, without a stop-gap so to speak, I can't have.

Single ended dread extensions, then wait for my hair to grow longer and try something that requires longer hair. Okay, so yeah, this is about the best way I can think of to effectively protect my hair as I wait for it to grow longer. Black hair tends to break at a certain length (for me it's about 3.5 inches), and can't easily grow longer without being in some form which protects it from breakage. Braiding it along an extension would allow it to grow longer due to it having a lower chance of breakage (the extension forming somewhat of a framework). No colorful neon things, just normal, human hair extensions. They'd probably be relatively short...I'm not big on super long hair. I'm thinking like 6 inches or so, and reassess the situation when my natural hair is about 5 inches long. I know it's weird for dudes to wear extensions, but I'm just tossing it up against the wall. Thoughts, anyone? Thanks.

updated by @james-matarrese: 02/14/15 03:49:42AM

why cant u go neglect when its already dreading?/

finger twist no gell crap justy twist ip aome sections and leavew it to go neglect

or just go neglect

--
My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

I don't want to go straight up neglect because I hate my current hair to a potentially unhealthy level. I want to make some kind of change no matter how small that might be, and neglect is going to take years. I understand that for some it is a journey and they might see any type of acceleration of the natural process as "cheating", but that word implies that there were rules to begin with.Locks mean something different to everyone, and for me, they're a way of improving my own self-image. Long hair is something I've always wanted, but have never been able to achieve, and I *need* a more tangible change in that direction.Plus all that, I can't keep lint out of my loose hair for crap, so my dreads are going to look dirty later on if I leave all that in there. I'm pretty sure it'll be easier to pick pieces of lint off baby dreads than out of my current rat's nest.

who told u it will take years?


--
My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

Everywhere I've read says it takes between 8 months and a year to start locking, and up to two years for everything to actually *look* like locks.

First off i am halfrican american myself so let me let you in on some information.

You will always have to battle lint no matter what length your hair is or how you started your dreads. This problem can be alleviated somewhat by wearing a satin cap or using a satin pillow case when you sleep.

Secondly, you are worried about breakage? It is true that black hair, when not cared for right is prone to breakage easily. However, by using a good organic shampoo, and moisturizing oils on occasion like Jojoba oil, your hair will spring to life and breakage will not be a concern. Plus,like i mentioned before using a satin pillow case when you sleep can help prevent breakage as well. I know this because my hair has flourished over the last year because of the effort i put into it. Our hair type needs pampering. For real.

Now if going neglect just isnt for you, i would say either get it double or tripletwisted, by someone who knows how this is done, or the brush rub method. Unless you have a friend who will do it for free, going to a salon to get it done will cost you some bucks, though the end result will be a nice, manicurred look, with uniform sections.

The brush rubbing method using a soft bristle brush does work, but dont over do it. The spiral motion creates natural sections in your hair but again, it wont be quite as professional looking as twists.

yeah soaringeagle mentioned doin twists.sounds about right for your hair.twist your hair into sections then just keep them separated after that.from what you said about your hair, i think they should stay together but yeah its important to separate and youll probably have to keep on top of that during the beginningthe less dreads you have = the easier it is to keep up on separating

Those little balls of knotted hair are baby dreads starting to form. It would most definitely not take years or even months for you. Might not even take weeks.

I guess I can just do twists again. I'm really looking at brush rubbing, but from what I'm reading it doesn't sound like it'll change much anyway.

Out of curiosity, if my hair's three and a half inches long or so, and I just twisted it up, about how long would the babies be?

pinch a section twwist it round your finfger thats how long but will shhrink some as it tioghtens going natural they would shrink and grow at same rate almost


--
My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1