# How does one aquire dreadlocks? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2000, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829 "2000-09-20T05:00:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2000, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/21 "2000-09-20T20:06:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blessedwolf \* > \*\*BTW: Sex Wax can be found at any surf shop (if you have those in your area), or a good hairdresser might stock some, or at least be able to order it. If not, let me know, and I’ll mail you some. \*\* Beeswax should work just as well and is more readily available. ---
**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2000, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/22 "2000-09-20T22:51:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Heath Doolin \* > \*\*We never washed our hair since we camped on the beach all the time. Most of us had problems with our hair drying out and my friends hair grew straight out from his head in long thick dreads, which made it look like he wore a wide brimmed hat. I asked him about it and he said it had to do with all the salt in his hair crusting and forming dreads. He also said he knew of a few people that would form them using some kind of mud or something but he never talked about it more. > > Why his hair did it and not anyone elses was beyond me. \*\* Which reminds me, salt water somehow helps in the formation too. On Phish tour this summer, we stopped at the Jersey beach, and that afternoon, my dreadhead friends remarked on how the salt water had done wonders for their locks, tightening them and such. I could see a significant difference after only one swim in the ocean. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/23 "2000-09-21T00:34:19Z")
Everything you could possibly want to know seems to be at [http://www.dreadheadhq.com](http://www.dreadheadhq.com). FAQs, tutorials, even a whole message board. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/24 "2000-09-21T00:36:21Z")
OK, damn vBulletin included the period in the URL :mad:. > **[How To Make Dreadlocks fast in ANY Hair Type. Dreadlocks Products.](https://dreadheadhq.com/)** > > Start growing dreadlocks! Start and maintain clean, healthy dreads fast with guaranteed methods & Dreadlocks Products. See Dreadlocks Pictures and Videos! ---
**Author:** ![mipsman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mipsman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mipsman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/25 "2000-09-21T01:01:53Z")
Considering how dreadlocks are a natural result of neglected hair, I was wondering if maybe our distant ancestors wore them. There is a famous Cro-Magnon painting from Gasulla, Castellon, Spain called the “Hunter and the Ibex”. The largest bowman is said to be wearing a headdress of tall feathers but it could be dreadlocks. ---
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/26 "2000-09-21T01:48:34Z")
I was taught how to do them differently than what it says on that website. (Note: I have never done it because people in my city don’t tend to get dreadlocks. This is just what I learned. There are many ways of doing dreads. Since I have never done it, YMMV. If you follow these instructions do so at your own risk since it involves a strong chemical. In fact, have a pro do it so he/she can analyze if it would be safe for your hair and offer alternatives if it’s not. Thank you). 1. On dry hair, section into 1/2 inch to 1 inch squares, depending on how big you want them. 2)Backcomb each strand, then twist. 3)Apply perm solution, leave on one hour. 1. Neutralize (follow instructions on bottle as to how, as each perm has it’s own instructions). 2. Rinse. Dreadlocks are there for good. They have to be cut off when you want to get rid of them. ---
**Author:** ![Tzel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tzel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzel)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2000, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829/27 "2000-09-21T05:44:28Z")
Bear in mind, any method of “making” dreadlocks will generally look inferior to naturally formed locks, although the “made” locks may, over some months, form into more natural looking locks, but that will take at least as long as starting from scratch. The only way I would recommend to instigate lock formation would be to simply mess up the hair with no particular goal in mind. Mess it up more then it ever has been before, and don’t sort it out. This will speed up the process, without making the ratty, puffy locks that result from backcombing and twisting. (Twisting also may make flaps of hair that stick out of the lock and spiral toward the tip. Think screw threads, but not nearly as tightly spaced. This does not look good.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-aquire-dreadlocks/33829.md?page=1)