Backcombing is the single most important step in making dreadlocks. But before you start it, you need to ensure that your hair is prepared for it. Before backcombing, you can start with a hair wash with a reside-free shampoo to eliminate any build-up. Let the hair dry naturally and section them thereafter. Make sure that your hair do not have any residue still left in them, else they may slip out from the knots during backcombing.

Once your hair is completely dry, you can make sections and lock them together with a rubber band. Sections can be anywhere from .5″ to 2″, depending on the size you want your dreads to be. Now, comes the turn for backcombing. It is helpful to make dreads in the initial 2-3 weeks and should be discontinued later. This is because backcombing if done during the time when your dreadlocks have started forming, it will only disentangle the dreads and nullify all your efforts.

It is advisable to use a metal comb and then start combing around an inch near the scalp. Keep on combing in this way, repeatedly. Gradually, hair would start to collect near the roots. Also, roll the hair for some time in your fingers. Now, continue with backcombing and start working from the scalp towards the end.

Finally, as you get to the ends, hold all dreadlocks one after another with rubber bands. These rubber bands allow the dreads to remain tight from their base. However, you can remove them later once your dreads become mature enough to stay intact without them.

Nonetheless, the next step of waxing also plays a crucial role in binding strands of hair into dreadlocks. But the base provided by a good backcombing and rubber bands cannot be ignored.

Dreadlocks have become a coveted hair style among the mainstream culture. It is a craze among people of different cultures, races and creeds. This has reinvigorated the interest of people in the ways they can make dreadlocks and maintain them further, without the help of a stylist. Making dreadlocks isn’t a Herculean task and anyone can do it if they follow the given steps:

1. Dreadlocks can easily be made on kinky or curly hair. However, if yours is a wavy, thin or straight hair, home perm with thin rods would be a good idea. This gives the required texture to your hair.

2. When you plan for making dreadlocks, it is imperative to stop the use of conditioner at least a week before you start the process.

3. Now, the next step is to wash your hair with a residue-free shampoo. Another alternative is to amalgamate one quart of water with one tablespoon vinegar. Rinse hair gently with this solution on the day you will make your dreadlocks. This would eliminate any buildup or residue that may hinder the process.

4. Let the hair dry and start sectioning it into squares of 1 to 1 from the roots and twist them tightly. Put the rubber bands on these sections and concentrate on one section at a time.

5. Backcomb the twisted hair sections. Begin from the root, move towards the end and then back towards the scalp.

6. Further, add beeswax or styling wax that is used for making dreadlocks to every section and re-twist them. This would help the locks to stay in the twisted form.

7. Put rubber bands at the end of every dread. This gives rounded ends to your dreads.

Complete these steps over the entire head and work upon twisting, combing and waxing your hair whenever you find time. It may be while watching TV or listening to music. Nonetheless, make sure you seek help from your friends when you try making dreadlocks for the first time.

I want to first start by saying thank you to all who visit. This site will become the biggest dreadlock online community one day. I am going to tell you everything from how to create your locks to how to chop them off and everything in between. So if you’re thinking about getting a new pair of dreadlocks then bookmark this page (ctrl+d) and get ready!