5+ Proven Techniques for Starting Dreads on Short Hair


5+ Proven Techniques for Starting Dreads on Short Hair

Dreadlocks, also called locs or dreads, are a coiffure characterised by matted, twisted strands of hair. They are often fashioned naturally or deliberately created by way of varied strategies. Whereas dreadlocks are sometimes related to Rastafarian tradition, they’ve been worn by individuals of assorted cultures and backgrounds all through historical past. Beginning dreads with brief hair could seem difficult, however a number of strategies might be employed to attain the specified look.

Creating dreadlocks with brief hair requires persistence and dedication. The method usually includes separating the hair into small sections and utilizing a crochet hook or comparable device to create friction and encourage the hair to tangle and mat collectively. Common upkeep, akin to palm rolling and crocheting, is crucial to maintain the dreadlocks wholesome and stop unraveling.

Relying on hair sort, texture, and desired dreadlock measurement, the time it takes for brief hair to loc up can range considerably. It may take anyplace from a couple of months to a 12 months or extra for the dreads to totally mature and take form. Nonetheless, the journey of rising dreadlocks could be a rewarding expertise, providing a singular and expressive technique to put on one’s hair.

1. Sectioning

When beginning dreadlocks with brief hair, sectioning is an important step that lays the muse for profitable dread formation. Dividing the hair into small, square-shaped sections permits for even distribution of hair and prevents uneven or misshapen dreadlocks.

The dimensions of the sections will decide the thickness of the dreadlocks. Smaller sections lead to thinner dreadlocks, whereas bigger sections create thicker dreadlocks. You will need to select a piece measurement that’s applicable for the specified look and hair sort.

As soon as the hair is sectioned, every part might be individually labored on to create a dreadlock. This includes backcombing, twisting, and crocheting the hair to encourage tangling and matting. By beginning with small, square-shaped sections, the dreadlocks can have a extra uniform and outlined look.

Moreover, correct sectioning helps stop weak spots or gaps within the dreadlocks, which might result in unraveling or breakage. By dividing the hair evenly and dealing on every part individually, you may create a robust basis for wholesome, long-lasting dreadlocks.

2. Backcombing

Backcombing is a way generally utilized in hair styling to create quantity and texture. Within the context of beginning dreadlocks with brief hair, backcombing performs a vital function in encouraging the hair to tangle and mat collectively, which is crucial for dreadlock formation.

  • Exposes Hair Cuticles: Backcombing makes use of a fine-toothed comb to brush the hair in opposition to its pure progress course. This motion lifts the hair cuticles, creating friction and exposing the internal layers of the hair shaft. The raised cuticles make the hair extra susceptible to tangling and interlocking with neighboring hair strands.
  • Creates Friction: The repetitive movement of backcombing generates friction between the hair strands. This friction causes the hair fibers to rub in opposition to one another, breaking down the hair’s pure protecting layer and selling entanglement. Because the hair tangles, it begins to type small knots that function the muse for dreadlocks.
  • Removes Unfastened Hair: Backcombing helps take away unfastened hair and particles from the hair shaft. By brushing in opposition to the hair’s pure progress course, backcombing dislodges any unfastened hair strands or tangles which will hinder the dreadlock formation course of. Eradicating unfastened hair permits the remaining hair to return nearer collectively and extra simply intertwine.
  • Prepares Hair for Twisting: As soon as the hair has been backcombed, it turns into extra pliable and manageable, making it simpler to twist into dreadlocks. Backcombing creates a roughened floor on the hair strands, which offers a greater grip for twisting and helps preserve the dreadlocks safe.

In abstract, backcombing is a vital step in beginning dreadlocks with brief hair because it exposes hair cuticles, creates friction, removes unfastened hair, and prepares the hair for twisting. By understanding the function of backcombing on this course of, you may successfully encourage hair tangling and lay the muse for wholesome, well-formed dreadlocks.

3. Twisting

Twisting is a basic approach within the strategy of beginning dreadlocks with brief hair. It includes tightly twisting every part of hair from the foundation to the tip, which performs a vital function within the formation and upkeep of dreadlocks.

  • Encourages Interlocking: Twisting creates friction between the hair strands, encouraging them to tangle and interlock with one another. Because the hair is twisted repeatedly, the strands wrap round one another, forming the core of the dreadlock.
  • Shapes the Dreadlock: Twisting helps form and outline the dreadlocks. By twisting in a constant course and with even pressure, you may create uniform, cylindrical dreadlocks. The tightness of the twists additionally impacts the thickness and density of the dreadlocks.
  • Prevents Unraveling: Common twisting is crucial for sustaining the integrity of dreadlocks, particularly with brief hair. Twisting helps preserve the hair strands tightly certain collectively, stopping them from unraveling or breaking up.
  • Promotes Tightening: Over time, the twisting movement mixed with the pure shrinkage of the hair causes the dreadlocks to tighten and mature. This course of helps create a extra compact and outlined dreadlock construction.

In abstract, twisting every part of hair tightly from root to tip is an important step in beginning and sustaining dreadlocks with brief hair. It encourages interlocking, shapes the dreadlocks, prevents unraveling, and promotes tightening, all contributing to the formation of wholesome, well-defined dreadlocks.

4. Crocheting

Crocheting is a way that includes utilizing a crochet hook to additional tighten and safe the dreadlocks, enjoying an important function within the strategy of beginning dreadlocks with brief hair. It enhances the twisting technique and enhances the general formation and upkeep of dreadlocks.

Crocheting helps to:

  • Tighten the Dreadlocks: By inserting the crochet hook into the dreadlock and hooking the hair strands, crocheting pulls the hair nearer collectively, tightening the dreadlock construction. That is particularly useful for brief hair, because it helps to create a extra compact and outlined look.
  • Safe Unfastened Hair: Crocheting may help to safe any unfastened hair or flyaways which will happen, particularly through the early phases of dreadlock formation. By catching and incorporating these unfastened strands into the dreadlock, crocheting prevents them from unraveling or breaking off.
  • Form and Outline the Dreadlocks: Crocheting permits for extra management over the form and definition of the dreadlocks. By crocheting in a particular course or sample, you may create uniform, cylindrical dreadlocks or dreadlocks with a desired form or design.
  • Promote Maturing: Common crocheting helps to speed up the maturing strategy of dreadlocks. By constantly tightening and securing the hair strands, crocheting encourages the dreadlocks to turn out to be extra compact and steady, decreasing the chance of unraveling or breakage.

In abstract, crocheting is a vital part of beginning dreadlocks with brief hair, because it offers a method to additional tighten, safe, form, and promote the maturing of the dreadlocks. By incorporating crocheting into your dreadlock upkeep routine, you may improve the general look, longevity, and well being of your dreadlocks.

5. Upkeep

Common upkeep is essential for the well being and longevity of dreadlocks, significantly when beginning with brief hair. Palm rolling and retwisting are two important upkeep strategies that assist to maintain dreadlocks tight, stop unraveling, and promote general well-being.


Palm Rolling: Palm rolling includes utilizing the palms of your fingers to roll and form the dreadlocks. This method helps to tighten the hair strands throughout the dreadlock, making a extra compact and outlined construction. Palm rolling additionally encourages the pure oils from the scalp to distribute alongside the hair shafts, offering nourishment and stopping dryness.


Retwisting: Retwisting is much like palm rolling however includes utilizing a crochet hook or your fingers to additional tighten and safe the dreadlocks. This method helps to forestall unfastened hair or flyaways from breaking off and retains the dreadlocks wanting neat and tidy. Retwisting must be accomplished each few weeks or as wanted, relying on the specified degree of tightness and the expansion charge of your hair.

Beginning dreadlocks with brief hair requires further care and a focus to element. Common palm rolling and retwisting assist to ascertain a robust basis for the dreadlocks, making certain they mature correctly and final for a very long time. Neglecting correct upkeep can result in weak, unraveling dreadlocks which might be extra susceptible to breakage and injury.

By incorporating common palm rolling and retwisting into your dreadlock care routine, you may preserve wholesome, well-defined dreadlocks that showcase the distinctive fashion and expression of this distinctive coiffure.

Regularly Requested Questions About Beginning Dreads with Brief Hair

Beginning and sustaining dreadlocks with brief hair requires particular strategies and data. Listed below are solutions to ceaselessly requested questions to offer steering and dispel widespread misconceptions:

Query 1: Is it attainable to start out dreadlocks with brief hair?

Sure, it’s attainable to start out dreadlocks with brief hair. Nonetheless, it could require extra persistence and upkeep in comparison with beginning with longer hair. By following the suitable strategies, akin to sectioning, backcombing, twisting, and crocheting, you may efficiently provoke dreadlock formation even with brief hair.

Query 2: How lengthy does it take for brief hair dreadlocks to type?

The time it takes for brief hair dreadlocks to type varies relying on hair sort, texture, and upkeep routine. Usually, it could take a number of months to a 12 months or extra for dreadlocks to totally mature and take form. Common palm rolling, retwisting, and correct care can speed up the method.

Query 3: Can I wash my dreadlocks whereas they’re forming?

Sure, it is very important wash your dreadlocks usually, even through the formation stage. Use a residue-free shampoo and keep away from harsh chemical substances or detergents. Gently therapeutic massage the scalp and dreadlocks, taking care to not unravel them. Common washing helps take away filth, buildup, and promotes wholesome dreadlock improvement.

Query 4: How typically ought to I retwist my brief dreadlocks?

The frequency of retwisting relies on the specified degree of tightness and the expansion charge of your hair. Initially, extra frequent retwisting could also be obligatory, akin to each 2-4 weeks. Because the dreadlocks mature and tighten, retwisting might be accomplished much less typically, usually each 4-8 weeks or as wanted.

Query 5: Can I exploit merchandise on my brief dreadlocks?

Use merchandise sparingly and keep away from heavy oils or waxes that may crush or clog the dreadlocks. Pure oils from the scalp are sometimes ample to maintain dreadlocks moisturized. If wanted, use light-weight merchandise particularly designed for dreadlocks or go for pure options like coconut oil or shea butter.

Query 6: What are some ideas for sustaining brief dreadlocks?

Common upkeep is essential for wholesome brief dreadlocks. Palm rolling and retwisting assist tighten and safe the dreadlocks. Keep away from extreme brushing or combing, as this may trigger breakage. Defend your dreadlocks from harsh climate situations and put on a satin bonnet or scarf at night time to scale back friction.

By following these tips and sustaining a constant care routine, you may efficiently begin and preserve wholesome, vibrant dreadlocks with brief hair.

Transition to the subsequent article part:

Suggestions for Beginning Dreads with Brief Hair

Embarking on the journey of beginning dreadlocks with brief hair requires persistence, dedication, and the appropriate strategies. Listed below are some worthwhile tricks to information you thru the method:

Tip 1: Part and Put together the Hair

Divide your hair into small, square-shaped sections utilizing a rat-tail comb or your fingers. This offers a basis for even dreadlock formation and prevents unevenness or weak spots.

Tip 2: Backcomb for Texture

Use a fine-toothed comb to softly backcomb every part of hair. This method creates friction, exposing the hair cuticles and inspiring tangling, which is crucial for dreadlock improvement.

Tip 3: Twist and Safe

Tightly twist every part of hair from root to tip. Use a crochet hook or your fingers to additional safe the twists and stop unraveling. Common twisting helps outline the form and construction of the dreadlocks.

Tip 4: Palm Roll for Tightness

As soon as the dreadlocks are fashioned, palm rolling helps to tighten and compact them. Roll the dreadlocks between your palms, making use of mild stress to encourage the hair strands to intertwine and lock collectively.

Tip 5: Retwist for Upkeep

Common retwisting is essential for sustaining the integrity of the dreadlocks. Use a crochet hook or your fingers to tighten any unfastened hair or flyaways. Retwisting each few weeks or as wanted retains the dreadlocks safe and prevents breakage.

Tip 6: Use Pure Merchandise

Keep away from utilizing harsh chemical substances or heavy merchandise in your dreadlocks. Go for pure oils like coconut oil or shea butter to moisturize and shield the hair with out clogging or weighing it down.

Tip 7: Defend from the Components

Publicity to excessive climate situations can weaken or injury dreadlocks. Put on a hat or scarf to guard them from the solar, wind, or rain. Moreover, keep away from swimming in chlorinated swimming pools or saltwater, as these parts can dry out and injury the hair.

Tip 8: Be Affected person and Constant

Beginning dreadlocks with brief hair is a gradual course of that requires persistence and consistency. Common upkeep, together with palm rolling, retwisting, and correct care, is crucial for the profitable formation and longevity of your dreadlocks.

By following the following pointers and sustaining a devoted care routine, you may obtain wholesome, vibrant dreadlocks, even with brief hair.

Transition to the conclusion:

Conclusion

Beginning dreadlocks with brief hair is a singular and rewarding endeavor that requires persistence, dedication, and the appropriate strategies. By following the rules outlined on this article, you may efficiently embark on this journey and obtain wholesome, vibrant dreadlocks, even with shorter hair.

Keep in mind, the formation and upkeep of dreadlocks is an ongoing course of that requires constant care and a focus. Common palm rolling, retwisting, and using pure merchandise will assist your dreadlocks mature and flourish. Embrace the journey and benefit from the transformation as your brief hair evolves into a particular and expressive fashion.