Hayley, I love the comment about the time spent with your bf. I separate my sisters locks for her- she's about 2 months in, whereas I'm 10 months in. It is great bonding time. 
The most wonderful part for me? Giving way to something that I've yearned for for 9 years. The sense of fulfillment watching them dance and grow... and giving myself permission to do the same.
I'm so happy to have written this original post. Its nice to feel out different opinions and see what others prefer. I tried to wash my hair more frequently, but it's just not happening. I actually think it makes my scalp less healthy and more irritated and grossly dry. As is, I have to put olive oil on my tips every other day just to keep them from becoming brittle (as Jessica Reyes put it). I'm washing about every 10 days. Seems to work for me cheers
Just wanted to throw this out there and see if anyone else goes 2ish weeks without washing? in 17 days I've washed my bangs 3 times... but left my dreads alone. My scalp is fine, a tad itchy right now, but I'm planning on washing today.
Prior to dreading I washed my hair every 10-14 days anyways. I have dry curly hair and it seems to work for me. Am I the only one? I know washing is great for knotting and what-not. I've read lots on dread care, but just can't seem to find a reason to wash when my hair isn't gross/oily/itchy/smelly. Plus, I'm lazy! I even have asked my friends to smell my hair and everyone is amazed that it smells fine. lol. Lucky me?
Please advise. cheers
I actually can't believe how much my hair is locking up. Some of them are really getting quite mature, especially the first two I made (they have about a two week head start on the rest of my head). I actually quite like the look of grown out roots that are loose and messy ... and had no idea that I would never really experience that type of look. Mine are dreaded all the way to the base already! I'll have to take some close ups just to show what my hairs done on its own! Its crazy!!
soaring eagle said:
wow u had unbelievably fast recovery thats unusual but like u said your hair type wants to dread like crazy
1. A LOT. I crocheted extensions onto each of my 42 dreads. It required A LOT of crocheting to get the extension tight enough on my Twist and Ripped dread so it wouldn't fall out.
2. I crocheted my entire head all over probably 7-8 times over the course of 2.5 months. Although when the stupid extensions would fall out I would have to crochet them back in.
3. all over sessions: 8 crocheting of extensions onto my tips? Sheesh: 40 times?? 
4. At about the three month mark, I was sick of my extensions and the fake-ness. They kept falling out and were so generic looking.
5. My hair started looping overnight. I have really curly hair and the loops were unbelievable. I was in love!
6. My dreads were never tight from being crocheted, they were however weighed down from the weight of the extensions, so when I took the extensions out, my hair was free to twirl and dread on its own, which happened rather fast. My roots even dread really quickly because of my hair type. Its quite phenomenal actually.
7. They were so fuzzy!!!!! I hated it! But after 2 months or so, the fuzz calmed down and my hair was on its way to healthy healing\
8. I never really had a "woven" look
9. within 1 week the roots were dreading naturally without effort
10. My dreads lost the manufactured look slowly over probably 1 month. Each month they keep getting better and better. It really is a phenomenal process. I am so happy I threw out my crochet hook!!! and my fake extensions.
I had to use olive oil on the tips of my hair to help with the split ends from all my crocheting.
I've always used tea tree oil on my face to prevent breakouts so theres something in my head that doesn't want to use it on my head. Especially since it dries out my face! I've never smelled patchouli. I have no clue what that even is! I need to go to my local oil joint and learn a little
Hmm.. the peppermint sounds soothing. Might have to pick some up tomorrow. As for the tea: how much do you make? tea bag to H20 ratio please thank you!
I just have to add this: I'm sitting on the couch watching a documentary and I'm running my fingers over the many loops... as if they're braille and are speaking to me 
I've been doing this for about 30 mins and my hands are sucked dry of moisture. Kinda like when you handle cardboard or paper for too long, pretty soon your hands don't have an ounce of moisture left! My hair is thirsty! help
