I backcombed mine and they were that size to begin with too. Within the first week or so they calmed down a bit but it was a good while before they looked like "proper" dreads, but that may be more down to their length. Could you were some nice wraps on them while working to cover them a bit? I also found this tamed them a bit quicker.
updated by @cathy: 07/23/15 03:31:01AM
