Backcombing is a way of reverse combing your hair repeatedly to cause it to tangle and knot up. Also referred to as teasing or ratting, backcombing is a popular way to start dreading your hair.
Follow these steps to get dreadlocks at home with some simple tools:
Clean And Dry Your Hair
Before you dreadlock your hair, it is important for you to wash it with a residue free shampoo. It helps to remove all the dirt and grease deposits from your mane.
Use a blow dryer from all angles before you begin backcombing. You need to ensure that your hair is completely dry before beginning the dreadlocking process.
Use Clips To Section Hair
Use clips to section your hair and hold up a corner of a section horizontally, a few inches above the nape of your neck. Starting with a corner of this sectioned off hair, pick a portion of hair, about an inch wide.
Backcomb And Twist Your Hair
Backcomb the section starting from an inch below your roots and comb towards your scalp. The resulting tangle will be the foundation of your dreadlock. Keep backcombing until you move down the length of your hair, until you reach the tip.
Twist the backcombed section of hair so that it forms a cylindrical shape. Apply a small amount of dread wax to the length of the dread while twisting it. This binds together the loose strands of hair and smooths them down.
Palm Roll The Dread
Use the palm roll technique to tighten the knots, starting from the root and covering the entire dread.
Avoid following a set pattern while starting your dreads. Staggering your locks will cover your scalp and prevent it looking exposed.
Repeat this process until you have dreadlocked your entire hair.
Click here for advice on preparing for a life with dreadlocks.