Dreadlocks don't seem to be maturing much?

[purpledaze]

I've had my dreadlocks for almost a year now, but the majority of them aren't any different from the 6 month mark only around 3 of them feel tight and compact, the rest I could easily pull apart with my fingers. Does anyone know why this is happening?
In fact, they don't really look that much different than they do at the 4 month mark:

Today:

[Dreadlocktruth]

What method did you use, again? If you're going natural then some hair just takes longer to lock up, in some cases it's taken twice what you've waited so far. With backcombing etc you'd expect it to be more mature by now, though.

I know a lot of folks have said that sea salt sprays help speed up the locking process. I'm sure we've probably suggested that to you already but, if not, give it a try or simply dunk ya head in the ocean now it's getting warmer!

[purpledaze]

May 11, 2017 22:14:04 GMT Dreadlocktruth said:

What method did you use, again? If you're going natural then some hair just takes longer to lock up, in some cases it's taken twice what you've waited so far. With backcombing etc you'd expect it to be more mature by now, though.

I know a lot of folks have said that sea salt sprays help speed up the locking process. I'm sure we've probably suggested that to you already but, if not, give it a try or simply dunk ya head in the ocean now it's getting warmer!

I used the backcomb method! But I've never done any maintaining. But thank you, I'll try using some sea salt spray! Hopefully the weather stays warm and I can go for a swim do you have any ideas as to why they aren't maturing? Sorry to ask so many questions!

[Dreadlocktruth]

It's impossible to say really. It looks like you haven't really had any shrinkage yet? That's usually when the knots become solid as it all compresses together... sea salt sprays will help that, too.

Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo also seems to help people's hair knot up. I'm not sure I'd recommend it entirely for that purpose (it's expensive and over-use can dry your scalp out too much and cause itchies) but that's something.

[acidburn]

I back combed all fell out. By 1 year it was all straight hair. From 1year to 2 they changed alot. Also I tried t gel, liquid dead shampoo, sea salt sprays nothing helped, then I got bar shampoo with bamboo charcoal that made my hair want to tangle.

[dave]

Mine took a few years to look close to mature ^^ I also backcombed. It all depends on the hair type

[james]

I can see the advancement. Mine only looked decent between the two and three year mark. Do sit tight, they will transform. You look great.

[purpledaze]

May 11, 2017 22:38:36 GMT Dreadlocktruth said:

It's impossible to say really. It looks like you haven't really had any shrinkage yet? That's usually when the knots become solid as it all compresses together... sea salt sprays will help that, too.

Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo also seems to help people's hair knot up. I'm not sure I'd recommend it entirely for that purpose (it's expensive and over-use can dry your scalp out too much and cause itchies) but that's something.

Yeah, I've only had a tiny bit of shrinkage on a few of them. Thank you, I'll start using sea salt and I'll look into that shampoo!

[purpledaze]

May 11, 2017 22:39:52 GMT acidburn said:

I back combed all fell out. By 1 year it was all straight hair. From 1year to 2 they changed alot. Also I tried t gel, liquid dead shampoo, sea salt sprays nothing helped, then I got bar shampoo with bamboo charcoal that made my hair want to tangle.

Oh, really? Wow, thank you, I feel better about where mine are at now. I bet your dreads look awesome now!

[purpledaze]

May 11, 2017 22:43:20 GMT dave said:

Mine took a few years to look close to mature ^^ I also backcombed. It all depends on the hair type

Thank you, I feel better knowing that other people's took a little longer to mature, too! I forget that not everyone has the same hair type. I should stop comparing my dreads to other peoples!

[purpledaze]

May 12, 2017 0:06:33 GMT james said:

I can see the advancement. Mine only looked decent between the two and three year mark. Do sit tight, they will transform. You look great.

Thank you! I guess it's hard for me to notice the advancements because I see them all the time. Thank you, you guys have helped a lot!

[Deleted]

Gosh, I think they look great right now. So much personality and uniqueness. If you keep going you'll have earned very beautiful dreads.

[grassman]

I agree, I think they look really cool too! And as long as some shrinking is happening or at least staying the same length while you know it's been growing around 6 inches in the last year (if undreaded), then there has to be change going on whether you notice or not. I think they look thicker.

[purpledaze]

May 12, 2017 12:45:15 GMT @kevin said:

Gosh, I think they look great right now. So much personality and uniqueness. If you keep going you'll have earned very beautiful dreads.

Thank you so much! This really made me smile

[purpledaze]

May 12, 2017 19:56:33 GMT grassman said:

I agree, I think they look really cool too! And as long as some shrinking is happening or at least staying the same length while you know it's been growing around 6 inches in the last year (if undreaded), then there has to be change going on whether you notice or not. I think they look thicker.

I hadn't thought about that! They haven't grown at all since I put them in, so that must be something Thank you!