10.19
Q. Is it true that if I make smaller, skinnier dreads now, that they will grow together into bigger ones in the future?
A. Yep, they’ll definitely thicken up. See, all those hairs that swirl around in gross clumps in the tub after your shower will still be falling out of your head every day, BUT they’re just staying in the dreads. Therefore, after a few months or so, you’ll notice that they are starting to get thicker, and this is the reason why.
If you prefer thin dreads, start thin and they won’t get huge or anything, just a bit fatter. You can ALWAYS cut them down the middle if they get too fat.
But don’t start too thin! Hair is always breaking and retangling and regrowing, and you don’t want your dreads to be so thin that they start breaking off, eek!
Just use your judgment; one finger wide is usually a good guide.
this sounds really rediculous to me as do a number of other things with this FAQ section…. as a person with dreads for the last 5yrs I can tell you that your dreads do not “thicken” over time. I also know a lot of people who have had dreads for longer who cannot attest to your locks thickining over time. If anything your locks become smaller or shrink from getting tighter and old or “decompressed” due to styling. when new locks start “budding” they usually look puffy and thick but as they mature you will find that they don’t look as thick as they once did!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
14 
5
dreadlocks do get tighter and your hair in a sense gets shorter and shorter than it normally would be….the growth slows down…you gotta have a lot of patience…BUT…dreads can grow into others and some start to grab up other dreads all in one section….think of tree branches as they all come into the main central log…i have ONE dread like that which sprouts into about 14 different sections…ive had my locks for about 9 and a half years and i can say that with a lot of tam use…your dreads do grow together…also if you do decide to let them thicken out…the growth i believe seems to slow down EVEN more…which is why i find i see longer dreads being thinner and extremely thick dreads taking much longer to grow…if you dont believe me…check out some REALLY close-up, detailed images of bob marley….thats true natty-style…the ital way…like a tree growing by the river of water in zion…bless up.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
yea this information sounds a bit untrue…. from my personal experience my dreadlocks started off at a normal average size then became puffy…….but after a while as they grow they usually become thinner in size i have seen this with many persons
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
Hey all…i will testify to size & thickness…i started loc journey 8/22/09…loctician chose to start my locks thick (hair 4-6 inches long & soft )…he says no to small..so i left salon…lookin like a crow flew in my head & picked out my hair…so much space & my scalp was grinning…so i started to experimenting making the size smaller..OMG..omg…after 2 weeks…i started noticing the hair puffed up & no scalp grinning…wow so small is better for me & noticed also my hair is locking from the ends & the root is puffy as hair grows…am loving what i see…NOW I will retwist my hair & shampoo it my self…
Am from the island (JA) no such thing as cultured locs..look at Bob Marley, Buju Banton & many others!!!!!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
4 
0
I grew my thin dreads naturally (No wax/perm/backcombing/etc) from a practically shaven head, and they’re down to my mid-back now. I can verify through my own experiences that they don’t really “grow” or thicken on their own as much as assimilate other dreads as the others said. As for breakage, that’s a tricky one. I had a few really thin ones, and toward the end of them the hair thinned and it looked like they were barely hanging on, sorta like when you cut partway through a rope. Even then, they didn’t break on their own, I had to rip them off with quite a bit of force because they looked bad. I wouldn’t worry TOO much about breakage.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I have been grwoing locks for nearly 9 years ( yay!) and They do not necessarily “thicken”. They may become slightly thicker but genereally maintain the average size you began with. Additionally, “thickness” may depend on how twist them initially. I started out with small but not skinny and wish ID started out with middle finger size or larger. To remedy this, I have combined smaller ones at the root.
I have also combined three to make one big one. These do not lock together, but a new size is created from the root.
Breakeae is normal, but should be minimal and mostly at the ends ( which are more exposed to wind and air, the least oiled and the part of the hair that takes the most punishment. ( as with everyones hair)I remove breakage by pulling, then twisting ends.
I went to a “loctician” to start mines but, that is totally unnecesary. There is no real science to locking. I started my daughters with two twists strands, bi-weekly washing ( with a stocking cap to minimize disturbing the lock process)and twist the roots with a lock creme. Hers look better than mines. Rastsa have done it for ages. Although locks are Now fashion, they were once testament to man’s commitment to God, rejection of institution and a sign of rebellion. It is only recently that locks were viewed with the purpose of beauty and fashion being the goal.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
5 
0
I think that the size of ones dreads really fluctuates over time. When you start they are of course puffy and young, but then when they actually lock-up they go down in size a bit, and then over a long period of time they do start to get a little bigger because the hair that would fall out usually, dosnt. So yeah they might get bigger then smaller then maybe a bit bigger again, but it all balances out. =]
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I just wanted to say thank u ‘to eveyone that posted on this page I just started my locks)(wait let me say that I am from Oklahoma City I was worried about the response that I would get but be be able to come and see us taking r heritage back) and I just got the balls to grow lock I have always wanted them 1month into It I can come learn how to ltake of then and what to do and what not to by u nice people I just wanted to say thank u!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I hope we all pay just as much, if not more attention to the consciousness of our thoughts and actions as we do the looks of our locks. Hair is hair and locks are locks. There is something much more to be gained from our experience, than just a cool hairstyle and praises from the masses. Just some food for thought and I hope you all are hungry. Big up to each and everyone who has embarked on their own spiritual journey with or without the help of dreadlocks. Blessings and praise to one and all.
As for the topic of locks thickening, we should remember everyone’s hair and paths are different. It has been my experience that my locks grow together when left to do their own thing, which is how I came to lock up in the first place.
One love
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
my locks are sexy…kma
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
i started my locks about four months ago.i have naturally curly, fine hair so it was easier to form smaller locks than big ones-they wouldn’t stay twisted. i used the twist & palm roll method. Towards the roots it is very thin& the rest of the lock is alot fatter. why is dat? will this change, and what should I do? help! im scared that they may break.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Hey.. I have the same kind of hair you have. I started my locs about a month ago and started them thin aswell.. due to thick ones making me look like Predator!!lol!I am constantly doing research trying to figure out if they will loc properly or if I should start from scratch again. I would like to be in touch with you and maybe even exchange info we both get! Hope to hear from you soon!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I just started locking and have 90 locs I am so paranoid they are too big. Any advise.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Hi. My crown is 10 years strong and aboit the size of a ladies little finger. For me care is easy.If you ever have any questions or need any advice feel free to check me on skype (Virgin Islander).
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
That would be great Sarah! My beautician sewed in some of my loops and lumps with needle and thread so they look alot better. i have joined some of them at the root to prevent them from breaking…. the only thing that is bothering me now is the unkept look of them…the puffiness at the root that just wont seem to go away..i used gel-it just makes it curlier. lock creams won’t hold and wax isnt really good to use so I am clueless when it comes to what to do… don’t cut them off. keep trying. what are the problems you are having?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
faith- about how big are they?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
(G-SHINE) 001
Just started my dreds out real skinny few days ago.. tryin to figure out how there goin to look over time?. there bout the size of micro braids
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
you cannever have to big a locks. Mine are 4 years old and they are bigger than the average persons but i get comments on them daily. no worries.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Don’t think it would be best to have em that small unless the are sista locks. I started mine real small and had to join dem due to my hair texture.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
my dreads are skinny and they seem to look real stiff at times any suggestions
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
2 inches by 2 inches 9s the size i reccoment
also
dread locks do thicken
think about it guys
without dreads you lose 100 strands of hair a day or somethin, its natural
with dreads youre not losing much the hair that would naturally fall out will be stuck in each lock
bam.
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
I’ve had my locks for 1 1/2 years now. Started from bald and made thin locks (did it myself, twist/natural method). I’m noticing that the locks are starting to wed at the root, especially the back of my head where I’m not as attentive so I’d have to say yes they can get “thicker” by blending together at the root.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m starting dreads tomorrow ! Hopefully lol I decided to do it cuz I have braids but for 2 years nd oncce my hair stated getting noticibly long theyy started falling out like crazy! Wish me luck , I’m open to any advice
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
How do you make your locks smaller if they are already locked……they started out big, now I want smaller ones. PLEASE HELPPPP!
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
Greeting, I have started my locks my hair from twisting (six weeks in) when I wash my hair it’s curly and tight after a few days it’s more wavy and my twist loosen. When I try re-twisting the roots with wax they just unravel. My hair is not really course but I thought the locking stage would have kicked in by now. I am covering my hair at night, using gel, now advanced to wax,
When I am on the train going to work or reading book at home I am twirling sections but they won’t settle. I am now tempted to get help, but I want my hair to accept my hand.
Help please
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
started my dreading journey last tuesdays did it myself backcombing method. Im having problems with the back of my head when i sleep on my dreads they all undo themselves and i find myself having to redo the back ones every 2 days. Any advice.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Try the interlocking method, if your hair doesn’t stay twisted. Also, I believe that locs do thicken. Mine were SUPER skinny when I started them. Now, 13 months later, they have formed into a nice size. Check out my journey over the past year on Youtube. Nappygurl1979.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Also, Andrea, It took my hair 3 months to start locking and my hair is far from wavy or curly. It’s nappy! It can take up to a year for some textures to fully lock. Be patient or you won’t make it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
3
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
0 
5
here is a tip for all yall new knotties start off thin and double dem up 2 dey feel good to you cus your dreads are a part of you dont try to copy anyone esle my oldest brother started with 135 now he’s down to 8 i myself started with 80 and i wanna get to 4 knotty dade county dreads oh and another thing dont twist dem to much cus you will pop dem like dat
Like or Dislike:
3 
0
I have really thin hair. Would it be healthy to get locks or do you think they will break off the rest of my hair?
Thanks
Like or Dislike:
0 
0