Forum Activity for @bella-liston

Frustrated...

Dreading Methods

I was using about a tablespoon per cup of water. It made my skin really itchy. But only in the places it came in direct contact with the skin.I was going to try the dipping and soaking method and just try to keep it on the dreads without it coming in contact with my skin. I haven't gotten around to it though.... And I'd still need to was my scalp.

Sister Rags said:

Wow, that's a good video. She demonstrates the b-c'ing well...so, doing it very slowly & turning the strand of hair as you work with it...oh, that is SO different from what DHHQ and Knotty Boy tell people to do!!!! I feel really angry at them when I watch a GOOD demonstration, not one of their "insta-dread" rip your hair to hell deals.Bella, did you use only a bit of baking soda to plenty of water?

Frustrated...

Dreading Methods

I did the back combing method before I found this site. I haven't really lost much length on my hair but I don't think I back combed them very tight. I didn't use any product and they are dreading up pretty well.My biggest challenge has been finding a good shampoo. I tried Bronner's but it left a major residue behind. I also did baking soda which works really well but irritated my very sensitive skin. I started using shampoo from the health food store specifically Natures Gate brand and I've also tried Burt's Bees baby shampoo (the clear one). These shampoos work well but make my hair really soft so, every 2 washes I use a dish soap from the health food store that is all natural and wash my end with it. I don't get it on may scalp but it does a really good job deep cleaning the dreads, and removing any natural oils, it has helped them start to tighten up.

Frustrated...

Dreading Methods

Knotty John said:

Yup that was the original plan but I don't see any progress to be honest. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong. I'm not sure how to answer the second question, but if you mean by when was the last time I used a comb that would be about 9 years ago. But I've always had my hair short so that's why I've never had any locs in that time. All I have been washing with for the past 5 months is dr. Bronner's liquid soap with Rosemary and tea tree oils. I attempted t and r once before on a couple of dreads but they just came undone when I showered.

Jake Holland said:

So are you starting off with the natural/neglect method right now? How long have you been doing it? Are you washing with the right stuff (non-residue)? Patience goes a long way. If your doing the natural way right now and you want to jump start it I would suggest TnR over backcombing.

Hiya fellow dreadheads- new here :D

Introduce Yourself

Welcome

Mold Paranoia

Dread Maintenance

Ok, my big struggle has been what do I was my locks with? I've used baking soda with a few drop of essentail oil in my last two washes. Overall it has done very well. But I find myself obsessed with getting them dry and making sure there is no residue left behind. I feel that my hair has the smallest amount of residue left behind. I'm not sure if that means I need to add more baking soda or hold off on the oils. All I know is I cannot get any crazy mold or mildew and i'm terrified of it.My phobia began after reading a forum where someone had stinking locks. When they cut into one they found blue and white mold. Eel blue mold....
updated by @bella-liston: 01/13/15 08:37:11PM

newbie

Introduce Yourself

Welcome, I'm also new to this forum. I'm glad I joined there so much information to be found. I'm planning on moving to the pacific northwest after I graduate from nursing school.

Hi!

Introduce Yourself

I'm Bella.... I have dreadlings not even a week old. I'm very excited to be on this journey. This is a holistic process for me, a sort of cleansing. It's a reminder to live life for today and not dwell on the past or the future to much.Anywho.... I just wanted to say hi, and that I'm glad I found this site.B
updated by @bella-liston: 01/13/15 08:36:41PM

Back Combing and Palm Rolling

Dreading Methods

Ohhh.... That is a relief. I was beginning to think I really started off wrong.... Some are tigher that others and a few are barely staying together.I'm just going to let them rest and do their thing....

Back Combing and Palm Rolling

Dreading Methods

I have dread babies not even a full week old. I back combed and palm rolled them. I did a lot of research but didn't find this site until the process was done. There is so much mixed information about the dreading process out there. At first I thought I needed to use wax then with more research I realized I didn't want to use any products.I've been reading the forums on here and I hear that back combing is not a good method for starting your locks. If I found this site earlier I may have just let it go on its own.I'm wondering now.... Are there going to be issue with my locks since I did the back combing method or will they turn out fine in due time.
updated by @bella-liston: 01/13/15 08:36:40PM

dreads and stereotypes

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I am a college graduate. I work for a corporate medical company doing phlebotomy. I plan to go back to school soon for nursing. When I graduate I'm going to move out west for employment. I just pull my hair back in a big bun. I have had no patients complain. My locks are still really new though. Oh, and my bangs aren't dreaded so it's not as obvious to untrained eyes.