*~~~Dready Mamas 2010~~~* - Page 28

[odinsmama]

I'm only about 4.5 months in, but I also had a fairly itchy scalp before dreading.  Good to know things may be less itchy in my future.

I just did an acv rinse this morning and it feels like it got all of the baking soda residue out, yay!

I think I'll end up trying plain water and maybe occasional salt water if I haven't been in the ocean in a while.  :)

[Rainey Daye]

Went to a Bible study last night and actually got to talk to a dreaded guy about his dreads and have decided that I'm finally getting them done SOON!! Gotta go to a wedding, have my b-day, and spend Memorial Day weekend with family...but then it's gonna happen...hopefully during the first week or two of June!! I just need to see about meeting up with some local dready mamas and seeing if they'd be willing to help me get dreaded up!!

I've already run out of my regular shampoo and conditioner and have just been using samples. I'm about to start back using BS/ACV in anticipation of dreading. My big question is this...if I wanna color my hair (never permanent, only semi-permanent)...should I do that before or after dreading...and how long should I let my hair recover from either coloring or dreading before doing the other?

[Chicky2]

If you dye your hair before dreading it will condition it too much.  Or at least that's what I think, lol.  I dyed mine, oh, 4 months or so after dreading up, I believe.  But then I skipped the conditioner.

[meamoaristeyo]

Hello again ladies!

I had been busy with schoolwork these past few weeks, so I've been catching up on reading recent posts here, and as always, love reading through all of your posts!

My sister is helping me do my dreadlocks next week! Ahh the anticipation is killing me! I put on another one of my posts on another thread that I'm literally counting down the days (less than a week now...time needs to go faster!).

However, I could use some help if any of you have some experience with my current problem....I had been getting some flakiness from dry scalp due to no poo, and I had tried some different oils (tea tree, lavender, rosemary...then finally coconut...) and the coconut oil I used will not come out of my hair! What is so frustrating is that it's not sitting on my scalp, there's virtually NO oil on the scalp,it's just on the actual hair strands themselves....ugh! I have searched everywhere and can not find any solution except to use regular shampoo a couple of times to wash out all the oil. Yuck! I love no poo, I don't wanna go back! But now, when I'm finally able to get my dreads, I've got all this coconut oil sitting in my hair....so do any of you know how to get it all out? I really need that stuff gone so my hair can be dread-ready.

I'm going to wash my hair with my no poo method tonight, and I'm thinking I will have to let the baking soda actually sit on the hair, which I *never* do for fear it will totally dry it out and cause damage. But I'm desperate!

Thanks for all your wisdom and advice, lovelies.

[anomaly13]

I'm ready, as soon as my shampoo and conditioner are gone I am doing it, should be in a couple weeks.  However not sure how to start.  I currently have straight, thin, blonde hair that falls, at it's longest, just above my bra strap on my back with shorter hair around my face.  My hair used to be a bit thicker and have some curl to it but after having kids/bfing for the past 6 years straight it has changed.  At this point in my life I have no need to look put together everyday, homeschooling SHAM to 3 under 5, so could easily go the natural route but I don't think I have the patience for that.  I really don't have the time to read through the whole post right now, but will attempt to over the next few days.  So I am sure my questions have been answered but if you don't mind......

So what advice to you ladies have for my hair type, I am worried that it is too thin though I am hoping that locks with make my hair a bit thicker/fuller.

How much length will I lose if I go ahead and rip/twist to get it started?  not even sure how to do that or what it means but will read over the thread and find out.

Do I need to go through a sort of detox first?  my hair is pretty oily a day after washing, but I get the reason for that being because of the washing with shampoo.  Can I wait to change my washing method until my hair is in locks or should I start the change first? 

Lastly any sites/blogs to look at with some pictures of progress or methods like rip/twist, felting, crocheting, something about embroidery thread, etc.?

TIA Mamas

[majikfaerie]

regarding hair dye, I don't think it matters toooooo much, but be aware what kind of dye you use. a lot of them come with built-in conditioners (because obviously hair dye is really bad for your hair) - those would make the locking process harder. but if you get one that doesn't have built-in conditioners (those are the ones that usually come with an extra sachet of conditioner to use after dyeing), then you just skip the conditioner step, it would probably be fine. If you're going for red shades, then henna would be a good option.

regarding fine straight hair, I have fine, straight hair before I started dreads via neglect, and it was no problem.

regarding coconut oil I'd just leave it be. It will rinse out eventually on it's own, given enough hot showers. If you really want to get rid of it, I'd be rubbing a good amount of bicarb soda into the hair and then rinsing out with vinegar. I know a lot of people with dandruff problems that coat their hair in olive oil and rub the scalp really thoroughly to get rid of the flakies, and then you get the oil out with bicarb and acv.

hth.

[inkedmamajama]

My dreads are 10 months old. I have a halo of loose hairs and not sure what I should do to get things looking 'tidy' any ideas?

*just to clarify-I don't use wax, string, rubber bands, etc-the only thing i do is felt little colored bits of roving from time to time.

i have tried crocheting but never got the hang of it/cannot figure out how to do it!

[mamayogibear]

Originally Posted by inkedmamajama 

My dreads are 10 months old. I have a halo of loose hairs and not sure what I should do to get things looking 'tidy' any ideas?

*just to clarify-I don't use wax, string, rubber bands, etc-the only thing i do is felt little colored bits of roving from time to time.

i have tried crocheting but never got the hang of it/cannot figure out how to do it!

A short term solution is to use edible aloe vera gel and roll it in. It makes your dreads take shape and leaves the hair less brittle. It doesn't keep them tidy for long but it works if you need to look clean cut for work or family it is a solution. The gel washes out with just water and the only problem I've ever had is if it's still wet and I put a fuzzy hoodie or hat on the fuzz will stick to it and work it's way into my dreads.
 

[majikfaerie]

hey IMJ :) good to see you.

can I ask; what's your averision to string? I get not wanting to use wax or rubber bands...

and I think crocheting would be the best way, perhaps you can find someone to help you - there's lots of tutorials on you tube. you could also try wearing a dread tam.

[meamoaristeyo]

Hi again!

Just wanted to announce while I had a free moment that today marks one week with baby dreadies for me! Yippee! Which means they got their first wash, I feared for them since I had heard of so many people whose dreads fell apart from the water pressure of a shower....but mine seem to be holding tight. :) They are pretty thin so from a distance they just look like curls, but they definitely feel knotted....anticipating the upcoming months to see how they progress.

As always, love all of the advice on here as well as seeing the photos of all you dreadheads! Definitely will keep me hopeful about what the future holds!

[meamoaristeyo]

oh and majikfaerie, thanks for your input about the coconut oil in a pp (sorry it took this long to reply)....after a couple of bs washings it came out, it was pretty amazing on the second wash, I got a crazy lather from the coconut oil breaking down and using my regular bs routine....my hair looked so good after that! so i think i got a 2-week coconut oil deep cleanse going on. :)

love your blog btw!

[inkedmamajama]

It's not exactly that I have an aversion to string, in fact I have a good amount of hemp twine, so I'm sure that would be a good choice-I just have a 'less is best' approach to my hair since dreading it.  I recently met a cool mama that had dreads for three years, I'm going to see if i can get her to teach me some skills. 

[Chicky2]

Best method evah!  I use it after I wash, while my dreads are still wet.  Works like a charm, really!  Makes them look all nice and neat.  My dreads are 10 mos also!  I'd love to see a pic of yours.

Originally Posted by inkedmamajama 

My dreads are 10 months old. I have a halo of loose hairs and not sure what I should do to get things looking 'tidy' any ideas?

*just to clarify-I don't use wax, string, rubber bands, etc-the only thing i do is felt little colored bits of roving from time to time.

i have tried crocheting but never got the hang of it/cannot figure out how to do it!

[yippiehippie]

Originally Posted by Chicky2 

Best method evah!  I use it after I wash, while my dreads are still wet.  Works like a charm, really!  Makes them look all nice and neat.  My dreads are 10 mos also!  I'd love to see a pic of yours.

What method are you referring to?? I want to do whatever you're talking about, LOL! Aloe? The aloe doesn't do much for me, someone mentioned the gel, is that what I should get? I got pure aloe juice put it in a spray bottle w/some tea tree (my scalp is sooo flaky, so thought it would help) and lavender and I generously spray it on after the shower and palm roll. Still frizzy:(
 

[Rainey Daye]

So my SIL says she will help me dread my hair the next time we get together (make the men take care of the kidlets while we work on my hair and gab)...if I don't find anyone local to help me before then. 

Just thought of another pre-dreading question. We live in Texas where it gets crazy hot in the summer...so we swim!! How do you do that with dreads...cause I can't get in the water and not get my head wet...that's part of the whole cooling off process!! This just occurred to me today cause it was so VERY hot!! I do plan on having rather thin dreads...kinda like in the pic (which, umm, I think I stole for explaining what I want purposes from someone who posted it on this forum...oops!!)...except with sideswept bangs.

[mamayogibear]

I used to swim in the ocean all the time when I had dreads. I would just hang out on the beach for a while until they mostly dried out or drive around with the window open, preferably in a vw:). Then it's great to palm roll the saltwater in. It will help squeeze out the water and shape them more. Sometimes they'd start to stink like seaweed and what not, then  I would was with baking soda and apple cider vinegar. If it is hot enough and not humid they will dry out in a few hours! However it is important not to go swimming again until they have dried all the way out in order to avoid mildew or rot. One way to force them to dry out is to use the stuff for drying out um harvested fruits and veggies that you need dried quicky. It's in the automotive section. Just put some in a container and have a pourous material that elevates your dreads from the stuff (does anyone know what I'm talking about) and wait around for a few hours. A plastic bag with the stuff in it and your hair wrapped in a airy scarf works well. It is not a good way to dry out hair but it does work. Oh yeah, and if you have one and access to electricity you can use a hair dryer too;)

[Chicky2]

OOPS!  Sorry, it was farrensquare's method (the one in the pic posted by texanromaniac).  Here's the link (FS had posted it waaaaaay back)....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuHmVeVbIys

Originally Posted by yippiehippie 

What method are you referring to?? I want to do whatever you're talking about, LOL! Aloe? The aloe doesn't do much for me, someone mentioned the gel, is that what I should get? I got pure aloe juice put it in a spray bottle w/some tea tree (my scalp is sooo flaky, so thought it would help) and lavender and I generously spray it on after the shower and palm roll. Still frizzy:(
 

Texanromaniac....I wouldn't worry much about swimming, except maybe the first week after you dread up.  Some are gonna fall out a bit, yeah, but just redo them and go on about your business.  We are changing to a salt water chlorinator for our pool this year.  For many reasons, but man is it gonna make my dreads way more dready, lol!

P.S.  there is gonna be frizz.  It's just the way it is.  But that method really helps if you need to tidy up.

[MoonStarFalling]

If you're swimming in chlorinated water, wet your dreads with clean water before you get in so they don't absorb all that chlorine. Chlorine residue was the only issue I have had while swimming with dreads.

[pacifica]

Originally Posted by GuavaGirl 

Hi, I'm new.

I'm seriously considering getting dreads done within the next couple months.  I live near Portland, OR and I'm thinking of going to "the dread goddess at Akemi Salon. Does anything on here have any experience with her or the thai style (crochet).  

Also, I'm wondering about hair thickness.  How do I know if it's thick enough to look good with dreads?

Thanks!

I had my dreadlocks started there over 3 years ago.  I recommend!  Stephanie started mine.  Good luck
 

[treqi]

ey mamas! jus subbing, i'm not dready anymore but i jus started my dds locks a couple of weeks ago and she loves them! any tips on getting them tight before school starts? i'm starting aloe vera juice after her shower today.