HOW TO PUT DREADS IN

If you'd like to know how to put dreads in your hair in a way that will develop them much more quickly than if you let hair dread naturally then please read on. The process we explain is easy to do, you just need a bit of care, commitment and the right products, and you'll be able to show off your great looking dreads to the world.

Things to get/check before you start.

• Make sure your hair is at least 7.5 cm or 3 inches long.
  
  
• Organise a free 4-8 hours; putting dreads in takes time
  
  
• Some entertainment to keep you occupied while the dread are being put in
  
  
• Get a friend or two willing to help you, otherwise you'll find the process quite tricky.
  
  
• Dread shampoo
  
  
• Hair bands for sectioning the hair
  
  
• Hair clips to keep hair from getting in the way
  
  
• Dreadlock comb, which is a comb that is usually metal with strong narrowly-spaced teeth so it can tug the hair and the teeth won't snap easily. E.g like the one from Dreadlock HQ.
  
  
• Dreading wax

Clean

• The crucial first step to creating dreads is to strip your hair of all oil, residues and dirt with a residue-free shampoo. Remember not to use conditioner either as this will only add stuff back into your hair and lessen the knottiness of your hair.
  
  
• The dread shampoos that Knotty Boy and DreadheadHQ make don't leave residues in your hair and can be used to clean your scalp while the dreads are in as they won't prevent the locking up process which is most desirable in dreads.
  
  
• Plait straight hair while it is wet and don't brush it out until its dry in order to get the hair a bit more kinky, and more likely to knot up. You can also do this with a crimping iron.
  
  
• Brush hair out when it's dry so you get it as voluminous and frizzy as you can.

Section

• To divide the hair into sections means you'll be able to create the dreads a lot easier and get a more professional-looking finished effect.
  
  
• Use hair bands and comb to section hair starting from the bottom of the head.
  
  
• The sections should be even in relation to each other, you want to avoid ending up with holes or gaps in the finished product.
  
  
• They should also be in line with how much hair you have and how big you want your finished dreads to be - ie. The bigger the section, the bigger the dread will be.
  
  
• A section should be around the size of your index finger, as a rudimentary measure.
  
  
• With shorter hair, the sections should be smaller in diameter.
  
  
• Straight lines of sections works well in inconspicuous areas of the scalp, but on the top of the head arrange the sections they are laid out more like a brick wall, so to avoid getting a highly visible part line and the like down the middle of your head.

Backcomb

• DreadheadHQs' dread accelerator products applied to the hair before backcomb can encourage the hair to form into dreads in less time and more efficiently.
  
  
• Be aware that backcombing will create some tension and pulling on your scalp so keep yourself feeling as good as you can with the entertainment you organised beforehand.
  
  
• Backcombing involves removing the hair band from the first section you've chosen, and while holding the end gingerly, comb at the root into the scalp in tight movements going all the way down the section, including the underside, until there is no hair left to hold on to.
  
  
• Repeat this a couple of times, as you need to backcomb thoroughly to get the hair knotting up really well in order to produce the best-looking, tightest dreads you can. It's particularly vital at the root as the hair will tend to become looser here as it grows and you want to get the new growth to become part of the main dread.
  
  
• Well-backcombed roots will also make it more likely that hairs that have fallen out will become part of the dread and help it stay knotted up
  
  If any loops form while you're backcombing pull the section apart and backcomb again.
  
  
• If you'd like blunt dreads, making sure you've backcombed a lot at the end rub the end in circles in the palm of your hand. This helps the end to tangle even more.
  
  
• Twist the section to make it appear more like a dreadlock and compact.

Wax

• Make the section is well backcombed by this stage as although you can do more backcombing once the wax in is, it's a bit more tricky, so not preferable.
  
  
• Knotty Boy and DreadheadHQ make a wax that have been specially created for dreads.
  
  
• You'll need to scoop a pea-sized amount of wax out of the container with something hard and then melt it a bit between your fingertips.
  
  
• Apply the wax starting from the root of the section and work it in the entire section so it gets right into the centre of the hair. Use only a small amount of wax, as using more than is necessary will start to condition the hair, which is not what you want for the hair to knot up and form into dreadlocks.
  
  
• Use a hair-dryer on your hair whenever you put wax on your dreads as it assists the wax to get right into the middle of the section and so keeps it well bound together.

Palm roll

• Palm rolling is something you should start to make a habit of from the time you put your dreads in as not only does it promote locking up in the dread, but it keeps them looking professionally styled.
  
  
• Palm rolling is when you forcefully rub the length of a dread between the palm of your hands. Twist the section before you palm roll
  
  
• At this time, get a hold of any flyway hairs and pull them apart so it creates a knot in your dread. Broken off hairs are a great help in the formation of dreadlocks.

Take a second to admire your first dread! Then repeat the above instructions for the rest of the sections you've created and you'll be sporting some awesome new dreads. We hope you're excited by how different and great they make you look and urge you to read our advice on maintaining dreadlocks.