Hair looks like a rat's nest
General Questions
the average loss is between 1/3 - 1/2 your original length. So you're right on track with shrinkage.
the average loss is between 1/3 - 1/2 your original length. So you're right on track with shrinkage.
The average person will not be able to tell the early signs of locks. Just think back to every time you saw someone with nappy hair on the street, and didn't give them a second glance. For all you know they could have been growing locks, and only just stopped brushing that day or earlier that week. Baby locks do just look like a nappy rats nest. For some that stage only lasts a few weeks before their sections become more defined. For others, myself included, it can take over a year. I had a tangled mess for about a year before I saw even the resemblance of a dreadlock. Even now, the areas in between mature locks still looks nappy and messy. It dies down after a while, but healthy locks always look kind of messy. Loose hairs and frizzyness comes from not worrying about how you look to others and letting your hair do it's own thing. So don't worry if the back of your head is kind of a mess right now. It'll come together.
I didn't notice you mention it, but how long is your hair, anyway?
And yeah, if your locks are just knotted at the root, don't separate them. They only need separating as the start to web together along the body of the lock.
what brand? Do you have an ingredients list? Or a website We can check it out on
In those 5 days, you shouldn't have had t separate at all. separating should only be done when they start to eat other locks. If just the roots were connected, that's how they're supposed to be. It's when the body of the lock is connecting that they need any separating.
Like Eagle said, just because it's natural doesn't mean it's good. Many natural soaps use too much oil and makes your hair slick and hard t knot. Coconut oil is very common in natural shampoo. it also is not good for most people's progress. And unless it says 100% organic, it can mean only 1 ingredient is organic.
What soap were you using? And how were you drying?
If you want fat locks, don't separate the often. They need to congo to get thicker
I,personally, haven't seen it, but Eagle has known Japanese people who's locks actually formed faster than some European hair. So it being straight is not really a lockpreventor. The speed that locks form is due to thousands of factors.
So... Have you checked out the dreaducation page yet?
Neglect is always the most healthy. But not everyone is ready to just do nothing. TnR is the next most healthy way. I would recommend that to you if you want a starter method. Back combing is the other ok starter method, but it rips out hairs and does more damage to your hair and scalp than I think it's worth.
What you really need to pay attention to is washing. Baby locks need to be washed often. 2-3 times a week with a non residue soap. Non-residue is not the same as anti-residue. Dr. Bronners is good for soft water, but does not rinse out well in hard water. The BS/ACV wash is my favorite, but it's the sam as Dr. Bronners with not working well in hard water. Dreadlockshampoo.com offer a ton of liquid or bar soaps that are great for any water type.
Your locks will untangle when you wash them, when you sleep, possibly while you're looking at them in the mirror. But the next day they will start tangling again. And then come out again the next day. It's a 1 step forward 2 steps back process for a few months. So don't worry about them coming untangled. And don't reTnR them. This set the progress back to day 1.
Wonderful. That's great to hear. I've always thought about dunking my head in a bowl of the stuff. Haven't done it yet. It works well for you?
Boil your water first. Then let it cool down and let the minerals settle to the bottom of the pot. Gently pour the water into another container. DON'T pour it all or else you'll just mix in the minerals again.
Mix your BS and whatever oils you like or not. wash. Do the same with your ACV rinse.
The vinegar is probably going to help a lot with getting rid of the white stuff.
But from now on, don't mix so much BS with so little water. Say you keep using that mug. most mugs are a little less than 2 cups or so. You should only have about 1-1.25 tbls BS added
Oh, And I can't believe I forgot this. BS doesn't rinse out well in hard water
Ok, 2-3 tbls to a mug of water is way way too strong. I use 2-3 tbls in 5 cups of water. You're almost making a paste, not a solution.
2) do you leave the towel on till they dry?
3) do you wear a tam right after you shower? like to keep them up and out of the way?
What ratios are you using now? It looks a bit like slime mold, but that probably wouldn't be the variety that would grow in locks. So My guess is that it is some type of residue. Sometimes BS doesn't rinse out all the way, or the sebum from your scalp may get stuck in your locks. It'll help us more to know what your ratios and routine is.
On second look, the second pic almost looks like lint that got felted into the tip. This happens to me all the time with one of my wool hoodies