Can You Teach Yourself to Make Dreadlocks?

The short answer is yes. It is possible to teach yourself to make dreadlocks. The longer answer is that it usually costs more than most people think, in time, in clients and in your body.

I know, because that is how I started myself. In 1996, a friend came back from a language holiday in London and wanted dreadlocks. We went to the library, found almost nothing, and tried anyway. The result was not beautiful. I have no photos, and we should all be grateful for that.

In this post I want to be honest about what you can learn on your own, and what you can't. If you are wondering whether this work is for you at all, start with the guide How to Become a Loctician and Dreadlock Artist in the UK.

Why so many people try to teach themselves

It is easy to understand. There are endless free videos. A crochet hook and a practice head don't cost much. And many people want to try before investing in a course, to feel whether this is really for them.

It is a completely understandable first step. Curiosity is a good beginning.

What you can actually learn on your own

On your own, you can learn quite a lot:

• the first movements and a feel for the hair
• whether you enjoy working with your hands for many hours
• whether you are comfortable being so close to another person
• how to make a few dreadlocks in your own hair, or on a friend who knows you are practising

That is valuable knowledge. But it is something different from being ready to take paying clients.

What you don't see when you learn alone

The hardest thing about learning alone is that you don't know what you don't know. You can only learn what you happen to come across, and there is no one to tell you when something is wrong. That often leads to:

• Habits that later have to be unlearned. Small mistakes in grip, movement and posture settle into your hands, and they take a long time to change.
• Methods that only work on some hair. Many videos show one type of hair. When a client with a different texture comes in, you get stuck.
• Products that hide weak technique. Wax and other products can make dreadlocks look finished, but they build up in the hair and don't hold over time.
• A body that gets hurt. When I started, my hands had cuts and sores after every working day. I thought that came with the job. It doesn't.
• Pieces that don't fit together. You put together advice from many sources, and some of it contradicts itself.

What happens when clients come

When you start charging, you take on a different responsibility. Many of the people who sit in your chair have thought about dreadlocks for years. They have wrestled with doubt, with what their family will say, and with whether they really dare. And then they choose to trust you.

That trust is easily damaged. Dreadlocks that unravel, that don't mature, or that hurt the scalp don't just damage the hair. They damage the trust the client had in their own dream. And word travels fast, in both directions.

When teaching yourself can be right

There are situations where it is completely fine to teach yourself:

• when you only want to make or maintain your own dreadlocks
• when you want to find out whether the work suits you before you invest
• when you have many years ahead of you and are comfortable learning slowly and unevenly

But if the goal is to work with clients and build a livelihood as a dreadlock artist, it is rarely the fastest or safest path.

A middle step: start alone, continue with a teacher

You don't have to choose one or the other. It is very common to start on your own, feel that this is for you, and then look for a teacher when you want to do it properly.

An online course can be a good first step, because you get a clear path to follow at your own pace. When you are ready, a few days side by side with a teacher can correct your habits and give you confidence in your hands. In Online or In-Person Loctician Course: Which Is Right for You? I write more about the benefits of both.

How you can learn with me

The Professional Loctician Online Course can be bought on its own. You get lifetime access and learn at your own pace. Read more about the online course

The Professional Loctician In-Person Training in London combines the online course with 2 days one-to-one on real hair models, with me coming to you. Afterwards you get 5 coaching calls, guidance in the community and 2 days in the salon with me every year. The training costs €4,599, and payment plans are available through Klarna. Read more about the training in London

Frequently asked questions

Can I make dreadlocks in my own hair myself?

It is possible, but it is hard to reach the back of your head and get an even result. Many people get better dreadlocks and healthier hair by having them made by an experienced loctician.

Are free videos enough to start charging?

Rarely. Videos can show you the movements, but they can't see your hands, correct your mistakes or teach you to work on every hair texture. Before you charge, you should be confident that your dreadlocks hold over time.

How long does it take to teach yourself?

It varies a lot. For many people it takes several years of trial and error, and some never quite get where they want to be. With a clear path and a teacher who sees your hands, it goes much faster.

Choose the path that fits you

Whichever path you choose, choose it consciously. The way you learn this craft shapes the loctician you become, perhaps for the rest of your career.

Not sure what is right for you? Send me an email at [email protected]. I will answer honestly, even if I think the time is not right for you yet.

With love,
Ann-Marie