How do I grow healthy dreadlocks & keep them clean?

Question

First off, I’m white, with straight thick hair & I know this is different for black people. But I would like to try to dreadlock my hair… I know it’s a lot of maintenance and half of you idiots are going to tell me to not do it, so you can pretty much just bite me :)

But I would like as much info on how to grow dreads as I can get. What products to use? Any good websites? Is it permanent? Should I go to a salon so I don’t mess it up? How often to twist them? How often to wash them? Can I wash them? I want thin locks not thick puffy ones, but how? Everything and anything you can give me…

Thanks a ton!

Answer 1

Please don't listen to these people talking about "dreads r icky n dirty n its impossible to have clean dreads, blah blah..." I've had dreads for about four and a half years and I get complements on my dreads all the time because I keep them nice and fresh AND they smell clean. There's different ways to go about getting dreads; ONE way to do it is to not take care of your hair and let them get "dirty," but that's not the only way and just trifilin'.

When I first got my dreads, the salon used bees wax and brown gel to twist them. After they twisted all of them, they spritzed me and put me under the dryer. There's all kinds of other products on the market that can be used to start dreads, from tea tree oil, to lemon juice. And no...ants won't crawl into your hair...because I've heard that one too. When your dreads are still fresh and immature, you want to get them touched up about every 2 to 3 weeks, and be careful when washing them, because they will unravel. Dreads will take about 6 to 12 months to fully mature and lock, and afterwards, can be cleaned just like regular hair, and you actually DO need to wash them, because they won't grow as well if your scalp is dirty. After your dreads mature, you can go without getting your dreadlocks being touched up for months at a time if you do some light maintainence to them yourself.
Depending on your grade of hair, they may or may not be permanent. Even if they're permanent, they can be combed out using a lot of oil a lot of pain killers and about 6-8 hours...
You'll lose a lot of hair, though.
Your scalp will adjust to dreadlocks, will begin to produce less oil, so you can get away with not washing your hair for 2-4 weeks and your hair will still smell pretty fresh. If you do a lot of athletic activity, that's a different story.

That's what I can give you to start you off; if you have any questions, just send me an email.

Good luck!

http://www.dreadlocks.com/
http://www.howtodread.com/

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I grow healthy dreadlocks & keep them clean?
First off, I’m white, with straight thick hair & I know this is different for black people. But I would like to try to dreadlock my hair… I know it’s a lot of maintenance and half of you idiots are going to tell me to not do it, so you can pretty much just bite me :)

But I would like as much...

Answer 3

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND IS. Once you have made your decision to loc your hair, you should find a someone who has experience with locs to start you off. After finding the person, you want to start your locs, you should discuss how you want your locs started. There are different starting points, some people start with a two strand, others with braids, and still others start with coils. You will have to go a period of time without washing your hair. I have heard people say that they didn t was their hair for the first 3 months. Well, that is just nasty to me. The person who started my locs, told me I had to wait 3 weeks, not 3 months, and ever that was a challenge for me, because am I am use to washing my hair every week. My hair has been locked for almost 10 months now and I have a nice length of hair, and I wash my hair every other week. I make sure that I use good products in my hair, shampoo, conditoner, and a light oil, and at night I make sure to cover my locs. Also, in the begining, you will have to your locs maintained at least every 3 weeks unitl your hair starts to loc, but once your locs mature you can go longer between retwist. Personally, I go between 4 to 6 weeks between retwist.

Answer 4

Hey I suggest you go to a Beauty salon! I don't think you can GROW them. But if you wanna Fro rub your head for a long time and get them into a big bunch and then De-tangle them..It works!

Answer 5

These people are ridiculous to STILL believe that dreads can not be cleaned and that is the way you achieve dreads!!! Dreads ARE to be washed regularly, that is how they maintain health and grow to their maximum potential.

Anyway......go to a certified LOCTITIAN. They will be best in instructing you on how you, as a white person, can achieve nice dreads. There is a difference between dreads, and locs . Make sure u know the difference and are clear in what u want.

try researching on the pc....dreadlocks.com may be a starting point!


Happy Dreading!!!

Answer 6

You people who don't have a damn clue about locks, for the dumb asses you can wash them and keep them clean I have locks and my hair stays clean no need to wash them a lot, and yes white people quit you're not wearing locks your hair is just matted which is the worst lookin s%#t I've ever seen, now there maybe bugs in their hair lol get it right...now.

Answer 7

Go to a salon (preferably a braiding salon) and tell them what you want. I have seen many white folk with dreads and none really look great, it always looks like matted dog hair to me personally. If you don't want to go to the salon just call one and tell them what you want and they will be able to help you out.

Good luck with it

Answer 8

It's like inpossible for you to have clean dreads. Dreads are matted and icky! Don't get them. After Bob marley died they found that there was bugs digging into his skull..So he would have died anyway.

Answer 9

Of course you are going to have to go to a salon but before you get it done you should go to the salon to find out what length your hair should be before getting it done this would save you a headache and they will tell you what you should and shouldn't do and how to maintain your dreds

Answer 10

the way you get them is basicly leaving your hair dirty. theres no way to keep them clean. there used to be a kid in one of my classes with dreads tho and you could smell him when you walk into the room. i dont think you want an overpowering smell like that