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So I've been dreading for about 20 MONTHS NOW ..and I feel like I did something wrong. I look at pictures online of people who have been dreading for 10-15 months and their locks look great, some even perfect. So why are mine taking forever? I told myself I was gonna wait as long as I had to, and I am a patient person. However, my folks have been bothering me left and right sayin' they're not going to lock, and that's its been more than a year so to cut them off. Let me say this, when I first started them, I used the twist and rip method, and some backcombing, no wax, no products. All natural. I haven't touched them in 15 months, I kinda just let them do their own thing. So what's up? Why are they taking forever? Am I doing something wrong? ...I wash with acv and tea tree and some lemon for the flakes ...another reason why my folks told me to cut them off is because ever since I got em, I've developed some bad dandruff on my scalp and it's pretty nasty. That's why I wash 3 times a week.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a good dreadlock moisturizer or what I could do to make my own? It's very dry where I live and I have been using diluted (with water) coconut oil that was working over the summer and fall but now that it has gotten so dry it doesn't seem to work anymore.
I can't believe it's been over a year that I've had my dreadlocks now. The dreadlock journey was so frustrating but rewarding. I learned patience(which is something I totally lack), and I had to learn to cope with rude comments, assumptions, and my family's reactions. I live in a small town, and I have only met 3 people in my entire state so far that have dreadlocks. I don't regret having these lovelies one bit. I have spent so much time and energy into these, and it just feels right. I made dreadlocks not for anyone but myself, because I wanted to, it was what made me truly happiest. And so I want to thank everyone in the dreadlock community for your support and for being so helpful and accepting. Much love.
Today we've been married six months. We started our dread journey a week after our wedding since both of us were sick of our long hair knotting, go figure. The past six months have been pure wedded bliss with lots of interesting lessons thrown in. We're on the journey of life and dreadlocks together, which is pretty interesting in itself. Having "started" to grow dreadlocks has really been an eye opener. The journey can make things fall into place believe it or not. It shows the true colors of others when they are judging you, no doubt. The modernization of people and constantly striving for perfection is so overrated, but many people we see and know fall for it and continue to live a facade, rejecting their human traits.
By this point in time, my hair has done some strange things. Things I never thought it would do. It's climbed up on it self at least double so I've got blunted ends with strands sticking out like tails which gives the impression that it's longer than it is, or that I've not actually got dreads at first glance. The top half of my hair is taking a while to catch up since my nape was always knotty, even when my hair was brushed daily. Since I used to be one of those change-my-hair-color-with-the-seasons and blow-dry-flat-iron-every-day type of gals, it's a bit frustrating to have to look the same all the time. I'd be lying if I said I was patient. I am so, so, so glad that I wont be doing that anymore but the transition has got me a bit bored. I do miss pretty "straight hairstyles" but since it will be quite a while before I can do anything but TRY and put my hair up, I'm going to have to learn patience. One of the many things that the journey teaches: to be patient.
There are so many great things about having neglect dreads in the beginning. The pros always outweigh the cons. The volume is one of them. That stage where the hair is puffy looks really cool. Not having to wash everyday is a given "pro". The get up and go is pretty awesome( though I'd like for my short locks to grow so I can actually put all my dreads up if needed). Getting strange looks is kindof entertaining, people thinking you just rolled out of bed is funny. If you're also feeling a bit discouraged, don't give up. If you do, you might miss an important life lesson.
Peace, Peace, hair grease.
Wow ive only been here a day and ive learned SOO much already! You guys are so awesome here 
Thanks again Soaring Eagle and Baba Fats Goodnight all
hey! Its actually been a very long time since I've been on this. (tried to go a couple months with not using technology, only here & there). BUT I am already going on my 5th month of natural free form dreading! last time I was on here it was only 1 month. My hair feels free, I feel great. I always get negative & positive feedback. I've had people tell me to cut off all my hair, I've had people tell me they're just excited to see my progress. I have a bunch of fat big dreads, to little lumpy ones. My hair has shrunk SO MUCH. My hair first starting was almost down my back. Now it is up to my shoulders.Such a big difference. Really have to thank this site for all the information and tips and answers to questions. I'll definitely post some pictures up soon. Also wanna wish everyone a blessed holiday.
but other than that they're dope AF! Locking up really well. There was a time there when I hated them... Now I can't stop touching them.
Just checking in, because I haven't been able to look at this site in an age Missing the community. My knots are coming along slowly, but surely -- I think I have about 10-20 knotting up now (maybe more?), and a few are noticeable, but the only person commenting so far is my mother-in-law, haha She asked if it was a braid, and I told her it was "an experiment" Not satisfied with that answer, she asked if she could touch it, and I said it was knots. I'm sure she'll ask me about my knots every time she sees me now 
I'll put some photos up eventually, but there's still not much to see from a distance. I have 3 in the front/center, but most of the others are hidden in the back underneath. Not bad for 18 months! haha.
I'm honestly glad they are taking so long sometimes I think last year would not have been a good time for a head full of knots. This year will be stellar.
Journey is 9 months plus now, backcomb with wax at the beginning but the wax is gone. I wash my hair with BS/ACV once a week and just plain water the rest of the time. I do separate the strands often. I see progress but my husband doesn't.
We are seeing his family tomorrow for a mini-reunion and he asked me this morning if I was going to fix my hair before then. I don't know how to describe the blank look he gives me when I tell him that there really is no "fixing" it. I can not only see the progress, but I can feel it all over. I guess because my hair was always so "neat" that he's having a hard time with this.
I'm dreading tomorrow (hah, pun not intended). Last time we saw some bonus relations (not blood, but marriage), a couple of girls close to my daughter's age made some snide comments about my hair where she could overhear. She's not disposed to liking those girls anyway (preppy/snobby) and this didn't help any. I told her that mean kids are always mean and just don't let it get to her. Kids at her school know about me & my hair - dreads are no big deal there, they just think it's amusing because I'm white and that goes against stereotype.
This time around, it will be my husband's mother & sdad, his sister and her husband, and most likely his brother and family. I'm sure it's all gone around the grapevine what I have done and they've gossiped. I don't want my husband's feelings hurt and I definitely don't want to put up with mean people crap.
Oh well, I'm an adult and I'm going to act like one. Just smile and be friendly and if they do say something to my face, remind them that I am old enough to do what I want with my own hair. LOL