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Question:
Mark, OK bro...I need some advice. Its been about 2 months since I washed my hair. Nasty huh? Well...my dreads are finally starting to form. I guess it was a combination of bees wax and dirt. And now my friends are starting to give negative comments. My question is.. how long must I wait before washing, and how do I go about washing? Please help!
Answer:
Do not pass GO! Immediately run to the shower before you lose the rest of your friends!
A lot of people ask me "How do I get dreads?" First of all let me tell you how not to get them. DO NOT USE beeswax, floor wax, Jello, hair spray, glue (Elmer's or super glue), surf wax, hand soap, egg whites, cow dung, ox blood or camel urine. Although at one time or another I have heard of someone using each of these methods, they have proved to be less than favorable. Gunk in your hair usually tends to attract more gunk, dirt and all of the dust and particles in the air. Real dreads are washed with a normal shampoo frequently. They are dreadlocks, not dirt locks, if they were dirt locks then they would wash out. However, real dreads (knots) do not wash out. Still, many question how something so full of knots can get clean? I will respond to that with another question; When you want to clean your hand knit sweater do you comb it, or do you just wash it with detergent? Your hair is no different.
Regrettably, I have found that it is virtually impossible to explain in writing how a caucasian can get dreadlocks. I have done countless heads in the last few years and my process is far easier to do than to explain. With this in mind, if you are ever anywhere in the Los Angeles, CA area and wish to have me give you dreads or tighten your locks, please feel free to call (310) 539-2539 or e-mail Mark@christafari.com. You may also want to visit my personal MySpace page dedicated to my work: http://www.myspace.com/dreadicure
EXPERIENCE:
I have been a giving dreads and tightening locks for almost 20 years now. I have experience in dreading all types of hair including Caucasian, Black, Asian, Indian, and Latino. I specialize in dreading hair that wouldn’t normally tangle on its own and have many clients in the entertainment industry.
DREADS FROM SCRATCH:
As for making dreads from scratch, I charge a minimum of $250 (plus tip). I prefer for the hair to be around 5 inches or longer (although I can do shorter dreads, but they are not easy). I do not use wax, rubber bands, glue or any sort of chemicals—I have a signature way of making knots and locks (that last) with my fingers. It usually takes between 5-10 hours to do a head from scratch.
THE DREADICURE:
As for tightening sessions, I teach my clients how to tighten their own dreads, although some are too lazy to take care of them properly. If this is the case I usually tighten them up every 2 months or so and this usually runs around $100-$150 (plus tip). (depending on the amount of work needed). All first-time dread clients (including those already locked) are charged an intial $250 (plus tip). It typically take approximately 3-6 hours for each tightening session (all depending on the hair, length and condition of the dreads).
LOCATION:
I do all of my dreadwork from my home in Lomita CA, (in the South Bay, just outside of Los Angeles, CA). Getting dreadlocks is a virtually painless procedure (although some with sensitive scalps may disagree). My workplace is a relaxed environment, you will sit comfortably in a bean bag and watch television (feel free to bring your own movies).
AVAILABILITY:
My schedule is flexible and I would love to hear from you if you are looking for someone to work on your dreads. Please e-mail me at Mark@christafari.com if you are interested (serious inquiries only).
QUESTIONS:
Please note that given my schedule, I will not be able to respond to anyone seeking dreading advice. Please refer to the following section for all questions. Anything beyond these written instructions would have to be demonstrated in person. However, if you are not in the California area and still want to try to knot up your head on your own, the following will be my best effort in explaining the unexplainable.
HOW TO DREADLOCK:
A lot of people ask me "How do I get dreads?" First of all let me tell you how not to get them. DO NOT USE beeswax, floor wax, Jello, hair spray, glue (Elmer's or super glue), surf wax, hand soap, egg whites, cow dung, ox blood or camel urine. Although at one time or another I have heard of someone using each of these methods, they have proved to be less than favorable. Gunk in your hair usually tends to attract more gunk, dirt and all of the dust and particles in the air. Real dreads are washed with a normal shampoo frequently. They are dreadlocks, not dirt locks, if they were dirt locks then they would wash out.
Real dreads (knots) do not wash out. Still, many question how something so full of knots can get clean? I will respond to that with another question; When you want to clean your hand-knit sweater do you comb it, or do you just wash it with detergent? Your hair is no different.
Regrettably, I have found that it is virtually impossible to explain in writing how a caucasian can get dreadlocks. I have done countless heads over the years and my process is far easier to do than to explain. With this in mind, if you are ever anywhere in the Los Angeles, CA area wish to have me work on your hair, please feel free to e-mail me at: Mark@christafari.com (serious inquiries only).
I specialize in all natural "Dreads-from-Scratch" and "Dread-icures" (tightening sessions). I am experienced in Caucasion, Latino, Asian, Indian, and Black hair of various lengths and textures and have worked miracles with nasty dreads that clients thought were ready for the razor. This is the clean way to dread with no chemicals or wax used--just tangles! However, if you are not in the California area and still want to try to knot up your head on your own, the following is my best effort in explaining the unexplainable.
After many years of trying everything to get dreads I finally invented my own technique. It is simply an anarchy style of braiding, twisting and pulling. It is very similar to how one would weave a rug or knit a bracelet, yet done in a random manner.
Step 1: First you section off a portion of your hair that you want dreaded just as you would if you were going to braid it (don't make it too big).
Step 2: Then holding the clump of hair together at the end, twist the hair back and forth by rubbing it in-between your thumb and your pointer and middle finger.
Step 3: After you have done that back and forth about 8 times you have created some tangles at the end of your hair.
Step 4: Now with two hands, (using your thumb and your pointer finger on each hand) pull the clump of hair apart in half at the end. As you are pulling it apart, pull it all the way down to the root tight. You may not be able to tell yet, but you just pulled the tangle to the root. (Please keep in mind that you must pull tight, this will hurt, but it needs to be tight.)
Step 5: Now put the hair back together at the end, and split it in half in a different place and pull it down to the root tight. Repeat this step two more times. Now repeat steps 2-5 until you have reached the end of your hair.
As it continues to knot up, you will need to knead the knot in between your fingers in an upward motion so that it is evenly dreaded and you capture all of the hairs in the dread.
Then tie a small over hand knot at the end of your hair. Then tie another overhand knot at the end, however this time tuck the remaining hair at the end of the last knot inside this knot so there is just a knot at the end and no hair hanging out of it. Then tie as many knots as needed with each knot being inside the other one (moving towards the scalp). When done these knots should be large enough so that they are of equal size with the end of the dread and no larger. (It could take many knots until they stick) These knots will hold your dreads together and keep them from unraveling. Some dreads need as many as five knots, and some as little as two.
Now repeat everything above on the rest of your head and many, many, many, sore scalped hours later you will be an original natty dread.
Tips; you may find it easier to have someone else do this for you, however, you should learn how to do it yourself. You dreads will be shorter than your present hair length. Hair that is either too short or too long can prove to be harder to work with, if not impossible (the ideal length is between 4 1/2 inches and 9 1/2 inches.) Some knots will come out, so you will need to tie them back in.
You should no longer use any conditioner (it untangles) hair spray, gel, mousse, combs, brushes, etc.. on your dreads. It's time to go natural. You may shampoo your head (try not to shampoo it more than twice a week) but make sure that the shampoo does not include a conditioner. Wash your hair just as you would if you had braids, and towel dry. Your dreads will stand straight up for a while, the best way to tame them is to get them wet, and place them in the shape you desire, and them put on a hat.
Dreads are not the best for extremely thin hair, or for someone who has extreme dandruff (the flakes cannot be combed out, and get caught in your hair and it looks messy.) I have seen dreads on Asians, Blacks, Whites, Indians and Latinos, so your nationality does not matter.
At first your dreads will loosen up and pull away from your scalp, and then they will tighten up. The first inch to inch and a half of hair from your scalp will never dread and will always be loose. It is during this time that it tangles and knots. You see your hair grows at different speeds, so while the fast hair is waiting for the slow it is getting tangled. This is why if you leave braids or a hair wrap in for a long time it will start to dread. After about 3 to 4 months your dreads will be permanent, and you will need to shave your head in order to get them out. Dreads are not a fashion statement, they are a lifestyle. Like a tattoo, you must be absolutely convinced that you want them
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