In order to braid your dreadlocks, you will need a special hair wax and a lot of patience. You can go to the salon for a dreadlock braiding service, but you can also braid them yourself - it's much cheaper. It will take you several months to get your dreadlocks in perfect shape and even longer to keep them in good shape.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making dreadlocks
Step 1. Wash your hair
If your hair is clean, the braiding process will speed up and simplify. The natural oil produced by the hair will make it difficult to work, so only start braiding after shampooing.
- Do not wash your hair with conditioner or use any other hair care product other than shampoo.
- Make sure your hair is completely dry before you start.
Step 2. Divide your hair into strands
Each strand is a future dreadlock. Decide how thick you want your dreadlocks to be. In order for the dreadlocks to look neat, their thickness must be the same.
- Use a wide comb to make your dreadlocks. Separate the strands from each other with small elastic bands.
- With a comb with sufficient spacing between the teeth, you can make dreadlocks in standard thicknesses. Remember that the more strands you make, the longer you will have to weave dreadlocks.
- The scalp may be visible after parting your hair. To avoid this, try a different parting, such as a zig-zag, so that your dreadlocks look natural at the end.
Step 3. Comb each strand
Keep the strand horizontal to your head. With a fine-toothed comb, start combing a strand just a centimeter from your head. Comb the hair towards the head, i.e. against the hair growth. Comb each strand several times until the strand is solid. Tie the tip with an elastic band.
- With the other hand, lightly twist the strand that you are combing. It helps shape.
- Comb each strand. Helping a friend will speed up the process.
- Be patient, approach each strand carefully. If you rush and weave casually, your dreadlocks will end up looking messy.
Step 4. Fasten the dreadlocks
Tie each dreadlock at the end with a small elastic band. You also need to secure each dreadlock at the base of the head. Two elastic bands will keep the dreadlocked in shape.
Step 5. Apply hair wax to your dreadlocks
Use natural dread wax or styling gel. Apply wax all over your hair. Remember, too much wax is bad, try to cover your hair with less wax. Repeat this procedure every 2-4 weeks.
Many people who wear dreadlocks do not use wax because they think it is unnatural. Use wax or not - decide for yourself
Method 2 of 3: Dreadlocks Care
Step 1. Wash your hair with a special shampoo without additives
Remember that the process of weaving dreadlocks naturally takes about 3 months. Wash your hair regularly with shampoos, without the usual additives, herbal extracts, conditioners and perfume compositions. All of the above stays on the hair and can cause itchy skin, clogged hair follicles, and help knock loose hair out of dreadlocks. Again, instead of an expensive special shampoo for dreadlocks, you can use regular tar or any other, without conditioner.
- When you wash your hair, pay more attention to your scalp.
- Wash your hair in the morning so that your dreadlocks can dry throughout the day. If you go to bed with wet dreadlocks, mold may develop.
Step 2. Moisturize your dreadlocks
To prevent your hair from becoming too dry and brittle, use a mixture of water and oils. Apply this mixture several times a week. Use natural oils like lavender or green tea. Don't add too much oil. Spray the dreadlocks lightly with this mixture - and that will be enough.
- Do not use olive, vegetable, or other edible oils.
- Purchase special care products online or from a store.
Step 3. Braid your dreadlocks
Hair will knock out of your dreadlocks and you will have to braid it quite often. Use a crochet hook or tweezers to tuck the loose hair back into your dreadlocks.
Step 4. Roll the dreadlocks and tie the ends
To keep your dreadlocks in shape, periodically twist them with your hands.
- If you want thin ends, don't curl them.
- Don't overdo it or the dreadlocks will look unnatural.
Method 3 of 3: Long Term Care
Step 1. Remove the rubber bands
Since your dreadlocks are already braided, the elastic bands are no longer needed, they will stick on by themselves. Remove the rubber bands after 3 months.
Step 2. Braid the roots
When you have "mature" dreadlocks, the hair begins to curl into knots on its own. As the hair grows back, twist the grown hair into dreadlocks with your fingers.
- It is not necessary to tighten your dreadlocks all the time. Your hair already "knows" that it needs to curl into knots.
- Be careful with the roots. Do not curl them too much, as this can cause hair loss.
Step 3. Wash your hair
Keep your hair clean.
Step 4. You can use 1/4 cup of baking soda to wash your hair
Massage your head gently. This will remove dirt and unpleasant odors.
Advice
- Take care of your dreadlocks! Avoid unpleasant odors.
- There are many ways to decorate dreadlocks. Choose what you like.
- If you want to get rid of the dreadlocks, you have 2 options: cut them or undo them. After unraveling, the hair is usually very brittle and ends split, so a light haircut is inevitable.
- After braiding the dreadlocks, you may feel that your hair is shorter. With dreadlocks, your hair will be one third shorter.
- The hair will weave into the dreadlocks on its own, so don't worry.
Warnings
- Use only rubber bands to separate hair into strands. Strip them off before combing. If the elastic bands remain on the hair, it will be extremely difficult to remove them.
- Don't try to pull on your dreadlocks.