Q&A for How to Grow Dreadlocks Free Form or Twist & Rip

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Question

I want to dread my hair, but its too short and soft. What should I do?

Community Answer

Grow it out. Use products to strengthen and lengthen your hair.

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Question

How long will this take if I currently have short hair?

Community Answer

It depends on how long it takes your hair to grow. I have straight, 5-inch long hair, and it took me about 4-5 months.

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Question

What should I use to retwist my dreadlocks?

Community Answer

Any water-based product, wax will cause build up that will later destroy your locks.

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Question

What should I put on my head to sleep in if I have dreads?

Community Answer

You don't need to put anything on your head, but if you want to you can use something like a cotton scarf or t-shirt.

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Question

Is there anyway to make dreads instantly with no product or crochet needles?

Community Answer

Extensions or twist and rip. It's a painful way to do it, but my dreads looked fully matured after a twist and rip. Don't expect them to be even, though.

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Question

What is the best shampoo to buy for dreadlocks?

Community Answer

Dollylocks, Raw Roots and Knotty Boy are good options. Wonderlocks sells many choices on their website.

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Question

Could I grow out dreads if I just twisted my curly hair?

Community Answer

Any hair can form dreads, giving it time is what most people neglect to do. It is a long and sometimes tedious process, but the end result is the dreads you want to have. You have to commit, so if you're looking for a quick-er and "easier" dread, look into twist & rip or back-combing.

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Question

How do I get thick locs?

Tyro lyon

Community Answer

By joining two locs, they will eventually lock up and become a single thicker dread.

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Question

My tips aren’t locking, what do I do? Could I use the twist & rip method?

Tyro lyon

Community Answer

You could use the crochet hook method for your tips or fold them and palm roll them until they're blunted at the ends.

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Question

My hair is around 11 inches long and layered quite short at the top. How will this effect the process?

Anna Claspy

Community Answer

This shouldn't effect the process too much. Your short layers will simply end up as shorter dreads. Try to use hair around the same length to create each dread--don't try to add in a few strands of long hair with a bunch of short strands. Once your dreads are mature, you can even them out by trimming them, if you want.

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Question

How much long it takes to get freeform

Anna Claspy

Community Answer

It can take up to 2 years to get fully mature freeform dreads. However, they will start to look like dreads after a few weeks.

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Question

How can i lock short dreads

Anna Claspy

Community Answer

It depends on what kind of hair you have. If you have very coarse, African textured hair, you can start freeform dreads when your hair is just 1/2 inch long. You may need to use a dread sponge to get faster results. If you have straighter hair, your hair should ideally be at least a few inches long.

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Question

I have a 1.7 inch long dread flat top right now. How can I grow them into a 7 inch flat top?

Anna Claspy

Community Answer

The only real solution is patience. You can try different supplements or treatments for your hair to grow it out faster, but these might or might not work. Give your hair time to grow and keep your dreads clean and well-maintained.

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Question

What product can I use to get my deadlocks to grow faster?

Community Answer

Try Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking Gel, Tropical Roots Locking Gel or Crochet Hook.

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