Forum Activity for @helianthusspiral

Desperate for advice. Takes 3 hrs to separate each day.

Dread Maintenance

Thank you so much..you've been so encouraging to me, not just your direct messages but this entire sites existence!! I will def update with pictures when I am able :D

Desperate for advice. Takes 3 hrs to separate each day.

Dread Maintenance

Hehe thank goddess for this site!!! I have an awesome litmus test going on here, don't I?!

Desperate for advice. Takes 3 hrs to separate each day.

Dread Maintenance

Oh wow I didn't realize the cost is so high!! Thank you so much for the affordable tip for beads.

I honor the process of my dreads and won't give up on freeforming, but simply show them more love and care through their crazy stage...it's so worth it on the other end!!

Definitely going to start looking for some dread friends/support...people in public look at me like I'm a mad woman, with this eccentric looking, "crazy stage" tangled mane!! 

Desperate for advice. Takes 3 hrs to separate each day.

Dread Maintenance

Thanks so much SE!!! I got one of the car seat covers and have put some beads on....this is just a temporary fix in my mind, I'd like some smaller and non toxic beads (on the seat cover package there was a warning about it containing a chemical known to cause birth defects and reproductive harm!!)

I will read up on how to maintain beaded dreads...I've read some scary things about causing dreads to break off or help mold grow!! 

Desperate for advice. Takes 3 hrs to separate each day.

Dread Maintenance

Hello all,

I'm almost 1 month into my free form dreads and it is getting almost unbearable. It's taking me at least 3 hrs to separate my hair each day. I started with it at tailbone length. Ive had so much breakage and hair falling out from ripping apart rat's nest congos and Im crying out of frustration.

Please any advice is so welcome. I don't have anyone to help me separate my hair.

How can I keep my hair manageable yet not hamper the dreading process? Especially at night, my hair is terrifying each morning.

Threw out my comb today!

Introduce Yourself

Thank you so much for warning me about Bronner's, my city has notoriously hard water! And that's genius to switch between bar and liquid. I've been looking for long hair-specifc advice. I got some tea tree essential oil and am definitely ordering a bar & liquid from dreadlockshampoo.

Natural Loc journey

Introduce Yourself

Wow, love your last pic especially! How often do you have to separate them when keeping them thin?

Threw out my comb today!

Introduce Yourself

And then just spray the tea tree mix all over your scalp?

Thanks for the tips! I have my hemp rose Dr Bronner's at the ready. But yes mold is a concern I've had, I won't wash my hair often but want to look into antimold essential oils I can use. I may start using a blow dryer a bit (I swore off heat tools since growing my hair out). Do you know whether dreads are susceptible to heat damage?

Threw out my comb today!

Introduce Yourself

Thanks! I havent used tea tree oil before, how does one apply it? In small amounts just on the affected area?

I shampoo my scalp about 3, sometimes 2 times a week with cheapo stuff like VO5. I condition my length about every other day - I probably need to use acv to get the residues out asap, to get my dreads off to a proper start.

I haven't learned the specifics of separating yet but I definitely can understand it taking a long time for me!

Threw out my comb today!

Introduce Yourself

Hello all! I've considered dreads for the past few months but was too nervous to make such a change to my beloved 35 inches of hair. Now my lifestyle has changed and I can't be constantly untangling my hair throughout the day. Dreads will simplify my life in ways and possibly add challenges in others (I foresee dandruff issues as I already struggle with a dry scalp!) However I am open to all aspects of the process and feel confident this community can help me trouble shoot whatever may come up.

I'm thrilled to have finally begun my journey! I can't wait for my dreads to reveal their unique selves and gently help them along as they change and grow