Week 1: the Dreadful Dreads of Beauty

I titled this “dreadful” because the method to which I had my dreads created was the most painful I have ever sat through....for almost 6 hours straight!!!! I opted for the backcombing method with some twist and rips here and there. I have 9 tattoos and all of those combined didn’t hurt as much as backcombing! BUT, that was what I wanted. I was blessed by three incredible people in my life; Kelly, a fellow dready, college bound student  who is learning ASL, Lisa, a friend whom I will always cherish, from my former place of employment and my best friend in the world, Jennifer. Each of them help give birth to a dream I have secretly yearned for, well, for most of my life.  Now for the the nitty gritty details... 

Using a “lice” comb (stronger than a regular comb) each sectioned hair (about the diameter of a quarter) was backcombed, starting at the base of my neck area. Trust me, it HURTS! 

Kelly, a dready since a year and a half kick started it all. I trusted her because she went through the same damn thing. My hair is crazy thick so the backcombed dreads looked ridiculously fat and sponge-like. Mind you, they will eventually lock up a little more and calm down a bit ( I looked like Sideshow Bob when it was finished). I lost about 20% of my hair length but that didn’t bother me much. As much as I treasured having long hair, it is surprisingly refreshing to be able to sit back in a chair and not worry about tossing my ponytail to the side or have it wedged into a crack of a set and ripping hair out. It is shoulder length now and that is fine with me. 

Lisa came over about an hour after we started and I secretly think she enjoyed seeing me whence in pain each time she tugged a lock of hair. Not to worry, I shall get my revenge! But then again, maybe I deserved it?