Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Making the dreads
• Method 2 of 3: Help the dreads get stuck
• Method 3 of 3: Long-term maintenance
• Tips
• Warnings

Giving yourself dreadlocks doesn't cost much more than dreadlock wax and a lot of patience. You can get dreadlocks made at a hair salon, but doing them yourself at home makes it more natural and much less expensive. Keep in mind that it will take several months to form the dreads and more time to keep them in good condition.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Making the dreads

1. Start with clean hair. Making sure your hair is clean and residue-free will speed up the process. The natural oils that build up in your hair make it smooth, so it is better to start with hair that has just been washed.
   • Do not use conditioner or other products in your hair after shampooing.
   • Make sure your hair is completely dry before you start.
2. Divide your hair into squares. Every square of hair will turn into a dreadlock. It is up to you to decide how thick or thin you want the dreadlocks. For a neater overall appearance, make each dread the same size.
   • Use a wide tooth comb to divide your hair and define the squares. Separate the squares by using small rubber bands.
   • 2.5 x 2.5 cm squares form standard medium sized dreadlocks. One centimeter squares create thin, elegant dreadlocks. Keep in mind that the more squares you make, the longer it will take to felt your hair.
   • The parts and rows in between can become visible when the dreads are ready. To keep it from looking like a straight pattern, you can create the squares as a zigzag, or in a brick pattern so that the final result looks more natural.
3. Comb the hair back into the compartments. Hold a section of hair straight up from your head. About an inch from your scalp, place a fine comb in the hair and comb it back towards your scalp. Repeat this came back technique several times on the same section of hair until it starts to frizz and tangles at the roots. Continue to comb back the same section of hair in 1 inch sections until the entire section has been combed back to the scalp. Secure the end with a rubber band.
   • While coming back with one hand, use the other hand to gently twist the strand you are working on. This keeps it in shape and aids in the rebound process.
   • Continue to comb back each section of hair using the same technique until all of your hair is combed back. Having a friend to help you will speed up the process a lot.
   • Use the same care and patience for each dread. If you raffle off the last section of your hair, you will end up with dreads that look uneven.
4. Secure the dreads. With each dread you need to put a small rubber band to secure the end. Put a second rubber band around each dread close to the scalp. The two rubber bands will hold the dread in place as it matures.
5. Use wax on the dreads. Use a natural dread wax or tightening gel to keep your dreads from frizing or fraying. Apply the wax or gel the entire length of the dread, making sure to cover the entire dread, but remember that less is better. If you choose to wax it, it only needs to be done once every 2-4 weeks.
   • Many people with dreads do not use dread wax or gel because they believe that this stops the dread process. Use it as you see fit.

Method 2 of 3: Help the dreads get stuck

1. Wash your hair with a shampoo that does not leave any residue. Washing your hair regularly will help the dreads become firmer and smoother, one tightens process that takes at least 3 months. Use a dread bar or other shampoo that does not contain perfumes and conditioners, which can build up in your dreads and make them smell.
   • When you wash your hair, focus on your scalp. Don't treat the dreads yourself, because you don't want them to fray.
   • Wash your hair in the morning so that your dreads have time to dry. If you go to bed with wet hair, mildew or mold can grow.
2. Moisten the dreads. Use a mixture of oil and water to spray your dreads every few days to keep them from drying out and fraying. Use an essential oil such as tea tree or lavender. Don't use too much oil, otherwise your dreads may start to look greasy; one syringe every few days is enough.
   • Do not use vegetable oil, olive oil or other food-based oils on your dreads. They will get absorbed into your hair and go rancid.
   • Special dread humidifiers can be purchased online.
3. Put back the loose hair. During your daily routine, some of your hair will inevitably come loose from the dreads. Use a crochet hook or tweezers to put the stray hair back into the dreads.
4. Roll the dreads and dull the ends. To maintain the smooth shape of the dreads, you can roll them regularly between your hands. Make the ends look rounded by slapping them against the palm of your hand to let the hairs curl up in the dread.
   • If you like wispy ends then there is no reason to dull the ends.
   • Don't roll too much, otherwise you will have more chance that the dreads will fray.

Method 3 of 3: Long-term maintenance

1. Remove the elastics. As your dreads become completely secured, you will no longer have to hold them in place with elastics. Remove the elastics from the base and tips of the dreads after about 3 months.
2. Rub the base. As your dreads mature, the individual hairs will naturally tangle together. The new growth that arrives will be straight and unpatched, so you will have to do some work to get it incorporated into the dreads. Use your fingers to rub the new growth, strand by strand, to encourage it to tangle with the rest of the dreads.
   • It is not necessary to rub the dreads too often; as your dreads mature, the new growth will naturally clump about an inch off your scalp.
   • Make sure not to overwork the hair at your roots, as you can cause it to fall out.
3. Keep washing. Oils and residue that builds up on the scalp keep the hair straight, preventing it from tangling with the rest of the dread. Keep the new growth clean and dry so that it naturally becomes part of the rest of the dread.
4. To wash naturally and cleanly, use about 1/4 cup of baking soda on your very wet scalp. Massage your scalp very gently. To remove residue and dirt from the dreads themselves, you can rinse or submerge your dreads in a ratio of 3: 1 water and apple cider vinegar. When you're done rinse your head and dreads very, very well. You don't want any of it to be left behind because it can cause a bad smell.

Tips

• If you ever want to get rid of your dreads, there is an alternative to chopping off all your hair.Some companies (for example Knotty Boy) make emergency kits to remove dreads, detangle them and give your hair a deep grooming. Your hair will likely need to be cut afterwards to get rid of split ends, but the dreads will be out.
• A lot can be done to decorate your dreads. They can be dyed, they can be beaded and they can be felted to make it even more beautiful.
• To the stereotype wet dog odor of people with dreadlocks, you should not start dreading your hair until it is dry. Otherwise you will develop a musty smell.
• Roll your dreads in one direction between your palms while they are still damp. Water is a natural gel / wax for dreads. Dry after spinning and they will stay put if you've spun properly.
• Don't worry, all hair types can and will get stuck without products or work. Just sit back and let your hair do its thing.
• The whole dreading process will make your hair appear shorter. The average height is about a third of your original height.
• Customize your dreads by tying together or adding beads.
• Use a good shampoo block. Make sure they leave no residue and are 100% natural.

Warnings

• Only use rubber bands for dividing. * Remove them before combing back. Leaving them in will make it very difficult to remove them.
• These methods and tips are best suited for straight, wavy or loosely curly hair. These methods can cause unnecessary damage to hair with an afro texture. Do further research on how to dread your specific hair type before starting the pinning process.
• Don't pull out your dreads after they've been in your hair for a while.