How To Make Dreadlocks

You need:

• Style comb
• Hair ties
• Nissen comb (available e.g. in pharmacies)
• Crochet hook (I recommend the sizes 2 mm to 2.5 mm)
• If required: thin felting needle

Note: Making dreadlocks takes a very long time, depending on the length of the hair. So you should bring a lot of time or spread the project over several days. You should also consider whether you really want the hairstyle: Once your hair is matted, it is difficult and very laborious to comb out the dreadlocks again and if in doubt, a short hairstyle is the first thing to do.

Making dreadlocks with the backcombing method

If you plan to make dreads all over your head, be structured: Either start at the bottom of the head and work your way up, or start at one side and work your way around to the other.

1. First the diameter of the dreads must be determined on the scalp beforehand: It is best to divide evenly sized squares in one area with a style comb and attach them with thin braid bands. In this way you can make sure that the dreads are the same size and that all strands are felted one after the other without leaving any single strands of hair.
2. Now pick out a strand at the edge and tie the other hairs back so that they are not in your way.
3. Backcombing: Remove the hair tie from this strand and keep it taut. Now backcomb the lower part of the hair strand with a nit comb against the direction of growth. You should not backcomb directly to the hairline, as the dread should not stick out but fall down later. It is best to leave one to two centimetres of hair at the base of the hair before you start teasing. Then backcomb the hair in sections until you reach the ends, while keeping the strand taut. This method is called backcombing.
4. Then take the strand of hair between both palms and roll it vigorously from the hairline to the tip between your hands. You will notice that the hair already feels firmer and much more voluminous. The hair is now already slightly matted.
5. Now take a crochet hook, prick it through the dread and pull with a twisting motion again and again single strands of hair into the dread. Thin hair strands are twisted in this way and give the dread hold. This way you work your way from bottom to top and strengthen the dread even more. This requires some practice. You should also twist the hairline a bit and pull the hair into the dread with the same method to strengthen this area a bit.
6. Open or crocheted lace? That’s a matter of taste! Leave your hair tips unfelted if you want open ends. Alternatively, you can fold the hair ends over and crochet them in. This creates a round dread tip.
7. So you can go for the whole head and work your way forward.

Note: In total, this process can take half an hour to a full hour from teasing to crocheting (depending on hair length). But especially the last step with the crochet hook is very important, so that the dread does not open again with the first hair wash.

How long does it take to make dreads?

• This depends entirely on the length of the hair and the individual hair structure: frizzy hair, for example, tangles better than straight hair. But you can also make dreadlocks out of strong, straight hair, maybe it just takes a little longer! The duration also depends on whether the technique is well mastered.
• If you are still relatively inexperienced in the technique, you will need half an hour to an hour per dread, depending on the length of the hair.
• Depending on the size of the dreads and the thickness of your hair you will end up with roughly between 30 and 60 dreads (with relatively thin dreadlocks) on your head. You should plan for the corresponding time.

Making dreadlocks: Aftercare

• Before you wash your fresh dreadlocks for the first time, you should wait a few days to a week. This way the dreadlocks can already harden a little.
• Do not use conditioner or shampoo with silicone when washing. The best choice is curd soap or an anti-dandruff shampoo. Let the dreadlocks dry well after each wash or blow-dry them if necessary, otherwise they could become mouldy.
• Afterwards it goes regularly to the post-processing: split the felted ends, felt the ends, pull in protruding hairs with the crochet hook, bring the dread regularly between the palms in form and strengthen with the crochet hook.
• Attention: Within the first half year your dreads will solidify. Just by washing and aftercare they contract more and more. Under certain circumstances they can even shrink by half or more. So you should already have slightly longer hair before you make/have dreadlocks. Also keep in mind that the hair will look very tangled and matted in the beginning until it takes on the typical look.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Can you make dreadlocks yourself or do I have to go to a special hairdresser for this? The answer is simple: Yes, you can make them yourself, but it requires some coordination and effort – and at the latest at the back of the head you will reach your limits alone.
• While do-it-yourself can still work on the top coat and the sides, the arms for the dreads on the back of the head can usually not be brought into the appropriate position or only very awkwardly. In general it is therefore recommended to ask a second person for help if you want to have dreads on the whole head: The best way is to ask a good friend to help you out, who still has patience and endurance even after several hours. Matting your hair can also be fun, because you will have enough time to tell your story!
• Once you get the hang of it, the result can be very good when you do it yourself. But it’s best to try out a few single dreads first, after all you want to be satisfied with the result later.
• One thing is for sure: If you or a friend of yours make the dreads yourself, you will save money, because having the dreads made by a professional has its price, if the duration is long enough. However, if you are unsure, you should have the dreadlocks made. Someone who has experience in this can better assess your hair structure and act more professionally.
• Some hairdressers offer this service, but private individuals have also started their own business. Usually they can make the dreadlocks faster and more accurate because of the practice. Basically you should look for experience and evaluations with hairdressers and private persons. Always keep in mind that the hairstyle should be as well done as possible in order to last accordingly long.