starting dredlocks

[teenie]

My son wants dreds so I wanted to try to help him start them...so I've been checking out the different methods and I want to try the back combing method....has anyone ever tried it? does it work with short hair? and what do you use as a wax or gel to hold the dreds?

 

[LynnieB]

Seriously, you should go check out the Loc Discussion board over on NP.

Linkie here: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/index.php?showforum=5

 

[Junebug D]

Agree with Lynnie. I don't think there are many loc'd women here, are there?

 

[teenie]

Seriously, you should go check out the Loc Discussion board over on NP.

Linkie here: http://www.nappturality.com/forum/index.php?showforum=5

Thank you::

 

[teenie]

Agree with Lynnie. I don't think there are many loc'd women here, are there?

No I wouldnt think many women here are locked at all....but this board has lots of diy divas that have started locs for someone else I'm sure

 

[JustKiya]

What type of hair does your son have?

 

[teenie]

What type of hair does your son have?

I would say 4a, that makes a difference on what products you use?

 

[JustKiya]

It can make a difference on how to start them. If you had said he had 2a hair, I would have given you a whole nother spiel.

Personally, with 4a hair, I'd just give him two strand twists, and never take them out. That's how I started my locks, and it didn't require a lot of work, or a lot of gunk/product.

Wax/beeswax/gel - to me, they all lead to build up over time, because it's hard to get that stuff out of locks. The cleaner you start the locks, and the less product you use, the better they will smell/look overall.

Backcombing is - damaging to the hair, and if you have afrokinky hair, isn't worth the work. Usually it's straight hairs who go for the backcombing. Have you checked out naani.com? It looks like they've updated the site, but it had a lot of really useful information about starting dreads.

I find that people tend to over-complicate the dreading process. Kinky hair usually WANTS to dread - you don't have to do much to it. Heck, you can even start dreads with little braids, too.

 

[teenie]

It can make a difference on how to start them. If you had said he had 2a hair, I would have given you a whole nother spiel.

Personally, with 4a hair, I'd just give him two strand twists, and never take them out. That's how I started my locks, and it didn't require a lot of work, or a lot of gunk/product.

Wax/beeswax/gel - to me, they all lead to build up over time, because it's hard to get that stuff out of locks. The cleaner you start the locks, and the less product you use, the better they will smell/look overall.

Backcombing is - damaging to the hair, and if you have afrokinky hair, isn't worth the work. Usually it's straight hairs who go for the backcombing. Have you checked out naani.com? It looks like they've updated the site, but it had a lot of really useful information about starting dreads.

I find that people tend to over-complicate the dreading process. Kinky hair usually WANTS to dread - you don't have to do much to it. Heck, you can even start dreads with little braids, too.

right now he has an afro that is like 3 or 4 inches long and I want it to look something like dl hughleys hair when done.
Thank you for pointing out the backcombing too because for some reason i was thinking it wouldnt matter with dreds or some thing idk cause lord knows I would never back comb my own hair....I cant wait til he gets home from school so we can try out some of these methods to see which one works best, but I just dont think the 2strand twists for even the braids will stay with out some kind of aid but I def dont want build up, so I will try some oil or aloe vera if that doesnt work

 

[JustKiya]

How old is your son? Once you have the TST in, you'll have to spin/twirl them to help them hold their shape, and to encourage locking - or he can - it's just like twirling a strand of hair - spin it around a couple of times in the same direction you twisted it...... Not too hard/tight, or you will stress the roots, but just enough to 'keep' them together long enough that they start to tangle.

If you want to use anything, I would suggest using an acid rinse - lemon juice, ACV, something of the like, as it can raise the cuticles and encourage the hair to tangle - which is what you want it to do.

The thinner/waterier the product is you are going to use on his hair, the better, just overall. Even as he shampoos his hair, he should water it down some, so that it will rinse out easier. Also, depending on his hair, getting it wet daily might help it lock easier.

ORS makes a lock/twist gel that is water soluble - that might be something good to use if you have to use something to 'hold' his hair together - it'll rinse out, over time. Almost anything thick/oil based is a meh idea, as it tends to not wash out easily, and attracts lint/dust, which is not a cute look.

Good luck!

 

[teenie]

He is 15, so he is at a good age to keep them up himself.

 

[melodies815]

It can make a difference on how to start them. If you had said he had 2a hair, I would have given you a whole nother spiel.

Personally, with 4a hair, I'd just give him two strand twists, and never take them out. That's how I started my locks, and it didn't require a lot of work, or a lot of gunk/product.

Wax/beeswax/gel - to me, they all lead to build up over time, because it's hard to get that stuff out of locks. The cleaner you start the locks, and the less product you use, the better they will smell/look overall.

Backcombing is - damaging to the hair, and if you have afrokinky hair, isn't worth the work. Usually it's straight hairs who go for the backcombing. Have you checked out naani.com? It looks like they've updated the site, but it had a lot of really useful information about starting dreads.

I find that people tend to over-complicate the dreading process. Kinky hair usually WANTS to dread - you don't have to do much to it. Heck, you can even start dreads with little braids, too.

Kiya...I was going to read the whole post because as soon as read her question, I wanted to say, TWO STRAND TWIST!!! You wrote i, and I am happy you did. I have 4a hair, and when I locced this way, it had such a nice texture to it, it was easy to maintain, and if I had not changed my loc-tightening method, I would have been able to take the locs down instead of doing my BC when I did.

I don't miss my locs; they were a beautiful stage of life for me and I grew stronger in every way when I had them and the strength remains with me today somehow. I applaud everyone who takes that step.

I'm still locced in my heart and my soul.

(OP, I hope you got what you needed, and sorry I didn't read everything here. I am working my way through threads ta the moment.)

Blessings,
cj

 

[justsimply]

My son wants dreds so I wanted to try to help him start them...so I've been checking out the different methods and I want to try the back combing method....has anyone ever tried it? does it work with short hair? and what do you use as a wax or gel to hold the dreds?

I would say two strand twist also since it seems you and he are going to maintain them. Just be advised that locs takes time to become locs so you'll need patience. If you want them to look nice and be healthy, you'll have to educate yourself and invest time just like you do with any healthy head of hair. Don't try too many products and nothing "heavy"; it WILL result in build up over time. So avoid the temptation to find products that will tame the initial months of frizz and just be patient. In the end the locs will be soft AND beautiful.

 

[redecouvert]

i am locking and started with two strand-twists
the ladies gave great advices
especially this one:
. Kinky hair usually WANTS to dread - you don't have to do much to it. Heck, you can even start dreads with little braids, too.

that is so true..I am only on month 3 and most of my hair is locked

 

[Harina]

The thinner/waterier the product is you are going to use on his hair, the better, just overall. Even as he shampoos his hair, he should water it down some, so that it will rinse out easier. Also, depending on his hair, getting it wet daily might help it lock easier.

Good luck!

JustKiya Hey I realize this thread is super old but I was wondering if you knew which hair types would achieve faster locing by wetting daily. I'm assuming super kinky hair will loc faster that way. Is that a correct assumption?

 

[Evolving78]

JustKiya Hey I realize this thread is super old but I was wondering if you knew which hair types would achieve faster locing by wetting daily. I'm assuming super kinky hair will loc faster that way. Is that a correct assumption?

Harina

i have 4a and my starting loc'ing by the third month. i had locs last year. i'll see if i can get a pic for you.

i started with two strand twists. wetting them will make them loc faster. and back in 2010 i started and restarted. i just change up all of the time.

 

[Harina]

Harina

i have 4a and my starting loc'ing by the third month. i had locs last year. i'll see if i can get a pic for you.

i started with two strand twists. wetting them will make them loc faster. and back in 2010 i started and restarted. i just change up all of the time.

Thanks shortdub78 I see you're relaxed now. Do you ever plan on going back to loced hair. I'm assuming you combed them out rather than cutting them off.

 

[Evolving78]

Thanks shortdub78 I see you're relaxed now. Do you ever plan on going back to loced hair. I'm assuming you combed them out rather than cutting them off.

yes i combed them out and it took a week. i used a lot of water and conditioner. if i ever go back to being natural, locs will be the way to go.

my loose hair was a pain in the neck. i felt more free with locs and the process of them growing and maturing is amazing.

 

[JustKiya]

JustKiya Hey I realize this thread is super old but I was wondering if you knew which hair types would achieve faster locing by wetting daily. I'm assuming super kinky hair will loc faster that way. Is that a correct assumption?

ShortDub is on point - kinkier hair locs faster, just period. The wetting helps because most hair curls up as it dries - so, encouraging it to curl more helps it 'lock' into each other more....