Going to start my dreads soon but was wondering...........

[ash]

Hi all! I have been lurking on and off over the last few years. I have always wanted dreads and did a partial a cpl years ago (without doing enough research) via the TnR method. I kept them a few months and loved them but hated the fact that i lost ALOT of my length. My hair has always grown so slow and it was a little disappointing so they ended up getting brushed out, especially because i am an office manager and i must look somewhat put together at work.  However, now i want them more than before and figured i would prepare myself better this time. So, I have some questions I was wondering if you could help me with:
1.) What should i do to prepare my hair for this?
I already only wash every 2 to 3 days and rarely use conditioner. 
2.) Any specific shampoo you guys would advice? 
I have a sensitive scalp and am very careful of what gets used.
3.) I have very fine hair and , to me, not a ton of it. Obviously this will effect the size and number of dreads, is there any sectioning patterns that work better for this type of hair?
4.)Is TnR the best method? I was thinking this along with some palm rolling. I have been reading the forum and see that crocheting is damaging and not something advised in most of the threads. Obviously, neglect is not going to be an option for me due to the fact that i do hafta maintain appearances for work. I wish i could find a loctician near me but i have been searching and found nothing!
5.) Extensions? How long do i have to wait to install them? Can they be done the same day? Should I wait a week, a month? 
6.) Again, extensions...... who is a reputable company to buy from?  Any vendors on etsy you prefer? ( I am big about supporting small business) My hair color can't be crazy so how do I pick a decent color to match? Can they color match for me?
7.) Maintance......how hard is it to maintain dreads with extensions? any specifics I should be aware of? 


I am trying my best to avoid surprises and upsets because I do not want to take this set out. I appreciate all the help you guys can offer! I have been watching youtube and reading websites and forums and joined FB groups. Please let me know if there are any specific websites, youtubers,forums or groups that really helped you when you first started. I apologize if these questions have been answered in some way before. I read thru all the threads that  mentioned these subjects ( and others, thats why there is only 7 questions now instead of 30) and was still hazy on some info so wanted some clarification

Thanks for all the help you guys have already provided just from the previous threads and for all the help you guys can give!

[Michele Fields]

I had a loctician do mine. Dreads are messy when you start out it is just part of the process. I wore my hair up in messy bun. I decorate cakes and wear a hairnet so there were no issues at work. I advise DollyLocks products available on ETSY. Their shampoo is the bomb. The key is the tightening spray. Salt and warm water in a spray bottle can be used too. I like the smell of the DollyLocks products and l have had success with them. Keep your dreads separated by pulling the apart as they will want to cobweb together. You will hear a snap when you pull them apart. It is OK. Lazydreads on YouTube has Helped me out immensely. DollyLocks are located in Florida and they too have a YouTube channel. Commitment. Bottom line.

[deathsfinalkiss]

ash,

Your wash cycle sounds good already, just don't condition between now and making them.

I've used Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle for over 3 years with no complaints. It's only like $4 for a bottle, and it lasts a long time.

I have fine, straight hair, and made 3/4" sections, they've thickened up brilliantly, and it would have looked weird if they were any bigger (I have a mohawk). I also did my husband's (mohawk) and daughter's (tiny 6yo ) with 3/4" sections. HOWEVER, my hair was at my waist before I did them, and by about 18mo my hair was at the tops of my shoulders.

I used a combination of tnr, with backcombing. My hair wouldn't hold either method on it's own, so I would twist it, and then backcomb the twist.

The only maintenance I do is separating and making sure they don't congo, so I can't help with the rest.

I totally recommend watching the lazydreads videos on youtube. He covers the pros and cons, along with methods/care. Good luck with your journey!

[lipstic]

It sounds like you're already on the right path.

Shampoo is personal choice, however I suggest avoiding any that promote shiny or silky hair (for obvious reasons.) Over the years I have experimented with quite a few:
Baking soda, use it dry and rinse it out with diluted vinegar. This was awesome for me in the summer. In fact I still do this every so many washes even though my dreads are gone. Some have noted their hair grew faster with this method, but I didn't notice a difference.
Castile soap, works awesome, it's versatile so I can add essential oils to help my hair and scalp depending on what I need at that moment.
Recently I have tried buck naked soap, it seems ok but I need to give it a few more tests.
As for method, once again it's personal preference. I have poker straight hair (doesn't even hold after curling) and used the t&r method. I however, am very impatient. I have had backcombed dreads before and found in the beginning t&r were easier to control. Whatever you choose avoid crochet and interlock methods.
I did mine entirely myself, it took a few hours, but it's possible. If you have a friend who is willing to help it will go much faster.
I used wool (NOT yarn) to extend my dreads, I felted the wool into dreads and braided them in. There are other ways, but that's what I did.
To maintain just pull them apart and NEVER use scissors no matter how tempting. I would recommend against crochet hooks or anything that will poke holes in them. You do not need to re dread your hair it will do that on its own if you just keep it separate and maybe give the new growth a bit of a rub.
If you have to take them out don't fret, you can always try them again at an other time. Does your work already know that you plan on doing this? If not test the waters first by rope braiding your hair.