There are several methods one can employ to obtain a head of dreadlocks. We at DT do not endorse any one method over another, but hope to steer you clear of using those that will cause permanent damage to your hair or spending unnecessary money on products that don't necessarily expedite the dreading process. That being said, here we go!


• The natural (or patience) method
Stop brushing your hair. Yes, that's it! Many people with gorgeous locks have obtained them by simply putting down the comb. Dreadlocks are just mats of hair formed by tons of tiny knots. As your hair starts to knot up, some like to rip them apart at the roots to stop them from forming one giant lock, otherwise known as a "beaver tail." Other than that, no maintenance or work is required to dread your hair using the natural method.



• Backcombing/rip and twist
Backcombing is a process that requires using a comb (metal-toothed flea combs work great) to comb one's hair back towards the scalp. Many times, it is combined with the rip and twist method, where hair is twisted and then ripped down the middle to create a knot, then the knot is pushed up the hair towards the root to "pack" knots into the hair. Most people will "section" the hair into square segments that are backcombed/rip and twisted one at a time until the whole head is covered in fuzzy dreadlocks.



• Dread perm
A dread perm is a service that some hair salons offer, where the hair is backcombed, and then a permanent solution is applied. This solution causes the hair to swell, lose its original shape, and shrink back into whatever shape it is set in (generally on curlers). These dreads at first are quite curly and the permanent solution smells rather badly. This method is not endorsed by DT, as dread perms are expensive, take just about as long as other methods to reach maturity, and uses a chemical process to achieve a natural hairstyle. Perming can also be very bad for one's hair, especially thinner hair types, where it can lead to breakage.



• Crochet/felting
This process uses a hooked needle and a felting needle to create knots in the hair.


It is most important to know that dreadlocks do not require installation by a loctician or a hair salon. Dreads are a hairstyle that can absolutely be achieved for free on your own, or with a friend or two helping, and with no expensive products.




No, it is the firm belief of those at DT that you should not use dreadlock wax in your hair. Wax is notoriously bad for dreadlocks. It acts as a glue which holds the hairs in place, but does not allow them to freely move and lock. So while you might have the temporary illusion of having nice, neat locks, in the long run, your hair will take longer to reach maturity. Also, water, dirt, dust, lint, and various other nasty bits will get stuck to the wax in your hair and can lead to mold and general dirtiness/smelliness. Save wax for candles, keep it out of your hair.

A lot of websites will tell you that it is impossible to have dreadlocks without using wax. We ask you to consider the source. Most of the places that say dreads require wax are websites, salons, or stores that sell it and are looking for a profit. Wax is a completely unnecessary step in the locking process.




Natural dreads can be started at any length. Many people believe that the best way to start natural dreads is from a shorter length, as the hair won’t go through the “shrinking” phase as much, and your hair will just grow out knotty.

The recommended length for backcombing is at least between 5-7 inches. You will lose a little length through backcombing, and if your hair is too short, it likely won’t work.

Crocheted/felted dreads generally do not lose much length in the initial locking process, so your current hair would be approximately the length of your dreads. Decide what length you’d like to start them at, and once you’re there, go for it.




It depends on your hair type, but you will most likely lose at least a little length. Thin, straight hair will lose more length than any other hair type. In general, your hair will shrink a great deal in the first year, and after that, begin to gain its length back as your hair grows out knotty.




It is important to realize that no matter what method you employ for locking your hair, they will probably take a year to look how you thought they would. Locks are generally considered babies til age 1, teenagers at ages 1-3, and mature at year 4. It is up to you to decide how you start your journey, but each path takes you to the same place in about the same amount of time.




Yes, you absolutely can and should wash your hair with dreadlocks. Clean hair dreads best, as oils will coat the hair and make it too slippery to knot properly. The general consensus will tell you to use a residue-free shampoo or soap. You won’t be able to eradicate residue or build-up through brushing, so it is fairly important to get a soap or shampoo that will not leave a nasty residue on your scalp. Many people use Dr. Bronner’s bar or liquid soap, but you can really use anything. Some people don't endorse the use of shampoos with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), which is a foaming agent that is believed to cause scalp irritation. But, generally, the same things that could clean your hair pre-dreads will work post-dreads. You just need to try different things and see what works for your body.

The frequency with which you wash is entirely up to you and depends upon your hair type. Generally, you just want your hair to feel clean. As your dreads mature, you will likely find it less necessary to wash often. Some people can go a month without washing, some need to do it every day. Listen to what your body tells you and you should be fine. If your hair feels greasy and gross, wash it.

At least with immature dreads, you should avoid conditioner. Conditioner is put into the hair to remove knots and make hair easy to brush, and thusly is an enemy of dreadlocks. As your dreads get older, you may find it possible to condition them on occasion, but most find it unnecessary.




In all honesty, the best way to get dreadlocks dry is to use a bonnet hair drier like you’ll find at a hair salon. Of course, not many of us have those in our living rooms. Air drying is a totally viable way to dry dreads, though it can take many hours for a mature set of locks to dry completely depending on thickness. Using a blow-drier is a good option as well, especially on a humid day where you don’t want the wet hair feeling. It’s important to note that you should let your hair dry completely between washings, otherwise the constant moisture collected inside your dreads can lead to mold.




Not necessarily. It is definitely possible to comb out dreadlocks, depending on their level of maturity. You will have a harder time combing out older dreads, and you will certainly lose a lot of hair in the process, as hair you would normally shed now gets sucked into your dreads. With a comb, an economy size tub or two of conditioner, and a lot of patience, you can return to a head of brushable hair without shaving your head.




No. Some websites and salons will tell you to put rubber bands at either the root or the tip of your dreads to keep the roots separate and encourage knotting. Rubber bands are a bad choice for this, as if left in the hair long enough, they will melt into your hair and you will be left with a nasty, gooey spot in your dread that is darn near impossible to remove. If you feel it necessary to keep your dreads separate at the root, we recommend using a piece of string, hemp, or yarn - something that can be left in for a long time without any damage to your hair. You can use rubber bands in the sectioning for backcombing, but don't leave them in.

Not convinced? These pictures from DT Community member Jared provide some visual evidence for what happens to rubber bands that get left in hair. Click the thumbnail to fullview.

Check they "Why Not Wax?" page for further information. But basically, wash your hair repeatedly with water as hot as you can stand. Scrub. A lot. Each time you wash, you should feel more and more wax come out. It will take a good amount of time to get all the wax out, especially if you used a lot. Once your hair starts feeling like its natural texture again, you’ll know you succeeded against the waxen enemy!




Relax. Dreadlocks take quite a bit of patience, and backcombing is nothing but a kick-start, a method to give the appearance of dreads before the natural method will show results. Your backcombed dreads are most likely going to loosen and then tighten back up on their own. Dreadlocks are not an instant hairstyle, they take a lot of time and patience to form. You may be freaking out that you just spent thirteen hours backcombing to result in what does not look like dreadlocks. Don’t worry. They’ll get there, you just need to wait.




Get yourself a little bottle of tea tree oil and dab it on the itchy spots. Tea tree oil can be found at most natural grocery stores. Switching to a shampoo with tea tree oil in it may also help. Aloe vera is also good for temporary relief.




No, you don’t. DT Community member moonshyne has this remedy for removing lice from hair. Click Here.
Also, just as an FYI, dreadlocks do not attract lice or bugs any more than other hair types. If you are in close proximity with someone who already has lice, chances are you can get them, regardless of whether you wear your hair in locks or not.



It is important to state that dreads do not require any maintenance, though some dreadheads choose to do some so to keep them looking neater in their developmental stages. The standard method of maintenance that most dreadheads use is ripping. Other methods of maintenance are crocheting, felting, and palm rolling.

• Ripping
Dreads seem to have a life of their own and sometimes it feels like their objective is to eat up all hair on your head to form one giant monodread! Most people with dreadlocks will rip dreads apart that are trying to “congo,” or grow together. Some people like when their dreads join up and make fatter dreads, it is all preference. If you don’t like your dreads growing together, you can simply hold the two pieces in your hands and rip them apart! It can be slightly painful.

• Crocheting
Same as installing dreads using this method (see above). Tiny crochet hooks are poked through dreads, used to hook loose hair, and pull them into the dreads. Repeat until all desired loose hair is pulled into a lock.

• Palm rolling
Hold your dread between your two palms and roll it back and forth vigorously (but not roughly). Many people find that this rounds out your dreads and can eliminate loopiness (though just as many people seem to enjoy their loops). Be careful to not over-palm roll, as it can encourage hair breakage.

• Dreadballing
Take clumps of your loose hair, work them into a small ball by rubbing between your fingers. Poke this "dread ball" into the root of the nearest dread. Do this all over your head.

• Sewing
Use a wide-mouthed needle (found at most any craft stores) to "sew" the hair back into the dread. Do not use thread! Pretend the loose hair is your thread and get it tucked away inside your dread.




No. All ethnicities can wear dreadlocks. Hair types will differ from person to person, so certain techniques and methods of going about starting them can differ as well. But everyone can have this natural, age-old hair style.




Not a problem! Join the community (it's free) and we would be happy to help you with any problems and answer any questions you may have. Plus it's always fun to simply hang out and chat =)
We strive to create a positive and comfortable atmosphere here at DT, so don't be shy! We won't bite.