Hi everyone,
I just started dreading two weeks ago and it has already been an adventure!
I decided a few months ago that I was tired of people assuming that I was straight-laced and boring upon meeting me. The dreads, I'm guessing, will make a good sort of filter. I researched quite a bit because I am a teacher and when I decided I wanted dreads school was still in session. I decided it would be best to wait for the summer to get over that initial weird-looking period before heading back to the classroom. My assistant principal, by the way, says she doesn't care what my hairstyle is as long as I don't smell 
If my principal says anything the first day of inservice I guess I'll find a backup plan, but I don't see it being a problem.
Anyway, I did these without any products. I started using Dr. Bronner's and not conditioning about a week before I put them in, use some sea salt spray, and smooth them down with aloe every now and then, but no wax! I've used the baking soda/acv cleanse once and loved the results. I used a combo of backcombing and twist n' rip to get these in and I'm having a heck of a time keeping some of them knotted. My hair literally doesn't tangle, I think as a result of years and years of coloring with henna-it does a lot to add strength to your hair and makes it extra soft. I own a brush but for nearly six years I've hardly had to do anything to maintain my hair-it has just fallen into place. This process is a challenge thus far because my hair is usually so well-behaved.
My dreads so far are pretty small but I love them!
Any advice and tips are gladly welcomed. This site has been great, and I'm SO glad you all include all those warnings on wax, and so glad I stayed away from products!
Here is a pic of my dreads today (at exactly two weeks). It's kind of hard to see them but most are about the width of my index finger. Also-please let me know if there's a preferred way to post pics. Thanks! 
updated by @steph4: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM
