Thank you for the information! I have very strong hair- even with all the processing I’ve had done, I’m sure it’ll be fine! Will I be able to use a toner on them afterwards? If so, is there a specific type I should use that has no residue or that is specifically made for dreadlocks? Sorry for all the questions, google is not helping me at all!

Hello!

Any toner that is designed for human hair is fine to use on locks. What usually causes residue is improper rinsing. So as long as you commit to rinsing until your water runoff is 100% (not 99%!) clear, then you’ll be fine!

“Residue free” products are designed to help minimize residue, but are not guaranteed to avoid residue. Everything is in the rinsing. Almost all shampoos, hair colors, and conditioners are A-okay to use on locks so long as you commit yourself to a rigorous rinse after each usage.

– KJ

hello this maybe is a stupid question but . if dreadlocks get thicker in my case type 1 hair i saw in here they double the size somethinmes, should i not put beads in the first month or months? so they can get thiker free as they want ? thank you love

Hello there. 

You can put beads in, just be sure to move them around, take them out, and don’t leave them on the same exact spot for 3 months. 

Your locks can shrink up around the bead and make it a permanent bead. You’ll have a fatty lock below, a fatty lock above, and a leetle skinny lock through the middle of the bead. 

So, as long as you move the bead up and down your lock every few days, change its location every week or so, or completely remove it sometimes, it will not become a permanent fixture of your locks. 

That said, beads will only keep your lock skinny immediately under the bead. So, if you leave a bead in for a long time, like I said- the lock will thicken normally above and below it. It won’t interfere with the overall thickening of your locks. 
Hypothetically, though, if you wore heavy beads on every single one of your locks near the ends, and weighed all of your locks down, the gravity could “pull” on your locks and prevent them from getting to their maximum thickness. However that is kind of not something people do, so don’t worry! 

The main question here is – do you want a permanent bead and some weird shapes in your locks, or do you want temporary beads so you can change things up when you’d like?

-JR

I reconnected my old dreads with super bond. How long until I can wash it with them coming out?

Hello there. 

Unfortunately, attaching extensions with glue (super bond is a glue designed for use with hair) is not the best method. 

Even glue designed for hair- it is not the way to attach extensions. Whether you are using the wrapping method to attach kinky natural hair to locs, or using a crochet hook to attach straighter hair textures to your locks, glue should never be involved in the process. Period.

Glue does not go into your locks.

Now, the best way of fixing this would be to do the following:
1- Snip the extensions (your old locks you reattached) off just above the glue part. This will leave most of your locks intact. Brush about 1-1.5 inches of the tip of your lock out.

2- Snip the glued bit off the top of your extension. Brush out about 1.5-2 inches of the top of your extension. The puffy texture of the hair will be very beneficial to add in the extensions properly. 

3- Follow this method to attach your old locks with a crochet hook. http://youtu.be/Hnfinze-_co?t=15m29s
This is the sturdiest possible method to attach lock extensions to straight and wavy hair. I believe it could be used on coily or afro textured hair, but there are better methods (wrapping, for instance this- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyetaHVVKIc&index=31&list=LLTc3AL2dNQfmiFwcmKjHV2g&noredirect=1 -though it wouldn’t be good to reattach old locs).

Anon, you could snip off all the extensions at once, or you could follow these steps one lock at a time. Either way, you can get all your locks repaired and put into a glue-free state with extensions that will last.

If you follow the crochet hooking method, you can immediately wash your extensions. They will be secure and remain in your existing locks for as long as you want to have them. They can be picked out in the future, but should not ever fall out unintentionally. 

Please, folks, never ever ever use glue to extend your locks. Never use glue as any part of any aspect of the care and keeping of your locks. 

Luckily, in this case, snipping out the glued bits will not cause too much loss of length and it will be a mostly easy fix. 
-JR

Is it okay that some dreads are smaller than others or does it look weird? I have partial dreads.

It only looks weird if you think it looks weird! The truth is that no one has locks that are all the same size. In fact, the different sizes often aren’t even noticeable. Some of my locks are a third of the diameter as others, and I don’t mind at all!

But if it still matters to you, you can weave some free-flowing hair into the smaller locks, or you can start over.

It’s up to you!

– KJ

Hello! Do you know of any methods for a formal style/updo? My bun always ends up loose and floppy :P Thanks!<3

Hello! 

To be honest, I’m a really crummy stylist! I am poor at braiding, twisting, and pretty much everything else that makes a good updo. However, people on YouTube are very fantastic, and I highly suggest checking out Doctored Locks’ YouTube channel. They have a few updo tutorials that are super easy to do, especially if you’re not a master of many techniques.

We also have a few tags here at the blog that may inspire you:

Style
Updos
Locs updos

Annnd, if all else fails, I’ll send you in the direction of my favorite easy style, the basketweave! It’s great if you’re in a rush or don’t have a mirror handy.

Hopefully that helps you out! If you discover some awesome style along the way, please consider submitting a photo to us. We’d love to see!

– KJ 

Followers: Any updo tutorials for dear Anon?

I need a tutorial for a crown braid for prom, the one that wraps around your head, does anyone have one? (:

Hello,

I have looked around Youtube and can’t seem to find one specifically for locs. You can look one up for free-flowing hair then modify it for your locked hair. Or you can try one of these similar styles from Franchesca Ramsay: [1] [2] [3]

I think the link above that explains the French braid is really all you need to do! But maybe someone else can help?

– KJ

Followers: Does anyone have any tips or tutorials for crown braiding locked hair?

I’ve been throwing around the idea of dreading my hair for awhile now, but my biggest concern is I have fairly fine/thin hair and I’m afraid my dreads won’t look as full as I want them to. Is this something to be concerned about or should I just go for it?

Hello!

We get this question all the time, so we have a “thin hair” tag with a whole bunch of tips for you to check out.

Basically, you can expect your locks to double in thickness after maturing. So if you have thin locks at the start, don’t worry. They’ll shrink and accumulate lost hairs, and they’ll be far more voluminous than on day 1.

The main concern for people with thin hair is the issue of exposed scalp. To avoid that, make your locks as thin as you can (or as your aesthetic tastes prefer) and be sure to stagger your sectioning. You should be a-okay if you follow those simple tips!

And if you start them and it doesn’t work out, you can always brush them out.

– KJ

I love your pics and info. I brushed out my TnR dreadies after 3 weeks and decided to go neglect but I still wash every 3 days.. I now have 4 newbies that are all knotted up with two of them turning into a Congo. Which is all good to me.. I just ask how do you have patience? Lol, my hair is taking forever and I’m 3 almost 4 months in… Meh. Lol..

Hi,

We have a whole tag devoted to patience! I think checking out the tag and looking at our “freeforming” tag would be helpful.

Just hang in there! Someone with type 1 hair may not see locks forming for well over three months, and will not see any that look truly like firm locks for at least a year! Check out this neglect timeline from our timelines page. You can watch as Troy’s hair began to lock. In part 2 of his timeline, you can see that it took well over two years for his locks to look firm and rope-like.

You can do it!

– KJ

Okay so I’m in a predicament and sorry if this has been asked already but I’m on mobile! I started three baby dreadlocks just an hour ago, my dad asked me to help him with some heavy lifting, and I got super super sweaty and the rest of my hair is really greasy and nasty feeling now from all the sweat. Is it bad if I wash it so soon? Like will they become undone? I’m going to the bar tonight and as a girl I obviously want to appear sexy hahaha.

Hello there.

There is no reason to delay washing your hair! You can wash it any time after you start them.

The only times someone would want to delay washing is if they have a very delicate setup like comb coils, which might unravel with washing. However, as it doesn’t sound like you have that startup method, don’t worry. 

Go shower!
If you’re really really worried, you can just braid them together in the shower and use a regular hair tie to hold the braid together. However this is probably unnecessary. 

It’s normal for your baby locks to loosen up a bit and be fluffy from washing, but they won’t come out. 

My only advice is to just avoid getting conditioner on them. Don’t panic if you do, but just try not to condition that bit of hair for at least a month or two, and then only if it feels dry. It’s pretty easy to keep the conditioner off of them in the shower, so don’t worry! 

Hope this helps, and I hope you snag yourself a cutie tonight!
-JR

Hey, the roots of my dreads keep loosening. I’ve combed them out and re-done them closer and tighter twice but they keep coming undone up top (in my opinion) far too much to be normal. I have up to two inches of hair loosening from and original length of about a cementer. I used twist and rip method. This is crazy they just won’t stay! Please help :( oh, and can you answer privately? Thanks so much!

Hello there. 

Having 1-2 inches of loose root is 100% normal and healthy for your locks. Especially on straighter hair textures! Any tighter, and you risk causing tension to your scalp. 
This tension can cause little red bumps – a sign of irritation in your follicles.

The tension, if prolonged for weeks and months on end, can cause permanent hair loss called traction alopecia. This happens when people wear braids and pony tails too tight, have weaves for long periods of time, or do other types of VERY tight styles. It isn’t happymaking at all!

So, dear, please let your roots be. 2 inches is very normal, and it sounds like your locks are new. Just give them time to grow and mature. Also, watch my video of how and why I believe roots lock to help you be a little more understanding to those tender lovely little roots of yours! 
Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG9kiNMOZhQ

Have a nice day, and don’t fret!
-JR