5+ Proven Techniques for Starting Dreads on Short Hair


5+ Proven Techniques for Starting Dreads on Short Hair

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

Creating dreadlocks with quick hair requires endurance and dedication. The method usually entails separating the hair into small sections and utilizing a crochet hook or comparable software to create friction and encourage the hair to tangle and mat collectively. Common upkeep, comparable to palm rolling and crocheting, is crucial to maintain the dreadlocks wholesome and forestall unraveling.

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

1. Sectioning

When beginning dreadlocks with quick 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 end in thinner dreadlocks, whereas bigger sections create thicker dreadlocks. You will need to select a piece dimension that’s acceptable for the specified look and hair sort.

As soon as the hair is sectioned, every part will be individually labored on to create a dreadlock. This entails 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 forestall weak spots or gaps within the dreadlocks, which may result in unraveling or breakage. By dividing the hair evenly and dealing on every part individually, you’ll be able to create a robust basis for wholesome, long-lasting dreadlocks.

2. Backcombing

Backcombing is a method generally utilized in hair styling to create quantity and texture. Within the context of beginning dreadlocks with quick hair, backcombing performs an important 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 development route. This motion lifts the hair cuticles, creating friction and exposing the inside 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 kind small knots that function the muse for dreadlocks.
  • Removes Free Hair: Backcombing helps take away free hair and particles from the hair shaft. By brushing in opposition to the hair’s pure development route, backcombing dislodges any free hair strands or tangles that will hinder the dreadlock formation course of. Eradicating free hair permits the remaining hair to come back 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 supplies a greater grip for twisting and helps preserve the dreadlocks safe.

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

3. Twisting

Twisting is a elementary method within the technique of beginning dreadlocks with quick hair. It entails tightly twisting every part of hair from the basis to the tip, which performs an important 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 route and with even rigidity, you’ll be able to 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 quick hair. Twisting helps preserve the hair strands tightly sure 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 quick 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 method that entails utilizing a crochet hook to additional tighten and safe the dreadlocks, enjoying an important function within the technique of beginning dreadlocks with quick 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 helpful for brief hair, because it helps to create a extra compact and outlined look.
  • Safe Free Hair: Crocheting might help to safe any free hair or flyaways that will happen, particularly throughout the early levels of dreadlock formation. By catching and incorporating these free 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 route or sample, you’ll be able to create uniform, cylindrical dreadlocks or dreadlocks with a desired form or design.
  • Promote Maturing: Common crocheting helps to speed up the maturing technique 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 an integral part of beginning dreadlocks with quick hair, because it supplies a way to additional tighten, safe, form, and promote the maturing of the dreadlocks. By incorporating crocheting into your dreadlock upkeep routine, you’ll be able to 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 quick hair. Palm rolling and retwisting are two important upkeep strategies that assist to maintain dreadlocks tight, forestall unraveling, and promote general well-being.


Palm Rolling: Palm rolling entails 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 just like palm rolling however entails utilizing a crochet hook or your fingers to additional tighten and safe the dreadlocks. This method helps to stop free hair or flyaways from breaking off and retains the dreadlocks wanting neat and tidy. Retwisting must be completed each few weeks or as wanted, relying on the specified stage of tightness and the expansion charge of your hair.

Beginning dreadlocks with quick hair requires additional care and a focus to element. Common palm rolling and retwisting assist to determine 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 are extra susceptible to breakage and harm.

By incorporating common palm rolling and retwisting into your dreadlock care routine, you’ll be able to keep wholesome, well-defined dreadlocks that showcase the distinctive type and expression of this distinctive coiffure.

Steadily Requested Questions About Beginning Dreads with Quick Hair

Beginning and sustaining dreadlocks with quick hair requires particular strategies and information. Listed here are solutions to ceaselessly requested questions to supply steerage and dispel frequent misconceptions:

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

Sure, it’s attainable to start out dreadlocks with quick hair. Nonetheless, it could require extra endurance and upkeep in comparison with beginning with longer hair. By following the suitable strategies, comparable to sectioning, backcombing, twisting, and crocheting, you’ll be able to efficiently provoke dreadlock formation even with quick hair.

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

The time it takes for brief hair dreadlocks to kind varies relying on hair sort, texture, and upkeep routine. Usually, it could possibly take a number of months to a yr 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 commonly, even throughout the formation stage. Use a residue-free shampoo and keep away from harsh chemical compounds or detergents. Gently therapeutic massage the scalp and dreadlocks, taking care to not unravel them. Common washing helps take away grime, buildup, and promotes wholesome dreadlock improvement.

Query 4: How usually ought to I retwist my quick dreadlocks?

The frequency of retwisting is dependent upon the specified stage of tightness and the expansion charge of your hair. Initially, extra frequent retwisting could also be crucial, comparable to each 2-4 weeks. Because the dreadlocks mature and tighten, retwisting will be completed much less usually, usually each 4-8 weeks or as wanted.

Query 5: Can I take advantage of merchandise on my quick dreadlocks?

Use merchandise sparingly and keep away from heavy oils or waxes that may overwhelm 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 alternate options like coconut oil or shea butter.

Query 6: What are some suggestions for sustaining quick dreadlocks?

Common upkeep is essential for wholesome quick dreadlocks. Palm rolling and retwisting assist tighten and safe the dreadlocks. Keep away from extreme brushing or combing, as this could trigger breakage. Shield your dreadlocks from harsh climate situations and put on a satin bonnet or scarf at evening to cut back friction.

By following these pointers and sustaining a constant care routine, you’ll be able to efficiently begin and keep wholesome, vibrant dreadlocks with quick hair.

Transition to the following article part:

Suggestions for Beginning Dreads with Quick Hair

Embarking on the journey of beginning dreadlocks with quick hair requires endurance, dedication, and the appropriate strategies. Listed here 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 supplies 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 forestall 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 light strain 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 free 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 compounds 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: Shield from the Parts

Publicity to excessive climate situations can weaken or harm 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 harm the hair.

Tip 8: Be Affected person and Constant

Beginning dreadlocks with quick hair is a gradual course of that requires endurance 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’ll be able to obtain wholesome, vibrant dreadlocks, even with quick hair.

Transition to the conclusion:

Conclusion

Beginning dreadlocks with quick hair is a novel and rewarding endeavor that requires endurance, dedication, and the appropriate strategies. By following the rules outlined on this article, you’ll be able to 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 the usage of pure merchandise will assist your dreadlocks mature and flourish. Embrace the journey and benefit from the transformation as your quick hair evolves into a particular and expressive type.