Q&A for How to Dreadlock Straight Hair

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How do you start dreads with short hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can start dreads on short hair with a combination of wax and twisting. Short dreads may take longer to establish than longer ones.

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Question

Do dreadlocks damage your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Dreadlocks can actually be very good for your hair since they don't require daily styling and minimize shampooing. However, they are very difficult to remove, often impossible. Attempting to detangle dreads can be very damaging.

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Question

How long does your hair have to be to get dreadlocks?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You'll need at least 2-3 inches to be able to properly twist and roll the hair. Longer hair will make the process easier.

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Question

How much does it cost to get dreadlocks?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

This depends on the length and texture of your hair and the particular stylist, but it will be at least $200-300.

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Question

Can you dread short hair?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Yes, it is possible to dread short hair. This is easiest with the backcombing technique.

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Question

Why do you have to knot it? Won't it be impossible to brush if you don't want dreadlocks afterwards?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

The hair has to be knotted because the hair is straight, meaning it is prone to unraveling. Also, yes, if afterwards you've decided that you don't want dreadlocks anymore but your hair has been dreaded for years, you would have to cut them in order to remove them.

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Can Chinese men get dreads?

Kindness

Top Answerer

People of any nationality can grow dreadlocks. However, it is not very common to see Chinese men wearing dreadlocks.

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Question

Can I use egg and wash afterward?

Community Answer

Yes. Leave In for about two to three hours, so that the natural sugars can thicken your hair.

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Question

Doesn't back combing cause damage and frizz?

Community Answer

Not if it is done correctly. You just want to use a small amount of pressure. Back combing only makes your hair frizzy and damaged when you break the hair by being too rough.

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Question

Do you know if I can grow it longer for my rubber bands to handle the dreadlocks?

Community Answer

No, rubber bands could hurt your hair if you keep them in for a long time and can slow the dread forming.

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Question

I have tried two different methods to start my dreadlocks, but the stylist said my hair was just too straight. What can I do?

Community Answer

She's wrong. All hair types can dread, it just depends on the method you use. Try back combing and crochet hooking, or twist and rip and crochet hooking.

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Question

Do you twist your hair in two sections?

Community Answer

Yes, because you can't create a twist dread without two sections. You should always have two or more twists to form a dreadlock.

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Question

What do I do if my dreadlocks are unraveling?

Community Answer

That is normal. Dreads are just hairs constantly tangling, and sometimes it will loosen a lot and then tighten. It takes up to a year to no longer notice the locking process. But they will forever be getting tighter and looser.

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Question

What type of concoction do I need to make my dreadlocks healthy?

Lizardman420

Community Answer

The number one product to use on your dreadlocks is oil. You can get all sorts of serums intended for dreads, but coconut oil is an affordable alternative.

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Question

Does it work if I use extensions for my hair to do dreads?

Community Answer

I opted for dreads with extensions so my dreads will be as long as my hair is now. You lose about 50% of your length when dreading, so the extensions are up to you.

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Question

If I use the twist and rip method, my dreads aren't very loose. I want them to be free and fall a little bit more naturally - how do I accomplish this?

Community Answer

You’d have wait until you get new growth for them to move more freely. Don’t twist so tightly and they’ll have more movement with new growth.

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Question

Can I use the backcombing method if I have short and straight hair?

Community Answer

Yes, that method and twist and rip are both for straight and short hair. Don’t feel discouraged just because you have short or straight hair. I had short and straight hair and now I have wonderful dreadlocks!

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Question

Can I still wash my hair if I'm doing the backcombing method?

Community Answer

Try not to wash your hair after any method for at least 1-3 months. After that, wash your hair once a week. Don't wash it too much, because you want your scalp to be full with natural oils, which are healthy.

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Question

How do I keep my dreadlocked hair from unraveling?

Community Answer

Don't wash for about 2-3 months and afterwards wash, as washing your dreads will actually make them tighten. I would recommend crochet hooking too.

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Question

How can I renew my dreadlock?

Community Answer

You can renew your dreadlock by repeating the process. Just repeat the process once more. Though, if your hair is not cooperating, it's best to leave it and not force your hair to become dreadlocks.

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Question

I'm black, but are white people allowed to have dreads?

Community Answer

Any race can wear dreads, it is not a matter of "permission." All people of the Earth will form dreadlocks naturally if they neglect their hair, including white people. There is no reason to assume that people aren't "allowed" to have them.

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