Forum Activity for @leilani-ariana

Bumps and Zig zags

Help! Save My Dreads

I have a lot of bumps in my dreads. This may not sound like a problem but they are 20 days away from being a year old so I'm starting to loose faith that they will ever smooth out. It's just that almost every single one has bumps, especially the ones on top. And they are firmly there, especially the loops. I'm getting really frustrated and worried they won't go away. Would wrapping them in good string help? I had them interlocked which I know is bad and I'm Caucasian so I know that didn't make any sense but what's done is done, now I just need to know what to do. Thank you!

updated by @leilani-ariana: 01/13/15 09:53:10PM

Frustrating mess

Dreadlocks Journey Emotional Support

^one of the worst

Hey everyone, I need some advice and reassurance. So I've had my dreads for 10 months now and while some parts are improving, others are not. First of all I need help with the roots. It's not so much that I mind the messiness but it's incredibly overwhelming when I try to separate them. I feel like they are all going to congo together and it will be one big mess. Any tips forseparating? Another problem I have is enormous loops and curves/kinks. They are huge and messy and ugly looking and I honestly have no idea how they are going to come together and fix themselves. Some parts of the dreads look great but others, not so much. Because of the loops and messiness, I get a lot of whispers behind my back at school. It's prettyembarrassing since I'm the only white kid with dreads at my school and so no one really understands that the process is different with my hair type. This is all very frustrating but I love my dreads and will not give up on them, they are like my babies I just hope you guys can give some pointers to help them get better. Also, I do not put any products in my hair. I just wash them and sometimes fiddle with the ends, I want the process to be healthy for them. They were interlocked when I first got them but I never interlocked them again so they have been doing their own thing since. Thanks for any help ahead of time!

Much Love,

Lani

updated by @leilani-ariana: 02/05/15 10:12:49AM

Caucasian interlocked dreads

Dreading Methods

the sections that they are coming from are pretty big because I have such fine hair. they are about 1.5 inches. Do you know if they will eventually swell up to that size or are interlocked dreads different? Also, the lady didn't make my roots tight at all so is it possible I won't have the tightness problem? And will the roots eventually learn to lock themselves so i don't have to keep interlocking them every few months? Sorry for all the questions I'm just really worried haha

soaring eagle said:

interlocking is 1 of the worse methods there is every poiunt that was interlocked will be weak it can be crinkly or even leave holes

she didnt know what she was talkimg about at all

if you are able to get a refund and start over you should but when interlocks are settled in they are very hard to get out so u maybe stuck

its hard top say if they will 6thicken how bitg are the areas of the roots the dreads are coming from?

and yea loose fly aways are normal in any dreads

Caucasian interlocked dreads

Dreading Methods

Thank you for the information. I'll be honest, I'm terrified that they won't work out. I just want beautiful dreads! So I will definitely look at some of the recovery stories.

Valrie said:

Hi Leilani.

First off I recommend you read the dreaducation pages (5th link at the top of the page) for a LOT of reasons. It describes the different methods that are used to create locks as well as their pro's and some major con's.
Interlocking can cause weakened dreads with gaps in them, especially in Caucasian hair. It also causes tight roots which can cause scalp irritation and over time, traction alopecia (hair loss from tension.) If you want ACTUAL dreadlocks you will have to deal with the shrinkage issue because that is the hair tumbling back and forth and over and in and out of itself, locking into what eventually turns into a dreadlock. The loose hair that is experienced in baby locks (and even in mature locks!) will eventually get sucked into a dreadlock but it needs freedom of movement to do so. Also the roots need to be loose so that the hair can dread naturally as it grows. At first your roots will be really loose but over time they will start to shrink up to about a half inch of loose growth.

Please check out the member timelines so you have and idea of what others have done, what works and doesn't work, and the development of dreadlocks. If you really want them you need to know that it will be very messy before they become mature and this process takes a lot of patience.

Lock Peppa (which you say you use) is basically dirt that you are putting into your dreadlocks. None of the ingredients are beneficial to locking at all and I have read that it is hard to remove from locks.

I can't vouch for the shampoo you are using but I've heard some negative things in regards to it. Maybe someone else can describe it and explain.

Sorry to be a bummer and, honestly how you do your locks is ultimately up to you, however I thought I should let you know some facts about the interlocking. There are even some pictures and stories from other members in the recovery forums who have dealt with the negative effects of interlocking so, if anything go check those out and ask them some questions directly.

G'Luck.

Caucasian interlocked dreads

Dreading Methods

I'm a caucasian and I just got interlocked dreads. I went to a lady who has been doing dreads for a while and she said backcombing would make my hair a lot shorter. She said interlocking would keep the length and is a lot better for hair. She has never worked with my hair type before so I'm a little worried because I've heard it only works on ethnic hair and I'm not ethnic. They are also alot skinnier than I wanted. I wanted about the size of a nickle and they are not even close. She said they will lock up and get a lot bigger in 6-12 months. Is this true? Any tips on how to maintain and get bigger interlocked dreads? Also, we paid for them and though I almost want to get a redo witha different method, I can't.I just need to work with what I have. Also, a less important question, are loose (not overgrown cuz they are brand new, but little peices that are flying around) are they normal with interlocked dreads too? Thanks

The picture is how small they are now

updated by @leilani-ariana: 01/13/15 09:30:06PM

dreadlocks crochet recovery timeline

Saved Dreads Success Stories

So glad I read this! I've had my dreads for a week and two days now and I went to a salon and she did interlocking with a crochet cook. I found out after how bad it is. People told me not touch it, just let it do it's thing. I was afraid it wouldn't work but looking at your pictures gives hope! thanks!

updated by @leilani-ariana: 07/27/15 08:06:34AM