Dreadlock Education

Backcombing

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We do not generally recommend backcombing. Many people use this technique as it is the easiest, most easily learned technique. However, we feel other methods (Rip & Twist) are much better. Backcombing involves the use of a dread comb, as mentioned earlier, to arrange the hair perpendicularly along a central strand of hair (see diagram at left). However, because of this arrangement, over time (like everything else on our planet) it is affected by gravity and the ‘knots’ can, and often do, begin to migrate downwards. This leads to loose, undreaded hair in the middle of a dreadlock or the entire unraveling of a dreadlock altogether. The use of rubber bands can help prevent total unraveling, but not the development

Triangle Pattern

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trianglesectioning

THE TRIANGLE PATTERN The triangle pattern  generally gives better scalp coverage than the grid pattern and the brick-lay pattern, but a bit less coverage than the fan pattern. The long/bottom edge of each triangle lines up with an inverted triangle in the row above/below. However, any straight line in sectioning with create less organic-looking results. … Read more

Fan Pattern

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FAN PATTERN  The fan pattern is, in our opinion, the best in that it allows for the least operator error. Due to the way each subsequent row falls between the one beneath it like fish scales makes for a highly regular pattern that is easy to work with and, even better, makes for the best … Read more

Brick Lay Pattern

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BRICK-LAY PATTERN  The brick-lay pattern, as far scalp coverage is concern, takes a huge leap ahead of the grid pattern. In this pattern the square sections are staggered, like the bricks in a brick wall (thus the name) so that the dreadlocks in each subsequent row fall between the row beneath them. However, I have … Read more

Grid Pattern*

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GRID PATTERN* Grid sectioning, despite being the pattern shown on one of the more popular dreadlock sites on the web, is generally speaking NOT the best choice. Although this method does allow for easy maintenance, the aesthetic result of this pattern is usually very undesirable. With each row and column stacked like a grid, the … Read more

Dreadlocks Removal

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One of the most common misconceptions about dreadlocks is that once you get them the only possible way to remove them is to entirely shave your head. Although shaving one’s head certainly is ONE option combing out dreadlocks is always possible as well.

Needle & Thread

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Using a needle and thread to maintain your dreadlocks is very similar in theory to the way a latch hook is used to maintain dreadlocks. However, unlike the latch hook where you are often utlizing the long metal shaft of the tool to pull the loose hair down through the length of the lock, the … Read more

Threading*

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Cotton, being an organic material, WILL rot over time and can cause mold growth. However, when a string is tied tightly around the dreadlock, it can cause weak spots in the dreadlock from holding the lock too tightly. Additionally, the string often “chokes” the dreadlocks causing the dreadlock above the string the hold excess moisture where it cannot as easily wick down the lock and out the end to dry properly after washing/getting wet. (See photo below for example.) For these reasons, we do NOT recommend threading and far prefer rubber bands in a situation where a client wants something placed at their roots to encourage locking.