Dreadlocks: Rumors and Facts

Rumors and Facts about Dreadlocks

Dreadlocked hair is one of the most misunderstood hairstyles. Throughout my dreadlocks journey, I have heard many rumors and myths about dreadlocks, people seem to ignor everything.
here are the top rumors you may come across, and the facts about them:

Rumor 1
To have dreadlocks you must stop washing your hair, it needs to be dirty to lock
Fact: dirty hair is not healthy and it dreads slower, your hair must be clean to dread fast, you wash your dreadlocks just like you used to do before, except that you don't comb, and you use a residue free shampoo.

Rumor 2
Only black black people can have dreadlocks, or it suits only black people.
Fact: Dreadlocks are for everyone, all races, it sure take more time in some hair textures, but it's absolutly for everyone, it's about patience and spirituality.

Rumor 3
Dreadlock people smoke weed or they are potheads
Fact: Not true, many people who wear dreadlocks are not rastas (even rasta people use marijuana in a controlled way) many of them don't even smoke and have a different outlook on life.

Rumor 4
You must put some product on your hair to have dreadlocks
Products you may hear are good for dreadlocks: Honey, Toothpaste, Glue, Shewing gum, Mayonese, Candle wax, hair Gel...
Fact: Not true, do not put anything on your hair because it's unhealthy, it will become dirty and you will damage the scalp. your hair will lock itself with no help, it doesn't need any product, just patience.

Rumor 5
Dreadlocks damage your scalp, or will make you lose hair.
Fact: Not ture, if you don't use anything on your hair, and you wash it regularly, nothing will happen to it, dreads are a healthy spiritual thing.

Rumor 6
To remove dreadlocks you must shave your head
Fact: Not true, you can remove your dreadlocks, it's a hard process but it can still be done.

Rumor 7
The only Natural method to have dreadlocks is the neglect/freeform method
Fact: I would say it's the most natural way, but some hair textures will take a long time to lock, with a little backcombing or twisting, the process would be faster, that's all, they're still natural methods, the hair dreads itself in a natural process.

Rumor 8
Rubberbands will break your hair
Fact: If used in the right way, rubberbands help sectionning your hair and help tightening the roots especialy on new formed dreads, and they are used only for a short period of time.


Rumor 9
Dreadlocks are for Rastas only.
Fact: Rastas didn't invented dreadlocks. Cavemen used to have dreadlocks because the comb wasn't invented yet, dreadlocks are for everyone and for many reasons: fashion, spirituality, religion... whatever is good for you

Rumor 10
A funny one, after shaving your dreadlocks, your new hair will grow as dreads.
Fact: your hair jusr grow, your scalp doesn't even know you have dreadlocks.

Video

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Wool method for Dreadlocks

Short Dreadlocks

Wool method for Dreadlocks

What you need to know about Wool dreading:

dreadlocks wool method is a lot similar to the neglect method, or you can say it's a neglect method with just a little help. If you are going to do this method you must be very patient, and I mean VERY patient. because it is one of the most "annoying" methods, and it takes a lot of time before you start to see real dreadlocks in your hair. You you have to live with a crazy messy hair for at least a year, plus there is physical work you have to do almost everyday.

For all those reasons, many people choose other dreading methods, but it's still one of the best and healthiest ones.

How to do the Wool dread method:

The basics of the wool method are very easy:

take a wool thing (sweater, hat or gloves or anything you have)

put it on your hair and rub it in circles for few minutes till you feel knots starting to form.

You may rip it apart later to separately form your dreadlocks.

do this wool method process everytime you have free time.

Be patient and be ready to handle the pain.

This video shows you how to do the dreadlocks wool method:

Dreadlocks wool method Advantages:

like the neglect dreadlocks, it's an all natural method, anyone can do it themselves no help needed, no tools (except a wool hat or something in wool).

Dreadlocks wool method disadvantages:

It hurts a lot while you are doing it. takes a lot of time till you start to see real dreads. You will have a crazy messy hair for at least one year. You may lose a little hair in the process but it's ok.

That was all you need to know about the Wool method to make dreadlocks, you may be interested in knowing more about other methods in this post: wich Dreadlocks method to choose?

Long Dreadlocks

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Dreadlocks Twist and rip method

Dreadlocks Twist and rip method - everything you need to know.

The twist and rip method to make dreadlocks is one of the most used methods, because it works on pretty much all type of hair and  it's also an almost all natural dreading method IF you don't use any dread wax with it. 

But you have to know that once it's done and the dreads have locked, it's hard to unlock them.. So if you choose this method, you have to know that if you changed your mind about having dreadlocks you will go throu a hard undreading process.

How to do the twist and rip method?

(full article here)

 First, you wash your hair with a residue free shampoo, then Section your hair in squares (big squares or small ones depending on the size you want for your locks). Split the sectioned part in two, hold each part in one hand, then twist clockwise, change the hands and spread the sectioned part till it get's tight by the root, repeat the twist and rip till you reach ther end of hair. you might do some palmrolling after. You may also use rubberbands to secure your sections and take them off later.

This video shows you the basic way of twist and rip:

This is a better quality video

Twist and rip dreadlocks Maintenance

The Twist and rip method just like any other dreadlocks method, there is not much to be done, just washing your hair, you may do some palmrolling if needed but you don't have to. Sometimes the twist and rip locks get unlocked at the end, you may need to re twist and rip them again.

You may also Moisturize your dreadlocks sometimes to avoid dryness, it helps keeping your hair healthy.

Twist and rip dreadlock: washing your hair

You wash your dreadlocks twice a week and that's fine. Many people wash it less (when they first twist and rip ) to speed up the locking process, but it's up to you.

But you have to avoid any shampoo that leave residue behind. Make sure you use only natural residue free dread Soap.

Twist and rip dreadlock advantages 

in the twist and rip method You control the size of your dreads. it's almost an all natural method (unless you use wax). your dreads look like real dreads the same day.

Twist and rip dreadlock disadvantages 

doesn't work very well for some straight silky smooth hair. you may lose a little bit hair in the process. Hard to get it undone. may take time doing it and might hurt a little bit aswell.

That was all about the twist and rip method for dreadlocks, you might be interested in reading more about the different dreadlocks method in this post Dreadlocks: what dreadlocks method to choose?

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Dreadlocks: What you really need to know

Dreadlocks: What you really need to know

I have found something very interesting on wikipedia, but it was too long, I brought you only the most important things, and you can still read everything (link below)

Dreadlocks, also called locks, a ras, dreads, "rasta" or Jata (Hindi), are matted coils of hair. Dreadlocks are usually intentionally formed; because of the variety of different hair textures, various methods are used to encourage the formation of locks such as backcombing. Additionally, leaving long hair to its own devices by not brushing or cutting the hair will encourage it to tangle together as it grows, leading to twisted, matted ropes of hair known as dreadlocks. The latter method is typically referred to as the neglect method. A common misconception is that those who have dreadlocks do not wash their hair, but this is not always the case. Many dreadlock care regimens require the wearer to wash their hair up to twice a week (a normal amount for healthy, clean hair of any style).

Dreadlocks are associated most closely with the Rastafari movement, but people from many ethnic groups in history before them have worn dreadlocks, including many ancient Semitic and Indo-Aryan peoples of the Near East and Asia Minor, Sadhus of Nepal, India and the Sufi Rafaees, the Māori people of New Zealand, the Maasai and the Oromo of East Africa, and the Sufi malangs and fakirs of Pakistan, and medieval Irish Warriors.

Etymology
The word is a compound word combining the words dread and locks that dates to the time of the invasion of native peoples in the West Indies. In the 1960s the intent may have been to evoke the dread aroused in beholders of the hair; "dread" also has a sense of "fear of the Lord" in the Rastafari Movement, which can be partially expressed as alienation from contemporary society.

History
The first known examples of dreadlocks date back to East Africa and some parts of North Africa. Maasai men found in the regions of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya have been wearing dreadlocks for as long as they have survived. There hasn't been official date of the "start" of Maasai dreadlocks, but it is a tradition that has been going on for thousands of years.[citation needed] Even today, Maasai men can be found easily donning their dreadlocks, with a tint of red color from the soil.

In ancient Egypt examples of Egyptians wearing locked hairstyles and wigs have appeared on bas-reliefs, statuary and other artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with locks, as well as locked wigs, have also been recovered from archaeological sites.
The Hindu deity Shiva and his followers were described in the scriptures as wearing "jaTaa", meaning "twisted locks of hair", probably derived from the Dravidian word "Sadai", which means to twist or to wrap. The Greeks, the Pacific Ocean peoples, the Naga people and several ascetic groups within various major religions have at times worn their hair in locks, including the monks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the Nazirites of Judaism, Qalandari Sufi's the Sadhus of Hinduism, and the Dervishes of Islam among others. The very earliest Christians also may have worn this hairstyle. Particularly noteworthy are descriptions of James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem, who wore them to his ankles.

Pre-Columbian Aztec priests were described in Aztec codices (including the Durán Codex, the Codex Tudela and the Codex Mendoza) as wearing their hair untouched, allowing it to grow long and matted.

In Senegal, the Baye Fall, followers of the Mouride movement, a sect of Islam indigenous to the country which was founded in 1887 by Shaykh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke, are famous for growing locks and wearing multi-colored gowns. Cheikh Ibra Fall, founder of the Baye Fall school of the Mouride Brotherhood, popularized the style by adding a mystic touch to it, it's important to note that warriors among fullani, wolof, serer and mandika were also known to have dreadlocks when old and cornrows when young for centuries.

(Source: Wikipedia, read full article here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadlocks)

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Dreadlocks Journey: 6 Important questions to ask Before Starting

Dreadlocks Journey: Before Starting your journey

Now before you start your wonderful dreadlocks journey (and yes it will be wonderful I am sure). there are few things you need to know. As in starting any project in life, the first thing you do is collecting information.

Or let's say that there are few questions you need to ask yourself and find the good answers.

1-What does dreadlocks mean?

wikipedia says: "Dreadlocks, also called locks, dreads, or Jata (Hindi), are matted coils of hair." I wrote a full post about what you need to know about dreadlocks here.

2-What is the word "dreadlocks" to me?

is it just a different hairstyle or haircut that you fancy trying? is it just the look of the natty dreads that attracts you? or are you a real dreadhead willing to start a true wonderful dreadlocks journey?

3-Am I able to have dreadlocks with my hair type?

Dreadlocks are for everyone from all races, regardless to your hair type. you don't have to be a black African to have dreads like many people think. But still you have to know everything about your hair, your hair texture, your hair strenght... that will help you a lot in choosing what dreading method to use.

4-Wich dreadlocks method will work best for me?

As I said it depends a lot on your hair type, if your hair is not strong enough, some methods may damage your hair a little bit.
read about all the methods to make dreadlocks in this post:
http://dreadlocksjourneyblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/dreadlocks-journey-five-methods-how-to.html

5-Dreadlocks products??

You can find some here and there. But a personal advice I give you "NO".
 stick to natural stuff, if you want to have beautiful healthy dreadlocks avoid using any non-natural product.

6-Am I patient enough?

It's not gonna be easy, it takes time, so you must be very patient, don't give up. Everytime you feel like you're gonna give up on your dreadlocks journey, think about the result, picture yourself with nice long dreadlocks, browse the net and see other people's dreadlock journeys, it will motivate you.

Peace and Love

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