How To Dreadlock Straight Hair – smartesthairstyles.com – Just because you have straight hair doesn’t mean you can’t get dreadlocks. In fact, there are a few methods you can use to reach them. Backcombing and twisting and tearing are 2 methods you can start fearing your hair with, but both will most likely require a friend’s help. If you don’t mind waiting up to 3 years, you can also grow dreadlocks naturally.
- How to backcombing hair into dreads
Separate the hair into sections. Each section forms a locomotive. Start by separating sections of hair on the back of your head first. Separate the hair into 3/4 inch ( 1.9 cm ) sections with a comb .Hold the section of hair together with your free hand.
If you want thicker strands, you can section off a thicker strand of hair. Use sections that are 1″ x 1″ (2.5cm x 2.5cm) square at the base for medium locs, or double that size for large locs.
Backcombing works best on hair that is 6 inches or longer, but also works on hair that is only 3 inches long.
Backcombing an entire head of hair can take up to 4 hours.
Using a dirt comb, comb the section of hair up toward the scalp. Begin by combing the section of hair 3 inches from the roots toward the scalp. Comb 5-10 times over the same section until the hair begins to bunch towards the scalp, then slowly work down to the ends of the hair. Continue combing in 3 inch (7.6 cm) sections until the entire portion of the separated hair is backcombed.
You can buy a dread comb online or at a beauty salon.
Push a crochet hook through the hair to loop it further. Grasp the hair between your index finger and thumb about 2 inches from the root. Hold the section of hair and run the crochet hook between your fingers through the hair several times. Your hair will bunch up even more. Continue doing this down the length of the hair until the entire section is knotted and looped.
Tie rubber bands at the end and root of the loc. After using the comb and needle, the hair should resemble a threat. Use small elastic bands to secure it at the base of the loc and at the end of the section of hair. This will hold it in place and allow it to hold its shape.
If you plan on going public before you’ve finished dreadlocking your hair, you might want to use elastics that are the same color as your hair for a more natural look.
Apply dread cream to the area. Look for products like locking gel, lock-and-twist gel, or beeswax. Dread cream prevents hair and scalp dryness and promotes the formation of dreads. Squeeze a generous amount into your palm, then apply from root to end of loc.
Roll the locomotive between your palms. Place the locomotive between your palms and roll it back and forth several times to give it a more rounded shape. Start at the root and work your way to the end of the loco. This will help shape the locs and keep them looking uniform.
Repeat the process with the rest of the hair. Continue straightening each section of hair in even sections until the entire head has been straightened. Do not attempt to backcomb the sections again or you will have to restart the knotting process. Remove the elastics once you’ve feared all of the hair.
- How to dreadlock straight hair using the twist and rip method
Separate a section of hair. Use a comb to get about a 1.9cm thick strand of hair to collect. This will form the fear. Start by fearing the hair on the back of your head first.
Twist the section of hair with your fingers. Grasp the ends of the section of hair between your index finger and thumb and twist in one direction. Use your other index finger and thumb to hold the twist in place while you continue twisting the end. Keep twisting it in the same direction until the entire strand of hair is twisted.
Pull the tip of the section apart toward the root. Once the hair is fully coiled, grasp the end of the section with both hands and pull the ends of the hair in opposite directions. This separates the sectioned hair and starts the knotting process for the dreads.
Your section of hair should pull apart easily and not be painful.
Keep twisting and tearing the strand of hair. Depending on the hair length, you will need to twist and tug each section 25-50 times until the hair starts to ruffle.
Attach rubber bands near the end and root of the fear. When you have knotted the entire section of hair, you can fasten the dread with a rubber band at the base and at the end of the dread. This will make it easier to work on the rest of the hair without messing up the locs you’ve already created.
You can apply Loc cream on the dreadlocks to prevent dryness of the scalp and hair.
Repeat the process with the rest of the hair. Repeat the process on different sections of hair, moving towards the front of the head. When you’re done twisting and tugging the hair into dreadlocks, you can remove the elastics.
- How to dreadlock straight hair with the natural method
Let your hair grow at least 25 cm long. Your hair needs to be long so that it tangles and curls naturally. Attempting to do this method with short hair will not create dreadlocks.
Stop combing your hair. Stop using a comb or brush, and stop using your hands to untangle knots in your hair. This creates a natural knot that will develop over time and eventually form a ‘natural’ dreadlock.
This method of dreadlocking straight hair is also called the neglect or freeform method.
Don’t style your hair when trying to style dreadlocks the natural way.
Avoid washing your hair for a few months. During the time your locs are forming, they may unravel if you wash or wet them. This is especially true for straight hair. Try cleaning your hair with a dry shampoo until your locs are established.
Don’t groom your hair. Conditioner detangles and softens your hair, which is the opposite of what you want to achieve when trying to achieve curls the natural way. You can wash your hair with water and shampoo or soap after the curls have had a few months to set, but don’t use conditioner.
Spray salt water on your locs to speed up the process. Mix a couple of tablespoons of salt into a spray bottle with water and spray it onto your locs twice a day. This will increase the friction among the hair strands and create more loops and knots.
You shouldn’t need to use creams, waxes, or hair products when forming natural dreads.
Wait 1-3 years for natural dreadlocks to form. In a month or 2, your hair should start to loop and knot together. Over time, your hair will start to form locs if you don’t condition or brush it. The natural method is the longest method to achieve dreadlocks and should only be attempted if you have patience.
Part the dreadlocks into smaller curls if they get too big. Since you have little control over how your locs form with this method, it’s important to part your hair if it becomes severely matted or your locs get too big. If you find your engines merging into one giant engine, break them into smaller pieces by pulling them apart.
