when do dreads actually dread?
General Questions
Adding to SE's post.
The maturity cycle for dreadlocks really follows behind normal growth/shedding cycle of our own hair.
New dreadlocks form when any number of hair follicles start to get tangled together and form a section. As the tangling continues shedding hair becomes trapped and just adds to the tangling mess that is already going on. You will usually find loops and other interesting little developments.
As new hair follicles grow in behind the shed hair it will either push its way through into an existing dreadlock, form another dreadlock with other hair follicles or it can just hang around and not really do anything.
At the end of it all. It is easier to just stop worrying about it. Your dreadlocks will form and mature without you needing to do anything.