Use beads to keep your dreads separated, please. It doesn't matter how loose or tight rubber bands are, rubber bands go brittle and rot because of the rubber. Rubberbands at the root area can cause hairs to pull out as well.
Also, you shouldn't have them separated at the root area. A bead at mid strand would be better for locking. The root area has to be loose so that the hair can dreadlock up.
updated by @valrie: 07/10/15 05:02:44AM