Forum Activity for @jeannie-pitt

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

*sigh

Thanks for you guys' help. I think I'm not making myself clear somehow.

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

not backcombing ones that are actually doing something. Keep in mind I have no curls, silky hair and it's dry, not oily (unless I go 2 weeks without washing it). It's really not going to do anything if I don't do anything to it. If I never did anything to my hair, I'd have a head full of straight, silky hair that can be easily combed. I do not have hair that is going to dread by itself. I'm pretty sure I've proven that to myself.

The ones that are doing whatever I'm leaving alone. The ones I have to keep backcombing are the ones where anything I've done has completely fallen out and reverted back to acting like it has no idea I'm working on dreads...

Haven't tried twist and rip. Dunno how to do it... I'll look it up

And what's this about wraps?? That's intriguing...

lol about the handcuffs. I'll try to take a pic when I get up in the AM...

updated by @jeannie-pitt: 07/17/15 05:14:00PM

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

Hey everyone... me again.

Ok so it's been a couple months since my frantic and desperate plea for help here. I've taken everyone's advice and I've learned some things along the way.

#1 thing I figured out is that when I said I was continuing to backcomb over the period of a year, it was because I had complete sections of hair that weren't doing ANYTHING. Not dreading AT ALL. So, that led me to continue backcombing only those sections.

#2 I think my hair is too silky for this. At this point I've got about 3 dreads that look decent. The rest are terrible with loops and loose hairs and just refusing to lock, only knot in an ugly way. Near the roots are just puffy and sticking out everywhere and it's just not locking.

So before I go on, I want everyone to think about this. Imagine you are faced with someone whom you've been following for over a year and you finally look at her and say 'ok I get it. You're the exception to every rule!!' I think that would be me.

So what should I do? Being that I do have a few that look right, I still have hope. I've been apple cidering and leaving the ones alone that are doing whatever they are doing. I've still got sections that are completely free of knots or locking...just straight, loose, long hair.

I'd like to let you all know that for me, leaving it alone does not help. I've just read another forum post by a guy who seemed to be in the exact boat as me. I understand that for most of you the general rule is to backcomb at first, leave them alone and that's that. For me, and apparently that other guy, I really don't think we're doing anything wrong, we just need a different tactic. I hear that it's not rocket science, but for me, it just might be.

When I look at other people with dreads, I'm all about the awesome, neat, great looking ones, but I like the all over the place crazy ones, too. I'd be happy with either. I'm not sure anyone in their right mind would consider mine 'dreads'. It just looks like I haven't combed my hair in over a year.

Does anyone have advice that goes beyond what you'd tell a dread newbie? Let's pull out the big guns and see if you guys can help me figure this out.

Thanks everyone.

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

awesome...so what just like a few drops in the pail of baking soda and water mix??

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

Thanks for that tip. Any recommendations off the top of your head (no pun intended)? I think I've got lavendar and rose hips or something kicking around...oh and tea tree. Any of those do the trick, ya think?

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

Thanks for the tips Crystal. I have a really, REALLY dry scalp anyway and have had since way before I started this. I used half cup of each BS and ACV in my son's plastic bureau drawer lol...didn't have a bucket! So I'm not sure if less or more will help the scalp while still maintaining progress. I guess we'll see!

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

Just for fun... this pic is today...the exact same day I took pictures above. I just finished with the baking soda and apple cider vinegar deal...and put a few beads in!! I'm really excited about that part.

Since you all know that you know what you're talking about, this is maybe just so you can be excited with me and for anyone who follows who's having the same trouble as me. Picture is how my hair is already responding to the treatment.

One in particular, that I'm holding up, is already seeming to lock. Blessings to you all for helping me so quickly. I feel 100% better than I did this morning.

updated by @jeannie-pitt: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

You guys are all amazing for taking your time to share this info with me. I have hope!!!

Looking into getting a wool tam, will be getting baking soda shortly, have the apple cider vinegar and have the notion that I'll be leaving it alone otherwise. I think we're good!

Possibly the point that shouted the loudest for me is 'you can't make dreads.' Now I get it. Thanks again guys. Much love and peace to all of you! I'll update on my progress.

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

I'm sensing a common theme here. Done. No more messing with them.

Ok though. Recommendations on a hat or bandana or something? Or should I avoid that...

1 year and still no dreads

Help! Save My Dreads

It was always very, very fine until I had my son. Now it's a little bit coarser with a tiny bit of wave.