Backcombing dreads... please help!!!

[yeahyeah]

hi all.. im usually around the nail forums, this is my first post in the hair forums.... im really stumped on this one so hopefully someone here can help! i have a male client that wants dreadlocks. he's caucasian, and has very coarse, very curly hair thats 5-6 inches pulled straight. ive never done dreads before so i've been googling and reading everything i can find... which seems to be a LOT of contradicting information. i called another stylist in my city that does dreads regularly and she said the best way to do this is sectioning the entire head and backcombing, ive found instructions for this method online and it seems like best option. but im not sure about products, which ones to use or even if i should use any at all. everything ive read about waxes and accelorators and residue free shampoos and anti itch oils and aaahhhhhhhh...... it has all been very contradicting and the stylist i spoke with said she's never done them on caucasian hair so couldnt recommend any products for me to try. i also need some solid info on maintenance and homecare. any tips or advice would be most appreciated!! please help! his appointment is in a week and a 1/2 and at the moment i have a whole day booked off for him lol!! thanks in advance

 

[minky]

hi all.. im usually around the nail forums, this is my first post in the hair forums.... im really stumped on this one so hopefully someone here can help! i have a male client that wants dreadlocks. he's caucasian, and has very coarse, very curly hair thats 5-6 inches pulled straight. ive never done dreads before so i've been googling and reading everything i can find... which seems to be a LOT of contradicting information. i called another stylist in my city that does dreads regularly and she said the best way to do this is sectioning the entire head and backcombing, ive found instructions for this method online and it seems like best option. but im not sure about products, which ones to use or even if i should use any at all. everything ive read about waxes and accelorators and residue free shampoos and anti itch oils and aaahhhhhhhh...... it has all been very contradicting and the stylist i spoke with said she's never done them on caucasian hair so couldnt recommend any products for me to try. i also need some solid info on maintenance and homecare. any tips or advice would be most appreciated!! please help! his appointment is in a week and a 1/2 and at the moment i have a whole day booked off for him lol!! thanks in advance

Hi I suppose you could try this dvd Dread Head HQ Dreadlocks DVD
minky

 

[yeahyeah]

thanks minky! i did come axross that in my searches and read a lot of contradicting info regarding the dreadhead products on other sites. im really hoping someone thats familiar with the backcombing dread process and has done it successfully can just give me advice. i came to salongeek because i feel like i can always trust the info i get here anybody?

 

[weezie]

I'm not a hair geek but if I was you I would send him to someone who specialises in this or you could be opening up a whole can of worms if it goes wrong and also helping him to maintain it. Why not send him to the salon you called and then learn how to do it, if you feel you will miss out on a lot of business, rather than end up being known as the salon that tried dreads and ruined someones hair. :hug: If you call another salon for advise they may give you miss information as someone could on here too. x

 

[minky]

Hi , yes its a tough one , the only information I can offer is the rubbing method , I was told once formed you just keep rubbing the hair till it matts up and you get the shape you want ,
also all fallen hair at the roots will become nicley matted too which in time need maintaining by rubbing into shape ,

also he hasn't got got a decent length of hair has he .....?
so he is going to end up with tiny weenie sticky up ones ..... but as long as he knows this ..... I suppose he has to start somewhere,

perhaps he may want to think of intertwining some fake dreads as well
for length ?

also just interested , are you thinking of making small square sections patterns ?
Well at least he has curly hair which is a great help ,
but as Weezie said
it may be a better idea to refer him to someone else who specializes in this area,
I think if I was at all unsure about it .... I wouldn't do it, and I would let him know that I didn't specialize within that particular area , but have referral address handy written down of someone that does ,
hth :hug: x minky

 

[yeahyeah]

thanks for the info! im not too worried about the actual procedure as ive watched it done and have been watching instructional videos and talking to another stylist who is experienced in the procedure, so im not going to referr him to someone else. ive been doing his hair for 3 years, and if it doesnt work out, the backcombing can be removed while its still relatively fresh. what im still not positive about is what products to use (the other stylist doesnt do caucasian hair so she didnt know what products i will need, even though shes familiar with the technique) i have found products recommended on dreadlock websites but i think they are all consumer recommended and i was hoping to get some professional opinions on products. im still hoping someone with experience will share their opinions and tips with me

 

[SachasHolistics]

Hi,
I have just had my dreadlocks cut off after having them for 6 years, and have done 3 sets on clients so perhaps I can help.

I used Dreadhead products on myself and clients and found them very good, the wax lasted ages.

I took small sections and backcombed the hair working my way up from the nape. About a pea size amount of deadwax to each dread, and I banded them top and bottom.

The client needs to roll them and twist them which it shows on the dreadhead or knottyboy websites.

Umm not sure what else you need to know, but I will try and answer anything else

Hth, Sacha

 

[yeahyeah]

thanks for replying sacha, is there a more readily available shampoo you would suggest thats ok to use on them, something i could pick up at a regular supply store without having to order in preferably? and also, ive heard of some people putting a nylon or weave cap over them while shampooing. do you suggest that? i think i have the actual procedure down, im really just curious about aftercare at this point. thanks