How To Create A Dreadlock

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Giving yourself dreadlocks doesn't require much more than dreadlock wax and a lot of patience. You can have dreadlocks put in at the salon, but doing them yourself at home is more natural and much less expensive. Backcombing your hair is the most effective way to form dreads, whether you have straight or curly hair. Once you have made the dreads, help them "lock" into place with daily care. After about 3-6 months, your hair will have set.

1
Wash your hair using a residue-free clarifying shampoo.. Making sure your hair is clean and residue-free makes the process go faster. The natural oils that build up in your hair make it slippery, so it's better to start with hair that has been freshly shampooed. Brush out the hair once it is dry.^[1]
- Don't add conditioner or any other products to your hair after shampooing.
- Be sure your hair is completely dry before you start.
- Set aside 4-8 hours to dread your hair. This process can take a long time to do properly.
2
Section your hair into squares. Use a wide-toothed comb to part your hair into squares. Hold the bottom left squares apart from each other by using small rubber bands. Each square of hair will become a dreadlock. Do 1 in × 1 in (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) squares for standard medium sized-locks or ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) squares for small locks.^[2]
- For a neater overall appearance, plan to make each dread the same size.
- The sections and rows in between the squares may be visible in the finished dreads. To avoid a patterned appearance, fashion the squares in a zig-zag or alternating format so that the finished look is more natural.
3
Backcomb the hair or wrap it around your finger in sections. If your hair is curly or textured, start your dreadlocks by wrapping it in 1 inch (2.5 cm) sections around your finger or a rat tail comb to create a coil. If your hair is straight, hold a section of hair straight up from your scalp. Starting about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from your scalp, tease it down toward the scalp using a metal fine-toothed comb. Repeat several times until it begins to puff and pack up at the roots. Continue backcombing the same section of hair in 1 inch (2.5 cm) increments until you reach the bottom of the hair. ^[3]
- As you backcomb with one hand, use the other hand to gently twist the section you're working on. This keeps it in shape and assists with the backcombing process.
- Continue backcombing each section of hair using the same technique until all of your hair has been backcombed. Having a friend help out speeds the process along.
- Use the same patience and care with each dread. If you rush through the last part of your hair, you'll end up with uneven-looking dreads.
4
Secure the dreads with rubber bands or elastic hair bands. Each dread should have a small rubber band securing the end. Place a second rubber band on each dread right next to the scalp. The two rubber bands will hold the dread in place as it matures
- This may be necessary for people with straight or wavy hair, but you may not need to do it if you have African-textured hair.
5
Apply a dread wax to the dreads. Use a natural dread wax, a beeswax molding paste, locking gel, or tightening gel to keep your dreads from fraying or frizzing. Apply the wax or gel to the entire length of the dread, taking care to cover the whole strand. If you choose to wax, only do it once every 2-4 weeks.^[4]
- Many people with dreads do not use a dread wax or gel because they believe it obstructs the dreading process. Use at your own discretion.
- Dread wax can purchased from some beauty stores, salons, or online.
6
Roll the dreads between your palm if you don't want to use wax. If you prefer a more natural method of making dread locks, skip the wax. Once you have secured the dreads, roll each dread between your palms. Do this up and down the length of the entire dread. This will make the dread tighter and more secure.^[5]
- This method works better for people with African-textured hair. If your hair is naturally straight or wavy, it will take longer to dread your hair without wax, and you may not get tight dreads.

1
Roll the dreads once a day. To maintain the smooth shape of the dreads, roll them between your hands periodically. Start at the scalp and work your way down. Make the ends look rounded by smashing them against the palm of your hand to encourage the hairs to roll up into the dread.
- Rolling can help make new growth dread faster or more neatly, however.
- Don't overdo the rolling, as the dreads will be more likely to unravel.
2
Moisturize the dreads daily to prevent breakage. Mix 3 parts aloe vera juice to 1 part natural oil (like coconut oil or sweet almond oil). Add up to 5 drops of an essential oil, like tea tree oil or lavender oil, if you want a scent. Put the mixture in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz your dreads every day.^[6]
- Try spraying your dreads in the morning to help hydrate them after sleeping.
- If you don't want to make your own spray, special dread moisturizer is available online or at some beauty stores.
3
Wash your hair with shampoo once a week. Wait at least 2-3 weeks after your first set of dreads to wash your hair. This helps prevent them from unraveling. Then, shampoo your scalp. When you rinse your scalp, the water will run down and clean the dreads without causing them to fray.^[7]
- Use a dread bar or a reside-free shampoo that doesn't contain perfumes and conditioners, which can cause the dreads to smell.
- Wash your hair in the morning so that your dreads have time to dry. If you go to bed with wet hair, mildew and mold can grow there.
4
Tuck in the loose hairs. As your hair grows and locks, some hair may become loose, especially close to your scalp. Use a crochet hook or a tweezers to grab strands of loose hair and then tuck them back into the dreads.^[8]
- For longer loose strands, twist them and then wrap them around the dreads before tucking them in.
5
Rub the roots to help new hair growth dread. As your dreads mature, the individual hairs begin naturally knotting onto one another. After a while, your hair will grow into the dreads, but at first, it may become loose. Use your fingers to rub the new growth, section by section, to encourage it to knot up with the rest of the dreads.^[9]
- It's not necessary to rub the dreads too often. As your dreads mature, the new growth will naturally knot up about an inch from your scalp.
- Be careful not to overwork the hair at your roots, since you may cause it to start falling out.

1
Remove the rubber bands once your dreads have locked. As your dreads completely lock, you no longer need to hold them in place with rubber bands. Remove the rubber bands from the roots and the tips of the dreads after about 3 months.^[10]
- When your dreads have locked, they will appear tighter and less puffy than they did at first. You'll have fewer loose hairs, and your hair will start to grow into the locks.
- If you put bands near the scalp, you may need to cut them out with scissors, as hair has likely tangled in that area.
2

Keep shampooing once a week. Oils and residues on the scalp may keep the hair from locking properly, preventing it from knotting up with the rest of the dread. Keep the new growth clean and dry so it naturally becomes part of the rest of the dread.^[11]
3

Condition the hair with an apple cider vinegar rinse twice a month. Mix 8 ounces (230 g) apple cider vinegar with 16 ounces (450 g) water. After you rinse out shampoo in the shower, pour the rinse over your scalp and massage it in. Wait a few minutes before rinsing it out.^[12]
4
Cover your hair with a silk cap or scarf while you sleep. This will protect the dreadlocks from breakage and keep them moisturized. You can buy silk night caps at beauty stores or online. Alternatively, put your dreads up in a bun and wrap a silk scarf around them.^[13]
- In the morning, when you wake up, remove the cap and spray the dreads with your moisturizing spray.

Add New Question

Question

Can you wet dreads?

Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Yes, you can wet and shampoo your dreads, and you should. However, on new dreads, you should try to wait at least a week before you shampoo.
Question

How long does it take to make a dread?

Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The twists that eventually form dreads can usually be done in a few hours. With proper maintenance, you'll have dreads in a few months.
Question

Can you get dreads at a hair salon?

Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Some salons dread hair but not all of them. You should call ahead to the place you want to go to see if they are offered.
Question

How long does it take for your twist to lock?

Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Completely locked dreads can take up to a year. You'll notice a good start at 6 weeks, and a much smoother, tighter look after about 3 months.
Question

I'm Hispanic. Is it acceptable for me to have dreads?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You have the freedom to wear your hair in anyway that you want, as long as you accept it and are comfortable wearing it. Don't let the opinions of others affect your desire to wear dreadlocks.
Question

My hair is about 20-24 inches, and is naturally wavey, how long will my dreads be?

Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Taking into consideration that your hair is wavy and you're likely planning to use the backcombing method, your dreadlocks should be 18-22 inches long. Backcombing will reduce a little bit off of your current length.
Question

Can I wear a bike helmet with dreadlocks?

Yes, you can. When you first get them it can be a little bit of a challenge, but I have a motorbike and have no problems.
Question

I have short hair. Can I still have dreadlocks?

Yes, but it will look strained at first. The longer you let your hair grow, the longer your dreadlocks will become, so work toward that.
Question

When you have dreads, do you need to comb or brush it ever?

No, never. That's the appeal. You can devote your time to more important tasks.
Question

Can I dread my dog's hair?

No, dogs need to be brushed to keep their coats and skin healthy.

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If you ever want to lose your dreads, there is an alternative to chopping off all of your hair. Some companies make emergency dread removal kits that untangle and deep-condition your hair. Your hair will probably need to be trimmed afterwards to get rid of split ends, but the dreads will be removed.
Many things can be done to decorate your dreads. They can be fully dyed, dyed at the tips, beaded, and felted to spice your locks up.
Dreading your hair alone can be difficult, especially on the back of your head. Ask a friend for help or consider going to a salon.
If you have very thin, straight hair: try separating your hair as described above, but braid your hair first & keep the braids for a week at least. So then when you're about to start your dreads, take your braids out & you will start with a pre-fluffy head of hair. Still follow all the directions above, just add the extra step of braids first if your hair is thinning or super fine.

The dread process can differ based on hair-type. Find information about dreading your specific hair type before starting the locking process.
Do not pull on your dreads after they've been in your hair for a while.

Things You'll Need

Residue-free shampoo
Metal fine-toothed comb
Rubber bands or elastic hair bands
Dread wax

Residue-free shampoo
Natural oils such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil
Aloe vera juice
Tweezer or crochet hook

Apple cider vinegar
Silk scarf or night cap

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To give yourself dreadlocks, use a wide-toothed comb to divide clean hair into 1 inch by 1 inch sections. Secure each section near your scalp with a rubber band to keep them separated. Starting 1 inch from the roots, use a fine-toothed comb to backcomb each section towards your scalp, then secure the end with a rubber band. Apply dread wax to the entire length of the dread. Be sure to use residue-free shampoo and moisturizer every few days to help the dreads lock! For tips from our Beauty reviewer on how to maintain your dreads once you have them, read on!

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