How to Get Dreads

Wondering how to get dreads and grow them tight and healthy? Well, the good news is that there are many techniques to use.

You must know that no single locking method is better than the other. The type of method to use depends on your hair type, locks size, hair length, and lifestyle.

You should go with whichever method promises to deliver excellent results considering the above factors.

Time to get the combs ready and get your dreadlocks, DIY style.

How to Get Dreads – The Crochet Way

As the name suggests, this method requires a crochet hook. The hook is usually small, about 0.6mm, so it may be hard to get one in your local craft store. However, you can search for the same online and have it delivered to your doorstep.

The Process

1. Give your hair a thorough wash using residue-free shampoo. Leave your hair to dry completely.
2. Section the hair starting at the nape. The sections should be according to the desired lock size. Use elastic bands to secure the sections.
3. After all the hair is sectioned, remove the band from each section and twist it with a comb. Ideally, start the twisting from the middle.
4. Use the crochet to hook between the twisted hair and pull. For this process to work, the hair must be completely dry. Repeat until you get the desired results.

The Crochet method works great for straight and textured hair. It is an ideal method if you want to achieve an instant mature dreadlocks appearance.

Here is a video on how to start dreadlocks using crotchet.

How To Get Dreads – The Braiding Way

This is a popular method, and for a good reason too, the process is quite simple.

There are no fancy tools involved, and with just a comb for sectioning, you can achieve the desired results.

With the braiding method, it is easy to section your hair and control the dreads size.

It is important to note that this method is best suited for afro hair.

The Process

1. Wash your hair, and be careful not to leave any residue. Let the hair dry. Be careful not to use any conditioning shampoo as this will leave the hair too soft, and the braids may not hold up.
2. Section the hair according to the desired sizes. The section sizes determine the thickness, so go with larger sections if you want thicker dreads.
3. Once you are done sectioning, remove the elastic band in each section and wrap one hair strand around each part. At this point, you should be able to see the loc forming.

 How To Start Dreadlocks – The Two-Strand Twist Way

This method is perfect for Afro-textured hair. Among all the locking methods, the two-strand twist technique also delivers the most visually appealing locs. On the downside, the locs are not as durable, especially when compared to the braiding method.

The Process

1. Wash hair and allow it to dry
2. Section hair depending on desired loc size
3. After all, sectioning is done, remove the elastic bands per section and separate it into two
4. Spin the two strands in the same direction and pass one over the other

With this method, the ends may come loose with time. Use the comb twisting or palm rolling methods to tighten them.

 How to Get Dreadlocks – The Comb Twist Way

While this method can work with any hair length, it is best suited for short hair. It is also suitable for all-natural hair since it comes with a higher breakage potential. With this method, you use a comb to twist your hair to create uniform coils.

The Process

1. Use a residue-free shampoo to clean your hair thoroughly. Allow your hair to dry.
2. Section the hair into the desired size starting from the nape and secure each part with elastic bands.
3. Once all the hair is sectioned, remove the band in each part and apply some locking gel.
4. Secure the gelled section with the comb head and start twisting
5. Pull the comb downwards as you twist to create the loc.

 How To Get Locs- Using Twist And Rip Technique

This method works best if you want a messier and bulkier look.

With a Twist and Rip technique, you get better control over the size and dreadlocks quantity, which makes the method perfect if your hair is not as dense.

The Process

1. Use an anti-residue shampoo
2. Section hair based on desired dreadlock size and secure the segments using elastic bands. Ideally, the section from the nape and form perfect squares at the base.
3. After sectioning all the hair, remove the band in each section and further subdivide it into little segments.
4. Divide the little segments into two and twist them.
5. Take the twist apart and re-twist it several times until some knots begin to form. Right there is your dreadlock.

How to Get Dreads -the Backcombing Way

The Backcombing method works for both textured and straight hair.

If you have long hair, this method is perfect, but it will also work for hair that is about 3 inches short.

This method results in hollow and fuzzy locs, but they compress over time and get fuller and neater.

The Process

1. Use a clarifying shampoo to clean your hair and give it a few hours to dry completely
2. Section hair to desired loc sizes and secure the parts with elastic bands
3. Comb your hair up towards the scalp and continue with this process until it starts to stack up. To make the locs neater, roll them on your palms, and secure them.
4. Use an elastic band to lock the dreads once you have twisted it to the end.

The backcombed technique results in a more seamless and durable locs. This explains why many people prefer it if they plan to grow their locs for a while.

 Get Locks- The Freeforming Way

Free forming locks are just that. You just let the dreads shape themselves without interfering with the locking process.

With this method, all you have to do is not comb your hair after a wash and let it do loc itself.

This is undoubtedly the easiest way to make dreadlocks. However, it takes longer to get the desired results, especially if you do not use any products.

The way your dreadlocks will look like in the end depends on your hair type and texture.

How to Get Dreads- the Interlocking Way

Otherwise, know as latch hooking, the interlocking technique involves pulling hair in a rotating manner through itself from the ends to the root. The method works perfectly for afro-textured hair.

The Process

1. Wash hair using a clarifying shampoo and leave it to dry
2. Section hair depending on the desired locs size. Start from your nape and create a square at the root. Each section should be secured using an elastic band.
3. Take a hook and insert it at the hair tip. Run the hook together with the dread through the root and continue with this process until the loc is tight and has formed a ‘Y’ shape.

The interlocking method is more of a maintenance technique where the dreadlock end is used to tighten new hair growth.

Why Use Clarifying Dreadlock Shampoo?

Cleaning your hair using a product that leaves no residue prevents build-up, which could cause odours and lead to the growth of bacteria.

Why Should Your Hair Be Completely Dry Before You Start Dreading?

First, damp hair encourages the growth of mildew and mold. Also, dreading wet hair is challenging, and the dreads do not lock as correctly.

Why Use Elastic Bands To Secure Every Hair Section?

Sectioning all hair first and using elastic bands to secure it saves on time.

Once you start locking the hair, you can go on and on without having to spend time sectioning each dread the right way.

However, if you have been doing dreads for a while, you can get away with sectioning as you go.

What is Better, locking wax or gel?

Aside from knowing how to get dreads, you also need to tell which products are suitable for your hair.

When you are starting your dreadlocks journey, we recommend that you use a light gel in place of wax.

This is because locking wax produces build-up, and this can encourage the growth of mold and bacteria.

 

If you prefer to have a professional loctician creating your new dreads, click here to learn more about our dreadlock creation service.

When you have just started dreads and you are wondering what to do next, here is a thorough guide on how to care for new dreads.