Dreadlocks - Natural Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks - Synthetic Formation
Dreadlocks - Extension Installation (SED & DED)
Dreadlocks - Hairpieces
Dreadlocks - Wigs
Natural Dreadlocks -
Natural hair that is made to become tangled and knotted. Over time, the knots compact and eventually become "felted." This process can take weeks to years depending on hair type and maintenance.
There are several ways to start dreadlocks: backcombing, the rip and twist method, dreadperm, and neglect.
"Rip and twist is a method that is VERY time consuming. I threw it out the window and just went for backcombing, when I started my own dreads. You basically just twist your hair in the sections, and split each twisted section in two, and "rip"/pull apart, and repeat. It creates tangles and knots. Some people, probably people with more coarse hair, experience great results. I have silky Asian hair, so it was more difficult. However, I do use this method on the loose ends of my dreads, as well as rubbing them in circles, to advocate locking up."
-ANNloses of HH Forum
With any discussion on natural dreadlocks, beliefs are never far away. Traditional Rastafarians believe that dreadlocks should not be promoted, but that the hair will find it's natural state. Many people that like the dreadlock look, but are not necessarily doing it for religious purposes start their dreadlocks by sectioning, back combing and waxing the hair.
"To me, my dreads represent my growth as a woman, and as an individual. They represent the journey of life I am walking, every single day. Sometimes there will be bumps, kinks, even loops in my life, and they are expressed as well in my dreads. Life is a beautiful, twisted thing, with good and bad experiences. The bad experiences, while hard to deal with at the time, only shape you as a person later down the road. Likewise with my dreads, the loops and bumps aren't fun at first, but they make my dreads more unique, and give them character. My locks represent my strengthening mental health, and how I am moving forward every single day to love myself and the world I live in."
- ANNloses of HH Forum
There are several products that have been made in recent years to help foster the dreadlock process. Lock Peppa, Dread Wax (light and dark), special combs and hooks, mineral sprays, shampoos, softeners and fragrances. There are special adornments like beads and wraps. There are even removal products.
Dread perming has grown in popularity in recent years. This is a chemical process that dramatically shortens the time needed for dreadlocks to felt. Dreadperms can leave the dreadlocked hair straight, curly or wavy. The main focus of the dreadperm is not typically in styling (as taking straight hair to curly), but more in helping the hair retain it's knots.
During a dreadperm the hair is backcombed in sections, bound for density and then chemically altered. You do NOT make the hair curly THEN backcomb - a popular misconception.
Another fast growing method of dreadlock formation is dread "felting." This is the process of using a crochet hook to pull backcombed hair tighter into the dread by a "ripping" action. It makes for solid dreads from day one and vastly improves felting time.
Dreadlocks left on their own may take years to grow to the length desired. Dreadlocks can be extended by dread weaves, human hair extensions, double ended dreads attached at the base, and synthetic extenders.
Dread weaves are the process of taking weaving hair, making dreadlocks and attaching the dreadlocks in on wefted rows. They can be attached on clips (making them removable) or sewn in to dreadlock bases.
Human hair extensions are added to the natural dreadlock at the tip. They are permanent additions, but may be cut off when the natural hair reaches the desired length.
Adding double ended dreadlocks at the base will give temporary fullness and length.
Synthetic extenders are made by braiding hair onto the end of the single dreadlock and then forming it into a dreadlock shape. Hairpolice founded this method best I can tell.
Natural dreadlocks also require a bit of maintenance over time. Maintenance ensures that the sections are kept clean and the dreadlocks are forming well.
A basic maintenance involves finding your base section, backcombing any loose hair clusters, pulling them into the natural dreadlock with a latch hooking tool. Then each section is tied at the base with thread. The thread should be the same color as the natural hair as it will live there for a few months if not forever. The bases are tied to promote the softer new growth to knot with the desired section. Beware the dreaded new growth halo!! There are products that make maintenance easier. My favorite is lock peppa by DreadHead HQ.
Some people braid the loose base hair down the length of the dreadlock. I'm not a fan of this method because it does not promote knotting or integration as well as pulling the hair into the dreadlock directly. Maybe if it was backcombed before it was braided that would work better.
Maintenance may also include a root reperm. As far as I know, I (Doc/Melinda @ Doctored Locks) invented this. If anyone has prior knowledge of them, please let me know. (and kudos!! they rock!) This involves everything a basic maintenance includes, and the addition of wrapping the root section as you would for a dread perm. The perming process only takes place on the root section.
There is also the pull through method for tightening dreadlock root bases. It is not a recommended method as for some people it will tighten nicely, and others it will pull the dreadlock in half over time. The only way to know for sure is to try it.
After each definition, a process demo and product recommendation section should be installed.
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