8.1.1 – Overview – Thinning Roots vs. Thinning Core

WHAT THIS LESSON CONTAINS:

• Thinning Roots vs. Thinning Core
There’s a big difference between the two and the approach is completely different.

• Thinning Roots due to scalp issues
Primarily caused by balding, thinning, traction alopecia, hormone issues, or general breakage at the scalp. I’ve seen some cases where the twisting method sometimes thins out dreadlocks. I’ve seen this with thick African Locs on some of our clients from Africa. Many situations with a thinning scalp require a different solution than what we provide here, which often include the Loc Bridge Technique or a “Dread Piece” which is a hair piece glued to the scalp with dreadlocks attached. We’re not a big fan of either of those solutions, and therefore don’t offer them. If you need this information you’ll have to go elsewhere.

• Thinning Roots with Hair Present On Scalp
On the other hand, sometimes roots will thin out because of breakage near the scalp instead of a balding issue. If there is a lot of hair present on the scalp but it’s not in the dreadlock, you’d simply treat it like a thorough root maintenance appointment. Just pull in all the surrounding hair into the roots of the dreadlock. However, it’s important to identify the root of the issue (yes, that was a pun). If you’re crocheting a ton of hair from the scalp every month either your work is coming undone, or the hair at the scalp is continuing to break. Some hair is just really brittle.

• Thinning Core and Age / Malleability
A thinning core of a dreadlock will have several causes, but the solutions are always the same. Young dreadlocks can be crocheted with or without extra hair, aged dreadlocks will probably require extra hair to be crocheted.

• This course is primarily focused on a thinning core
Just to be clear, the majority of this course is focused on a thinning core. And the content that is focused on the scalp is only for situations where the client is NOT balding or thinning, but there is plenty of hair to reintegrate into the dreadlock root.

• Young Dreadlocks and Shrinkage
New, young, loose dreadlocks can often be crocheted in a way to thicken up the core, however this will also cause them to shrink. As the core thickens it requires more hair in that area, therefore the length shortens to fill that space.

• First time installs sometimes freak out
I’ve had clients that I give them their first installation and within a month they start freaking out and texting me saying their dreadlocks are thinning at the roots. I book them and see their dreadlocks firsthand, and realize that absolutely nothing is wrong. These clients just weren’t prepared for the roots to grow out as straight hair and not lock up nice and thick instantly on their own.