Forum Activity for @tex

Flat dreads (odd title i know)

Dread Maintenance

i see i see. so i need to use a different method or more loose way to tie them back. when at home i just let them be but at work ugh

taye said:

I think the "wavy" that you are experiencing is an indention caused by using too thin of an elastic. Try using a scrunchy or using a headband twisted down to the size of a ponytail holder. This can still cause a slight indention, but it is so much better on your dreads than just a regular ponytail elastic.

Normally a dread that starts out kinds flat will round itself out. But if a dread is constantly pulled back and flattened, it can start to knot and form into a tighter flat shape. The dread is kinda "trained" to be flat. There is a large possibility that the training will take hold and it could stay in a flatter shape.

So pulling it back all day and putting it in a tight cap all night is not giving your dreads an opportunity to move around free. Baby dreads thrive on the freedom of movement they get when they are not confined. The movement actually encourages to roots to knot and the dreads to round out.

Flat dreads (odd title i know)

Dread Maintenance

well i do it bc if not in the morning my hair is super frizzy

Flat dreads (odd title i know)

Dread Maintenance

Ok guys i am currently using a cap for my dreads at night so that they will not be so messy in the morning when im going to work. Long story short they are flat when i wake up. My usual routine is gettin warm water and just kinda fluffing them like a pillow to get them to plump and/or look round again. I also have to pull my hair back at work which causes the ends to have a wavy look. (Now that i said all that lol) Here are my questions.

A. Will i have to do anything to get them to round completely bc some still remain flat looking "which is probably bc they are still babies (3wks old)"

B. Will the wave look go away at any point?

i know when i wash them they will go back normal looking but of course once i go to work i will have to pull it back into a pony tail. Any ideas?

updated by @tex: 01/13/15 08:54:19PM

Loctician dreads vs natural dreads: my journey and my (strong) opinions

Dreading Methods

So so so much to read lol. I didn't realize how serious some have become over the hairstyle itself. I personally came to this site to learn other ways to form my dreadlocks and what the best method is. Everyone will choose which path they will take and go with trial and error from there. I like how the site shows BOTH sides. It shows you "natural" and "unnatural" methods and merely gives you opinions on both. I started doing my research just shortly after i started dreading (thank god) bc i almost went the crochet (quickest IMO) method of having the "dread look". I have zero patience so this would be my reason behind it but instead the only unnatural thing i have done is part my hair into sections just to make them look a bit more neat. In the back my hair is dreading something fierce but the top is taking its time..but i am told it takes time so i can only wait. Idc how you started the dreads that you made because honestly after a few years they all go natural on they're own. I for one decided to go as natural as possible and its not because of the site or feeling like an outsider but bc i LOVE my hair and i don't want to damage it.

hair grease

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

Yup yup. What it really seems to come down to is what works for you personally. Its all a journey with trials and i am still in the beginning process myself so i have the chance to try things out for a lil bit

dreadlockedlady said:

Oiling your scalp can make a dandruff problem worse, not better.

There are a bunch of different oils you can try. Some use jojoba oil, some use shea butter (sparingly though), aloe vera, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. I suggest, depending on budget, just trying a couple and seeing what works because what works for some won't work for all. Also, what you are washing your hair with can hurt/help the problem with dry dreads and scalp as well.

hair grease

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

I am told aloe vera is the best...i have used almond oil and extra virgin olive oil. The almond oil smells really sweet

New to Dreadlocks (Introduction)

Introduce Yourself

Ouch i see that! and i love my hair so i will def. take your advice and use it. You are right its the thought behind the hair but i work in the IT field so it shouldn't be too bad

soaringeagle said:

just leave em alone theyre 2 weeks old ..twisting pulls everything in to tight giving u that im going bald look with tiny dreads comming out of huge bald spots some ppl who braided all theyre livesa think this looks tidy but it just looks weird..

but looks aside braiding too tightly and over twisting can cause issues like traction alopeciawhich can cause alot of ascalp trauma and even permenant hair loss

this also can weaken the roots leading to dreads breaking right off'

it does take alot of over twisting to break a dread off but the twisting they concider normal is eniough tio weaken them severely

its better to just leave em alone

now if your corp job demands it u can do some twisting if not too tight like every 3 months or so if u really feel u must just dont go overboard

with dreads..the less u do and use the bwetter

but u may need to compromise a lil if the job demands (typicaly ppl go overboard thinking omg i got dreads if i dont do ____ i wont get a job, and its not really the job demanding the excessive maintenance but theyre own paranioa over losing a job cause of dreads

New to Dreadlocks (Introduction)

Introduce Yourself

Thank you

Suzanne Beattie said:

Hey Tex, welcome. Judging by the your picture, your dreads look great

New to Dreadlocks (Introduction)

Introduce Yourself

Hey everyone my Name is Xavier but everyone calls me Tex . I just started dreading process about 2 wks ago now and im not quite sure if it is going correctly or not. I have a pretty decent pic on my page of how they look and if you all would be so kind to let me know if they seem to be going ok for now i would be very greatful.

I am going for a uniformed look because i work in the corp world (gotta make a living) and i pull my hair back at work. I want to know to fastest (but mostly natural) way of making my dreads happen. I am currently using organic locking and twisting gel but i am told i shouldn't twist them? im confused at this point.

updated by @tex: 01/13/15 08:53:53PM

Dreads & racism

Life Issues Facing Dreads

I would have to agree with you there, maybe i said it was racist before really thinking that it may be personal taste. I do believe it was a bit "out of line" to say but nonetheless

Jdwood said:

Tex I am the same I love dreads and people with dreads and I do not even believe in the concept of race..IMO it is and old outdated concept based onignoranceand hate but the way I understood the comment was just someonedescribingpersonaltaste the person said that in their opinion onegroupof people looked better then the other the person did not say thattheothergrouplooked bad just onelookedbetter..I don't know maybe I am to naive andtolerantto see racism in the comment...it's almost impossible to tell what some one is really thinking through acomputerscreen

updated by @tex: 07/09/15 11:39:19AM