Dread perms involve a comb, perm rods, end papers, and AT LEAST 6 inches of your natural hair to form dreadlocks. Dread perms also entail the use of permanent wave chemicals. Dread perms are the most efficient way to begin dreadlocks. Dread perms are NOT for everyone, if a dread perm won’t work for you, dread crochet would be the solution to beginning a new crop of dreads.

DREAD PERMS REQUIRE THAT:

• You must be able to tolerate perm chemicals, most people can, a few can NOT – if unsure we can do a patch test on your forearm with the solution that would be used on your hair, or one similar to the solution I would be using. If you were to have a reaction it would likely be from ammonium thioglycolate, thus being the active ingredient in most perm solutions. This patch test must be done prior to securing the date and putting down a deposit. You must initiate interest in a patch test, getting yourself to the salon at a time convenient for me, and then you must monitor your reaction for 24 hours and let me know should you wish to go through with your dread perm. I will charge you the cost of one perm set, most being $7.00, to retain a patch test. NO, you may not take the perm with you as that would be a liability for me. The perm is often useless after the ingredients are mixed and I must throw it away. You will be required to sign a waiver to receive a patch test.
  
  
• All hair to be dreaded is at least 6 inches long. Any hair on your head, shorter than 6 inches will not hold a lock very readily. Please be honest with me, and honest with yourself, this service will NOT work if you do not have the correct amount of length and I can’t stress it enough. I would prefer longer to shorter and do NOT get a haircut “just to trim the ends” right before your dread perm date.
  
  
• Your hair should NOT be currently more than 20 percent bleached. Though it is possible the results can be difficult to predict, I prefer that hair more than 20 percent bleached be crocheted into dreadlocks rather than permed.
  
  
• You are NOT pregnant. Hormones from pregnancy deliver unpredictable results when combined with perm chemicals. It is undetermined at this time how the actual chemical may or may not affect your baby, but it is a known and experienced fact that hair grown during pregnancy responds differently than average hair to salon chemicals. Dread crochet is a much better solution.
  
  
• You have NOT been on heavy meds, pain management typically, for the period your current hair has been present. It has been my experience that people who have been involved in  bad accidents, thus making it necessary to manage severe pain, do not have hair that responds predictably to perm chemicals. Crocheting dreads would be a solution.
  
  

• You must be able to sit still for several hours in a salon as well as be rinsed in a salon sink. Dread perming, and dread lock creation in general is a long process to endure. You must have the ability to stay seated for a long period of time in a salon and dryer chair, while putting up with typical salon noise, product fragrances, and contact with all kinds of people. Dread perms also involve a stinky chemical on your head. Snacks and water should be kept at hand to keep your blood sugar stable and hydration up. Books and iPods can also be helpful. Keep in mind I work in a salon called Scream, it is loud with loud music playing…..It is Scream, NOT whisper.****NO whining allowed!***
  
  
• You must NOT shampoo/immerse your locks in water for 2-3 weeks post dread perm. Your baby dreads need to harden, you can still shower; I even encourage daily showers…just put on a shower cap and keep your dreadies dry. After this initial 2-3 week period, which I swear is NOT that painful, you can immerse and shampoo no more than 3 times a week and no less than 1 time each month depending on the individual.
  
  
• You must consider necessary maintenance cost and product cost to assure the future of your locks. There won’t be an abundance of necessary items to purchase, or an excessive commitment to costly maintenance, but there will be some. Expect it, plan for it. *see dread maintenance*
  
  
• You understand dread perms can NOT be UN done a short time after they administered. In at least 6 months, your hair will grow about 3- 4 inches. If you wish you could cut the chemically permed portion off and detangle the remaining 3- 4 inches with patience and some conditioner.