How Dreadlocks are Created

Creating dreadlocks is not a quick process. Done well, it’s methodical, considered, and deeply attentive to the individual hair in front of you. Here’s what the process actually looks like.

The Consultation

Every creation appointment begins with a conversation. We talk about your vision, your hair type, your lifestyle, and how you want to wear your dreads day to day. Do you want them all over, or just in a section? Fine and numerous, or thicker and fewer? Do you tuck them up often, or wear them loose?

These decisions shape everything that follows - section size, placement, the number of dreads we create. Getting this right at the start matters because the sections you create on day one are the foundation for everything the dreads become over time.

Sectioning

Before a single dread is formed, the whole head - or the area being dreaded - is sectioned. This takes time and care. Clean, well-placed sections are what determine how the finished dreads sit, how they grow, and how they behave as they mature. It’s not the most glamorous part of the process but it’s one of the most important.

Dread by Dread

From there it’s methodical work - backcomb, felt, stitch, palm roll - repeated dread by dread through each section. I work row by row, typically starting at the nape and moving upward. Each dread gets individual attention. The goal at this stage is not a perfect finished dread - it’s a well-structured foundation that the hair can continue to develop from.

How Long Does it Take

A full head install is a significant time commitment - realistically a full day, somewhere between six and ten hours depending on hair length, thickness, and the number of dreads being created. Partial installs, like a nape section or a few face-framing dreads, are considerably shorter - two to four hours, sometimes across two sessions.

I have a proper salon chair and encourage clients to bring snacks, water, headphones, a book - whatever helps you settle in for a long sit.

What to Expect Immediately After

New dreads don’t look finished the moment they’re formed. Immediately after your appointment they’ll likely look a little fluffy, uneven, and softer than you might expect. This is completely normal and part of the process rather than a sign something has gone wrong.

Over the following weeks and months, the dreads tighten, consolidate, and begin to develop their own character. Organic dreads in particular take time to fully mature - and that maturation is part of what makes them beautiful.

Practical Requirements

For dreads to form effectively, hair needs to be at least 15-20cm long - longer gives more to work with and more security in the early stages.

On the day of your appointment, hair must be completely clean and dry, free of conditioner and heavy product buildup. I ask clients to do a clarifying wash beforehand and to avoid conditioner in the weeks leading up to the appointment. Fine or silky hair may benefit from a salt spray treatment the night before to add grip.

Dreads can be created on most hair types, though the approach varies depending on texture, thickness and behaviour. I always assess the individual’s hair before we begin - no two heads are the same.

If you’re considering dreadlock creation and would like to discuss whether it’s right for your hair, I offer dreadlock services from my garden studio in Coomba Park on the NSW Mid North Coast.