Location:
Zipcode:
Country: US
Recently Rated:
Stats
I DONT WANT TO LOSE MY DREADS!
Whoa have I got myself into a pickle!
I chose to dread my hair in March 2012 and did so by MYSELF, which was my first huge mistake because I was not able to create squares and make my dreads uniform. I have 35 dreads but should probably have more like 45, I think. I used the back-combing method. (I have Caucasian, THICK, curly, hair and it locked up well, so I thought) After about 1 week of not washing, I chose to use some Lock Accelerator and I misread the directions.. I sprayed the product all over my scalp and dreads. I absorbed excess as directed, and let my hair air dry. I slept with nylons over my head for several days and soon realize that 6 dreads and grown together INTENSELY at the scalp. 
They have been stuck together for 8 months now and I have tried pulling them apart, but I am not succeeding. I never used any other products in my hair, and while I occasionally palm roll, (especially when wet) I pretty much neglect them. The ends are fine, and the middles are tight, I just need MAJOR HELP with my scalp and the roots. I wash every 3-4 days with Nature's Gate Shampoo and always let them air dry. (Should I be using a hair dryer?) At this point I feel that I may have to start over, however, that is my last resort because I fell in love with my hair and have made so much progress that to start over would bring me down.. If anyone has experienced this or knows of any tips to tighten at the root and how to save my matted dread ball.. I would be so so grateful! Thank you!
Just rip. I had a beaver tail that was about that bad. Just make sure there's no pressure on the roots when you pull it apart. Look what sections are clearly dreads that congoed together and rip them away from the main body 1 by 1.It does take some effort but it worked for me. They seem thick enough not to break (I once broke part of a dread when ripping, I felt horrible >_<, the crazy part was that wasn't a really bad congo, just a weak dread I guess).
You all are so wonderful I can't begin to tell you enough! I never thought I would become emotional invested in my hair!! Over the last fewer months I have become so attached lol. It's such a relief to know that I didn't make a mistake with sectioning evaluate that was my worst fear!
I posted a video on my page that may help you with separating them. I don't have a video where surgery was needed, but I have 2 locks that have grown together where I did need to cut a little. If I let them grow together like that again, I'll make another video for that.
It's been said before, but I'll say it again. Perfect 1 inch square sections aren't good. They aren't bad if you let they loose hairs tangle and do as they please, and above all, don't mess with the roots. But it's better and healthier to have different size and shape sections. Thicker ones give it body, and thinner ones give it volume and fill in gaps. Perfect squares tend to pull on your scalp in places and can hurt. So different shapes will help prevent any that may hurt as they get heavier.
You don't have to baby them. Sleeping with a nylon on is too tight and only makes them grow flat and congo together like that bi one of yours.
Wash wash wash. Like you are doing now. Locks can be treated just like normal hair. Except when you wash, you only wash your scalp, not the lock itself
When you cut at them, use a really smallscissorsand only do micro cuts. Don't just go hell for leather. Your other choice is to just brush them out and start again. That would be my choice, but, obviously, it is up to you.
you b een reading the wrong sites my friend
ofcourse the root lock uopp on thier own
why should every dread in thed world be 1 inch and square? let aloned every dread on your head?
my thinnest is the size of the letter l on yoir screen and thats 3 thinner dreads combined
its also obver 4 feet long and stri[ong
contrary to other sites its best not to make yiur dreads at all but simply allowthem
(but seperate so u dont get megadreads)
by doing this it sections itself perfectly but not uniform jyst naturaly organicly
they are strong and healthy
mine started at 3-6 inches
i never did nithing
no backcomgb
no palm roll no crochet or nothing
if the roots didnt dread woyldnt i have 3 inch dreads and 17 foot of undreaded rootrs>/
insread i got this
I have a friend who said they would help me. I will follow the steps you provided and see what progress I can make.. Will post photos in a few days. If I decide to remove all my dreads and start over, what is the best method to begin again?
Soaring Eagle- THANK YOU! So the fact that I did them myself with no help from others in a good thing? I've always read that you are suppose to make little 1 inch sections.. But if I on the right track that's great news! ( Other than letting my matted mess get so big..) I have ripped them as much as I think I can.. I always do it when they are wet and believe me it was a worse mess a couple months ago.. Ripping is good? What about the dreads that become separated and are now thin at the root.. (I feel like my dreads will fall off or grown thinner.) Also, the roots will naturally just lock up? Without any help?
never crochet! leave the loise hairs akobe
now that i see those pics it is a big job u will need help
starting over right might be best
but try to get 1 apart and see anddont even think about crochet or tightening the roots
that would be mistake apun mistake upon mistake
lets just undo the 1st mistakes and noit make more..ok/
once these are seperated dont do nithing any othersite ever suggested
no nylons no root tightenig no crochet nothing
1 y would u want square dreads thats not a mistake its 1 thing you did right!
2 sleeping with a nylon on was nit smart thats r]=too damn tight it would onky cause a haur helmet..or unravel them
bad idea
now heres what u do
step 1 wet hair well
2 pull them away from eachother..any ripping? if not step 3 add generouse an[-mmounts of olive oil to the connecting roots
repeat step 2 any ripping? if nit
step what am i on 5/ take a knitting needle or pencil dig onder the top most l]knotted hairs (whoile pukling away from eachother) pull them up and out repeat till u release enough to rip
if u still cbnt rip tnr apart itds surgery time
only as a very last resort
while pulling then away so theres tensy]ion take a razor or ezxacto and slice verticly vbetween them..like its brain surgery only a few hairs atr a time till enough releast to allow them to rip loose
nevrr do nothing to tighten roots let roots tih[gten themselves
It's about softball size where its completed matted. Thank you so much for your advice!! It's very much appreciated. I think I will prepare myself for removing that area, and give it a day or two and see if anyone has other options, but I think that would be the best way to go.