having no luck with dreads
Dreading Methods
Oh, about drying your dreads--make sure your towel doesn't shed. Or if it does, that the towel is the same color as your hair. I have some white fuzz permanently imbedded in my hair...
Forum Activity for @ryan-emmel
Dreading Methods
Oh, about drying your dreads--make sure your towel doesn't shed. Or if it does, that the towel is the same color as your hair. I have some white fuzz permanently imbedded in my hair...
having no luck with dreads
Dreading Methods
Hey sista,I think the kirks works because it strips my hair. I guess its kind of astringent. It does leave some residue, so I don't use it unless I'm going to do a baking soda rinse right afterward.
having no luck with dreads
Dreading Methods
Hey pokolo,I suggest going to Costco and picking up one of those big 13.5lb bags of baking soda and EXPERIMENT.When I started I used this to de-gunk.Now I'm using a scoop of baking soda and a half a pot (maybe 3 gallons) of hot water, and slowly pouring it over my head. I do that about 4 times a week. About twice a week, before my baking soda rinse, I use Kirk's , which makes my dreads tighten like crazy.I rarely use the Apple Cider Vinegar because my girlfriend continues to smell it the next day. In the shower, in my hair, etc. I will use it if I'm feeling crusty, though.I have tried putting dry baking soda in my hair first, then slowly rinsing it out. That worked okay, but wasn't as nice as pouring a hot bucket of water on my head.Good luck. Don't give up. And keep your fingers together when you wash (like a shovel, not a rake)."It's not a matter of luck, it's just a matter of time."
Question regarding Twist and Rip.
Dreading Methods
Vanny, it sounds like you're talking about ripping/popping , which is essentially hair damage. I've been wondering about this too, but I think this is the wrong discussion. rastavanny said:
isn't the t&r method still damaging? its breaking up the hair closer to the roots, still sounds like its damaging the hair
Question regarding Twist and Rip.
Dreading Methods
I used twist and rip for all my dreads. I managed to get the knots pretty close to the scalp (but was prolly a little too rough), but I don't think it really matters. After the first month, almost all my T&R had fallen out, except the last inch of knotting by the scalp where natural tangling had started. That natural tangling is what you're going for, and tight knots at the scalp don't help. For me, T&R was a way to skip the period between straight hair and clumps, and to give me some control over section sizes. It wasn't to create dreads, but to start them.Just enjoy letting it happen.
Finally Have an Appointment with a Stylist
Introduce Yourself
If you're set on ignoring all this natural DIY advice, and really want the stylist to help, then I'd suggest letting the stylist section your hair, but to do the dreading yourself. I spent about two weeks with my hands in my hair twisting and ripping. Think of the price tag a professional stylist will put on those hours, and then think of all the cool shwag you could get with that cash.Honestly, I wouldn't trust my hair to my friends. They would do it wrong, and I'd say something or undo their mistakes and offend somebody. I tried this. My girlfriend STILL won't fiddle with my hair. Doing it yourself is time consuming and kind of tiring.If money isn't an object, and you're confident that you really want to *buy* dreadlocks, go for it, enjoy your hair. If you want to grow and develop a set of dreads you can be proud of, consider another method.
Help with Beads????
Dread Products
If you're hard up, you can use copper tubing, available at all hardware stores. Just smooth out the rough edges. If you have a dremel you can get creative too.
I have the same thing going on, but it's getting better. I'm about 3 months into this thing. I started wearing a wool tam, and would regularly rub my dreads throughout the day. It's amazing how quickly those loosies join dreads. I was suddenly having to pop all my dreads apart.For my flat dreads in the back, I pop a bead on for a day or two.
updated by @ryan-emmel: 07/03/15 07:44:08AM
Dr Bronner's Feedback
Dread Products
It's not so bad as a toothpaste--I used tea tree on my teeth. It works really well if you add some baking soda.