Dreadlocks - What you need to know before starting your locs journey
First of
all the term Dreadlocks is getting less and less popular with time, it is getting
slowly replaced by just locs or locks. But I still use the word dreadlocks for the
sake of habit and also for Youtube and search engine's algorithms.
If you are
considering starting your first dreadlocks journey then there are few things
you need to be aware of.
I- Questions to ask yourself and to think deeply of before locking your hair:
1- What does the word "dreadlocks" mean?
This simply
means that you have to collect as many information as you can about dreads,
from history, to cultures who had them as hairstyle, to dread's products you
can use to even the possible links between being a dreadhead and spirituality...
etc
(You might
come across some funny myths like that dreadlocks attract bugs or that your
hair has to be dirty to lock.. etc).
2- Why do you want to have dreadlocks?
There are
so many reasons why people start their dreadlocks journey: trying something different,
being or becoming a rasta, changing the look, trying to look like a celebrity,
self-empowerment and growth... Knowing why YOU want to have them will help you
a lot in the future, especially in choosing the dreadlocks method that suits
you the most.
3- How patient are you?
Patience is
crucial when it comes to dreadlocks, you will know later why you need a lot of
it, if you're not patient enough then you should reconsider having locs, they
are probably not for you.
II- General information about dreadlocks you must know.
1- You will mostly not have the exact result you imagined
You
probably wanted to have dreads like Bob Marley or any other celebrity that you
admire, but you will probably not get the exact look you wanted length and size
wise. your dreads will just do their thing they won't care about your wishes.
So just be ready to accept whatever your hair ends up doing. Every dreadlocks
journey is unique so be proud of yours.
2- You will have a messy hair for a while.
We are talking
here about at least a year before your dreads mature, that's when you will need
the "lots of patience" we talked about earlier. So be ready to deal
with the mess on a daily basis, using bandanas or bonnets or any head
accessories for your interlocking locs.
3- Washing your hair will be different.
There will
be no brushing any more, which is going to be a challenge to get used to. You
will also need to have a residue-free shampoo to help your hair locking. And
finally every now and then you will have to do a deep cleaning, because no
matter how good you wash your dreads they will still have build up inside that
you have to do a cleaning and a "detoxing dreads", using Baking soda and apple cider vinegar for
example.
4- Drying locs takes ages.
If washing
your locked hair will be just a new different routine, drying it is another
story. No matter what you do to your dreadlocks they will always take ours to
dry after getting them wet, take that into consideration because it will change
your daily plans.
Regardless
of all these negative sides, having dreadlocks could be the best experience you
might have in your life. They will boost your self confidence and make you feel
special, because of course not everybody has the chance to have them. And above
all my favorite part is that you will find a welcoming community in every
social media platform that you can be a part of, which is very fun.