Hey everyone, ok so I am considering dreadlocks and I have a few questions. My hair is four feet long and most of it is very bleached and dyed hot hot pink. I am thinking about maybe doing dreads but I have some concerns. My hair is naturally straight and somewhat fine and very long, does anyone have any idea how long it would take before the dreads began to lock up and actually look good? Also, I know this is a weird question but I live in a very moist, humid climate (FL) where it takes bread about 5 secs to grow mold, so I'm wondering, If it takes forever, even w/a blowdryer for my natural hair to dry, what about when it's knotted into dreads? Wouldn't the dreads,being so long, hold moisture and eventually grow mold? Also, how do you go about bleaching and dying your roots? How do you redye dreads? How often can you wash them? My last question (and I know I have alot of them, sorry,)is what about dread streaks? As in, having a few dreadlocks and the rest of your hair natural, has anyone done this? Does anyone know anything about this? Recommendations? I've been to various sites, (knotty boy, etc) and they don't answer these questions so please help! Thanx

I believe that Spandorexxxa's hair is quite long. One thing to consider is that your hair is probably going to be about 1/2 the length when it's dreaded. As the dreads "knot up", they're going to shrink.

Dreads do stay wet longer than undreaded hair. I haven't heard of them growing mold, though.

I would think you'd be able to do a few dreads as opposed to a bunch, but you'd have to pay close attention to them on a daily basis, especially when you first do them, since they could attract more hair and become more of a mat than a dread.

Really, your new dreads are going to require a lot of maintenance in general, whether you do a few or your whole head. Especially in your case, I think I'd try a few synthetic dreads/falls and see if you like the look. I think in super long hair the dreads would look really good, but they're going to be murder to put in. You'll need a friend with a LOT of patience!

As for dying (please correct me if I'm wrong), you're really only dying the outside of the dread, but when you color, you're going to squish the color around and then rinse very thoroughly (while squishing) in order to get ALL the color out. I think it's a little like cleaning paint out of a paint roller/brush. Wash, squish, rinse, squish...repeat.

I'm not really sure if bleaching is really recommended. I'm sure you could do it if you are going to be super careful when coloring/rinsing. I'd be afraid of breakage, though, I think.

If you do the dreads, let us know. I love dreads myself and have considered them. I just never let my hair grow long enough (and fear that work would FREAK).

there is a community on livejournal called get_up_dread_up or something like that - spandorexxxa is a memeber. there is a huge section of FAQ in the memories and very very knowledgable poeple who can answer more specific questions.

http://community.livejournal.com/get_up_dread_up



Just genius.

Totally delayed response...but whatever.

Yes dreads can grow mould. be careful. Buy a hood hairdryer in that climate, mould is BAD news for dreads.

Get up dread up will save your life. Or just your hair.

Knotty boy is all propaganda, you really dont need wax

If i were you id cut your hair before draeding, 4ft of hair will shrink up to about 15 inches and generally look shite. Unless your looking for the lumpy bumpy look...