There are two kinds of dreads...those that are "free formed" and those that are "cultivated." Free formed dreads are those you allow to grow with out manipulation. Some will just separate the hair at the roots and that is it. Cultivated dreads are those you help along. They usually come from comb coils, back combing, braids or twist and they are dreads just like the free formed dreads. Unless you get dread extentions or dread perms...if you have dreads...they are real dreads. Real dreads come from not coming your hair and allowing your hair to loc.