To get dreadlocks?

[Spidermama]

I have ALWAYS wanted dreads. Always.

I am caucasian btw.

Tonight I found myself googling then texting around. I now have an appointment to see someone tomorrow about getting dreads.

OMG!

She does them by weaving and twisting and doesn't use any wax or sticky products.

My hair has always been a bit crap. Now it's greying it's even crapper. I love dreads on other women so figure this is a shot to nothing.

Dare I ask, what do you reckon?

Totally agree with donkeyderby. We lived in bangkok and frequented Koh San Road, the number of 'travellers' sitting on upturned singha crates while a khatoey wove their hair into worms was hysterical. IMVHO, only black/midxed race individuals should have them.

I would do it, but only if the hairdresser can let you talk to some of their other clients who are similar to you (Caucasian, female, over 25) and you are pleased with what they say about the process.

I got my hair done in dreadlocks a few years back and it was unequivocally awful. I am Caucasian too and had it done at an Afro-Caribbean place my DH chose. They knotted it by back combing all the pieces which was 9 hours of Hell (that's right, it took two people 9 hours to knot my hair - I have a LOT of fine hair). After the back combing was done they put a permanent in it to "set" the knots. They sent me home with some shampoo "powder" and some wax to put in after three days.

1 - the itching was INSANE. I was ready to shave my head after 24 hours because of the tight, itchy feeling.

2 - DH put the wax in and used WAY too much. There was wax on my pillow, my face, my hands, everywhere - and it never came off. I felt disgusting all the time and my face and neck came out in huge, cystic spots.

I lasted seven days before I broke down and used rubbing alcohol to get the wax off so I could comb the knots out only to find that the salon hadn't fully rinsed out the permanent (which may have caused some of the itching/burning) and my hair had, quite literally, melted.

Once I cut off the melted bits I was left with about 1/2 inch of hair (from mid-back length)

I have been told since that the salon did it ALL WRONG for Caucasian hair, but I am too traumatised to try it again.

QOFE - Your dreads look gorgeous, how old are you if you dont mind me asking?

I once saw a girl (white) with very VERy neat dreadlocks in a sort of bob, just above her shoulders, and she was very smartly dressed, not grungey at all, and they looked fabulous. No odd colours or beads in there, just normal brunette hair in really tidy dreads in a nice overall shape. I always wanted the exact same hairdo.

My only thought would be what happens when you've had enough of them and want a change - can you simply take them out or would you need to have it all cut off? If you can take them out and go back to normal hair, I might consider doing the same myself! With DD a toddler and DC2 on the way, might be the ultimate in low-maintenance hair-styling!

I'm 28

QOFE - Well from your picture (i know its only the back) you look very slim and trendy, so the dreads really suit you.

Not sure they would look quite the same on a frumpy 40+ (not suggesting that OP is frumpy or 40+)

I think you have to have a certain look to carry them off well.

Im very tempted i must admit after seeing yours.

Roomfor2 I got mine as an attempt at low-maintenance hair. Apparently to have them look tidy they are anything but

marenmj - thanks for talking me out of it! (OP - sorry for minor hijack)

That was my other worry (apart from the reversal issues) - after a few nights sleeping on them, do they go all frizzy/less tidy? If so, I think I wouldn't like them so much.

I do love them when they are a bit messy (like QOFE's - they are fab) but you need a certain look to carry them off as others have said, and it's not really me (well, not these days, anyway! 10 years ago when I was a committed greebo it would have worked, but not now )

hanaflowerhatestheDM 'tis the luxury of youth to cock up on a regular basis

The whole incident shattered my self-confidence and it took a couple of years re-growth to feel "myself" again. So I would caution anyone looking to do it to be careful going in and be prepared to lose it all if it goes wrong. I only went for it because I was assured that I could comb it out later and my hair would be fine, so I wasn't really emotionally prepared when it was gone. It sounds stupid, but it was a real blow.

I'm not saying don't do it, just be informed and do your research . I could have saved a world of hurt if I had.

Dp has very fine blond hair and has had dreads for years (but only on top nad short hair roudn the sides). He got them done in Kensington Market!!! They take very little looking after tbh. I tuck them and knot them once in a while and he uses wax every so often when he can be bohtered. he does fiddle with them a lot tho when watching tele which I reckon helps them to matt up.

Id you think you'd like them then go for it. I think they look lovely but are not for me as I like brushing my hair and my hair is seriously low maintainence as it is (long and straight and cut twice a year by my sister).

Am trying to work out who QOFE is too!! I was scary and began with T. Might change back actually. Cant remember why I changed to this name at all.

I really, really, really want dreadlocks, and have done since i was a teenager (28 now). How do I go about getting them? Sorry for sounding a bit silly, but I've got no idea where you would find a hairdresser that does them, how much it would cost, and how to look after them afterwards.
If anyone could recommend anywhere I could get them done (I'm reasonably near Brighton, I imagine there'd be an experienced hairdresser there) I would be most grateful.
Anyway, end of thread hijack, as you were

YANBU
They look fab if you look after them.

If you are black or a Rastafarian then fine but otherwise no.

Try braids instead.

Yes. Definitely.

spidermama: I know, I just don't know how I feel about that tbh! I am [meant to be] growing my hair atm to donate it (it's not even shoulder length yet!) as I did that a couple of years ago and would like too again! So I'm fine with people wearing my hair on their heads just not so with me wearing other peoples apparently

I may go for it though, maybe before I go back to PGL next season haha But then I'd be screwed as I would have no idea how to look after them whilst there! And what about when your hair grws, you'd end up with un-matted bits on top, how do you deal with those? And can you trim them without them falling out somewhat?

And just so you're reassured; there is lots of fairly traded hair as I came across quite a few sites when researching donation, but I don't know where to find them anymore I'm afraid!

QofFE: I love your hair! I'd love to have dreads like that!

Go for it.

I was put off honky dreads by a man I met at Glastonbury about 15 years ago who had algae growing in his.

I presume you're not going to try and cultivate something like that.

I don't like them, and think white folk with them look as though they are trying to be hip and "down with the kids" especially older white folk. My opinion shouldn't matter to you though, I don't care what you think of my haircut.

Algae???? Like some sort of tie dyed sloth? [vomit]

PMSL @ 'slim and trendy', I wish!

Right.
Have just got back from Dorset and am off to meet the dreads woman. I've just caught up with this thread and will report back.

Wish me luck!

we want pics!

Good luck and yes, we want pics!

Pray your kids never pass nits on to you. My friend who has dreads ended up being driven bonkers with them.