5 Secrets Of How To Get Dreadlocks
Now that you're ready to get dreadlocks, it's important to decide which safe
, effective and fun method to use to lock up your strands.
Here are 5 dreadlock methods (along with secret tips) for your consideration so that you start your journey to dreadlocks in a way that best suits your budget and needs.
1. Twist and Rip
Recommended Starting Length: 5" min.
Hair Type: straight hair (typically Caucasian or Asian hair types)
Tools: Wax or wax alternative
This is a method to get dreads that uses a lot of pulling, tugging and friction. You'll have to rub the roots of your hair in a circular motion before grabbing individual sections. Once you've got a section in hand, palm roll before separating the section in half lengthwise. Pull the two ends apart in opposite directions then palm roll.
When you next separate the section, ensure that you pull in a different direction than the last time. Your hair will start to tangle from the root upwards and you'll need to repeat this process several times for each dread until you reach the tips of your hair strands. It's at this point that you'll want to use some hair product with a light to medium hold to keep your work secured.
Secret Tip: Pin each newly formed dread down with clips so that there's less unraveling. It also trains your dreads to lay down in the direction you indicate. Oh, and you might want to invest some time in building up your muscles with triceps dips and biceps curls: this method does a number on your arms!
2. Dread perm
Recommended Starting Length: 4" min.
Hair Type: All
Tools: None
Certified Hairpolice stylists are trained to tightly backcomb your hair before placing each individual lock in hair curlers. The chemical-based perm solution is then applied and followed up with some palmrolling to make dreadlocks that are instantly tight and thick.
Secret Tip: You can follow a regular hair care routine as soon as the dreadlocks are done.
3. Latching/Interlocking
Recommended Starting Length: 5" min
Hair Type: All
Tools: Crochet hook (found in beauty or textile supply stores)
This method is one of the few that can be used as a maintenance technique as your dreadlocks mature. I recommend leaving this fast method to a licensed loctician who is professional in order to avoid traction alopecia and scalp injury.
Interlocking to get dreadlocks is best explained as weaving your hair backwards from tip to root with a crochet hook. YouTube has helpful videos to show you what latching can entail.
Secret Tip: Be wary if your stylist has locs that were started using another method than the one you're starting with or using products with chemicals that you don't want.
4. Felting
Recommended Starting Length: 5" min.
Hair Type: All
Tools: Felting needle (found in textile supply stores)
Consider this enhanced interlocking. The needle is much like the tool used for latching except several barbs are included on the tiny metal tool! This added element increases the opportunity for tangling and matting of the hair in order to get dreads.
Secret Tip: Ensure that you're OK with cutting your locs if you ever want to remove them as this method tends to also break individual hair shafts.
5. Braiding
Recommended Starting Length: varied
Hair Type: Kinky/curly hair (typically African or mixed hair types)
Tools: comb for sectioning
One of the most versatile ways to get dreadlocks is with braids. You have the ability to get locs that are smaller, thinner and easier to style with this method, if that's your preference. There are several different ways to go about it...
* comb twist
* finger twist
* two strand twist
* Sisterlocks/Bradelocs
...but unless you're seeing a loctician for dreadlocking methods using braids, you'll need to ensure that you can stop the braids from unraveling after daily wear or regular washing.
Secret Tip: If you want to know how to make temporary dreadlocks, then do finger twists before palmrolling dreadlocks started with braiding techniques. It will be easier to take out the dreadlocks later on!
Those are some of the different ways to get dreads. As you can see, each of them have their own advantages so consider which one will be best for your hair type before you get dreadlocks.
by: Natasha Vincent
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