Making dreadlocks: how it works | BRIGITTE.de

Make dreadlocks yourself: This is how the hairstyle works

preparations:

Your hair should be freshly washed and dry. In principle, you should leave out rinsing / conditioners or shampoos with silicone a few weeks beforehand.

You need:

  • style comb
  • hair Bands
  • Nissenkamm (can be found e.g. in pharmacies)
  • Crochet hook (I recommend sizes 2 mm to 2.5 mm)
  • If necessary: ​​thin felting needle

Note: Making dreadlocks takes a long time, depending on the length of your 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 difficult to comb out the dreadlocks again and in case of doubt, a short hairstyle is on the program.

Making dreadlocks with the "backcombing method"

If you plan to make dreads all over your head, do it in a structured way: either start at the bottom of the head and work your way up, or start on one side and then work your way to the other side.

  1. First, the diameter of the dreads must be determined on the scalp beforehand: It is best to divide in one area with a style comb equally large squares and fasten them with thin cable elastic. This way you ensure that the dreads are the same size and all strands are felted one after the other without the individual strands of hair remaining.
  2. Pick a strand at the edge and tie the other hair back so that it doesn't get in your way.
  3. "Backcombing": Remove the hair tie this strand and keep it taut. Toupiere now the lower part of the strand of hair with a nit comb against the direction of growth. However, you should not toup directly to the hairline, because the dread should not stick out, but should fall nicely later. It's best to leave there are one to two centimeters of hair at the basebefore you start topping. Then, section the hair section by section until you reach the ends of the hair, while continuing to keep the strand taut. This method is called backcombing.
  4. Then take the strand between both palms and roll it vigorously again and again from the hairline to the tip between the hands. You will find that the hair feels firmer and much more voluminous. The hair is already matted a bit.
  5. Now take one crochet hook, stick it through the dread and use a twisting motion to pull individual strands of hair into the dread. thin This locks up strands of hair and hold the dread. So you work your way from bottom to top and further solidify the dread. It takes practice. You should also screw the hairline in a little and pull the hair inside using the same method to solidify this area a bit.
  6. Open or crocheted lace? It's a matter of taste! Leave your hair tips un matted if you want to have open tips. Alternatively, you can fold over and crochet the ends of your hair. This creates a round dread tip.
  7. So you can go for the whole head and work your way.

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

How long does it take to make dreads?

  • It all depends on the length of the hair and the individual hair structure: frizzy hair, for example, mattes better than straight hair. But you can also make dreadlocks from strong, straight hair, it may just take a little longer! The duration also depends on whether the technology is well mastered.
  • You need half an hour to an hour per dread if you are still relatively inexperienced in the technique, depending on the length of your hair.
  • Depending on the size of the dreads and the thickness of your hair, you will end up with roughly 30 to 60 dreads (for relatively thin dreadlocks) on your head. You should schedule the appropriate time.

Making dreadlocks: aftercare

  • Before you get your fresh dreadlocks washing for the first time you should wait a few days to a week. So the dreadlocks can solidify a bit.
  • Do not use conditioner or silicone shampoo when washing. On the other hand, core soap or an anti-dandruff shampoo is best suited. Let the dreadlocks dry well after each wash or blow-dry if necessary, otherwise they could become moldy.
  • Then it goes regularly to post processing: Separate the felted roots, felt the roots, pull the protruding hair in with the crochet hook, regularly shape the dread between the palms of the hands and solidify with the crochet hook.
  • Warning: your dreads will solidify within the first half year. It is precisely through washing and aftercare that they contract more and more. You may even be able to shrink by half or more, So you should already have slightly longer hair before you make / have dreadlocks made. Also keep in mind that the hair looks very tangled and matted at first until it takes on the typical look.

Making dreadlocks yourself: advantages and disadvantages

  • Can you make dreadlocks yourself or do I have to go to a special hairdresser? The answer is simple: yes, you can do it yourself, but it requires some coordination and effort – and at the back of the head you will reach your limits on your own.
  • While do-it-yourself can still work for the top coat and on the sides, the arms for the dreads on the back of the head can usually not be / or only very laboriously brought into the appropriate position. In general, it is therefore advisable to ask a second person for help if you want to have dreads on your entire head: it is best to jump in with a good friend or friend who still has patience and perseverance after various hours. Felting the hair can also be fun, because you always have enough time to tell!
  • Once you get the hang of it, the result of doing it yourself can be very good. The best thing to do is to try a few individual dreads first, because you want to be satisfied with the result later.
  • One thing is certain: if you or a friend make the dreads yourself, you save money, because having the dreads made by a professional has its price if the duration is sufficient. However, if you are unsure, you should have the dreadlocks done. Because 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 become self-employed. Usually, they can make the dreadlocks faster and more accurate due to the exercise. Basically, you should pay attention to experiences and reviews with hairdressers and private individuals. Always keep in mind that the hairstyle should be done as well as possible to keep it long.

If you want more information about dreadlocks, have a look at our info article about dreadlocks, in which we also talk about considerations. Wash dread care and dreadlocks to report.

Here we still have beautiful hairstyle ideas for you: Browse our ideas about bandana hairstyles, hairstyles for curls and short hairstyles.