Need some feedback on this problem I've had twice...

Greetings Dreadies~

In the FAQ's I wonder why you don't have any on dreads shrinking? maybe it's not as common with most peeps. Well, let me tell you what. I had horrible shrinkage that started in January only 3 mos or so after starting my dreads, and, they did it again just recently. : / Now, I have searched and read the posts here that people asked about it, but I've yet to find a person in same situation as I. That it seems like my dreads are tightening up nice, but they've shrunk sooooooooooo much.

It's been a huge thing for me emotionally. Does that make me awimpor what? I've lost over half my length, I cried., seriously, this fucked me bad. (sorry for the french). So...... I need to really know if there is any OTHER person out there that happens to have this exact same problem. And I mean, not just once, but twice and they almost look like they're still shrinking... this is so not cool. I am just upset over this.

I'd appreciate anyone's feedback that has had this happened to them too, and if so I'd like to hear about how it went for you, and how long or did it ever grow back? I have read that it will, several times over that it really grows mad once they are all tight & matured. I figure mine are almost there...it's going to be a yr on November 9Th.

Thanks for reading my whining

Peace....

updated by @dawnabella: 02/14/15 10:41:52AM

Shrinking is completely normal. It happens to everyone. If you hair was particularly long when you started then it makes sense for you to loose over half the length. They will probably continue to shrink. When they do fully mature they will quit shrinking, and then you'll start to notice them growing.

don't fret this does happen with almost all dreads! it does vary by method & hair type how much shrinking you will have. but after the shrinking is over they will just not seem to be doing anything for a while & then grow grow GROW! It doesn't make you a wimp, I'm pretty sure I'll freak when I get there. This is the longest my hair has ever been & it hasn't really shrunk at all yet, straight hair & going natural so i'm expecting to loose a good chunk of length & it is the only thing about dreading that frightens me! you can help growth by eating/living healthy, taking biotin & i think i heard rosemary helps as well? but don't worry, hair will grow!

well my best freinds started at her waist.. by the time they were mature they were at her ears..

a year later a biut mid back

its now been 6 years and they are near where they started

but that was drastic shrinking (and thickenninbg)

mine started shoert..dont remember much shrinking at all just growth after the 1st year

onc e they shrink all they can they cant do nothing but grow

--
My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

My hair was a little past the middle of my back when I started dreading about 3 months ago and I have noticed my dreads shrinking and getting really zigzaggy as well. Right now my hair is about 2 inches past my shoulders!I'm wondering just how short they will get befor they fully mature. But I try not to think about it! Lol I'm just trying to go with the flow and accept whatever happens.

My dreads are a year old and I've had major shrinkage. I started with my hair to about the middle of my back and it's still above my shoulders. While I haven't had the double shrinks it's still been a huge adjustment. I've always had long hair. A few times I cut it short and hated it so grew it long again. I think finally I'm getting a touch of length back but it's taken a year.

You could try biotin (or a supplement for hair skin and nails) but it can take a couple months for it to really kick in and notice a difference. I just started taking it a couple weeks ago. From what others have said after that 2-3 months you'll notice some wicked growth.

I didn't know at first it was 'normal', & I had hair down past my bra mid-back & it had been that long for many many yrs. so u can imagine how this freaked me out. Thanks for your support & feedback, Rose I appreciate it.

Rose said:

Shrinking is completely normal. It happens to everyone. If you hair was particularly long when you started then it makes sense for you to loose over half the length. They will probably continue to shrink. When they do fully mature they will quit shrinking, and then you'll start to notice them growing.

Hey Mons, Thanks for your reply .. Oh I am starting to feel much better by reading these replies. You sound like your're about in the same boat I am. thankx for your tips too. I think that sounds really great. I am definitely going to give that biotin a whirl... Fo sho!

My dreads are a year old and I've had major shrinkage. I started with my hair to about the middle of my back and it's still above my shoulders. While I haven't had the double shrinks it's still been a huge adjustment. I've always had long hair. A few times I cut it short and hated it so grew it long again. I think finally I'm getting a touch of length back but it's taken a year.

You could try biotin (or a supplement for hair skin and nails) but it can take a couple months for it to really kick in and notice a difference. I just started taking it a couple weeks ago. From what others have said after that 2-3 months you'll notice some wicked growth.

Hey Justin ! Thankx very much for taking the time out to write a in debt reply to me! I swear I thought I was having something 'majorly' wrong, going on , ya know? with reading how your and the others here that replied so far, it does seem to be a normal thing! (wipes sweat off her eyebrow). I laughed literally out loud while reading your reply, when I go to the mullet part!! That was great. hahahahaha. I also got curious about your snorkling adventure while the first epi of shrinking began... so I went to peek @ your pg to see your pix. Very cool!

Thanx again, I really truly appreciate it!

peace
Justin said:

I have the same thing happening. My hair was originally halfway down my back, about 16-18 inches long. Around month 4 I went to Honduras and was snorkeling and diving every day and they shrunk quite a bit and then seemed to slow considerably. I'm now at 7-8 months and they have begun shrinking rather rapidly again. I love it because as others have mentioned, I know they are maturing. On the other hand, much like you, I'm nervously watching them even though I know there's nothing I can do about it. Most of them are about 12 inches now except for the most noticeable ones. Every single dread along the hairline around my scalp has shrunk to less than 8 inches with the majority of them being in the 6 inch range. 10 whole inches gone just like that! There are also 4 in the back on the bottom that are only 3-4 inches long now. As if that wasn't enough, I have 8-10 right smack in the middle of the back of my head that refuse to move beyond just loose sections with light tangles. Essentially I am growing a dread mullet with 8-12 inch dreads everywhere and a 6 inch wide section in back that hangs 4-6 inches lower than the dreads, looks like loose hair and gets longer by the day with the shrinking of everything around it. I basically try to ignore it and if someone brings it up I act like it's pretty much the coolest damn thing that's ever happened and offer to hook them up with one as well. It's either that or cry myself to sleep

Sarai.. what a beautiful name.

So glad to have you and the others with similar things going on with our dreads, and getting support & feedback is beginning to really calm my nerves down about this shocking stage/phase.

I remember when my babies were doing that ziggy & zagging thing too! It was around the same time frame as where you're at right now, and then at the same length, as u have now, they shrunk even more. That being said, the more I'm reading, it really does sound very common. *whew*. Yep, go with the flow I believe is what we all have to do (or all we can do,) right? hehe.

Thanx again for your feedback. I just got an idea, we should start a small group with all the ones who've replied to this post, cos' it really does sound like we've all been going through emotional crap during the "dreaded' shrinking phase/s.! (pun intended.

sarai said:

My hair was a little past the middle of my back when I started dreading about 3 months ago and I have noticed my dreads shrinking and getting really zigzaggy as well. Right now my hair is about 2 inches past my shoulders!

I'm wondering just how short they will get befor they fully mature. But I try not to think about it! Lol I'm just trying to go with the flow and accept whatever happens.