I also go swimming in a pool because it gets really hot. Does this slow progress? I was under the impression swimming helped knot it. I rinse it immediately...
soaring eagle said:
http://shops.dreadlockssite.com has a few caps made for dreads or u can just soak with fresh water 1st so they dont absornb so much then wash well after but nevber wadsh with baking soda after chlorine
I think TnR is a great way to start dreads- they take on their own journey just like neglect method. I agree with Stubby though that neglect does seem to end up having the most character throughout the journey simply because it seems like they definitely have to go through a few more stages. Either way, they are all beautiful & original because they are yours.
Hey PineWik! Thank you for responding! It's nice to have this community to ask questions & to share the journey. From your photo, your dreads are starting out great! The only maintenance I do right now is wash with Vicki's Locking Up shampoo & then separate daily. I guess will just continue doing this & use my best judgement with their sizes, unless anyone else gives me different advice. You should post more photos so we can watch your journey. 
)
PineWik said:
I actually have a similar issue going on, the difference is i now have some sections that have lost any locks or knots all together. My dreads are only about one month old,twist and rip.I don`t have any answers for this but i thought i should let you know "you`r not alone"! ;p
Here is a photo of my hair at 2.5 months of neglect. The underside (mainly loose hairs, not such defined curls) are beginning to knot, but the top still hasn't (I understand I am early on in the journey). I have been separating the natural curls, for example: 2 will start curling together (this happens with many) & then I carefully separate them to an individual curl. Do you think this is hindering progress? Should I let them curl together? My concern has always been that they will end up too big. Thanks to anyone and everyone for their input..
My hair looked the same for close to 1 month (I am only 9 weeks in). It's just now starting to go through a different stage, but still not really knotting up yet- just messier.
I had many expectations, & have slowly just let them go. I try not to compare myself to others. The only thing I'm really be conscious of is separating so that when they do knot, they are good sizes (the curls have sectioned naturally, but I just don't want multiple curls locking into a giant section). The first month-- when I was sitting on the couch at the end of the night with no distractions in sight, I would practically have to SIT on my hands so as to not finger comb all of my hairs back to normal. Now I'm past that stage. I think we all go through it, we all get discouraged sometimes. But then I think about this-- I would get discouraged with my hair when I was messing with it a lot too. I quite like the organic look, & don't care what anyone says.
My partner has had natural dreads for 7 years (he started with a buzz cut so they are just now at his chest & look so sexy!) He is from CT EVERY TIME his mom sees him, she says (over & over again): "When are you gonna cut your hair? When are you gonna cut your hair? You have such beautiful hair. Claire, his nickname in high school was pantene boy. Pantene boy! Make him cut his hair. When are you gonna cut your hair?" He HATES it. It is so degrading & insulting to him, she just cannot get past it & basically judges his entire life based off of it. But then you start to realize there are so many things in her life that she missed out on due to being so square & so judgmental & so damn traditional- always following the orders of others, caring more about what they thought of her & her family than of what would truly make her happy. Practically all of her decisions have been made based off of what would make her peers & society "happy". I made the mistake of posting a photo on FB (ONE TIME) & his mother called him & asked him to tell me to comb my hair. So now I don't mention it. Unless people are in my immediate life (or here), I just don't mention it. & even in my immediate life, I still don't really mention it- just not brushing my hair, seeing what happens, ya know. I keep it casual. There's something about slapping on labels that makes things scary, especially in the beginning when you are still building your confidence.
Anyway, this is a long rant; my point is--- I can relate, Mama! Go for it! Strive to be the beautiful, organic woman that you are & don't settle for becoming complacent, judgmental, or overly critical of yourself or others. I believe those kinds of people will never be truly happy, how could they be? This is your life-your journey. Do what makes you happy whether combing or not- in all parts of life! Your hair will knot & dread & be beautiful & free! Post pics here
I only have little dreadlings at this point, but I have been using Vicki's Locking Up shampoo (nagchampa). I wash 2-3x/week. I am a vet tech at the local humane society, so depending on what happens in my day, I feel the need to wash my entire self, ha.
I am also from Florida (Pensacola, so different area). I moved to Colorado 7.5 years ago, best decision of my life. I have not moved back, so I cannot empathize with that part, but I can definitely say that leaving Florida & finding a state that was right for me has allowed for me to blossom into the individual I am. Florida did not allow me to harness that. I know that with life (& for you, kids), the idea of moving back may be challenging. But it sounds like maybe it's worth it for you & your hubby's piece of mind. Sounds like once you get there, things - like affordable housing- would be more available & less expensive. Try not to be too hard on yourself; it sounds like you did what was right for you & your family at the time, & you needed the emotional support that your family could provide (or you thought they could provide). & now it's time for change!- embrace it as best you can.
Also- I agree with SE. For me, my surroundings have definite correlation to my happiness levels. Big cities, smog, pollution, close minded individuals- that makes me sad. Mountains, streams, trees, hippies, open minded individuals- that makes me happy. So, even if it's expensive to do it-- you are young, & all you have is now- go for it!
Probably depends a lot on where you live. My boyfriend has had dreads for about 6 years now (we are in CO).. we go hiking/backpacking a lot & he never does anything special with them. I would personally cover them. Probably a mix of location & personal preference/paranoia.. haha. Happy hiking
Cool! Excited to continue watching your journey:)
