I always found it a lot easier to start at the bottom of the scalp than at the top, or even in a random area of the head. When ever I install dreads on myself, I don’t really worry about it they are completely even. As long as the rows of dreads are straight it doesn’t really matter. They end up looking the same, and as long as you section your hair evenly all is well. When you have someone else installing your dreads for you, they should also start at the bottom of the hair.
From my experience installing on others, that was the best way to get an even coverage and to use all the dreads in the set. Its always better to have more dreads made than you need, regardless if it is your first time installing them. Starting at the bottom of the scalp section off inch strips of hair, and pin up the rest so it doesn’t get in the way. once that is done, section out 1inch squares of hair from the strip. when I do this to myself when I install my dreads, I always have about 4 at the very bottom of my scalp from the section. the undercut area of the scalp should have bigger section than the sections at the crown and the top of the head, that way your instillation goes a lot faster. You can also use Double ended dreads in the under cut section of the hair, but the sections that you section of from the rest of the hair have to be a little bit bigger than 1 inch, that way it can be evenly separated in half to hold the DE dread. You don’t always have to use DE’s in the bottom of the hair, they are used to make the installation go a lot faster, you can also use them all over the head, or in specific sections of the head (like the crown area, to give more volume to the hair)
An average install for me takes about 4 and a half to 6 hours, but that all depends if i get distracted.
the length of your hair will also affect the time it takes to install your dreads as well. If your hair is really short ( like 4 or 5 inches or so) it will take less time to install, but if your hair is about a foot or so in length it will take a lot longer.
Check out my Dread Installing run through video on My youtube channel.
http://youtu.be/iLUE-9Fd0do
