So I've decided I want dreads, and it seems like a natural fit for me to use the natural method. I've been part of the natural hair movement for years, using no products, natural shampoos, no heat drying or styling, then a year or so ago switched even to no poo, using baking soda and vinegar method. That was my official step in natural hair. Now I've decided to go a step farther and get natural dreads, which hopefully is possible for me. The only reason I question if it's reasonable is that I have VERY long hair. I sit on the tips of it when I sit down. I just measured and it's 34 1/2" long! I'm at the exact moment where I say "Okay! I'm doing this! What now???"
Can I manage to get decent natural dreads? Or will I be setting myself up for a beaver tail just because of the sheer amount of hair?
For my hair as it is I wash it anywhere from once a week to only once a month, depending on when it needs it. Then I leave it to air dry if possible. If not possible I loosely braid it into one long single braid.
For daily maintenance I brush it and rebraid it, or put it in a bun. I almost never leave it down, just because of tangling and such. I'm guessing step one is to start leaving it down?
Can I successfully get natural dreads while starting with so much hair? Any special tips? What do I do from here? Can I still comb it, or should I finger comb only?
I'm sure I'd be far less nervous if I wasn't starting out with so much hair! lol
updated by @alicia-s: 01/13/15 09:35:42PM