Forum Activity for @dahlia

Why Dreadlocks?

General Talk

I was wondering, what is everyone's reasons for choosing dreadlocks ? What inspired you, or who inspired them? Is it for maintenance-free hair, or is a spiritual thing? I want to know everyone's stories! I find them fascinating!

My story!

When I was in middle school, my family took a vacation cruise which went to Jamaica. There I saw all sorts of people with dreadlocks . At the time I didn't know anything about dreadlocks or that they even had a name. I wanted to ask the locals about it, but I was painfully shy. They stuck with me since then. As I got older and started dating my last boyfriend he had a dread locks wig that he bought during Halloween. I put it on for the shits and giggles, and I went O_O and said, "I look good with long dreads ." Well he told me no, and that I can't get them. He even started monitoring my hair seeing if I was neglecting it. :/ Yea crazy I know. Well when I started to date my now husband he opened my eyes to spirituality. Then my desire for dreads renewed. I told my husband I have to have dreadlocks. He is still stand offish about it but hell it is my hair my decision. I mean I care what he says but I need to do this for me. It will better me as a person. My natural journey has only been like what 3 days, but I already feel more patience which I have no of. Lol. Then at the end, if I truly do not like them, I will painfully brush them out, which I don't really have feeling in my head because I use to be a trich (a person who pulls out their hair for whatever reason). I don't know if I will like them, but I feel in my heart dreads will ground me, and teach me patience. I also want dreadlocks because I am sick a lot and I just don't have the strength some day to brush or maintain my hair, which causes mats and knots. I just have this feeling I was meant to have dreadlocks ya know?

Oh I have been going natural for 3 days and I already have 2 mats. -__- My hair is a blessing and a curse. I want the mats and knots but it also makes me realize what I was struggling with on a day to day basis.

updated by @dahlia: 02/14/15 06:33:04AM

New Dreadie Here

Introduce Yourself

Welcome. I originally did the crochet hook method but then the other day I brushed them out to go all natural as well. They were loose and just blah!

dieing my locks

Dreads Hair and Scalp Health

I am curious about this as well. I have red hair with black underneath and I hope to keep it that way.

Help the newb

Introduce Yourself

Welcome and all you need is to stop brushing your hair. You don't need help! It is simple! :D

Going Natural! I have some Q's though!

Dreading Methods

Thanks everyone! I appreciate everything!!

Going Natural! I have some Q's though!

Dreading Methods

@ soaringeagle- Thanks for the info! That would be awesome to have hair that dreaded overnight, if you wanted dreads! I think my hair might start dreading within the month, or have some coming in. I went 2 days without brushing my hair and it started matting! So I will section the mats, good to know!

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@Clayton- Thanks for the response! When I crocheted my dreads they tried to curl after I washed them. I didn't wash them for 2 weeks after making them. Basically what I am trying to ask, do you dreads try to curl or anything like that? Once my hair starts matting more and making dreads I will go down to once a week. Man my head is sore brushing out the original ones. Oddly enough the natural one was so hard to brush out I actually had to cut it out. Now I wish I kept it. D:

Going Natural! I have some Q's though!

Dreading Methods

Hello, everyone. I just joined today but I have been lurking for months. Well I wished I would have found this site last year it would have saved me the pain of last night (brushed out my crocheted dreads). I plan on going all natural the way nature intended. I brushed them out because this isn't what I wanted. I am spiritual, and forcing my dreads made me feel cheap. Hair dreads on its own, why force something that will be an amazing experience. Now I have a few questions!

1) My hair is SUPER curly and thick. Well not so much some spots are thin because I cut out a few dreads last night. It tends to mat more than dread. Is there a way to turn a mat into a dread? Or will it work itself out?

2) How often should I wash my hair? As of now I wash my hair maybe twice a week. It is so thick, that it never looks oily unless I got 3 weeks without washing.

3) How long on average how long it take before I noticed some progress? Amongst my crochet dreads I found one natural one but I for the life of me don't know how long it was there or how it took to get there. Lol. My hair is shoulder length. I would post a pictures but all my pictures of me I straightened my hair so it wouldn't be accurate. Plus they are old when I had shorter hair. But I am not looking for an exact time but an average sort of thing!

I love this site btw! So informative, so friendly!

updated by @dahlia: 02/14/15 03:35:34AM

If You Ever Used the Crochet Method

Dreading Methods

I did the crochet method...needless to say I spent 4 hours brushing them out of my hair. The dreads after being there for a month brushed out with no problem, it was all the knots that was the problem. I hated them, they looked fake. They didn't have the natural look to them. I am natural now, and I already have over 6 dreads that have formed, and 2 twists and rips.

I love the random $100 bills in the first picture lol! That must have been painful!
updated by @dahlia: 07/13/15 01:36:30AM

to dread or not to dread, that is the question, things to concider before taking the plunge

General Questions

Number 7 is exactly why I am doing this. I feel dread locks will change me for the better!