Hi I'm Nasya! (kinda long intro!)

Hi! uh yes a little late for introducing myself, but I feel I should anyway idk :P

Let see... I guess I put in a brief history of my relationship with dreads? Yes!

I have actually had dreads on and off for about 10 years now. Since I was 8 years old (I'm 18 now! :P ). And I think these are my 4th set (ack!).

In the past I've had the wrong ideas and mindset on the caring of dreads, and all sets except the last one.

My first set were the longest dreads I've had, coming to about mid back I think. And they were started with braids by my mom. We decided against free-forming dreads I think because she thought they would be too thick and weird looking. So she would maintain them through re-twisting with a gel every week after washing with Dr. Bronners. Uhg. So that was fine until I was old enough to do this by myself. In which I would neglect washing them (bad) because I knew I would have to re-twist them after (which was unnecessary anyway). Because of our cat, the residue of undiluted dr. bronners and dead skin, my hair was icky and had stuff stuck in the cores of the dreads at the root that wouldn't wash out. I think if I would have known what I know now I would have used a bs wash to de nastify them and stop twisting altogether. So we cut them off when I was 12 I think (not sure though).

My 2nd set never had a chance to really "dread" and was kind of a repeat of the above, as I started with braids and tried re-twisting after every wash. Again not enough research. And not washing enough (I was a very lazy child!)

The 3rd I started by rubbing a towel on my head in circular motion to form loose clumps of hair. My hair was a bit short. I didn't use gel or retwist after every wash. Instead I did the worst and decieded to twist my hair while I was doing things. Which involved me doing it unconsciously. Which is especially bad because I used to be really nervous. I twisted some off even! Heres a picture of this set

(don't look at my braces!)

I wish I had pictures of the other sets but I don't. So yes if you must retwist do it sparingly and only once! Not when you're watching TV. They are most likely going break off! :<

And those came off for similar reasons. Not healthy enough. And plus I never accepted myself or my hair and I always hid them in the 2nd and 3rd sets.

~~~

Now what made me get dreads again? I wanted to change myself. And as a promise to take better care of myself and be me to the fullest! So now they are back and I will never cut them again. This is the first time I've really felt at peace with myself and my hair. It's beautiful. And all I have to do is keep them clean and let them be themselves lol. All I use is the bc wash, acv wash and diluted dr.bronners. And pure Aloe vera gel and love in between.

So thats me! Oh, this kinda got long oops!

updated by @nasya-lbert: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

Well, that was quite an intro. Are you freeforming this time? Guess you learned a lot along the way.

--
My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

Yep! just freeforming
soaring eagle said:

Well, that was quite an intro. Are you freeforming this time? Guess you learned a lot along the way.

Sounds and looks good. The aloe is not verynecessary, because it is a conditioner. It will just make your locks slick and harder to knot. I'd recommend only using it if you have to for pictures or a special occasion. It's good for your hair, but does oil them up.

I use Aloe occasionally because my scalp tends to get very dry, so it's mostly on my scalp than my dreads. And I only use a little once or twice a week.

Baba Fats said:

Sounds and looks good. The aloe is not verynecessary, because it is a conditioner. It will just make your locks slick and harder to knot. I'd recommend only using it if you have to for pictures or a special occasion. It's good for your hair, but does oil them up.

gotcha. ever try jojba or tea tree oil? Both are great for scalp health. You could use just jojoba, but if you think about tea tree, make sure you cut it with jojoba too.

And rosemary oil is great for promoting hair growth

haven't tried jojoba oil yet I heard it's expensive, but I might do some searching. I use about 8-10 drops maybe of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil in the backing soda rinse.

And rosemary oil I haven't used yet either. I'll defiantly look in to these.

Baba Fats said:

gotcha. ever try jojba or tea tree oil? Both are great for scalp health. You could use just jojoba, but if you think about tea tree, make sure you cut it with jojoba too.

And rosemary oil is great for promoting hair growth

Yeah don't worry, just let them do whatever. I kind a took me a while to just forget I have hair, so that I don't bother or judge them. And then when you notice them again you may notice some difference. Even if you don't just be happy with them.

So, how old are your dreads?

Tyler said:

I wish I had my first set of dreads at 8 years old. Better now than never, I suppose. :P I remember talking to my mom about dreads some years ago, but because of her religious views, she wouldn't let me. I think about it now,and think of how pathetic that really was.

I think it's awesome that you plan on keeping them. I plan on keeping mine too, but I can't say I'm happy with them at the moment. I'm trying to give them time because I've read of many who were going to take them out but then gave them time and began to love them...

Yes I agree no stressing!

Tyler said:

Agreed. My dreads are going on 4 months, so they aren't that old.=/ It seems like it's been much longer than 3 months. Maybe I am giving them too much attention. I better just quit stressing over them.