*~~~Dready Mamas 2010~~~* - Page 22

[Chicky2]

I started my dreads a couple of months after my 38th bday.  I figure since I'm older no one should give me any flack about making a decision for myself, lol.  Go for it!!!

Now, my head is ITCHING.  BAD.  Like all over, but especially around the nape.  My dreads are really tightening, and it is driving me batty.  What to do, oh experienced dreadheads???

[inkedmamajama]

itching is my ARCH NEMESIS!!! Ok, well I have psoriasis, so it's a little different than what you are dealing with but these are some things I have done to combat itching:

tea tree oil

apple cider vinegar rinse

cold water rinses

tea tree oil shampoo

spot conditioning the scalp ONLY (take small fingerfulls of conditioner and press into the scalp at the itchiest spots, then rinse completely)

hydrocortisone cream or gel
 

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

I started my dreads a couple of months after my 38th bday.  I figure since I'm older no one should give me any flack about making a decision for myself, lol.  Go for it!!!

Now, my head is ITCHING.  BAD.  Like all over, but especially around the nape.  My dreads are really tightening, and it is driving me batty.  What to do, oh experienced dreadheads???

[Chicky2]

I did rinse w/cold water yesterday, and it helped, thanks.  I'll try the acv next time, and kind of alternate I guess. 

I seriously need to do some wrapping.  My loops are better, but now I have a few REALLY big loops, and some of my dreads are getting much fatter.  I guess that means it's all workin', right?  My dreads are 5 mos old.

[jmo]

I've had some major itch issues off and on too.  What has helped for me is an apple cider vinegar rinse once a week.  I fill up a squirt bottle w/ 1/4 acv and the rest warm water and squirt all over my scalp after I wash (w/ a tea shampoo).  Then I pile my dreads up in a shower cap and leave them in there for 15 mins or so while I take a nice long shower.  Then rinse well.  This has made them sorta kinda itchy from super crazy itchy.

[majikfaerie]

sorry, i've never really had itch issues.

[Chicky2]

I have really dry skin normally, even though I practically drink a trough's worth of water daily.  My head never itched til lately, though, so I'm sure it's to do w/tightening or something dready related.  I like the squirt bottle idea w/acv....

When can you condition your dreads?  I don't want them to fall out, but they are starting to feel kinda dry all over...

[SamuraiMom]

Hi, just popping in, so glad I found you all, thanks to fullofgrace  for redirecting me! I have wanted to do this for awhile and I always felt like I had to be "on the road" or something crazy to do it- and now that I think about it, I don't really get what my logic was for thinking I had to have a reason! :D  I just started my dreads about a week ago, I'm doing a few different things- ripping and twisting, combing back (no wax), and letting them go natural- which I guess is ideal- but my faith is week, since I've never seen it done :) So, I am going back now to read through this thread from the beginning to learn more. Yay! 

 

[Chicky2]

Welcome, Samantha.

Funny how we seem to need to justify our dreaded decision, lol.  I was prompted to go ahead and do it after my MIL died a tragic death at our house.  I guess I just realized that life is too short to be wishy-washy.

[inkedmamajama]

Loops are awesome because it is proof that your hair is slipping and knotting up. You and I started our dreads really close to the same time, and I have also seen a huge amount of loops-but its kind of awesome, (plus I always get a laugh at referring to my hair as 'kinky', heh)  Let is get loopy and wild-it will get better soon!

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

I did rinse w/cold water yesterday, and it helped, thanks.  I'll try the acv next time, and kind of alternate I guess. 

I seriously need to do some wrapping.  My loops are better, but now I have a few REALLY big loops, and some of my dreads are getting much fatter.  I guess that means it's all workin', right?  My dreads are 5 mos old.

[MoonStarFalling]

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

When can you condition your dreads?  I don't want them to fall out, but they are starting to feel kinda dry all over...

I would wait a year or until they are close to or fully locked up. That's how long it took for me.

Samantha, welcome! I was making some life changes when I started the dreadlock process. I decided to create a happier life. No real reason other than I figured it would make me happy. Two and a half years later I still love them.

[dinan6]

Hey there Mama's, I was wondering if anyone is near Northern Virgnia and willing to help me with maintenance on my dreads? I don't even really know what I mean when I say maintenance but I think I just want them cleaned up a bit. My 1 year dready birthday is in March. thanks.

[SamuraiMom]

Would one of you ladies please share w/ me a BS recipe to wash my locks w/?  I've not locked up my bangs and the underneath of my hair is cut short. I usually use Aveda, and I am addicted to it, so I will still use that for the unlocked hair, but I need something immediately to keep my dreadies clean !  I am having issues w/ them falling out cuz my hair is SO straight, straighter than I realized :(   but it's just a few that aren't quite long enough to stay in, sooner than later they'll be long enough to tighten up!  I can't believe I waited so long to do this, but everything happens when it's supposed to- I'm so stressed out right now, but it's like a hobby that takes my mind off the shit!

[Chicky2]

I just use a tsp or so BS per cup of water.  Seems to work fine. 

So, what to do w/my ends?  Not sure when or if I should do anything and I'm not sure what I really want.  I know they have a life and mind of their own, lol.  I have some serious dreading going on now, but the ends are really just there.  Not dreading at all.  And I mean like 5" or more on each one that is totally undreaded.  I'm not sure if I'm going to be a blunt end kinda gal, but I don't really care for this look, lol. 

FarrenSquare, how did yours work?  I really like the ends of yours.  How long did it take for them to look like that?  I know you've had yours awhile...

[lileve2]

Hi All!

Just sticking my nose in here because this thread is just too close to my own interest to ignore.

I love the way each one of you is progressing.

Looking at some of your pictures...where are you finding your loc jewelry?

[inkedmamajama]

i get my stuff on etsy, and i have been felting diff colored wool roving into a few of my dreads for color and fun-I will do some more and post 6 month pics soon!

[SamuraiMom]

OK, so my hair is so straight that my locks are falling out. Not all of them, but quite a few, so if I just let them go natural, they should lock up themselves eventually?  

[dinan6]

SamuraiMom, I think its common for them to loosen up a bit before they start tightening up. Mine did that I waited until maybe 7 months in to redo some just to see what they were going to do. The ends of mine were very loose forever. I just kept separating them so they didn't grow into one big huge dread. Also the back of my hair underneath has taken a year to lock up and still not all of it is contained in a dread. That was driving me crazy but I just ignore. I'm one year in march, can't waite...

Also looking for someone to help me with maintenance in northern virginia or near, I'm willing to drive.

I wash every 3 to 4 days, one day using a tea tree shampoo and the other day I use BS with tea tree oil, lavendar oil, and any other smell I like. I mix that in a big pitcher slowly pour it on my head and let it sit while I wash my others then I rinse fill the pitcher with water and put some Apple cider vinegar in it, just a little bit pour that on my head let sit for a minute then rinse. That has worked for me.

[lileve2]

thanks inkedmamajama.

[Chicky2]

Dinan, I want to see recent pics of your locs!  I need to post some too.  I'm 6 mos in...All of the sudden mine are really locking up well, and esp. the ones at the nape in back.  I recently had my dd wrap several of the biggest loops w/embroidery thread and it looks really cool.  My *mom* even said she liked it. 

My hair was slightly below my bra strap in the middle of my back when I started my dreads.  Now the ones at the nape of my neck are only about 6" long!

[yippiehippie]

Can I join? I finally went for it over the weekend and l'm loving it! I've liked dreads forever but never really thought i'd do it (don't know why). So I did a twist and pull apart, no backcombing, and used a little shea butter. So, now they're doing OK, a little separation, though. What do you all recommend for maintenance? I read some of this thread before doing it and remember ppl saying not to palm roll every day. Should I be trying not to mess with them? I've been spraying salt water on my hair. I haven't washed it yet, never have washed my hair more than a couple times a week bc it's so dry. I'm scared to now, worried they'll all fall out!

So how do I combat frizzies? Obviously it's gonna be frizzy, but I mean those little ones on top...should I just wear a bandana?

How about wrapping? Can you all post pics? How do you do it? Inkedmamajama-how do you do yours will wool roving? sounds pretty!

Well, I'm excited and hoping it won't take too long for mine to loc up since I have naturally coarse, curly/wavy hair! Sorry bout all the questions!