How to Grow Dreadlocks Naturally in Just 10 Easy Steps

Before embarking on the journey of creating deadlocks, it’s essential to begin with a clean slate.

Clean hair provides the ideal foundation for the locking process and helps ensure that the locs form properly over time. Here’s a detailed explanation:

• Why Clean Hair Is Essential

Dreadlocks are created by twisting individual strands of hair rubbing against each other to form a mass that can only be undone by cutting.

This natural matting tends to be impaired if the hair contains any oils, dirt, or residue of the products applied thereto.

Residue in particular is rather a challenge to hair strands and thus hampers its ability to lock due to formation of a sort of barrier.

• Using A Residue-Free Shampoo

When styling your hair it is advisable that the hair is clean, and you achieve this through washing the hair using a non-residue shampoo.

These shampoos cleanse thoroughly, ensuring the hair is primed for locking.

• Skip The Conditioner

It is normally applied to the hair so as to serve as a moisturizer and can also be used to disentangle hair that is usually tangled.

However, when starting dreadlocks, this effect is counterproductive toward the locking process.

Conditioners can make the hair too slippery meaning the strands will not entangle or knot to form mats.

Failure to use conditioner means that the hair is tight enough to promote the start of the lice formation.

To encourage the natural formation of dreadlocks, it’s crucial to let your hair grow and tangle freely without the interference of combing or brushing.

This step is foundation in the locking process, as it allows your hair to naturally mat and knot together.

• Why Skipping The Comb Is Important

Combing or brushing detangles the hair, which is the opposite of what’s needed to create locs.

By avoiding these tools, you allow your hair to retain its texture and develop the knots required for the locking process.

The more the hair tangles, the closer you get to achieving natural dreadlocks.

• Separating Hair With Fingers

While you should avoid combing, it’s still necessary to guide the process by sectioning your hair with your fingers.

This prevents your hair from forming into a single large mat, which can be difficult to manage or style later.

Using your fingers to separate the hair sections helps control the size and placement of the locs, ensuring a more uniform and intentional look.

The size and arrangement of the sections determine the thickness and uniformity of your locs, giving you control over the final result.

Choosing The Right Section Size

The size of each section directly impacts the appearance and manageability of your dreadlocks:

Smaller Sections: These result in thinner locs, offering a sleek and intricate look. Thin locs take longer to form and may require more maintenance to keep them uniform.

Larger Section: These create thicker locs, giving a bold and prominent look. Thicker locs are quicker to form but may take longer to dry after washing.

How To Divide Your Hair

Decide On A Pattern: Choose a grid or freeform pattern to section your hair. A grid pattern ensures neat, even locs, while freeform offers a more natural and organic appearance.

Use A Comb Or Fingers: Part your hair carefully into sections, ensuring each one is clearly defined. Use a comb for precision or your fingers for a more relaxed look.

Secure Each Section: Use rubber bands or clips to hold each section in place temporarily. This helps keep the parts organized and prevents hair from merging with neighboring sections during the locking process. 

Once your hair is sectioned, the next step is to select a method to form your dreadlocks.

There are several approaches to suit different hair types, preferences, and levels of involvement. Here’s a breakdown of popular methods to help you decide:

Twist And Rip

Take a section of hair, twist it lightly, and then pull the hair apart in opposite directions. Repeat the process along the length of the section to create knots.

Backcombing

Hold a section of hair taut and use a fine-tooth comb to comb it backward toward the scalp. This creates tangles that form the foundation of the loc.

Freeform

Allow your hair to grow and lock naturally without manipulation. Wash it regularly and avoid combing or separating beyond the initial sectioning.

• How To Choose The Right Method

Certain methods work better depending on your hair’s natural texture. For instance, freeform works well for curly hair, while backcombing suits straighter hair.

Some methods also depend on time commitment, like freeform, take longer but require less maintenance, while others offer faster results with more initial effort.

With your hair sectioned and a method selected, it's time to start forming your dreadlocks.

This step requires focus, care, and patience, as the locking process can be time-intensive, especially for longer or finer hair.

Focus on completing one section fully before moving to the next. This ensures consistency and helps you maintain a clear structure for your locs.

However, avoid excessive pulling or tugging, as this can lead to hair breakage or scalp discomfort. Keep in mind that the process should feel firm but not painful.

If you’re learning how to make your dreads grow, one of the most basic foundational tips for dreadlocks hair growth is to keep the scalp clean.

A healthy nourished scalp brings about hair production, helps prevent odors, and prevents simple problems like itching hair or dandruff. Here’s how to care for your scalp effectively: 

• Wash Regularly, But Not Excessively: In the beginning, try to wash your scalp once in one to two weeks.

Cleansing it too often may ruin the locs or cause absence of hair on the head while cleansing it too little may cause a diseased scalp.

• Gentle Cleansing: Gently rub with the pads of your fingers to clean your scalp without ripping the locs with the brush or irritating your scalp while washing the hair with shampoo.

• Drying Is Key: Pat your locs dry with a towel then you let them dry naturally or blow dry, ensuring you keep the heat low.

Palm rolling is a simple yet effective technique for maintaining the shape of your dreadlocks and encouraging them to tighten, especially in the early stages.

Incorporating this step after washing helps improve the uniformity and structure of your locs.

• Why Palm Rolling Is Important

Rolling each locs smooths frizz and reinforces its cylindrical structure. The pressure applied during palm rolling helps compact loose strands, speeding up the locking process.

Also, doing it regularly prevents locs from becoming flat or misshapen during their initial formation.

• How To Palm Roll

Ensure your dreadlocks are damp but not soaking wet after washing. Work on one dreadlock at the time.

Position the locs between your hands, with your palms flat against it.

Apply gentle pressure and roll the locs back and forth between your  palms, moving from the root to the tip.

Perform this process on each loc, ensuring consistency in motion and pressure.

Wondering how long does it take to grow dreads? The answer is simple: patience. Patience is one of the most important elements of growing and maintaining dreadlocks.

The locking process is gradual, and it can take time for your hair to mature into locs you envision.

Here’s how to embrace the journey and stay positive during the waiting period:

• Understanding The Timeline

Dreadlocks are not however made within one day. The hair grows depending on its type and in some instances, it may take approximately 6 months to 2 years to fully mature.

The length of your hair and the texture you embrace influence the formation period of the locs.

Curly and coily hair tends to lock faster than straight hair, while longer hair may take more time to compact and mature.

• The Stages Of Locking Process

Baby Locks ( 0-6 Months): This stage is often  the most challenging, as the locs may look messy, frizzy, and unruly.

Teenage Locks (6-12 Months): Your locs may begin to show more defined shapes, but they might still be soft and loose in places. Expect some shrinkage, which is a normal part of the process.

Mature Locks ( 1-2 Years): Locs begin to solidify and tighten, reaching their full size and shape. They will become more uniform and will require less maintenance as they mature.

Here's how to grow dreadlocks in top condition:

• Separate The Roots

As your dreadlocks grow, they may start to marge at the roots, especially if they’re left undivided for too long.

Regularly separate the roots using your fingers or a comb to keep loc distinct and separate from the others.

• Trim Loose Hairs

Throughout the life of your locs, loose hairs may escape or stick out from the locs.

Trim these stray hairs to maintain a neat and polished look.Do not cut too frequently, just allow the locs to grow as they are supposed to do.

• Moisturize Your Scalp

Healthy scalp is equivalent to healthy hair; besides that, it helps overcome itching or scaling of the scalp.

When massaging your scalp you should use light oil like the jojoba oil, coconut oil, or tea tree oil.

• Avoid Heavy Waxes And Products

Silky, creamy or gel waxy build ups result in unhealthy locs which are sticky, dirty and a congested scalp area.

Such products can also entice debris to stick on them making it difficult for your locs to grow to maturity.

Satin and silk materials help reduce friction while you sleep, preventing the hair from rubbing against your pillowcase and causing frizz or flyways.

These smooth fabrics help locs maintain their shape and keep them from becoming tangled or matted.

Excessive handling or pulling at your locs can lead to breakage, especially at the roots. Be gentle when styling or adjusting your locs, and avoid unnecessary tugging. 

Dreadlocks are not a mere fashion or style, they are a process that is all about time, effort and commitment.

Of course, it’s essential to remember that the process involves several stages, each as important as the final look and deserving the same level of care, attention, and confidence.

Start your dreadlock journey today - there’s no perfect time to embrace your true self.