How To Dreadlock Straight Hair

People with straight hair often find it difficult to capture the dreadlock style. Their hair may be fine or limp and unlikely to hold any type of style. However, creating dreadlocks is possible. Follow these steps and you will be able to dreadlock straight hair.

1. Start with clean, dry hair. There is a common misconception that dreadlocks are dirty hair. What they are is knotted hair that is clumped together into defined hanks.
2. Section the hair. The smaller the sections, the thinner the dreadlocks will be. If you want thick dreads then start with larger sections at least ½” to 1” thick.
3. Backcomb or tease each section. Starting at the end of the first section, tease and knot the hair. Work your way up toward your scalp creating more knots and snarls as you go.
4. Secure the hair. Once you have the section knotted, secure a rubber band at the top near the scalp and at the bottom.
5. Repeat with the remaining sections. Work your way around your head creating dread sections. This can take a while if you have a lot of hair so consider having a friend help you or be prepared to sit somewhere comfortable while working your hair style.
6. Wax the hair. Apply a bit of dread wax into the palm of your hand then start with a single dread. Apply wax from the tip and work it up to the scalp. As you work the wax into the hair, twist and squeeze the wax into the hair. If you are creating thick dreads or you have difficulty getting the wax to adhere, consider using a hair dryer to warm the wax as you apply it. The heat will cause the wax to seep deeper around the hair.
7. Be patient. It takes a few weeks for the knots in your hair to become solid dreads. Don’t comb the hair or try to style it during this time. Keep the rubber bands in your hair for at least a month before removing them so that the dreads keep the shape you are going for.

Dreadlocks can be a cool look no matter how your hair naturally hangs. Consider trying these steps to create the look for your own hair. Remember you may need to experiment to get the look and feel you want but don’t give up. Creating the perfect dreads takes time and effort.