How to Start Dreads with Short Hair — A Complete Guide for All

Starting dreads with short hair is a journey many choose to express their individuality and embrace a hairstyle full of history and culture. Whether your hair is naturally short or you’re starting fresh with a new cut, beginning the dreadlocking process can seem daunting. However, with the right approach and care, anyone can start their dreadlock journey successfully, regardless of hair length.

Dreadlocks, often simply called dreads, are rope-like clumps of hair formed by braiding or matting the hair. This style has been worn for centuries by people from various cultures across the globe and is embraced today by individuals seeking a low-maintenance, natural hairstyle that reflects personal and cultural identity.

Preparing Your Short Hair for Dreads

Before you start dreading your short hair, it’s essential to prepare it properly to ensure the best results. Here’s how:

Wash Your Hair: Start with clean, dry hair. Avoid using conditioners or any products that leave residue, as these can prevent the hair from locking.
Choose the Right Method: Various methods can be used to start dreads with short hair, including backcombing, twist and rip, and using a crochet hook. The method you choose will depend on your hair type and personal preference.
Section Your Hair: Part your hair into square or triangular sections, depending on the desired look of your dreads. The size of these sections will determine the thickness of your dreads. For short hair, keeping sections smaller can help manage the dreads more easily.
Maintain Patience: Short hair may take time to lock firmly. Regular maintenance, including palm rolling and occasional retwisting, can help encourage the locking process.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into specific tips and techniques for starting dreads with short hair, tailored to both males and females, those with short curly hair, and individuals with mixed hair types. Each segment is designed to address unique considerations and provide guidance for achieving healthy, aesthetically pleasing dreads from the start, regardless of your hair’s current length or type.

How to Start Dreads with Short Hair for Males

If you’re a guy ready to dive into the world of dreads with shorter hair, there’s a cool and simple roadmap to follow that leads to awesome locks. Let’s break down the journey:

Easy Steps to Launch Your Dread Adventure:

Pick Your Dread-Starting Technique: The backcombing method or the twist and rip technique are top picks for guys with short hair. These are fantastic for setting up the initial mats that will grow into mature dreads.
Section Off Your Hair: Grab a comb and part your hair into even sections. The thickness of these parts will decide the final thickness of your dreads. Opt for smaller sections since you’re starting with short hair.
Begin the Process: If you’re backcombing, comb towards the scalp to tangle your hair. With twist and rip, you twist a section and then gently pull the ends apart, creating knots. Do this all over your head.
Maintain the Look: Use your palms to roll each dread. This helps in knotting and firming them up.
Stay Patient: Remember, getting dreads to fully form from short hair is a waiting game. Allow your hair the time it needs to naturally lock.
Careful Washing: When washing your hair, use a shampoo that doesn’t leave residue, and be gentle to keep the forming dreads from unraveling.

Embarking on the dread journey as a guy with short hair is about embracing a change that’s both stylish and practical. It’s a statement of individuality and a step towards a distinctive, low-upkeep hairstyle.

Next, we’ll dive into how ladies can start rocking dreads with short hair, along with tips for managing short dreads, dealing with short curly hair, and achieving beautiful locks with mixed hair types. This guide is designed to provide the insights you need to begin and nurture your dreads, ensuring they thrive no matter your hair’s starting point.

How to Start Dreads with Short Hair for Females

For women considering dreads with short hair, the process is a creative expression of personal style and freedom. Here’s a simplified guide tailored for females ready to embrace dreads, even with shorter locks.

Simple Steps to Embrace Dreads:

Deciding on a Method: Backcombing and twist and rip are popular for creating initial locks in short hair. They lay a solid foundation for your dreads to develop.
Sectioning Your Hair: Use a comb to part your hair into uniform sections. The size of these sections determines how thick your dreads will be. Smaller sections work well for shorter hair, making the dreads easier to form and manage.
Creating the Dreads: Start backcombing or twisting and ripping according to the chosen method. These techniques create the initial knots that will evolve into mature dreads.
Routine Maintenance: Palm rolling is crucial for keeping your dreads neat and encouraging them to lock. This involves rolling the dreads between your palms regularly.
Patience is Key: Dreads take time to form, especially from short hair. Giving your hair the time to naturally lock and mature is essential for healthy dreads.
Gentle Washing: Opt for a residue-free shampoo for washing your dreads. Be gentle to avoid unraveling the knots you’ve worked hard to create.

Starting dreads as a female with short hair is a bold step towards a distinctive, low-maintenance hairstyle that’s full of character. Whether you’re looking for a temporary change or a long-term commitment, dreads offer a versatile and stylish option.

As we move forward, we’ll explore how to handle short dreads, cater to short curly hair, and achieve stunning dreads with mixed hair types. Each section of this guide aims to empower you with the knowledge and techniques to start and maintain vibrant, healthy dreads from the outset, regardless of your hair type or length.

How to Do Short Dreads

Short dreads are a stylish and manageable way to dive into the dreadlock lifestyle without the need for long hair from the start. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle change or laying the foundation for longer locks in the future, here’s how to get started with short dreads:

Steps to Achieve Short Dreads:

Choose Your Method Wisely: For shorter hair, consider methods like backcombing, twist and rip, or sponge rubbing (especially for very short, curly hair). These methods can effectively create initial locks that will tighten over time.
Section Your Hair Thoughtfully: Even with short hair, the way you section it matters. Aim for smaller, even sections to ensure your dreads form uniformly. The section size dictates the eventual thickness of each dread.
Forming the Dreads: Using your chosen method, begin to form the dreads. Be gentle but firm to encourage knotting without causing scalp discomfort or hair damage.
Maintaining Your New Dreads: Palm rolling is an excellent way to maintain the shape and encourage maturing of your dreads. Do this regularly, especially after washing your hair.
Patience with the Process: Short dreads will evolve and mature over time. Be patient and allow them to naturally develop into fuller, tighter locks.
Washing With Care: Clean your dreads with a residue-free shampoo to maintain scalp health without loosening the dreads. Aim for minimal manipulation to keep the fledgling dreads intact.

Starting dreads with short hair sets the stage for a journey of hair growth and personal style evolution. Short dreads offer a unique look while providing a foundation for longer dreads if desired.

Next, we’ll cover how to navigate the process with short curly hair, ensuring those with natural curls can also achieve beautiful, healthy dreads. From choosing the right method to daily care, each step is designed to guide you through creating and enjoying your short dreads to their fullest.

How to Get Dreads with Short Curly Hair

Short curly hair offers a great foundation for starting dreads, thanks to its natural texture and volume. Here’s how you can turn those curls into neat dreads, embracing every twist and turn along the way:

Steps for Curly Hair Dreads:

Pick the Right Method: For curly hair, the twist and rip method, sponge or towel rubbing, and backcombing are all effective. These techniques complement the natural curl pattern, encouraging the formation of dreads.
Prepare Your Hair: Wash your hair without conditioner to avoid slipperiness. Curly hair benefits from being a little “grippy” when starting dreads.
Sectioning for Success: Even with curls, sectioning is crucial. Use your fingers or a comb to create small, even sections. The natural curls mean sections might not be perfectly square, but that’s okay—dreads thrive on a bit of irregularity.
Twisting into Dreads: Begin twisting your sections, using the natural curl as a guide. For tighter curls, the sponge or towel method can help coax the hair into forming dreads, using circular motions over the scalp.
Regular Maintenance: Curly hair dreads may form faster but require regular maintenance. Palm rolling helps, especially after washing, to keep the dreads tight and neat.
Patience and Care: Allowing your dreads to mature at their own pace is key. With curly hair, this process can be fascinating to watch as the dreads tighten and form.
Gentle Washing Routine: Use a residue-free shampoo and try not to disturb the dreads too much during washing. This keeps them intact and encourages locking.

Turning short curly hair into dreads is a rewarding process that leverages your natural hair texture. Whether you’re looking for a drastic change or a new way to style your curls, dreads offer a unique, low-maintenance option that’s full of personality.

Next, we’ll explore starting dreads with mixed hair, providing tips and insights for those with a combination of textures to achieve beautiful, well-formed dreads. Each hair type offers its own journey, and understanding how to work with your unique texture is the key to dreadlock success.

How to Start Dreads with Mixed Hair

Starting dreads with mixed hair, where you may have multiple textures intermingling, can seem complex but is entirely achievable with the right approach. Mixed hair offers a unique canvas for dreads, blending different textures into a cohesive style. Here’s how to navigate this diverse hair type on your dread journey:

Tailoring Your Approach:

Assess Your Hair Texture: Mixed hair can vary widely across your scalp. Identify the areas with tighter curls versus looser waves or straight sections to tailor your dread-making approach accordingly.
Choosing a Method: For tighter textures, methods like twist and rip or sponge rubbing might work best. Looser textures may benefit from backcombing to encourage matting. You might find using different methods on different sections of your hair works best.
Sectioning With Care: When sectioning mixed hair, consider the final look you desire. Uniform sections might be challenging with varying textures, so aim for sections that feel natural and manageable across your scalp.
Forming the Dreads: Work with your hair’s natural texture. Twisting can be beneficial for curlier areas, while backcombing might help straighter sections to lock. Be patient and adjust your technique as needed.
Maintaining Your Mixed Texture Dreads: Regular maintenance is key. Palm rolling helps to encourage dread formation and maintain neatness. You might find some sections lock faster than others; this is normal and part of the unique journey with mixed hair.
Washing and Care: Use a gentle, residue-free shampoo and try to minimize manipulation of your dreads during washing to preserve their form, especially in the early stages.

Embracing the Process:

Starting dreads with mixed hair embraces the natural beauty and variety of your hair texture. It’s a process that highlights the unique blend of your hair, resulting in dreads that are truly one-of-a-kind.

By understanding and working with the diverse textures of your mixed hair, you can achieve beautiful dreads that reflect your individuality and style. This journey, while it may require a bit of patience and customization, leads to a rewarding and distinctive dreadlock look that celebrates the natural diversity of your hair.

This guide has walked you through starting dreads with various hair types and lengths, offering tailored advice for each scenario to ensure successful and healthy dread formation. Whether you’re beginning with short, curly, or mixed hair, the journey to dreads is a personal and transformative experience that combines care, patience, and creativity.