As your hair starts to lock on its own, you may need to find a professional hair stylist to help shape them.

If your locks are of widely uneven size and don’t look good, you may need a professional stylist to help comb out and then backcomb your hair from scratch. Make sure that your hair is dry before you twist your locks. Your hair is more fragile when it’s wet. [3] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

As your hair starts to lock, you’ll want to wash the still-forming locks every couple of days. Keep your hair free of extra moisture by wrapping it in a bandana when it’s raining or when before you plan to exercise.

If your locks are still growing very unevenly, or are fraying after at least 3 months of palm rolling, schedule an appointment with a stylist.

If doubtful about whether you’re using a shampoo that will hurt your dreadlocking efforts, wash your hair with just regular soap and water. You can bleach or color your hair during this time if you want. [7] X Research source

Use a ponytail holder that’s translucent or an elastic cinch the same color of your hair.

Your newly unbraided hair will have more texture and allow your hair to dread easier.

Also, remember – no conditioner. Conditioner will make it more difficult to backcomb your hair.

You can dry your hair with a towel, but hair with even a small bit of moisture in it will be extremely difficult to backcomb.

To section the hair on the back of your head easily, stand in front of a wall mirror and hold a hand mirror at an angle behind you so that you can see the back of your head. This may be difficult to do on your own, especially with the hair on the back of your head. You may want to ask a friend for help.

Plastic combs are liable to break during this process so they are not recommended. [14] X Research source Secure the tip of each cluster with a rubber band. The rubber band will help the dreadlock keep its shape. [15] X Research source

Twist each cluster of hair clockwise from the root to the tip. This will ensure that your dreadlocks are all growing in the same direction and will make maintenance easier. While back-combing you can add more texture to the hair by squeezing lemon juice onto the section and letting it dry. Citrus will de-grease the hair and damage it very slightly on the outside, which will make it more textured.

Avoid rolling your locks too tightly as that can cause tension at the scalp and result in hair loss. [18] X Research source

If your hair does get wet, air dry it for about 10 minutes, then use a blow dryer to remove all moisture. Palm roll any individual locks that have started to fray.

If your hair is not locking uniformly, you can remove the rubber bands from the ones that are and keep the ones in that are not.

As your hair grows closer to the 3 in (7. 6 cm) mark, avoid the use of conditioner or other hair care products to wash your hair. Just use regular shampoo the week before you plan to twist your hair. [20] X Research source

Make sure to dry your hair thoroughly with a blow dryer before proceeding any further.

It’s difficult but not impossible to do this by yourself. Consider asking a friend to help you, or going to a salon to have it done.

Roll twists that are fraying individually every day to help them keep their shape, rather than every other day.

Protect your locks from excess moisture by using a bandana when exercising or going out on hot days. [23] X Research source

By this time, you should have long, beautiful dreadlocks. But don’t stop maintaining them by palm rolling and washing them.

Find someone professionally licensed as a hair stylist. While an unlicensed friend or relative may offer you a good rate, you’ll likely have more legal and financial recourse in case of a screw-up if you use a licensed professional.

There’ll be a lot of sitting and waiting so bring something along to keep yourself entertained or busy. A fully charged cellphone may do the trick.

Avoid deep massages of your hair. Lather gently with shampoo and rinse instead.

Use this method more frequently on individual locks that are not developing as uniformly as the others. You may need to roll these every day, until they resemble your other locks.

Remember to tell your stylist up front that you want to develop your dreadlocks naturally, without product.