Iam really confused about my new dreads

[james]

If you look around the forum and check out timelines etc, you'll get the idea that dreads don't become proper dreads for months even years. I let my hair naturally dread itself, which is a learning curve in having patience. I'm 7 + years on from there. Wash your hair when you need to, ( mainly massage your scalp at that length gently). Things will come undone, in time they knot back up permanently. Never use wax, it might make them look neat but in the long run it will ruin your dreads and anyway waxy hair would be horrible. It's the line that gets repeated again and again... Relax and just let it happen, ups and downs, you can just let go. Later on you might want to tidy with crochet needles etc if you wanted them super neat, but there's something to be said for the wild look. The best thing for dreads in the first year is to have no control over them, just wash your hair, clean hair likes to knot more than waxy or naturally oily hair. You'll be fine.
Oh and wearing a hat is fine. I hid my rats nest under a hat for the first year a lot but it's best to allow them movement too. A loose natural wool hat is your friend.

[dogyleo]

thank you for the bro tips
what about swimming?
can i swim at the pool daily?

[cammym]

I second the no wax suggestion! And personally, I didn't hesitate to wash my hair after dreading it. I think the first wash was just a couple days after making them. They will probably loosen a bit with washing and daily movement, but this is ok and even good! I would go ahead and swim, and wash or rinse them afterwards. Just make sure they get nice and dry afterwards

[alethionaut]

Swimming fine as long as they are completely dry afterwards. It's good practise now before they mature - wet dreads that get wet again and again without drying in between will be mouldy dreads in no time