Forum Activity for @baba-fats

Instinct vs tried and true?

Dread Maintenance

back combing works, but it's just one way to start sectioning hair. The problem with back combing verse tnr is that with combing you then have to palm roll them to get them to be flatter, cause they are just giant puff balls at the end. You will probably have t keep rolling them as they puff up again. Why waist time with that.

With tnr, they are sectioned, and you can just leave them be. They don't really puff out that much and all you have to do is separate them when you shower. Easy as that.

Plus with back combing you end up pulling out tons of hairs. Tnr leaves them be. It just tangles them up.

I'd leave your alone. People feel strongly about the way they grew their locks. When your are a year old and look great, you can look back and say you made the right choice. And when they look good in a month or 2, your friend wont be able to argue with you.

As for wrapping them up at night. Bad idea. What helps them lock is how they get to rub around and move freely at night. Some people put them up in a tam, but everyone agrees that it just falls off sometime at night. So why even bother.

possible hair care issue?

Dread Products

I wouldn't use a bar until your around 6 months to a year in. At that early stage, use liquid. A bar is a little too rough on you. Once they are mature, it doesn't matter how you pull on them and move them around, they won't come out. But when young, you want to be more gentle.

Commitment to Myself

Introduce Yourself

Huh. I dated a girl a few years back from out there. Nice area

Commitment to Myself

Introduce Yourself

Growing locks is such a good way to start to feel better about yourself. You are working subconsciously on how to let go of what others think of you. I used to be so worried about how I appeared to others, but growing locks helped me get over looking in the mirror every morning and judging myself. In fact, I got rid of most of the mirrors in my house because I don't care anymore.

You should have nothing to be ashamed of. Don't doubt yourself. Just being here and telling us, a group of strangers, your story is a great sign of strength and determination. Good job.

By the way, where outside of Philly did you grow up? I grew up in Upper Dublin. Moved into the city about 3 years ago

roots

Introduce Yourself

yeah, leave them. Mine are 5 years old and the last inch or so is still loose. The eventually knot up and mat.

Want to dread my hair for the first time

Introduce Yourself

most people loose between 1/3 and 1/2 of their original length.

No reason to keep the frizzies at bay unless you have somewhere to go like a wedding or such. Then you can use 100% aloe and take just a little and palm roll it onto each lock. As it dries it shrinks and pulls int those frizzies. But again, there's no real need to do anything. Those loose hairs get tangled and pulled into the lock helping tighten them and give them moregirth

Want to dread my hair for the first time

Introduce Yourself

If you tnr loosely, not much damage. It's not great, but if done right you're pretty much fine. What you have to worry about is that if you pull taught on your hair follicles, you can do some decent damage where they don't want to grow correctly. You can even end up pulling them completely out. Your hair wont grow evenly and your roots will be damaged from the start. as it grows, you'll have little pockets where the lock is weaker than the rest.

I'd just be careful and don't pull tight when you do it

Want to dread my hair for the first time

Introduce Yourself

If you're so worried about breaking your hair. I'd just go with the neglect method. It takes a little long, and you'll probably get some resistance from people on the street, but it's the most healthy way to do it. TnR is a close second, but any time you mess with your hair, you are damaging thefollicles.

Obviously, find a good residue free shampoo. use liquid until they really start to separate and mature. Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar is good and easy. Dreadlockshampoo.com has a great selection as well. Wash 2-3 times a week. When they're young, just shake the water out, maybe squeeze in a towel and let air dry. Never rub your head with the towel. It undoes knots that are trying to form.

A sea salt/water spray can help speed knotting up. but wash it out within the same day. I'd even say a few hours.

Entering week2...

Introduce Yourself

excellent. I'm sure that process wasn't fun. Good to hear though. check out my photos of me blowing bubbles if you want soreassurancethat they can look goofy and still end up looking good

Entering week2...

Introduce Yourself

That's how it goes. You take one giant step forward to set them up. Then they take a few big steos backward after the first wash or 3. Then its only forward from then on. They do fall apart at first, but they will come back together quick enough. Whatever you did to get them started only acts like a blueprint for where they will eventually section.

Did you get all the wax out?